Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Sonos Ace: Best $449 noise canceling headphones in 2025?

Sony’s new WH-1000XM6 and the Sonos Ace are stepping into the ring at the same $449 price point, both aiming squarely at the premium noise canceling headphone crowd. They promise the usual suspects on paper: excellent sound, top-shelf ANC, and a few standout extras. But after putting both through real-world testing and our full lab suite, it’s clear they take very different approaches. So, which should you buy? Let’s break it down in this Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Sonos Ace comparison.

What’s it like to use the Sony WH-1000XM6 compared to the Sonos Ace?

Sony listened, and this time, they fixed a few things. The WH-1000XM6 folds again (finally), ditches any app dependency for quality sound right out of the box, and comes with a sturdier hinge. From the faster pairing to the smaller, more travel-friendly case, everything feels more intentional. Comfort’s solid for long hauls, though that ANC mic nub might poke a few ears the wrong way. Still, this is Sony doing what it does best: building premium, all-in-one headphones for commuters, office grinders, and anyone who takes their sound seriously and can afford to invest in it.

The Sonos Ace doesn’t feel like a first-gen product, even though it is, and that’s the surprising part. Sonos skipped the training wheels and went straight for premium. The build is slick, the fit is plush, and the controls are dead simple. However, they don’t fold, which is a bit of a bummer. The big hook here, of course, is seamless integration with Sonos home gear.  The Sonos Ace is less of a traveler’s headphone and more a couch king: perfect for homebodies who want hi-fi without ticking off the neighbors.

Speaking of couch king, it’s worth noting that neither pair offers an IP rating against the elements, so you’ll be taking your chances using them at the gym or in the rain.

Do the Sony WH-1000XM6 or the Sonos Ace have more features?

Sony packs a powerful feature set into the WH-1000XM6, especially if you download the Sony Sound Connect app. There you’ll find a 10-band EQ, spatial audio via 360 Reality Audio, DSEE Extreme upscaling, head gesture controls, and a customizable passthrough mode.

Sonos fires back with Dolby Atmos support and head tracking, which is a big win for movie fans. You also get a clever TV Audio Swap feature—assuming you already own a Sonos Arc. Unfortunately, the Sonos app is barebones by comparison. EQ controls are limited to just bass and treble sliders, and there are no presets. You also lose access to app controls when switching to wired mode.

How do the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Sonos Ace connect?

The WH-1000XM6 uses Bluetooth 5.3 and supports SBC, AAC, LDAC, and LC3 codecs. The headphones also support LE Audio and Auracast, which is great to see as the ecosystem slowly gains traction. That said, USB-C audio still isn’t supported—a missed opportunity—though you can fall back on the included 3.5mm cable for wired listening. Multipoint works reliably, but you’ll trade off high-bitrate codecs when active.

Sonos is slightly ahead here with Bluetooth 5.4, supporting SBC, AAC, and Snapdragon Sound with aptX lossless. Multipoint is available, and the inclusion of USB-C audio (plus a USB-C-to-3.5mm cable) gives the Ace broader flexibility. Still, you won’t find Wi-Fi support—ironically, for a Sonos product. Crucially, the ability to pass digital audio over USB-C gives the Ace a leg up over the Sony WH-1000XM6—something that’s becoming increasingly important as more devices drop the headphone jack.

Is battery life better on the Sony WH-1000XM6 or the Sonos Ace?

Sony takes the crown here with 37 hours and 14 minutes of continuous playback with ANC enabled. That’s more than enough for long-haul flights or a full workweek without charging, though fast charging is available, promising 3 hours of playback from a 3-minute top-up.

In our testing, the Sonos Ace lasted 32 hours and 13 minutes—solid but not chart-topping. It also offers fast charging (3 hours from a 3-minute charge) and can play while charging via USB-C. Both headphones deliver dependable battery life, but if longevity is a top concern, Sony edges out.

Do the Sony WH-1000XM6 or Sonos Ace block noise better?

The XM6 pulls ahead of the Ace in active noise cancelation, largely thanks to better passive isolation. The XM6 blocks up to 87% of ambient noise with a proper seal. That stronger baseline gives the Q3 chip more headroom to tackle low-frequency sounds, like airplane engines and traffic, where ANC is most effective in real-world use.

The Sonos Ace does well for a debut model, but doesn’t quite reach Sony’s level. Its ANC cuts about 74% of low-end noise, which is still good enough for public transport or busy streets. Its strong passive isolation from dense pads helps. But unlike Sony, Sonos doesn’t let you control the level of ambient passthrough, and the ANC impact varies significantly depending on whether it’s enabled.

Do the Sony WH-1000XM6 sound better than the Sonos Ace?

The WH-1000XM6 is Sony’s best-sounding pair of WH-series headphones so far. It tones down the overly boosted bass of past models, and its more controlled treble helps reveal subtle details without sounding sharp or fatiguing. The end result is a full sound, making the default tuning enjoyable right out of the box. Unless you have specific sonic preferences, you probably won’t feel the need to tweak the EQ.

The Sonos Ace, meanwhile, goes for a cinematic sound profile with heavy bass and bright highs. This can sound impressive with Dolby Atmos content, where the emphasis adds impact and spaciousness. But when it comes to everyday listening, like your favorite playlists, the tuning quickly becomes fatiguing. The recessed mids don’t help either, often pushing vocals and instruments into the background. And while you can make some adjustments, the EQ controls are limited and notably lack a midrange slider, making it hard to fix this imbalance.

Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)

According to our HEAD acoustics panel, the WH-1000XM6 outclasses the Ace in all key metrics, although it’s close in Timbre. It scores 4.9 for Timbre, 4.3 for Distortion, 4.6 for Immersiveness, and 4.8 overall.

The Sonos Ace trails behind with scores of 4.7 for Timbre, 3.2 for Distortion, 4.2 for Immersiveness, and a 4.3 overall. When ANC is disabled, the Ace’s scores drop even further, indicating inconsistent performance depending on usage mode. By this measure, most listeners will prefer the sound of the WH-1000XM6 over the Sonos Ace.

Objective Measurements

The WH-1000XM6 sticks pretty close to our SoundGuys house curve, with a nice bump in the bass that adds some punch to your kick drums without masking the mids. Treble holds up well too, extending smoothly up to around 16kHz, allowing you to hear details like reverberated vocal tones and cymbals without sounding shrill. It’s an easygoing, full sound that doesn’t go overboard. Even when you switch ANC on or off, the tuning stays surprisingly consistent.

The Sonos Ace, by contrast, leans too hard into the sub-bass, with an exaggerated low-end boost and a noticeable dip in the mids that, as mentioned, can push vocals into the background. A sharp treble peak between 5–8kHz adds extra clarity but also contributes to a sound that can get tiring over longer listening sessions. You can dial things in a bit with the EQ, but again, the adjustment options are pretty limited.

Do the Sony WH-1000XM6 or the Sonos Ace have a better microphone?

Sony absolutely nailed its mic implementation. With a six-microphone beamforming array and AI-enhanced voice isolation, the WH-1000XM6 handles calls in nearly every condition—wind, office, or street. The voice remains clear and present, and outside noise rarely interferes.

Sonos gives you eight beamforming mics, and performance is decent overall. Voice clarity is good, but background noise handling lags behind Sony’s. Indoors, you’ll hear keyboards or vacuums in the background. Outdoors, wind rejection is better, but the mic still lets in some hiss and buzz. If calls are a priority, Sony wins this round.

Take a listen to our examples below to hear for yourself.

Sony WH-1000XM6 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Sonos Ace microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Sony WH-1000XM6 microphone demo (Windy conditions):

Sonos Ace microphone demo (Windy conditions):

Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Sonos Ace: Price and availability

Both the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Sonos Ace launched at $449.99 and are available from major retailers like Amazon, putting them squarely in the premium headphone bracket. While occasional sales may pop up, both models are priced to compete with top-tier offerings from Bose, Sennheiser, and Apple. The WH-1000XM6 builds on Sony’s proven WH-series legacy and may hold its value better over time. The Sonos Ace, meanwhile, is still proving itself as the company’s first attempt in the headphone space.

Should you get the Sony WH-1000XM6 or the Sonos Ace?

If you want the best all-around ANC headphones for music, travel, calls, and app control, go with the Sony WH-1000XM6. They sound better, cancel noise more effectively, last longer on a charge, and offer a more robust feature set. Sony also gives you far more control over sound and settings through its app.

However, if you’re a home theater enthusiast—especially one already using Sonos gear—the Sonos Ace may win you over with Dolby Atmos, head tracking, and TV Audio Swap. Just be aware of its audio tuning quirks and app limitations.

For most people, though, Sony still holds the crown. However, if you’re not convinced either pair is for you, be sure to check out our complete guide to the best noise canceling headphones of 2025 for more options.