99
Android CentralTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Mar 30, 2026
“I highly recommend the Sony WF-1000XM6 if you're in the market for a pair of "do-it-all" buds with nearly non-existent compromises.”
By Tshaka Armstrong · Rated 4.5/5Full review
Headphones
Sony WF-1000XM6
Sony · From $329.99
Release date Feb 12, 2026
89
Critical Gold
Based on 15 Critic Reviews
14 with a published score, 1 scored from text · How it works
Latest review Jun 22, 2026
10 Rave5 Positive
Critics' Take
Critics call the WF-1000XM6 Sony's best earbuds yet, with detailed, well-balanced sound, strong noise cancelling and improved call quality. Several reviewers say rivals from Apple and Bose now match or beat the ANC, and the larger housing and case make fit a sticking point. At $329.99 with battery life unchanged from the XM5, the upgrade is easiest to justify for XM4 owners and older.
What critics loved
- Detailed, natural sound with a 10-band EQ
- Strong noise cancelling and transparency
- Better call quality than the XM5
- Wide codec support including LDAC and LE Audio
Common gripes
- Fit and seal can be fiddly, especially for smaller ears
- Larger charging case
- Battery life unchanged at about 8 hours
- Price rose to $329.99
- ANC trails Apple and Bose in some tests
Critic Scorecard
15 reviewsSort:
Weighted by outlet tier:Tier 1 outlet, weighted 100%100%Tier 2 outlet, weighted 75%75%Tier 3 outlet, weighted 40%40%Tier 4 outlet, weighted 20%20%
99
What Hi-Fi?Tier 3 outlet, weighted 40%★ Editors' ChoiceFeb 12, 2026
“You'll want to make sure you get along with the fit/tips, but you can't argue the Sony WF-1000XM6 sound out-of-this-world and put in an all-round performance good enough to worry every major rival at the money.”
Page shows the What Hi-Fi? Awards 2026 winner badge.
By Andy Madden · Rated 5/5Full review
98
WiredTier 1 outlet, weighted 100%Mar 13, 2026
“Industry-leading noise canceling. Amazing transparency. Fantastic tuning, with bass that's dynamic and fun to listen to.”
By Parker Hall · Rated 9/10Full review
98
Trusted ReviewsTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Feb 12, 2026
“The WF-1000XM6 are another excellent headphone from Sony, providing a better all-round performance than previous models.”
By Kob Monney · Rated 5/5Full review
98
TechnerdoTier 4 outlet, weighted 20%Apr 8, 2026
“The $329.99 price is the primary hurdle.”
By Omer YLD · Rated 9/10Full review
96
GizmodoTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Feb 12, 2026
“Sony's followup to the WF-1000XM5 sound amazing, and have good ANC and solid battery life.”
By James Pero · Rated 4.5/5Full review
Show 9 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
93
TechGearLabTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%May 30, 2026
“The sound quality is improved, the call quality has taken a step up, and the noise cancellation is out of this world.”
By Rachael Lamore · Rated 4.7/5Full review
89
Tom's GuideTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Feb 12, 2026
“The Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds are a significant upgrade over their predecessors.”
By Ashley Thieme · Rated 4/5Full review
85
SoundGuysTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%★ Editors' ChoiceFeb 12, 2026
“If you're on the XM4 or older, they're easy to recommend.”
By Adam Birney · Rated 8.4/10Full review
85
GSMArenaTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%Feb 12, 2026
“Sony didn't reinvent the wheel with the WF-1000XM6.”
No numeric score; score is an estimate from the text verdict. Opened via m.gsmarena.com.
By Michail · Unrated, scored from textFull review
79
EngadgetTier 1 outlet, weighted 100%Feb 12, 2026
“Sony's flagship earbuds are still near the top of the heap, but the competition has caught up.”
By Billy Steele · Rated 84/100Full review
78
PCMagTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Feb 12, 2026
“The Sony WF-1000XM6 noise-cancelling earbuds deliver outstanding audio with robust customization options and long battery life.”
By Christian de Looper · Rated 4/5Full review
76
TechRadarTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Feb 12, 2026
“But for noise-cancelling efficacy, super clear call-handling, a truly comfortable fit and assorted spatial audio chops, I think Sony's being somewhat overtaken now.”
By Becky Scarrott · Rated 4/5Full review
76
T3Tier 3 outlet, weighted 40%Feb 12, 2026
“Sony's newest flagship earbuds are a puzzle.”
By Max Freeman-Mills · Rated 4/5Full review
76
The PC EnthusiastTier 4 outlet, weighted 20%Jun 22, 2026
“Comfort was only average for me, the hybrid foam tips didn't feel as natural as standard silicone tips, and ANC performance didn't stand out the way I thought it would from Sony's latest flagship.”
By Peter Paul · Rated 3.8/5Full review
76
The PC EnthusiastTier 4 outlet, weighted 20%Jun 22, 2026
“Comfort was only average for me, the hybrid foam tips didn't feel as natural as standard silicone tips, and ANC performance didn't stand out the way I thought it would from Sony's latest flagship.”
By Peter Paul · Rated 3.8/5Full review
93
TechGearLabTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%May 30, 2026
“The sound quality is improved, the call quality has taken a step up, and the noise cancellation is out of this world.”
By Rachael Lamore · Rated 4.7/5Full review
98
TechnerdoTier 4 outlet, weighted 20%Apr 8, 2026
“The $329.99 price is the primary hurdle.”
By Omer YLD · Rated 9/10Full review
99
Android CentralTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Mar 30, 2026
“I highly recommend the Sony WF-1000XM6 if you're in the market for a pair of "do-it-all" buds with nearly non-existent compromises.”
By Tshaka Armstrong · Rated 4.5/5Full review
98
WiredTier 1 outlet, weighted 100%Mar 13, 2026
“Industry-leading noise canceling. Amazing transparency. Fantastic tuning, with bass that's dynamic and fun to listen to.”
By Parker Hall · Rated 9/10Full review
99
What Hi-Fi?Tier 3 outlet, weighted 40%★ Editors' ChoiceFeb 12, 2026
“You'll want to make sure you get along with the fit/tips, but you can't argue the Sony WF-1000XM6 sound out-of-this-world and put in an all-round performance good enough to worry every major rival at the money.”
Page shows the What Hi-Fi? Awards 2026 winner badge.
By Andy Madden · Rated 5/5Full review
Show 9 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
98
Trusted ReviewsTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Feb 12, 2026
“The WF-1000XM6 are another excellent headphone from Sony, providing a better all-round performance than previous models.”
By Kob Monney · Rated 5/5Full review
96
GizmodoTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Feb 12, 2026
“Sony's followup to the WF-1000XM5 sound amazing, and have good ANC and solid battery life.”
By James Pero · Rated 4.5/5Full review
89
Tom's GuideTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Feb 12, 2026
“The Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds are a significant upgrade over their predecessors.”
By Ashley Thieme · Rated 4/5Full review
85
SoundGuysTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%★ Editors' ChoiceFeb 12, 2026
“If you're on the XM4 or older, they're easy to recommend.”
By Adam Birney · Rated 8.4/10Full review
85
GSMArenaTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%Feb 12, 2026
“Sony didn't reinvent the wheel with the WF-1000XM6.”
No numeric score; score is an estimate from the text verdict. Opened via m.gsmarena.com.
By Michail · Unrated, scored from textFull review
79
EngadgetTier 1 outlet, weighted 100%Feb 12, 2026
“Sony's flagship earbuds are still near the top of the heap, but the competition has caught up.”
By Billy Steele · Rated 84/100Full review
78
PCMagTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Feb 12, 2026
“The Sony WF-1000XM6 noise-cancelling earbuds deliver outstanding audio with robust customization options and long battery life.”
By Christian de Looper · Rated 4/5Full review
76
TechRadarTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Feb 12, 2026
“But for noise-cancelling efficacy, super clear call-handling, a truly comfortable fit and assorted spatial audio chops, I think Sony's being somewhat overtaken now.”
By Becky Scarrott · Rated 4/5Full review
76
T3Tier 3 outlet, weighted 40%Feb 12, 2026
“Sony's newest flagship earbuds are a puzzle.”
By Max Freeman-Mills · Rated 4/5Full review
Quick Facts
- Noise cancelling
- Adaptive ANC, QN3e processor
- Battery life
- Up to 8 hours per charge, about 24 hours with case (ANC on)
- Quick charge
- Up to 60 minutes of playback from 3 minutes
- Bluetooth
- 5.3, multipoint, Auracast
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3
- Water resistance
- IPX4
- EQ
- 10-band in the Sony app
- Colors
- Black, Silver
- Price
- $329.99