Sony WH-1000XM6 - Best Overall Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Class-leading ANC, excellent sound, and strong battery life make the Sony WH-1000XM6 a top choice for travel, work, and daily listening, though they’re pricey.
- +Exceptional adaptive noise cancellation, among the best available
- +Long battery life with fast charging and listening while charging
- +Rich sound quality with LDAC and customizable EQ support
- -Premium price that may not feel justified for minor upgrades over previous models
- -ANC performance and sound may feel subtle or muted to some listeners
- -Not water resistant and fit isn’t ideal for heavy workouts or rain
The Sony WH-1000XM6 continues Sony’s legacy as one of the most highly regarded wireless headphones available in 2025–2026, and real-world reviews largely confirm its flagship status. What consistently stands out in user and expert feedback is the class-leading active noise cancellation (ANC) powered by Sony’s new QN3 processor and a 12-microphone setup that adapts in real time to your environment, cutting out city noise, chatter, and even the hum of engines more effectively than many competitors. Battery life remains strong with up to around 30 hours of playback with ANC on and up to ~40 hours with it off, putting these headphones in the upper tier of long-lasting wireless models. Fast charging via USB-C yields several hours of listening from just a few minutes of charging, and you can even listen while charging; a convenience that reviewers appreciate on commutes or business travel when you’re short on time. Sound quality is another highlight, with many reviewers noting balanced, detailed audio that supports high-resolution codecs like LDAC and dynamic range adjusted in real time with Sony’s DSEE Extreme upscaling. While some audiophiles on forums find the tuning a bit conservative or muddy without EQ adjustments, most listeners find the overall sound engaging across genres. Comfort and build quality receive frequent praise.
The lightweight design and plush ear pads make them comfortable for extended listening, and Sony brought back a foldable design for travel convenience. Multipoint Bluetooth lets you seamlessly switch between devices, and the companion app offers extensive customization with a 10-band EQ and adaptive sound controls. However, they aren’t perfect. The premium price tag is a sticking point for some, especially when improvements over the previous XM5 model are subtle for certain users. Some long-term reviewers report that ANC isn’t dramatically better in all conditions, and a few find the call quality or headphone comfort less stellar over very long sessions. Others mention that adaptive ANC behavior can fluctuate in certain noisy environments and that the headphones lack water resistance — something practical for everyday use. In short, the WH-1000XM6 are among the best all-around wireless ANC headphones you can buy in 2025–2026, excelling in noise cancellation, sound quality, battery life, and smart features, while retaining a few minor drawbacks that matter mostly to highly demanding or niche users.