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

Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Bose SoundLink Wireless 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 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 Headphones (2016). The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.3 against 2.1, Top codec LC3 against AAC, LE Audio (LC3) and ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds USB-C.

  • SoundLink Wireless Headphones2016
  • WH-1000XM620259 yr newer
What differsSoundLink Wireless HeadphonesWH-1000XM6

Platform

Bluetooth
2.1
5.3
Top codec
AAC
LC3
LE Audio (LC3)
No
Yes
ANC type
None
Adaptive

Everyday features

USB-C
No
Yes

Level on: Multipoint pairing.

Specifications

SoundLink Wireless HeadphonesWH-1000XM6
Type
Over-Ear
Over-Ear
Price (USD)
$230
$400
HearWiki score
Not scored
89
Released
2016
2025
Availability
Discontinued
Sold new
Driver
dynamic
30 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
-
30 mm
Drivers per side
-
1
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
4 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance
-
48 Ω
Sensitivity
-
103 dB/mW
Bluetooth
2.1
5.3
Codecs
SBC, AAC
SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing
Yes
Yes
Wireless range
9 m
10 m
Battery life
15 h
40 h
Battery life (ANC on)
-
30 h
Full charge time
180 min
210 min
Quick charge
15 min → 2 h
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
buttons
Voice assistant
-
Yes
Weight
200 g
254 g
Water resistance
-
none
Detachable cable
Yes
Yes
USB-C
No
Yes
Connector
-
3.5 mm
Microphones
1
12
Microphone type
-
MEMS

What reviewers said

Bose SoundLink Wireless Headphones

These over-ear wireless headphones from Bose deliver consistent audio performance at any volume, with a focus on comfort and durability for everyday wireless listening. They support multipoint connections and offer a long battery life, though they lack active noise cancellation and use an older Bluetooth version.

  • Pro:Consistent sound quality at all volume levels
  • Pro:Comfortable and durable over-ear design
  • Pro:Multipoint connectivity for switching between devices
  • Con:No active noise cancellation
  • Con:Older Bluetooth 2.1 technology
  • Con:Single microphone limits call clarity

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 HeadphonesSony WH-1000XM6