Updated 18 Oct 2026
Is the Sony WF-1000XM6 worth it?
Yes — the best all-round noise-cancelling earbuds.
They block out commutes and flights about as well as any earbuds, and they sound richer and more detailed than anything else at the price. Calls come through clearly, battery lasts about 8 hours with noise cancelling on, and they switch between a phone and a laptop on their own. The buds are on the chunky side: in small ears they can feel bulky or work loose.
80%of 138 owners give it 4 or 5 stars
- Among the very best noise cancelling
- Rich, detailed sound with LDAC on Android
- Clear calls and multipoint
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What owners say
Owners love the sound and the noise cancelling. The main complaints are noise cancelling that falls short or hisses, and a loose fit.
Good to know
- The buds are bulky, and the foam tips come in XS to L only, with no extra-large size.
- The case is big for a pocket and feels less premium than the price.
- Battery is about 8 hours with noise cancelling, no better than the WF-1000XM5.
- No aptX, and LDAC hi-res works on Android only.
From 138 buyer ratings at Currys, Target (US) and Otto (Germany), every complaint read by us, October 2026. How we do this
What they love
- Excellent, detailed soundMentioned a lot
- Strong noise cancellingMentioned often
- Comfortable, secure fitAlso mentioned
- Long battery lifeMentioned by some
What they complain about
- Noise cancelling weaker than expected, hisses or switches itself offOccasional
- Loose or uncomfortable fit, ear tips don't sealOccasional
- One earbud drops out or goes out of syncRare
Get it if…
- You commute or fly and want the best sound and quiet in one pair.
- You use Android: LDAC and the Sony app get the most from them.
- You switch between a phone and a laptop.
Skip it if…
- You have small ears: the AirPods Pro 3 or Bose sit more securely.
- You want them for running or the gym: they're only splash resistant (IPX4).
How we reached this verdict
RTINGS makes them its top pick for both the best wireless earbuds and the best noise-cancelling earbuds: outstanding noise isolation, a warm detailed sound and about 8 hours of battery. What Hi-Fi gives them five stars for sound and superb noise cancelling, with great calls; Expert Reviews calls them a triumph. The trade-offs are bulky buds and case, few tip sizes and battery life that hasn't moved on.
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, What Hi-Fi, TechRadar, Expert Reviews, RTINGS, RTINGS, What Hi-Fi, manufacturer specifications.
Updated 18 Oct 2026How we decide