Updated 18 Oct 2026
Is the Sony WH-1000XM6 worth it?
Yes — the best all-round noise-cancelling headphones.
They block plane and train rumble about as well as anything you can buy, and they sound more detailed and open than any Sony before them. Calls are clear even on a busy street, battery lasts about 30 hours, and they fold into a slim case again. The fit is snug: people with big heads, big ears or glasses sometimes find them tight on long wear.
91%of 445 owners give it 4 or 5 stars
- Among the very best noise cancelling
- Rich, detailed sound with a 10-band EQ
- Clear calls, even outdoors
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What owners say
Owners love the sound, the noise cancelling and the comfort. The most common complaint is a tight fit with small ear cups.
Good to know
- 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.
From 445 buyer ratings at Currys, Target (US) and Otto (Germany), every complaint read by us, October 2026. How we do this
What they love
- Great, detailed soundMentioned a lot
- Excellent noise cancellingMentioned a lot
- Comfortable for long wearMentioned often
- Easy to connect, with a useful appAlso mentioned
What they complain about
- Tight fit: clamps hard, small ear cups, hot earsRare
- Sound not as good as hoped for the priceRare
- A fault: mic, buzzing in one ear cup, or powerVery rare
Get it if…
- You travel, commute or work somewhere noisy.
- You want the best sound and calls in one pair.
- You use both an iPhone and a laptop: multipoint works well.
Skip it if…
- Comfort for hours matters more than anything: the Bose are gentler on the head.
- You want them for the gym or running: they shift with hard movement.
How we reached this verdict
RTINGS ranks them its best noise-cancelling headphones: outstanding noise isolation, a very good mic and about 32 hours of battery in its test. What Hi-Fi gives them five stars and an Award for the most detailed, dynamic sound Sony has made and class-leading calls. Trusted Reviews notes the ANC step up over the XM5. The trade-offs are a fit that varies with head shape and glasses, a charger sold separately for fast charging and no USB-C audio.
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, Trusted Reviews, RTINGS, RTINGS, What Hi-Fi, manufacturer specifications.
Updated 18 Oct 2026How we decide