Sony WH-1000XM6
Headphones (wireless)

WH-1000XM6

Sony

Released Feb 1, 2025 · Analysis updated Mar 25, 2026

Wireless headphones delivering excellent noise cancellation, comfortable fit, rich sound quality, long battery life, and a foldable design. The Sony WH-1000XM6 scores 88/100 based on 39 expert reviews in the headphones (wireless) category. Coverage includes reviews from Worldwidestereo, Stuff, Always-on, and Telegraph.

Critic Score

What's this?
88

based on 39 expert reviews

WorldwidestereoStuffAlways-onTelegraphDigitaltrends+34 more

Where to buy

Help keep the site running by buying via partners.

Pros

  • Excellent noise cancelling(60)
  • Comfortable(21)
  • Excellent sound quality(13)
  • Long battery life(13)
  • Foldable design returns(11)

Cons

  • Expensive(17)
  • No usb-c audio(8)
  • Touch controls are fiddly(5)

39 Expert Reviews

95
Independent publication

The Sony WH-1000XM6 wireless headphones deliver exceptional noise cancellation, comfort, and features that make them one of the best options on the market.

95
Established publication05/2025

Sony's legendary noise-cancelling headphones get even better, with the return of foldability, superb sound, and jaw-dropping ANC performance.

95
Independent publication

The Sony XM6 headphones put Sony firmly at the front of the noise-cancelling pack.

95
Independent publication06/2025

Sony WH-1000XM6 review: By far the best headphones I've ever tested

95
Major publication

Sony's WH-1000XM6 are a meaningful upgrade from the company's WH-1000XM5, and take their place as the best overall wireless headphones I've ever tested.

95
Established publication05/2025

With sweeping improvements to noise cancelling, build quality, sound quality and comfort, the Sony WH-1000XM6 are the company's finest headphones yet.

93
Independent publication06/2025

Priced at roughly $700 in Australia, the WH-1000XM6 sets the benchmark for the best noise cancellation headphones that little bit higher.

93
Major publication05/2025

Sony's WH-1000XM6 outdoes its predecessor in just about every category, making them the headphones to beat this year, noise cancelling or otherwise.

93
Major publication05/2025

Sony upgraded the design and performance of its flagship noise-canceling headphones, pushing them slightly ahead of the competition.

92
Independent publication11/2025

After 18 hours flying economy with Sony's WH-1000XM6, I may just have a new favourite pair of ANC headphones

92
Independent publication

The Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones are back on the throne as the best noise-canceling headphones on the market.

92
Independent publication02/2025

The Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones are stunning and deliver superior active noise cancellation and superb audio quality to satisfy even the fussiest listeners.

92
Major publication08/2025

The Sony WH-1000XM6 live up to expectations by delivering class-leading performance and features.

92
Independent publication12/2025

Sony has once again proven that it knows how to set the standard with the WH-1000XM6, delivering one of the best ANC implementations on the market, excellent microphones, and comfortable sound in a fo...

90
Established publication08/2025

The Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones deliver excellent sound quality, comfort, and battery life, making them a satisfying upgrade over the XM4 despite minor comfort issues.

90
Independent publication08/2025

In all honesty, these just became my 'easy to recommend' headphones for 2025.

90
Major publication06/2025

The Sony WH-1000XM6 delivers everything I wanted out of a full, rich soundstage, topped off with an excellent design, long battery life, and dual Bluetooth-connectivity.

90
Independent publication02/2026

The Sony XM6 headphones put Sony firmly at the front of the noise-cancelling pack with incredible active noise cancelling, fantastic sound quality, and an improved design.

90
Major publication05/2025

Sony's new noise cancellers are finally here, and they mostly justify the $450 price of admission.

90
Independent publication07/2025

The Sony WH-1000XM6 is a staggeringly talented headphone that has class leading noise cancelling and a sound mode for every occasion.

90
Major publication05/2025

These flagship noise-canceling headphones offer the most silence in history, and great sound to boot.

88
Major publication07/2025

Sony has set a new bar for noise cancelling with its sixth-generation 1000X series headphones.

88
Established publication06/2025

The Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones are my new favorite, offering phenomenal sound, superior noise-cancelling, and excellent comfort, though the ear cushions can show grease marks.

87
Independent publication11/2025

The Sony WH-1000XM6 is a refined, mature evolution rather than a revolutionary reinvent, offering the best ANC on the market with superior comfort and a return to the portability of the XM4.

87
Independent publication07/2025

The Sony WH-1000XM6 offers smarter noise cancelling, clearer calls, and studio-tuned sound in a lightweight, foldable design built for modern life.

87
Independent publication09/2025

Sony's WH-1000XM6 closed-back headphones offer excellent comfort, noise cancellation, and balanced sound at an affordable price point under $450.

85
Independent publication05/2025

The Sony WH-1000XM6 delivers refined comfort, upgraded tech, and class-leading noise cancellation with customizable sound options.

85
Independent publication05/2025

With unbeatable noise-cancelling, a more exciting audio profile than the XM5s and some welcome design tweaks, the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones just about earn their £400 price tag.

85
Established publication07/2025

The Sony WH-1000XM6 offers excellent noise cancelling and sound quality, but misses the key feature of USB-C audio.

85
Independent publication10/2025

Sony's WH-1000XM6 headphones deliver excellent active noise cancelling, comfortable design, and extensive customization options, making them a solid upgrade even for XM5 owners.

85
Independent publication

The Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones deliver superior noise cancellation and battery life, outperforming competitors despite some app usability issues.

85
Independent publication06/2025

The Sony WH-1000XM6 offers excellent noise cancelling and audio quality with improved AI features, though it comes at a premium price.

85
Independent publication05/2025

Sony's WH-1000XM6 are excellent premium headphones, the best ones you can get in 2025, though the price increase makes them hard to justify for XM5 owners.

85
Independent publication08/2025

The Sony WH-1000XM6 delivers the best ANC performance yet with upgraded sound, smarter design, and up to 30 hours of battery life, but is it worth the $450 price?

82
Independent publication07/2025

The Sony WH-1000XM6 delivers excellent noise cancellation and audio quality, making it one of the best ANC headphones available, though its high price and some design compromises may give buyers pause...

80
Independent publication09/2025

The Sony WH-1000XM6 refines the formula with better build quality, excellent noise cancellation, and improved sound, making it the most complete headphones package in 2025.

78
Independent publication

The Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones offer excellent sound quality and features but are significantly compromised by comfort issues that make them difficult to wear for extended periods.

78
Established publication06/2025

The Sony WH-1000XM6 delivers excellent ANC and sound quality with new features like foldable design and improved controls, but questionable build quality and comfort issues at the $450 price point pre...

75
Major publication

The Sony WH-1000XM6 are a good pair of headphones that deserve their 4-star review, but they're not the best headphones around when compared to similarly priced competition.