A pair of headphones with strong noise-canceling capabilities is essential for anyone who needs to occasionally tune out the world around them. If noise cancellation is at the top of your “must-haves” when buying a pair of over-ear headphones, two options offer the best of the best.
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The latest Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra offer the industry’s best noise cancellation. However, there are plenty of differences in style, battery life, and software features between the two that you should consider before paying $400+ for either pair. Although Bose has since released the second-gen QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, you shouldn’t totally write off the first-generation headphones. Here’s how they compare to Sony’s latest release.
Specifications
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | Bose QuietComfort Ultra | |
| Audio features | Noise cancellation, Ambient Mode, Cinema (Sony 360 Spatial Sound) | Noise cancellation, Aware Mode, Immersive Audio |
| Battery life | 30 hours (ANC on); 40 hours (ANC off) | 24 hours |
| Wired option(s) | Stereo mini jack (3.5mm) | Stereo mini jack (3.5mm) |
| Bluetooth codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 | SBC, AAC, aptX |
| Microphones | 12 for noise cancellation; 8 for calling | 10 for noise cancellation; 4 for calling |
| Price | $449 | $449 |
You should buy the Sony WH-1000XM6 if…
1. You want a longer battery life
The Sony XM6 promise 30 hours of battery life with noise cancellation enabled, while the Bose QC Ultra promise 24. You can extend the XM6’s battery life to 40 hours by turning off noise cancellation, while Bose doesn’t offer an option to turn off the feature, capping the QC Ultra’s battery at 24 hours.
Review: Sony WH-1000XM6
However, both headphones offer proprietary spatial audio technology that depletes battery life quicker when turned on. Noise cancellation, volume levels, and phone call frequency affect battery performance, so power users may drain their batteries faster than the provided numbers. Ultimately, your mileage may vary across both pairs, but the specs lean in favor of Sony.
2. Sound quality is a high priority
Although Bose’s QC Ultra are the company’s best-sounding consumer headphones, Sony’s XM6 pay more attention to sound quality. The XM6 are equipped with Sony’s DSEE Extreme upscaling technology that promises to enhance compressed digital audio quality, like the ones you listen to on Spotify.
Additionally, the XM6 have Sony’s higher-quality Bluetooth codec, LDAC, which allows for higher-quality audio transmission via Bluetooth. The XM6 also debuted with the LC3 Bluetooth codec, which prioritizes efficient power consumption. Select Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy users can take advantage of the XM6’s LC3 compatibility.
3. You want newer audio tech
Sony’s XM6 debuted in 2025, while Bose’s flagship headphones released in late 2023. Sony promises more advanced technologies for its noise-canceling processing algorithm, spatial audio protocol, and sound engineering.
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Additionally, Sony’s XM6 debuted with a new Head Gestures feature that allows users to accept or deny incoming phone calls by nodding or shaking their head.
You should buy the Bose QuietComfort Ultra if…
1. You value style and color
Sony’s flagship WH-1000X series headphones have a famously nondescript design, omitting flashy accents or brightly colored, accented finishes. Bose’s QC Ultra headphones are often rereleased in new colors and feature aluminum accents on the headband hinges, creating an elevated yet casual and sporty look.
2. You want a more adjustable ANC
Bose and Sony provide users with strong and effective noise cancellation, but sometimes you feel like Goldilocks: You don’t want to hear everything, but you also don’t want to not hear anything. It needs to be just right.
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Sony only allows users to adjust the Ambient Noise setting, which dictates how much external noise you can hear. However, there’s no option to adjust noise cancellation, and being in public with this strong of ANC isn’t always ideal.
Bose’s companion app allows you to create listening modes and customize noise cancellation levels depending on your location, tasks, or mood. Additionally, Bose’s ActiveSense feature acts as adaptive noise cancellation, employing noise-canceling techniques if your environment gets too loud.
3. You’re shopping on a budget
At full price, Bose’s flagship headphones are just a few dollars off from Sony’s XM6, but the QC Ultra are often discounted to as low as $279 while they’re marked for clearance. That’s a fantastic price for a great-sounding pair of headphones.
Alternatives to consider
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