Sony WH-1000XM6 Review: ANC So Good It Feels Like Cheating

Sony has dominated the premium ANC headphone market for years, and the WH-1000XM6 cements that position firmly. These are the best noise-cancelling headphones we have ever tested — and the gap between them and the competition has widened.

Active Noise Cancellation

Sony's new QN3 processor delivers ANC that is simply remarkable. On the New York subway, we could hear virtually nothing except our music. Office HVAC noise disappears entirely. Even conversation in a busy café drops to a barely audible murmur. We put these head-to-head with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Sony's ANC is measurably better across all frequency ranges.

Sound Quality

Sony tuned the XM6 for a slightly flatter, more accurate response than the bass-heavy XM5. Vocals are cleaner, instrument separation is improved, and the soundstage feels wider. LDAC support means you can stream at 990kbps for near-lossless quality on compatible Android devices.

Battery Life

Sony claims 30 hours with ANC on. Our testing got consistent 28–30 hours. A 10-minute quick charge provides 5 hours of playback.