Head to head
Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bose QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), SoundGuys' top two noise cancellers, compared on battery, codecs, mics and price, with a clear pick.
These are the two over-ear noise cancellers reviewers keep putting on top. Wirecutter's top noise-cancelling pick is the Sony WH-1000XM6, and SoundGuys calls it the best for most people, with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) a close runner-up. The Sony brings LDAC, 12 mics and a 10-band EQ. The Bose counters with aptX Adaptive and lossless audio over USB-C.
This is an editorial comparison built from manufacturer specs and published reviews, not our own testing. Prices are approximate Amazon prices seen October 5, 2026, and they move often. Bose pricing also depends on color: ~$449 in Black, ~$399.99 in White Smoke and ~$369 in Desert Gold.
Option A
Sony WH-1000XM6
- Over-ear ANC
- ~$378
- May 2025
- Any phone
The safest over-ear noise canceller: the big reviewers' default pick, now well under list.
- Travel
- 5 out of 5
- Calls
- 5 out of 5
- Music
- 4 out of 5
Editorial fit scores, 1–5, from published reviews and specs — not lab measurements.
Option B
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
- Over-ear ANC
- ~$449
- 2025
- Any phone
Sony's closest rival, and a better deal than it looks if you'll take Desert Gold or White Smoke.
- Travel
- 5 out of 5
- Calls
- 4 out of 5
- Music
- 4 out of 5
Editorial fit scores, 1–5, from published reviews and specs — not lab measurements.
Affiliate link to Amazon. Price approx., seen Oct 2026.
Read the review: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)Spec sheet
Side by side
| Feature | WH-1000XM6 | QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. Amazon price (Oct 2026) | ~$378 (Black) | ~$449 Black; ~$399.99 White Smoke; ~$369 Desert Gold |
| List price | $459.99 (launched at $449.99) | $449Edge |
| Battery | 30 h with ANC; 40 h without | 30 h |
| Quick charge | 3 min gives 3 h; full charge 3.5 hEdge | 15 min gives ~2.5–3 h |
| Weight | ~254 g (8.96 oz)Edge | ~264 g (0.583 lb) |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 | aptX Adaptive with Snapdragon Sound |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.4Edge |
| Multipoint | Yes | Yes |
| Wired / USB-C audio | 3.5 mm wired | Lossless USB-C audio; 2.5 mm-to-3.5 mm cable includedEdge |
| Mics | 12 | Not specified |
| App / EQ | 10-band EQ | CustomTune; user EQ not specified |
| Review standing | Wirecutter top pick; SoundGuys best for most peopleEdge | SoundGuys close runner-up |
Manufacturer specs and published reviews; prices are approximate Amazon prices seen October 5, 2026. “Edge” marks the side we think comes out ahead on that row.
Fit scores
How you listen, scored
| Scenario | Sony WH-1000XM6 | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Travel / commute | 5 out of 5 | 5 out of 5 |
| Office calls | 5 out of 5 | 4 out of 5 |
| Workouts | 2 out of 5 | 2 out of 5 |
| Music listening | 4 out of 5 | 4 out of 5 |
| Gaming / latency | 3 out of 5 | 3 out of 5 |
| Value | 4 out of 5 | 3 out of 5 |
Editorial fit scores, 1–5 — not lab measurements. Higher score per row highlighted.
Choose the WH-1000XM6 if…
- You want the consensus pick: Wirecutter's top noise-cancelling headphone and SoundGuys' choice for most people.
- You spend your day on calls. It has 12 mics and multipoint, and it earns our top calls fit score of 5.
- Your Android phone supports LDAC, or you want a 10-band EQ to tune the sound yourself.
- You forget to charge. Three minutes on the cable gives three hours of listening.
Choose the QC Ultra Headphones if…
- Your Android phone supports aptX Adaptive with Snapdragon Sound.
- You want lossless audio over USB-C from a laptop or phone.
- You can get the Desert Gold color at ~$369, which undercuts the black Sony.
- You want Bose's Immersive Audio spatial mode and removable cushions.
Our verdict
Sony WH-1000XM6
Buy the WH-1000XM6. It's Wirecutter's top pick and SoundGuys' choice for most people, it's lighter, it tops up faster, and in black it was ~$378 against ~$449 for the black Bose. The QC Ultra Headphones are a close second; pick them if your phone uses aptX Adaptive, you want lossless USB-C audio, or you can find the Desert Gold at ~$369.
Watch
The matchup on video
Video by SoundGuys on YouTube. Their views are their own.
Frequently asked questions
Which has better noise cancelling, the Sony WH-1000XM6 or the Bose QC Ultra Headphones?
Both sit at the top of the category, and the reviews we drew on don't separate them on ANC alone. Reviewers judge rivals like the Sennheiser Momentum 5 as just behind both, and both earn our top travel fit score of 5. If you want the strongest ANC SoundGuys recorded, that was Apple's AirPods Max 2; between these two, decide on calls, codecs and price.
Is the Bose QC Ultra Headphones worth the extra money over the Sony?
It depends on the color. On October 5, 2026, Amazon showed the black Bose at ~$449 against ~$378 for the black Sony, but Desert Gold was ~$369 and White Smoke ~$399.99. At ~$369 the Bose is easy to justify if you want aptX Adaptive or lossless USB-C audio; at ~$449, the Sony is the better value.
Which is better for iPhone or Android?
iPhones use AAC and don't support LDAC or aptX, so on an iPhone neither headphone's high-bitrate codec comes into play, and the Sony's reviews, mics and price carry it. On Android, check your phone: LDAC support suits the Sony, while a Snapdragon Sound phone with aptX Adaptive gets the most out of the Bose.
Disclosure: Independent editorial comparison based on published reviews and manufacturer specs, not our own lab measurements. Prices are approximate Amazon prices seen October 5, 2026. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.