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Beats Studio Wireless vs Sony WH-1000XM6: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Sony WH-1000XM6 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 89. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Sony WH-1000XM6 - Outstanding overall at around $398.

Score breakdown

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

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

  • Beats Studio Wireless
  • Sony WH-1000XM6
HearWiki score
35
89
Sound
5.5
9.0
Noise cancelling
3.5
9.6
Battery
3.5
8.1
Calls
4.5
9.6
Value
-
8.2
Price (USD)
$200
$400

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 WH-1000XM6 (2025) against Beats Studio Wireless (2013). The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the newer platform here: Top codec LC3 against AAC and LE Audio (LC3).

  • Studio Wireless2013
  • WH-1000XM6202512 yr newer
What differsStudio WirelessWH-1000XM6

Platform

Top codec
AAC
LC3
LE Audio (LC3)
No
Yes

Level on: Bluetooth, ANC type, Multipoint pairing, USB-C.

Specifications

Studio WirelessWH-1000XM6
Type
Over-Ear
Over-Ear
Price (USD)
$200
$400
HearWiki score
35
89
Released
2013
2025
Availability
Discontinued
Sold new
Driver
2× 40 mm driver
30 mm dynamic
Driver type
-
dynamic
Driver size
40 mm
30 mm
Drivers per side
2
1
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
4 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance
32 Ω
48 Ω
Sensitivity
-
103 dB/mW
Bluetooth
5.3
5.3
Codecs
SBC, AAC
SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing
Yes
Yes
Wireless range
-
10 m
Battery life
40 h
40 h
Battery life (ANC on)
24 h
30 h
Full charge time
120 min
210 min
Quick charge
10 min → 4 h
3 min → 3 h
Wireless charging
No
No
Active noise cancelling
Yes
Yes
ANC type
adaptive
adaptive
Transparency mode
-
Yes
Companion app
-
Yes
Custom EQ
-
Yes
Wear detection
-
Yes
Controls
-
buttons
Voice assistant
-
Yes
Weight
260 g
254 g
Water resistance
none
none
Detachable cable
-
Yes
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Connector
-
3.5 mm
Model code
Beats Studio Pro
-
Microphones
6
12
Microphone type
-
MEMS

What reviewers said

Beats Studio Wireless

These over-ear cans blend a fashionable look with solid wireless performance, featuring adaptive noise cancellation and a robust 40-hour battery life. They deliver a well-balanced sound that suits most genres, though their price point may not fully reflect the feature set. With Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint connectivity, and fast charging, they offer modern convenience for daily listening.

  • Pro:Adaptive ANC for dynamic noise reduction
  • Pro:Long 40-hour battery life (24h with ANC)
  • Pro:Fast charging: 10 minutes for 4 hours
  • Con:Lacks water resistance
  • Con:No wireless charging option
  • Con:Price may be high for the features offered

Sony WH-1000XM6

The Sony WH-1000XM6 is a premium over-ear wireless headphone that combines adaptive active noise cancellation with a long-lasting battery and support for high-quality audio codecs. It features multipoint Bluetooth connectivity and a transparent mode, making it a versatile choice for both focused listening and everyday commutes. With a lightweight build and tactile controls, it balances comfort and functionality for extended use.

  • Pro:Adaptive active noise cancellation for personalized silencing
  • Pro:Multipoint Bluetooth 5.3 for seamless device switching
  • Pro:Transparency mode for ambient awareness when needed
  • Con:No water resistance rating for wet conditions
  • Con:No wireless charging option
  • Con:Relies on physical buttons rather than touch controls

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

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New comparisonBeats Studio WirelessSony WH-1000XM6