Beats Powerbeats Pro 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

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.

Beats Powerbeats Pro
Sony WF-1000XM6

HearWiki score

Sound

7.4

9.3

Noise cancelling

9.2

Battery

7.5

8.4

Calls

6.8

8.4

Value

8.1

Price (USD)

$250

$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 Beats Powerbeats Pro (2019). The Sony WF-1000XM6 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.0, Top codec LC3 against AAC, LE Audio (LC3) and ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds Multipoint pairing, Wireless charging and USB-C.

Powerbeats Pro2019
WF-1000XM620267 yr newer

What differsPowerbeats ProWF-1000XM6

Bluetooth: 5.0; 5.3
Top codec: AAC; LC3
LE Audio (LC3): No; Yes
ANC type: None; Adaptive
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
Wireless charging: No; Yes
USB-C: No; Yes

Level on: Wear detection, Water resistance.

Specifications

Powerbeats ProWF-1000XM6

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $250; $280
HearWiki score: 64; 85
Released: 2019; 2026
Availability: Still sold new; Sold new
Driver: 12 mm dynamic; 8.4 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 12 mm; 8.4 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz; 20 Hz - 40 kHz
Bluetooth: 5.0; 5.3
Codecs: SBC, AAC; SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
Wireless range: -; 10 m
Battery life: 9 h; 12 h
Battery life (ANC on): -; 8 h
Battery incl. case: 24 h; 24 h
Full charge time: -; 90 min
Quick charge: 5 min → 1.5 h; 3 min → 1 h
Wireless charging: No; Yes
Active noise cancelling: No; Yes
ANC type: -; adaptive
Transparency mode: -; Yes
Companion app: -; Yes
Custom EQ: -; Yes
Wear detection: Yes; Yes
Controls: buttons; touch
Voice assistant: Siri; Google Assistant
Weight: 21 g; 6.5 g
Case weight: 80 g; 47.1 g
Water resistance: IPX4; IPX4
USB-C: No; Yes
Microphones: -; 8
Call noise reduction: -; Yes

Specification comparison of Beats Powerbeats Pro vs Sony WF-1000XM6
Spec	Beats Powerbeats Pro	Sony WF-1000XM6
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$250	$280
HearWiki score	64 / 100 Good	85 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2019	2026
Audio
Driver	12 mm dynamic	8.4 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	12 mm	8.4 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	20 Hz - 40 kHz
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.0	5.3
Codecs	SBC, AAC	SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	No	Yes
Wireless range	-	10 m
Battery
Battery life	9 h	12 h
Battery life (ANC on)	-	8 h
Battery incl. case	24 h	24 h
Full charge time	-	90 min
Quick charge	5 min → 1.5 h	3 min → 1 h
Wireless charging	No	Yes
Features
Active noise cancelling	No	Yes
ANC type	-	adaptive
Transparency mode	-	Yes
Companion app	-	Yes
Custom EQ	-	Yes
Wear detection	Yes	Yes
Controls	buttons	touch
Voice assistant	Siri	Google Assistant
Design
Weight	21 g	6.5 g
Case weight	80 g	47.1 g
Water resistance	IPX4	IPX4
USB-C	No	Yes
Calls
Microphones	-	8
Call noise reduction	-	Yes

What reviewers said

Beats Powerbeats Pro

The Powerbeats Pro are secure-fitting true wireless earbuds designed for active use, delivering a punchy and balanced sound with a strong Bluetooth connection and long battery life. They offer a comfortable, stable fit and simple physical controls, though they lack active noise cancellation and advanced features like wireless charging or multipoint connectivity. Overall, they are a solid choice for workouts and daily listening, especially for Apple users.

Pro:Secure and comfortable fit for workouts
Pro:Long battery life of 9 hours per charge
Pro:Reliable Bluetooth 5.0 connection with Class 1 range

Con:No active noise cancellation or strong isolation
Con:No wireless charging or USB-C port
Con:Treble can sound dull, and mids may be under-emphasized

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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