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Bose QuietComfort 35 II vs Sony WH-1000XM6: which should you buy?

Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Bose QuietComfort 35 II vs Sony WH-1000XM6, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.

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.

  • Bose QuietComfort 35 II
  • Sony WH-1000XM6
HearWiki score
-
89
Sound
-
9.0
Noise cancelling
-
9.6
Battery
-
8.1
Calls
-
9.6
Value
-
8.2
Price (USD)
$300
$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 Bose QuietComfort 35 II (2017). The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.3 against 4.1, Top codec LC3 against AAC and LE Audio (LC3). It also adds Multipoint pairing and USB-C.

  • QuietComfort 35 II2017
  • WH-1000XM620258 yr newer
What differsQuietComfort 35 IIWH-1000XM6

Platform

Bluetooth
4.1
5.3
Top codec
AAC
LC3
LE Audio (LC3)
No
Yes

Everyday features

Multipoint pairing
No
Yes
USB-C
No
Yes

Specifications

QuietComfort 35 IIWH-1000XM6
Type
Over-Ear
Over-Ear
Price (USD)
$300
$400
HearWiki score
Not scored
89
Released
2017
2025
Availability
Discontinued
Sold new
Driver
40 mm dynamic
30 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
40 mm
30 mm
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
4 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance
32 Ω
48 Ω
Sensitivity
99 dB/mW
103 dB/mW
Bluetooth
4.1
5.3
Codecs
SBC, AAC
SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing
No
Yes
Wireless range
10 m
10 m
Battery life
20 h
40 h
Battery life (ANC on)
-
30 h
Full charge time
135 min
210 min
Quick charge
-
3 min → 3 h
Wireless charging
-
No
Active noise cancelling
Yes
Yes
ANC type
-
adaptive
Transparency mode
-
Yes
Companion app
-
Yes
Custom EQ
-
Yes
Wear detection
-
Yes
Controls
-
buttons
Voice assistant
-
Yes
Weight
234 g
254 g
Water resistance
none
none
Foldable
Yes
-
Detachable cable
Yes
Yes
USB-C
No
Yes
Connector
-
3.5 mm
Microphones
1
12
Microphone type
-
MEMS

What reviewers said

Bose QuietComfort 35 II

These wireless over-ear headphones are known for their top-tier active noise cancellation and plush comfort, making them ideal for long listening sessions or travel. They deliver balanced sound and include voice assistant support, though they rely on an older Bluetooth version and lack modern features like multipoint or USB-C charging.

  • Pro:Excellent active noise cancellation
  • Pro:Very comfortable for extended wear
  • Pro:Solid battery life of 20 hours
  • Con:No multipoint Bluetooth connection
  • Con:Uses micro-USB instead of USB-C
  • Con:Lacks water resistance

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 comparisonBose QuietComfort 35 IISony WH-1000XM6