99
What Hi-Fi?T3★ Editors' ChoiceMay 15, 2025
“They’re the best-sounding flagship pair we’ve heard from Sony to date, which is no mean feat.”
By Andy Madden · Rated 5/5Full review
Headphones
Sony WH-1000XM6
Sony · From $449.99
Release date May 15, 2025
94
Critical Gold
Based on 19 Critic Reviews
17 with a published score, 2 scored from text · How it works
Latest review Mar 8, 2026
16 Rave3 Positive
Critics' Take
Reviewers call the WH-1000XM6 Sony's best noise-cancelling headphones yet, with stronger ANC, a more balanced sound and a folding design that returns after the XM5. Most describe it as a refinement of the XM5 rather than a leap, and several rank its noise cancelling above Bose. The $449.99 price, 30-hour battery life and lack of USB audio keep a few reviewers from giving it top marks.
What critics loved
- Class-leading noise cancelling
- Clearer, more balanced sound than the XM5
- Folding design and slimmer case are back
- Light, comfortable fit for long sessions
- Strong call quality and a feature-rich app
Common gripes
- $50 price increase over the XM5
- Battery life unchanged at 30 hours with ANC on
- No audio over USB-C
- No water resistance rating
- Some find the clamp firm and the hinges less sturdy
Critic Scorecard
19 reviewsSort:
Weighted by outlet tier:T1100%T275%T340%T420%
99
T3T3May 17, 2025
“The XM6 sound phenomenal, with adaptive noise-cancelling (ANC) that defies belief”
By Max Freeman-Mills · Rated 5/5Full review
99
StuffT3May 15, 2025
“The Sony WH-1000XM6 represent exactly what a flagship headphone update should be – thoughtful refinements that address user feedback, while pushing technical boundaries even further.”
By Esat Dedezade · Rated 5/5Full review
98
WiredT1★ Editors' ChoiceMay 15, 2025
“This new version uses that experience to create something astonishing.”
By Parker Hall · Rated 9/10Full review
98
GizmodoT2May 15, 2025
“Sony's WH-1000XM6 outdoes its predecessor in just about every category, making them the headphones to beat this year, noise cancelling or otherwise.”
By Sherri L Smith · Rated 4.5/5Full review
98
PCMagT2★ Editors' ChoiceMay 15, 2025
“Simply put, the WH-1000XM6 are the best noise-cancelling headphones you can buy right now and easily earn our Editors' Choice award.”
By Christian de Looper · Rated 4.5/5Full review
Show 13 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
97
Expert ReviewsT3★ Editors' ChoiceMay 15, 2025
“with sweeping improvements to noise cancelling, build quality, sound quality and comfort, the Sony WH-1000XM6 are the company’s finest headphones yet.”
By Jonathan Bray · Rated 5/5Full review
96
EngadgetT1May 15, 2025
“The crown is safe once again. Sony has managed to overhaul its flagship headphones in all the right ways that keep the 1000X line atop our best headphones list.”
By Billy Steele · Rated 94/100Full review
96
MashableT2May 15, 2025
“Add to that elite noise cancellation, a comfortable fit, and a travel-friendly design, and you have flagship headphones that justify their $450 price tag.”
Page shows a Mashable Choice Award badge.
By Timothy Beck Werth · Rated 4.5/5Full review
95
CNETT1May 15, 2025
“With the XM6, Sony has fixed the small design flaws of its predecessor while bumping up the overall performance. The result is a headphone that’s arguably edged just ahead of the competition and is now at the top of its class.”
By David Carnoy · Rated 9.3/10Full review
95
TechRadarT2May 15, 2025
“The Sony WH-1000XM6 are a fantastic pair of over-ear headphones that combine the best design elements of their predecessors, while levelling up the sonic and ANC capabilities of what came before.”
By Harry Padoan · Rated 4.5/5Full review
95
Trusted ReviewsT2Nov 24, 2025
“They are one of the best headphones and wireless headphones you can buy at this moment in time, but they’re not quite the best.”
By Kob Monney · Rated 4.5/5Full review
95
Android CentralT2Aug 15, 2025
“With such a strong foundation and pedigree to begin with, the Sony WH-1000XM6 live up to expectations by delivering class-leading performance and features.”
By Ted Kritsonis · Rated 4.5/5Full review
95
Digital TrendsT2★ Editors' ChoiceMay 26, 2025
“Sony's best ANC headphones so far are brilliant in almost every way.”
Digital Trends page was readable only through a text fetch; the numeric score widget did not render, so the verdict is estimated from the text.
By Simon Cohen · Unrated, scored from textFull review
88
ZDNETT2★ Editors' ChoiceMar 8, 2026
“The latest Sony WH-1000XM6 prove that seemingly small and incremental changes between two generations of products can be impactful, useful, and largely felt.”
Date is the review's schema datePublished (page reads 'Article updated on March 8, 2026'); original publication date not shown.
By Jada Jones · Rated 4.2/5Full review
87
MusicTechT3Jul 4, 2025
“The build is superb, the sound exceptional. The noise cancelling is among the best around and the battery life too.”
By Hollin Jones · Rated 8/10Full review
83
SoundGuysT3Dec 11, 2025
“They sound very good, have excellent ANC, and are equipped to handle demanding users.”
By Christian Thomas · Rated 8.3/10Full review
82
GSMArenaT3Jul 14, 2025
“In conclusion, the Sony WH-1000XM6 is undoubtedly among the best ANC over-ear headphones available.”
By Jane · Unrated, scored from textFull review
81
Tom's GuideT2May 15, 2025
“Although they’re not the radical upgrade I was hoping for, the Sony WH-1000XM6 make some minor improvements to Sony’s flagship noise-cancelling headphones.”
By Nick Pino · Rated 4/5Full review
88
ZDNETT2★ Editors' ChoiceMar 8, 2026
“The latest Sony WH-1000XM6 prove that seemingly small and incremental changes between two generations of products can be impactful, useful, and largely felt.”
Date is the review's schema datePublished (page reads 'Article updated on March 8, 2026'); original publication date not shown.
By Jada Jones · Rated 4.2/5Full review
83
SoundGuysT3Dec 11, 2025
“They sound very good, have excellent ANC, and are equipped to handle demanding users.”
By Christian Thomas · Rated 8.3/10Full review
95
Trusted ReviewsT2Nov 24, 2025
“They are one of the best headphones and wireless headphones you can buy at this moment in time, but they’re not quite the best.”
By Kob Monney · Rated 4.5/5Full review
95
Android CentralT2Aug 15, 2025
“With such a strong foundation and pedigree to begin with, the Sony WH-1000XM6 live up to expectations by delivering class-leading performance and features.”
By Ted Kritsonis · Rated 4.5/5Full review
82
GSMArenaT3Jul 14, 2025
“In conclusion, the Sony WH-1000XM6 is undoubtedly among the best ANC over-ear headphones available.”
By Jane · Unrated, scored from textFull review
87
MusicTechT3Jul 4, 2025
“The build is superb, the sound exceptional. The noise cancelling is among the best around and the battery life too.”
By Hollin Jones · Rated 8/10Full review
Show 13 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
95
Digital TrendsT2★ Editors' ChoiceMay 26, 2025
“Sony's best ANC headphones so far are brilliant in almost every way.”
Digital Trends page was readable only through a text fetch; the numeric score widget did not render, so the verdict is estimated from the text.
By Simon Cohen · Unrated, scored from textFull review
99
T3T3May 17, 2025
“The XM6 sound phenomenal, with adaptive noise-cancelling (ANC) that defies belief”
By Max Freeman-Mills · Rated 5/5Full review
99
What Hi-Fi?T3★ Editors' ChoiceMay 15, 2025
“They’re the best-sounding flagship pair we’ve heard from Sony to date, which is no mean feat.”
By Andy Madden · Rated 5/5Full review
99
StuffT3May 15, 2025
“The Sony WH-1000XM6 represent exactly what a flagship headphone update should be – thoughtful refinements that address user feedback, while pushing technical boundaries even further.”
By Esat Dedezade · Rated 5/5Full review
98
WiredT1★ Editors' ChoiceMay 15, 2025
“This new version uses that experience to create something astonishing.”
By Parker Hall · Rated 9/10Full review
98
GizmodoT2May 15, 2025
“Sony's WH-1000XM6 outdoes its predecessor in just about every category, making them the headphones to beat this year, noise cancelling or otherwise.”
By Sherri L Smith · Rated 4.5/5Full review
98
PCMagT2★ Editors' ChoiceMay 15, 2025
“Simply put, the WH-1000XM6 are the best noise-cancelling headphones you can buy right now and easily earn our Editors' Choice award.”
By Christian de Looper · Rated 4.5/5Full review
97
Expert ReviewsT3★ Editors' ChoiceMay 15, 2025
“with sweeping improvements to noise cancelling, build quality, sound quality and comfort, the Sony WH-1000XM6 are the company’s finest headphones yet.”
By Jonathan Bray · Rated 5/5Full review
96
EngadgetT1May 15, 2025
“The crown is safe once again. Sony has managed to overhaul its flagship headphones in all the right ways that keep the 1000X line atop our best headphones list.”
By Billy Steele · Rated 94/100Full review
96
MashableT2May 15, 2025
“Add to that elite noise cancellation, a comfortable fit, and a travel-friendly design, and you have flagship headphones that justify their $450 price tag.”
Page shows a Mashable Choice Award badge.
By Timothy Beck Werth · Rated 4.5/5Full review
95
CNETT1May 15, 2025
“With the XM6, Sony has fixed the small design flaws of its predecessor while bumping up the overall performance. The result is a headphone that’s arguably edged just ahead of the competition and is now at the top of its class.”
By David Carnoy · Rated 9.3/10Full review
95
TechRadarT2May 15, 2025
“The Sony WH-1000XM6 are a fantastic pair of over-ear headphones that combine the best design elements of their predecessors, while levelling up the sonic and ANC capabilities of what came before.”
By Harry Padoan · Rated 4.5/5Full review
81
Tom's GuideT2May 15, 2025
“Although they’re not the radical upgrade I was hoping for, the Sony WH-1000XM6 make some minor improvements to Sony’s flagship noise-cancelling headphones.”
By Nick Pino · Rated 4/5Full review
Quick Facts
- Drivers
- 30mm carbon composite dynamic
- Noise cancelling
- 12 microphones, QN3 processor
- Battery life
- 30 hours (ANC on), 40 hours (ANC off)
- Quick charge
- 3 minutes for 3 hours of playback
- Weight
- 254 g
- Connectivity
- Bluetooth 5.3, LDAC, AAC, SBC, LC3, multipoint
- Wired audio
- 3.5mm cable (no USB audio)
- Water resistance
- None
- Price
- $449.99