Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) vs Sony WF-1000XM6: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Sony WF-1000XM6 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 85. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Sony WF-1000XM6 - Outstanding overall at around $278.

True Wireless

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)

76Great

$220

Full review data

True Wireless

Sony WF-1000XM6

85Outstanding

$280

Full review data

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Sony WF-1000XM6 leads on 6 of 7 measures.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)
Sony WF-1000XM6

HearWiki score

Sound

8.4

9.3

Noise cancelling

8.5

9.2

Battery

6.7

8.4

Calls

6.8

8.4

Value

6.6

8.1

Price (USD)

$220

$280

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

New platform

Sony WF-1000XM6 (2026) against Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) (2022). The Sony WF-1000XM6 is the newer platform here: Top codec LC3 against AAC and LE Audio (LC3).

AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)2022
WF-1000XM620264 yr newer

What differsAirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)WF-1000XM6

Top codec: AAC; LC3
LE Audio (LC3): No; Yes
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
Custom EQ: No; Yes
Water resistance: IP54; IPX4

Level on: Bluetooth, Wireless charging, USB-C, Wear detection, Transparency mode, Companion app.

Specifications

AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)WF-1000XM6

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $220; $280
HearWiki score: 76; 85
Released: 2022; 2026
Availability: Discontinued; Sold new
Driver: 11 mm dynamic; 8.4 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 11 mm; 8.4 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz; 20 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance: 16 Ω; -
Sensitivity: 100 dB/mW; -
Bluetooth: 5.3; 5.3
Codecs: SBC, AAC; SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
Wireless range: -; 10 m
Battery life: 6 h; 12 h
Battery life (ANC on): -; 8 h
Battery incl. case: -; 24 h
Full charge time: -; 90 min
Quick charge: -; 3 min → 1 h
Wireless charging: Yes; Yes
Active noise cancelling: Yes; Yes
ANC type: -; adaptive
Transparency mode: Yes; Yes
Companion app: Yes; Yes
Custom EQ: No; Yes
Wear detection: Yes; Yes
Controls: touch; touch
Voice assistant: Siri; Google Assistant
Weight: 5.3 g; 6.5 g
Case weight: 50.8 g; 47.1 g
Water resistance: IP54; IPX4
Foldable: No; -
Detachable cable: No; -
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Microphones: 3; 8
Microphone type: beamforming; -
Call noise reduction: -; Yes

Specification comparison of Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) vs Sony WF-1000XM6
Spec	Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)	Sony WF-1000XM6
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$220	$280
HearWiki score	76 / 100 Great	85 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2022	2026
Audio
Driver	11 mm dynamic	8.4 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	11 mm	8.4 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	20 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance	16 Ω	-
Sensitivity	100 dB/mW	-
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.3	5.3
Codecs	SBC, AAC	SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	No	Yes
Wireless range	-	10 m
Battery
Battery life	6 h	12 h
Battery life (ANC on)	-	8 h
Battery incl. case	-	24 h
Full charge time	-	90 min
Quick charge	-	3 min → 1 h
Wireless charging	Yes	Yes
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
ANC type	-	adaptive
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	No	Yes
Wear detection	Yes	Yes
Controls	touch	touch
Voice assistant	Siri	Google Assistant
Design
Weight	5.3 g	6.5 g
Case weight	50.8 g	47.1 g
Water resistance	IP54	IPX4
Foldable	No	-
Detachable cable	No	-
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Calls
Microphones	3	8
Microphone type	beamforming	-
Call noise reduction	-	Yes

What reviewers said

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) are premium wireless earbuds with strong active noise cancellation and a natural-sounding transparency mode. They offer 6 hours of playback per charge, with a total of 30 hours via the wireless charging case, and are designed for seamless use with Apple devices thanks to Bluetooth 5.3 and touch controls. Their IP54 rating and lightweight build make them a versatile choice for daily use, though they lack multipoint connectivity and custom EQ options.

Pro:Excellent active noise cancellation
Pro:Superb transparency mode for ambient awareness
Pro:Seamless integration with Apple devices

Con:Battery life is modest at 6 hours
Con:No multipoint Bluetooth connection
Con:No custom EQ in the app

Sony WF-1000XM6

The Sony WF-1000XM6 true wireless earbuds deliver a top-tier audio experience with adaptive noise cancellation and a robust feature set, including LDAC support and multipoint connectivity. They perform exceptionally well for music and calls, though their premium price and case size are minor trade-offs. With strong battery life and IPX4 water resistance, they are a versatile, high-performance choice for most listeners.

Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
Pro:Rich, detailed sound with LDAC support
Pro:Solid battery life and wireless charging case

Con:Premium price point
Con:Included ear tips may not suit all ear shapes
Con:Charging case is somewhat bulky

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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