Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Get the Sony XM6. Unless comfort on long flights matters most — then the Bose are gentler on the head and just as quiet.
Sony WH-1000XM6
Class-leading noise cancelling, rich and detailed sound, and the clearest calls. The ones to get.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
The comfiest headphones here, with noise cancelling as strong as any. Sound trails the Sony a little.
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Both block noise about as well as anything you can buy. The Sony sound more detailed and handle calls better; the Bose are comfier for hours and carry lossless audio over USB-C.
- —Sound quality matters most.
- —You make lots of calls on the move.
- —You like to tune the sound: there's a 10-band EQ.
- —You fly a lot or wear them all day.
- —You wear glasses or find most headphones tight.
- —You want lossless audio over a cable.
Key differences
Pros and cons
- +Among the very best noise cancelling
- +Rich, detailed sound with a 10-band EQ
- +Clear calls, even outdoors
- −The fit is snug and the cups are fairly small, which some people with glasses or big ears find tight.
- −Fast charging (3 minutes for 3 hours) needs a USB-PD charger, which isn't in the box.
- −No audio over USB-C, and the mic doesn't work over the cable.
- −A few owners report a cracked headband ring or hinge.
- +Superb noise cancelling
- +Light and very comfortable for hours
- +Lossless audio over USB-C
- −A 2026 update removed the button shortcuts for switching devices and checking battery.
- −Wired listening still needs battery, and the mic is off over the cable.
- −No water resistance.
Ready to choose?
How we reached this verdict
We compared independent expert reviews with the manufacturer's specifications, then checked it's sold at a major retailer where you live. We don't test products ourselves.
Sources: RTINGS, RTINGS, What Hi-Fi, manufacturer specifications.