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Sony
Sony WH-1000XM6
Noise Isolation / ANC & sound
7.6/ 10
7.6
0.010.0
A 7.6 puts its noise isolation / ANC in the top 10% of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 86 of the 240 we've cataloged.
4.8/ 5
SoundMDAQS Overall4.8
1.05.0
A 4.8 puts its audio quality in the top 10% of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 44 of the 240 we've cataloged.
Key specs
Battery Life Wireless
30 hBelow average30 h
11 h100 h
below average for over-ear headphones — based on 150 of 240 we've cataloged.
Charging Method
USB-CMost commonUsb-c87%Micro usb10%Others3%
Usb-c is the most common — on 87% of the 135 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 240).
Bluetooth Version
5.3Most common5.326%520%5.218%5.411%
5.3 is the most common — on 26% of the 145 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 240).
Connection Type
Wired-3.5mm48%Bluetooth44%Wired-usb-c7%Others1%
Bluetooth appears on 44% of the 215 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 240).
Battery
- Battery Life Wireless
- 30 h
- Charging Method
- USB-C
- Full Charge Minutes
- 3 min
- Battery Life Anc On
- 30 h
- Battery
- Yes
- Fast Charging
- Yes
Connectivity
- Bluetooth Version
- 5.3
- Connection Type
- Bluetooth wireless
- Bluetooth Codec
- SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3
- Multipoint Devices
- Yes - 2 devices
- Headphone Jack
- Yes
- USB Charging
- Yes
- Latency
- 30 ms
Design
- Weight
- 252.8 g
- Color Options
- Black, silver, midnight blue
- Ear Pad Type
- Pleather
- Foldable
- Yes
- Headband Type
- Adjustable over-head
Features
- Spatial Audio
- Yes
- Companion App
- Yes
- Control Type
- Physical buttons, touch controls
- Eq Customization
- Yes
- Auto Pause
- Yes
- Voice Assistant Support
- Siri, Google Assistant
Build
- IP Rating
- None
- Material Chassis Primary
- Plastic, stainless steel
- Water Resistance
- No
Microphone
- Count
- 12
- Microphone
- Yes
- Noise Reduction Type
- Active noise cancellation, AI-powered
- Type
- 6-mic beamforming array
Sound
- Acoustic Design
- Closed-back
- Ambient Mode
- Yes - adjustable level
- Driver Count
- 1
- Driver Size
- 30 mm
- Driver Type
- Dynamic driver
- Frequency Response
- 20-20000 Hz
- Frequency Response High Hz
- 20000 Hz
- Frequency Response Low Hz
- 20 Hz
- Noise Cancellation Type
- Active
Release
- Date
- May 15, 2025
- Year
- 2025
SoundGuys review
Read the full review ›Noise cancelling8.7
Isolation7.6
Battery life9.8
Comfort & fit8.0
Connectivity9.0
Design7.0
The verdict
The Sony WH-1000XM6 is every bit a worthy successor to Sony's other ANC headphones as you'd hope. They sound very good, have excellent ANC, and are equipped to handle demanding users. However, the lack of cutting-edge connection options might be an issue as the years go by.
✓What we like
✓Excellent ANC
✓Good sound quality
✓Excellent microphone
✓Device compatibility
✕What could be better
✕No USB listening
✕No ingress protection rating
✕Price
Lab data
How we test ›Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
Sony WH-1000XM6SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve
Measured frequency response (dB) against the SoundGuys house target — the dashed curve. The closer the measured line tracks the target, the more neutral the tuning; peaks ride above the target, dips fall below it.
Frequency response — measurement data
| Frequency (Hz) | Response (dB) |
|---|---|
| 20 | 7.5 |
| 25 | 8.5 |
| 32 | 8.9 |
| 40 | 8.6 |
| 50 | 7.8 |
| 63 | 7.1 |
| 80 | 6.3 |
| 100 | 5.4 |
| 125 | 4.5 |
| 160 | 2.7 |
| 200 | 1.7 |
| 250 | 1.2 |
| 315 | 0.8 |
| 400 | -0.1 |
| 500 | -0.9 |
| 630 | -0.2 |
| 800 | 0.5 |
| 1000 | 0.0 |
| 1250 | 2.3 |
| 1600 | 3.7 |
| 2000 | 7.3 |
| 2500 | 11.7 |
| 3150 | 11.2 |
| 4000 | 8.7 |
| 5000 | 8.5 |
| 6300 | 5.3 |
| 8000 | 0.9 |
| 10000 | 10.0 |
| 12500 | 1.0 |
| 16000 | 3.4 |
| 20000 | -6.7 |
Sony WH-1000XM6
Passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
Passive isolation — measurement data
| Frequency (Hz) | Attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 0.1 |
| 26 | -1.2 |
| 33 | 0.9 |
| 41 | 1.3 |
| 52 | 0.2 |
| 65 | 0.3 |
| 82 | -0.5 |
| 103 | -1.4 |
| 130 | -1.8 |
| 163 | -2.8 |
| 205 | -1.5 |
| 259 | 3.0 |
| 325 | 9.8 |
| 410 | 12.7 |
| 516 | 16.6 |
| 613 | 15.7 |
| 772 | 20.2 |
| 972 | 22.7 |
| 1220 | 22.7 |
| 1540 | 28.7 |
| 1940 | 32.5 |
| 2440 | 32.4 |
| 3070 | 35.3 |
| 3870 | 38.7 |
| 4870 | 48.6 |
| 6130 | 47.5 |
| 7720 | 54.9 |
| 9720 | 45.7 |
| 12200 | 40.5 |
| 15400 | 39.7 |
| 19400 | 41.2 |
Sony WH-1000XM6
Total attenuation (dB) with ANC on — passive isolation plus active noise cancelling. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
Noise cancelling — measurement data
| Frequency (Hz) | Total attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | -1.7 |
| 26 | -10.0 |
| 33 | 5.0 |
| 41 | 11.7 |
| 52 | 17.1 |
| 65 | 23.9 |
| 82 | 26.1 |
| 103 | 21.7 |
| 130 | 26.3 |
| 163 | 30.3 |
| 205 | 31.4 |
| 259 | 34.8 |
| 325 | 32.8 |
| 410 | 26.7 |
| 516 | 24.8 |
| 613 | 20.5 |
| 772 | 25.4 |
| 972 | 27.8 |
| 1220 | 23.1 |
| 1540 | 23.3 |
| 1940 | 29.7 |
| 2440 | 33.7 |
| 3070 | 34.5 |
| 3870 | 38.2 |
| 4870 | 45.7 |
| 6130 | 48.9 |
| 7720 | 54.0 |
| 9720 | 41.3 |
| 12200 | 40.9 |
| 15400 | 40.1 |
| 19400 | 40.9 |
Sony WH-1000XM6
4.9
4.3
4.6
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.
Related comparisons
Browse all versus ›See how the Sony WH-1000XM6 stacks up against the competition.
Sony WH-1000XM6
Sennheiser MOMENTUM 5 WirelessVSVersusSony WH-1000XM6 vs Sennheiser MOMENTUM 5 WirelessWhat do you get for $50 more with the Sony WH-1000XM6? We compare both flagship headphones to find out.Read comparison ›Sony WH-1000XM6
Sony 1000X The CollexionVSVersusSony WH-1000XM6 vs Sony 1000X The CollexionSony’s WH-1000X The Collexion costs far more than the WH-1000XM6, but the differences may surprise you.Read comparison ›Sony WH-1000XM6
Apple AirPods Max 2VSVersusSony WH-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods Max 2There's a $100 gap between these two flagships. Here's whether it's worth it — and which direction it cuts.Read comparison ›Video reviews and comparisons for this product.
Features & Opinions
More from the team ›Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.
3 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/WriterI tried the Sony WH-1000XM6's new gaming feature, and at least half of it worksSony's GMAP update promises lower latency and better voice chat on the WH-1000XM6. Actually using it turned out to be the hard part.
Adam BirneyManaging EditorI've reviewed headphones for over a decade: Here are 5 things I wish they did differentlyHeadphone companies: help me help you
Christian ThomasEditor-at-large5 ways headphones are going to change in 2027Here's where things are headed.Christian ThomasEditor-at-large3 headphones to buy instead of the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 5 WirelessWhether you want better ANC, more features, or a lower price, these headphones give the MOMENTUM 5 Wireless some real competition.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterSorry Apple fanboys: 70% of you chose the Sony XM6 over the AirPods Max 2Sony keeps the crown.Adam BirneyManaging EditorWired vs wireless headphones: Which should you buy?Wired headphones do not automatically sound better.
Tom TriggsContributor
Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterI tried the Sony WH-1000XM6's new gaming feature, and at least half of it worksSony's GMAP update promises lower latency and better voice chat on the WH-1000XM6. Actually using it turned out to be the hard part.Adam BirneyManaging EditorI've reviewed headphones for over a decade: Here are 5 things I wish they did differentlyHeadphone companies: help me help youChristian ThomasEditor-at-large5 ways headphones are going to change in 2027Here's where things are headed.Christian ThomasEditor-at-large3 headphones to buy instead of the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 5 WirelessWhether you want better ANC, more features, or a lower price, these headphones give the MOMENTUM 5 Wireless some real competition.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterSorry Apple fanboys: 70% of you chose the Sony XM6 over the AirPods Max 2Sony keeps the crown.Adam BirneyManaging EditorWired vs wireless headphones: Which should you buy?Wired headphones do not automatically sound better.Tom TriggsContributorMore Over-Ear Headphones
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