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Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones vs Sony WH-1000XM6: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Sony WH-1000XM6 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 86. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Sony WH-1000XM6 - Outstanding overall at around $400.

Score breakdown

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

Sony WH-1000XM6 leads on 5 of 7 measures.

  • Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
  • Sony WH-1000XM6
HearWiki score
81
86
Sound
7.0
8.0
Noise cancelling
8.5
8.5
Battery
7.0
7.5
Calls
7.0
7.0
Value
6.5
7.5
Price (USD)
$450
$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 Ultra Headphones (2023). The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the newer platform here: Top codec LC3 against aptX Adaptive and LE Audio (LC3).

  • QuietComfort Ultra Headphones2023
  • WH-1000XM620252 yr newer
What differsQuietComfort Ultra HeadphonesWH-1000XM6

Platform

Top codec
aptX Adaptive
LC3
LE Audio (LC3)
No
Yes

Level on: Bluetooth, ANC type, Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Wear detection, Transparency mode, Custom EQ, Companion app.

Specifications

QuietComfort Ultra HeadphonesWH-1000XM6
Type
Over-Ear
Over-Ear
Price (USD)
$450
$400
HearWiki score
81
86
Released
2023
2025
Availability
Discontinued
Sold new
Driver
35 mm dynamic
30 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
35 mm
30 mm
Drivers per side
-
1
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
4 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance
-
48 Ω
Sensitivity
-
103 dB/mW
Bluetooth
5.3
5.3
Codecs
SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive
SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing
Yes
Yes
Wireless range
-
10 m
Battery life
24 h
40 h
Battery life (ANC on)
18 h
30 h
Full charge time
180 min
210 min
Quick charge
15 min → 3 h
3 min → 3 h
Wireless charging
No
No
Active noise cancelling
Yes
Yes
ANC type
adaptive
adaptive
Transparency mode
Yes
Yes
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Custom EQ
Yes
Yes
Wear detection
Yes
Yes
Controls
both
buttons
Voice assistant
Yes
Yes
Weight
254 g
254 g
Water resistance
none
none
Detachable cable
-
Yes
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Connector
2.5 mm balanced
3.5 mm
Microphones
2
12
Microphone type
-
MEMS

What reviewers said

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are premium over-ear wireless headphones that excel at adaptive noise cancellation and all-day comfort. With 24 hours of battery life, Bluetooth 5.3, and a lightweight 254g build, they're a solid choice for frequent travelers, though they lack high-resolution codec support and wireless charging.

  • Pro:Outstanding adaptive noise cancellation
  • Pro:Very comfortable for long listening sessions
  • Pro:Long 24-hour battery life with quick charge
  • Con:Only supports AAC codec, no aptX or LDAC
  • Con:No wireless charging option
  • Con:Slightly heavy at 254g

Sony WH-1000XM6

This premium over-ear headphone delivers class-leading adaptive noise cancellation and a well-balanced sound profile, with support for high-resolution LDAC streaming. Its 30-hour battery life, multipoint Bluetooth 5.3, and intuitive button controls make it a versatile choice for both travel and daily listening. The lightweight build and 12-microphone array also ensure clear calls and effective transparency mode.

  • Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
  • Pro:Supports LDAC for high-quality wireless audio
  • Pro:Comfortable and light at 254g
  • Con:No water resistance rating
  • Con:Battery drops to 24 hours with ANC on
  • Con:No touch controls—buttons only

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

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