Sony WH-1000XM6 Review (2025): The Best Noise-Canceling Headphones Yet?
| Updated:Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
It's rare that you encounter a gadget or tech device that is so feature-rich, you're blown away every time you use it. But that is exactly how I feel about the Sony WH-1000XM6 wireless headphones.
Coming from a proud owner of not one, but two pairs of Sony 1000XM3s, you can imagine my delight when I was offered the chance to review the XM6s. I had long considered upgrading to the XM4s or XM5s, with the argument that my XM3s worked just fine and it wasn’t worth it yet. Boy, am I glad I held out — I am beyond impressed with these headphones. But are they one of the best noise canceling headphones on the market today?
History of Sony's WH-1000XM Line
The XM series is Sony's flagship line of battery-powered, Bluetooth-connected, over-the-ear headphones. Specifically, the WH-1000 series represents a significant evolution in Sony's audio technology and has become synonymous with high-quality noise-canceling headphones. The series began in 2016 with the MDR-1000X, which was later refined into the WH-1000XM2 in 2017. It has since continued with the WH-1000XM3s (2018), XM4s (2020), XM5s (2022), and most recently, the XM6s. Each iteration has brought improvements in sound quality, battery life, and features like adaptive noise cancellation and voice assistant integration.
What’s in the Box
The first thing I noticed when unboxing was the packaging, which is made of recycled materials instead of plastic. Attached to the case was the quick start guide, which shows you how to power on the headphones and pair them with a device.
The new case is sleek and has a satisfying snap to it. Inside, you'll find three items: the star of the show—the headphones—a USB cable for charging, and a 3.5mm-to-3.5mm auxiliary cable. (More on that cable later.)
Design & Build Quality
First off, the ergonomics of the XM6s are delightful. I find these headphones thoroughly comfortable and easy to wear for long periods. The padding around the ears and headband is sufficiently soft but firm enough that it doesn't feel squishy. Even the button layout is improved, with a nicely rounded power button that is easily distinguishable from the long, flat noise canceling/ambient button — just by touch.
Speaking of touch, the entire side of the ear cup is a capacitive touch area that controls the headphones with gestures. It took me a while to get familiar with all the different gestures, but with the mobile app tutorial and a little bit of practice, I was answering calls, adjusting the volume, and skipping between songs — all with simple swipes.
Similar to the XM3s and XM4s (but notably absent in the XM5s), the XM6s fold neatly into a sleek carrying case for easy transportation. I like that they brought back the folding capability — it makes the overall size of the case much smaller and easier to fit into a bag. One thing I really like about the new case is the magnetic clasp, a simple but effective upgrade over the full-around zipper on the XM3’s case. It’s a minor improvement I didn’t know I needed until I experienced it. I can already imagine how much easier it will be to retrieve these from a backpack on a crowded airplane without unzipping the whole case.
Features & Compatibility
Right off the bat, one of the best features is the 30-hour battery life. I’m a stickler for battery life in my electronics — always opting for extended batteries in my phones and never too far from a rechargeable battery bank. So, 30 hours with noise canceling enabled and 40 hours with it off? We’re off to a great start.
Another new feature of the XM6s is the QN3 HD Processor, which enhances both noise cancellation and sound processing for faster, more precise noise reduction and better overall audio quality. The adaptive noise canceling optimizer constantly adjusts to environmental sounds, providing a personalized and immersive listening experience. I can attest to this: in a relatively busy office setting, I was able to completely block out all distractions and conversations while jamming out at my desk.
Big shoutout to my desk-mate, Ira, for tolerating the blaring death metal and screamo music coming from my side of the office while I tested the XM6s. Despite being in noise-canceling mode around my ears, these things can blast sound nearby when you crank the volume! But the best part was: if I noticed something I wanted to hear around me, I didn’t have to take them off. With the push of a button, the XM6s toggle between noise canceling and ambient mode. The built-in mics “listen” to what’s happening and feed ambient noise in as background to your music. The effect is addictively cool — going from isolation to full awareness instantly.
Ambient mode is great for users who want to stay alert to their surroundings, while noise canceling is perfect for those needing focus or immersion.
One vastly underrated feature of modern Bluetooth headphones is the ability to use them as wired analog headphones. Fewer and fewer models even include the option for a 3.5mm jack, and understandably so — many mobile devices have dropped them, too. But having that simple connector means you can still use the headphones even if the batteries die. That use-case alone makes it worthwhile for me. If I can’t charge them, I can still listen with the 1/8” mini jack.
It’s also still common to find headphone jacks on in-flight entertainment systems — making the XM6s an ideal travel companion.
I personally keep an AudioQuest Dragonfly and a 3.5mm aux cable in my headphone case at all times. That way, I can always feed high-resolution audio from a USB DAC through the aux input, in case batteries fail.
Another upgrade in the XM6s is the six-microphone beamforming system with AI-driven noise reduction, which improves voice pickup during calls and virtual assistant interactions. During testing, I had no issues with call clarity — even in windy outdoor conditions.
For audiophiles, the XM6s support LDAC and Bluetooth 5.3 LE. Until recently, wireless Bluetooth was always a bottleneck for high-resolution audio. Standard Bluetooth compresses even the best sources down to near-MP3 quality. LDAC, developed by Sony, transmits roughly three times more data than conventional Bluetooth, supporting high-resolution audio over wireless.
No consumer gadget is complete without a companion app, and the Sony XM6s are no exception. The Sony Headphones Connect app for Android and iOS immediately offered a helpful tutorial on gesture controls when I paired the headphones. Beyond that, it includes all the basics — switching between noise canceling, ambient, and various listening modes.
Another standout capability is the head tracking feature, which brings spatial awareness to your listening. With built-in sensors, the headphones track your head movement and adjust audio positioning to make it feel like the sound is anchored in space. This is especially immersive when watching movies or playing games.
The headphones also feature intuitive controls: take them off to pause music, put them back on to resume. Nod to answer a call, shake your head to decline.
First Impressions
As far as headphones go, I really can’t get enough of these. I blared Underoath’s They’re Only Chasing Safety from start to finish, followed by Anthony Green’s solo album Boom Done. The XM6s kept up with the heavy guitar breakdowns and captured Green’s soaring vocals beautifully. Deep bass, smooth mids, and crystal-clear highs were present no matter what I played. Once I started a song, I didn’t want to take them off!
Another thing I love is their versatility. They pair perfectly with all my devices — not just my phone. I’ve used them with my Sony PlayStation for gaming (with in-game chat), with my Sony TV for quiet late-night viewing, and even with my Sony STR-AZ2000ES AV receiver to enjoy 360 Spatial Audio through headphones.
You see the theme here — I’m a big Sony fan. And for good reason. Sony continues to prove itself a leader in high-quality consumer electronics, and the XM6s are no exception. From build quality to features to ease of use, Sony has knocked it out of the park again.
Final Thoughts
There are so many use-cases for these — I could go on and on. Want to exercise but stay aware of your surroundings? Use Ambient mode. Need total immersion and focus? Use Noise Canceling. Want a high-end gaming headset without the gimmicky RGB? XM6s all day. Need to enjoy home theater audio without waking the family? These deliver.
If you’re looking for a pair of high-quality over-the-ear headphones, look no further than the newest Sony WH-1000XM6 wireless noise-canceling headphones. They check all the boxes and beat out the competition by a wide margin in both features and performance.
Shop Sony WH-1000XM6 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the main differences between the Sony WH-1000XM6 and WH-1000XM5?
The XM6 brings back the foldable design of earlier models, improves comfort and button ergonomics, adds a new QN3 HD Processor for better noise canceling and sound, and reintroduces the compact magnetic-clasp case. It also upgrades to Bluetooth 5.3 LE and a new six-microphone array for improved call quality.
Can I use the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones with a wired connection?
Yes! The XM6 includes a 3.5mm-to-3.5mm auxiliary cable for analog wired listening. This is especially useful when the battery is dead or when connecting to airplane entertainment systems.
How long does the battery last on the Sony WH-1000XM6?
You get up to 30 hours of playback with noise canceling on, and up to 40 hours with it turned off. Charging is via USB-C and supports fast charging — a quick 10-minute charge can give you several hours of playback.
Does the Sony WH-1000XM6 support spatial audio or head tracking?
Yes. The XM6 supports spatial audio through compatible services and Sony’s Headphones Connect app. It also includes head tracking, which keeps audio anchored in space — great for immersive movie watching and gaming.
Are the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones good for gaming or home theater use?
Absolutely. With low-latency performance, head tracking, and the ability to pair with AV receivers (like Sony's STR-AZ2000ES), the XM6s are great for quiet, immersive home theater sessions or console gaming.
