Wireless Earbuds
Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4
8.5/10SoundGuys scoreRead our review ›
$179.95at Amazon
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Sony
Sony WF-1000XM6
noise cancelling & sound
8.8/ 10
ANCNoise cancelling8.8
0.010.0
At 8.8, its noise cancelling beats 98% of wireless earbuds we've measured.
Measured on 94 of the 267 we've cataloged.
4.8/ 5
SoundMDAQS Overall4.8
1.05.0
A 4.8 puts its audio quality in the top half of wireless earbuds we've measured.
Measured on 63 of the 267 we've cataloged.
See the lab data ↓Frequency response · Isolation · Noise cancelling · Audio quality
Key specs
Battery Life Earbuds
9.67 hAbove average9.67 h
3 h15 h
above average for wireless earbuds — based on 249 of 267 we've cataloged.
Battery Life With Case
24 hBelow average24 h
7 h60 h
below average for wireless earbuds — based on 247 of 267 we've cataloged.
IP Rating
IPX4Most commonIPX436%IP5516%IP5415%IPX511%
IPX4 is the most common — on 36% of the 245 wireless earbuds we've cataloged (of 267).
Noise Cancellation Type
AdaptiveActive62%Passive14%Hybrid9%Adaptive7%
Adaptive appears on 7% of the 182 wireless earbuds we've cataloged (of 267).
Battery
- Battery Life Earbuds
- 9.67 h
- Battery Life With Case
- 24 h
- Full Charge Minutes
- 80 min
- Battery Life Anc On
- 8 h
- Fast Charging
- Yes
Build
- IP Rating
- IPX4
- Sweat Resistance
- Yes
- Water Resistance
- Yes
Sound
- Noise Cancellation Type
- Adaptive
- Driver Size
- 8.4 mm
Connectivity
- Bluetooth Version
- 5.3
- Bluetooth Codec
- AAC, LC3, LDAC, SBC
- Bluetooth Range
- 10 m
- Connection Type
- Bluetooth
- Headphone Jack
- No
- Multipoint Devices
- 2 devices
Design
- Earbud Form Factor
- In-ear
- Case Dimensions
- 62×26×41 mm
- Color Options
- Black, platinum silver
- Ear Tip Material
- Foam
- Ear Tip Sizes Included
- XS, S, M, L
- Weight Per Earbud
- 6.5 g
- Weight With Case
- 58 g
Features
- Companion App
- IOS + Android
- Control Type
- Touch controls
- Eq Customization
- Full parametric EQ
- Auto Connect
- Yes
- Auto Pause
- Yes
- Mono Mode
- Yes
- Spatial Audio
- Head tracking
Identity
- Model Number
- WF-1000XM6
Microphone
- Count
- 8
- Wind Noise Reduction
- Yes
Release
- Date
- February 12, 2026
- Msrp Usd
- 329.99 USD
- Year
- 2026
Lab data
How we test ›Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
Sony WF-1000XM6SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve
Measured frequency response (dB relative) against the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve. When the measurement goes above the dashed line, that frequency is louder than our preference curve, and when it goes below: it's quieter. Use the curve for comparison purposes only, as your taste may vary.
| Frequency (Hz) | Response (dB) |
|---|---|
| 20 | 3.6 |
| 25 | 6.8 |
| 32 | 7.6 |
| 40 | 7.8 |
| 50 | 7.6 |
| 63 | 7.0 |
| 80 | 5.9 |
| 100 | 4.8 |
| 125 | 4.0 |
| 160 | 2.6 |
| 200 | 1.6 |
| 250 | 1.0 |
| 315 | 0.8 |
| 400 | 1.4 |
| 500 | 0.6 |
| 630 | -2.0 |
| 800 | -1.1 |
| 1000 | 0.1 |
| 1250 | 1.3 |
| 1600 | 4.8 |
| 2000 | 7.5 |
| 2500 | 9.3 |
| 3150 | 9.4 |
| 4000 | 8.8 |
| 5000 | 8.4 |
| 6300 | 7.8 |
| 8000 | 6.3 |
| 10000 | 2.3 |
| 12500 | 3.6 |
| 16000 | -2.6 |
| 20000 | -27.3 |
Sony WF-1000XM6
Passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 0.5 |
| 26 | 1.7 |
| 33 | 2.0 |
| 41 | 2.7 |
| 52 | 3.2 |
| 65 | 3.4 |
| 82 | 3.6 |
| 103 | 3.7 |
| 130 | 4.4 |
| 163 | 3.5 |
| 205 | 3.6 |
| 259 | 6.0 |
| 325 | 6.8 |
| 410 | 13.2 |
| 516 | 10.0 |
| 613 | 9.6 |
| 772 | 11.2 |
| 972 | 14.4 |
| 1220 | 17.5 |
| 1540 | 24.2 |
| 1940 | 36.5 |
| 2440 | 44.8 |
| 3070 | 43.6 |
| 3870 | 31.5 |
| 4870 | 41.9 |
| 6130 | 45.1 |
| 7720 | 35.9 |
| 9720 | 43.1 |
| 12200 | 34.4 |
| 15400 | 37.6 |
| 19400 | 46.3 |
Sony WF-1000XM6
Total attenuation (dB) with ANC on — passive isolation plus active noise cancelling. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Total attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 2.0 |
| 26 | 14.4 |
| 33 | 15.8 |
| 41 | 20.9 |
| 52 | 25.8 |
| 65 | 33.3 |
| 82 | 41.1 |
| 103 | 43.9 |
| 130 | 43.3 |
| 163 | 34.5 |
| 205 | 32.3 |
| 259 | 37.5 |
| 325 | 32.8 |
| 410 | 24.8 |
| 516 | 18.5 |
| 613 | 16.5 |
| 772 | 18.1 |
| 972 | 24.2 |
| 1220 | 22.8 |
| 1540 | 27.3 |
| 1940 | 34.9 |
| 2440 | 49.5 |
| 3070 | 49.2 |
| 3870 | 36.6 |
| 4870 | 29.6 |
| 6130 | 37.9 |
| 7720 | 33.3 |
| 9720 | 35.5 |
| 12200 | 27.6 |
| 15400 | 33.5 |
| 19400 | 44.8 |
Sony WF-1000XM6
4.9
3.7
4.5
4.8
Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (1–5), modeled from the measured response. Higher is better across timbre, distortion, and immersiveness — add other models to see where this one lands.
SoundGuys review
Read the full review ›Noise cancelling8.8
Isolation7.3
Battery life8.0
Comfort & fit8.5
Connectivity9.5
Design8.0
The verdict
The WF-1000XM6 are Sony's best wireless earbuds to date, with meaningful improvements to ANC, sound quality, microphone performance, and fit. Battery life and codecs remain unchanged, and at $329.99, you're paying a premium for focused upgrades. If you're on the XM4 or older, they're easy to recommend. XM5 owners may want to wait for a sale.
✓What we like
✓Great sound quality
✓Excellent ANC and Isolation
✓Solid features
✓Comfortable fit
✓Great mic quality
✕What could be better
✕Price
✕Sound changes with ANC off
Related comparisons
Browse all versus ›See how the Sony WF-1000XM6 stacks up against the competition.
Sony WF-1000XM6
Apple AirPods Pro 2VSVersusSony WF-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods Pro 2Sony’s latest flagship earbuds go toe-to-toe with one of Apple’s most popular products.Read comparison ›Sony WF-1000XM6
Samsung Galaxy Buds4 ProVSVersusSony WF-1000XM6 vs Samsung Galaxy Buds4 ProIt comes down to one question: what phone are you using?Read comparison ›Sony WF-1000XM6
Technics EAH-AZ100VSVersusSony WF-1000XM6 vs Technics EAH-AZ100Two premium earbuds, two very different philosophies. Let's settle this.Read comparison ›Sony WF-1000XM6
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 ProVSVersusSony WF-1000XM6 vs Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 ProSony improved the fundamentals, Samsung bet on a hoast of AI features. Here's which approach pays off.Read comparison ›Sony WF-1000XM6
Sony WF-1000XM4VSVersusSony WF-1000XM6 vs Sony WF-1000XM4The WF-1000XM6 offer tangible benefits, but they come at a price.Read comparison ›Sony WF-1000XM6
Sony WF-1000XM5VSVersusSony WF-1000XM6 vs Sony WF-1000XM5Out with the old, in with the newRead comparison ›Sony WF-1000XM6
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)VSVersusSony WF-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)The noise canceling crown is up for grabs.Read comparison ›Video reviews and comparisons for this product.
Review1:24Sony's XM6 earbuds are a RIP-OFF!SoundGuys
Comparison12:32Sony XM6 vs. XM5 Earbuds - Worth the $330 upgrade?SoundGuys
Comparison14:14Sony WF-1000XM6 vs. AirPods Pro 3: Which premium earbuds should you buy?SoundGuys
Comparison16:41Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Bose QC Ultra (2nd Gen) Earbuds: Which premium earbuds should you buy?SoundGuysFeatures & Opinions
More from the team ›Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.
I ditched my AirPods Pro 3 for Sony's WF-1000XM6 and only lasted a weekI thought the more expensive earbuds would win. I was wrong.
Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterHow would hundreds of people rate the Sony WF-1000XM6's sound quality?If you could ask 200 people to rate sound quality at once, what would they say?
Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeMost of you aren't buying the Sony WF-1000XM6. Here's whyThe votes are in, and Sony's flagship earbuds have some convincing to do.
Adam BirneyManaging EditorHow long does the Sony WF-1000XM6's battery last? We tortured it to find outHow long can you listen on a single charge?Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeYou asked for cheaper Sony earbuds. The WF-1000XM6 cost $30 more instead.Sony is now the most expensive option in the flagship wireless earbud category.Adam BirneyManaging Editor3 reasons why I won't buy the Sony WF-1000XM6They're almost impossible to recommend if you already own the XM5.
Tom TriggsContributorSony WF-1000XM6 frequency response: The ANC quirk you need to know aboutWe took the earbuds through the lab to find out how they measureChristian ThomasEditor-at-largeWhat do the Sony WF-1000XM6's EQ presets sound like?Earbuds with an in-app EQ are a tweaker's dreamChristian ThomasEditor-at-largeThe 5 best headphones to look forward to in 2026Strap in — we're in for a wild year.Tom TriggsContributorI didn’t love the Sony 1000X The Collexion until I tried this settingSometimes the best upgrade is already hiding in the app.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterClip-on earbuds fixed my biggest issue with open-earsClip-on earbuds offer a secure fit, better sound, and zero pressure.
Brady SnyderContributor3 headphones I would buy instead of the AirPods Max 2These premium headphones deliver class-leading ANC, longer battery life, and more flexibility for less money.Dave CarrVideo Producer/Writer
Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterHow would hundreds of people rate the Sony WF-1000XM6's sound quality?If you could ask 200 people to rate sound quality at once, what would they say?Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeMost of you aren't buying the Sony WF-1000XM6. Here's whyThe votes are in, and Sony's flagship earbuds have some convincing to do.Adam BirneyManaging EditorHow long does the Sony WF-1000XM6's battery last? We tortured it to find outHow long can you listen on a single charge?Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeYou asked for cheaper Sony earbuds. The WF-1000XM6 cost $30 more instead.Sony is now the most expensive option in the flagship wireless earbud category.Adam BirneyManaging Editor3 reasons why I won't buy the Sony WF-1000XM6They're almost impossible to recommend if you already own the XM5.Tom TriggsContributorSony WF-1000XM6 frequency response: The ANC quirk you need to know aboutWe took the earbuds through the lab to find out how they measureChristian ThomasEditor-at-largeWhat do the Sony WF-1000XM6's EQ presets sound like?Earbuds with an in-app EQ are a tweaker's dreamChristian ThomasEditor-at-largeThe 5 best headphones to look forward to in 2026Strap in — we're in for a wild year.Tom TriggsContributorI didn’t love the Sony 1000X The Collexion until I tried this settingSometimes the best upgrade is already hiding in the app.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterClip-on earbuds fixed my biggest issue with open-earsClip-on earbuds offer a secure fit, better sound, and zero pressure.Brady SnyderContributor3 headphones I would buy instead of the AirPods Max 2These premium headphones deliver class-leading ANC, longer battery life, and more flexibility for less money.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterMore Wireless Earbuds
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