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Bose SoundLink Wireless Around-Ear Headphones vs Sony WH-1000XM6: which should you buy?

Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Bose SoundLink Wireless Around-Ear Headphones 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 SoundLink Wireless Around-Ear Headphones
  • Sony WH-1000XM6
HearWiki score
-
89
Sound
-
9.0
Noise cancelling
-
9.6
Battery
-
8.1
Calls
-
9.6
Value
-
8.2
Price (USD)
$230
$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 SoundLink Wireless Around-Ear Headphones (2013). The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.3 against 2.1 and ANC type Adaptive against None.

  • SoundLink Wireless Around-Ear Headphones2013
  • WH-1000XM6202512 yr newer
What differsSoundLink Wireless Around-Ear HeadphonesWH-1000XM6

Platform

Bluetooth
2.1
5.3
ANC type
None
Adaptive

Level on: Multipoint pairing.

Specifications

SoundLink Wireless Around-Ear HeadphonesWH-1000XM6
Type
Over-Ear
Over-Ear
Price (USD)
$230
$400
HearWiki score
Not scored
89
Released
2013
2025
Availability
Discontinued
Sold new
Driver
-
30 mm dynamic
Driver type
-
dynamic
Driver size
-
30 mm
Drivers per side
-
1
Frequency response
-
4 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance
-
48 Ω
Sensitivity
-
103 dB/mW
Bluetooth
2.1
5.3
Codecs
-
SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing
Yes
Yes
Wireless range
-
10 m
Battery life
-
40 h
Battery life (ANC on)
-
30 h
Full charge time
-
210 min
Quick charge
-
3 min → 3 h
Wireless charging
-
No
Active noise cancelling
No
Yes
ANC type
-
adaptive
Transparency mode
-
Yes
Companion app
-
Yes
Custom EQ
-
Yes
Wear detection
-
Yes
Controls
-
buttons
Voice assistant
-
Yes
Weight
-
254 g
Water resistance
-
none
Detachable cable
-
Yes
USB-C
-
Yes
Connector
-
3.5 mm
Microphones
-
12
Microphone type
-
MEMS

What reviewers said

Bose SoundLink Wireless Around-Ear Headphones

These over-ear wireless headphones from Bose offer dependable, well-balanced audio that stays clear even at higher volumes, along with reliable Bluetooth pairing and solid call quality. Their comfortable build and robust design make them a practical choice for everyday listening, though they lack active noise cancellation. Multipoint support lets you connect to two devices at once for seamless switching.

  • Pro:Balanced, consistent sound at all volume levels
  • Pro:Comfortable fit for extended listening sessions
  • Pro:Reliable Bluetooth connectivity with multipoint support
  • Con:No active noise cancellation
  • Con:Older Bluetooth 2.1 technology
  • Con:Design may feel dated compared to newer models

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 SoundLink Wireless Around-Ear HeadphonesSony WH-1000XM6