Jabra Elite 85h 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.

Over-Ear

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.

Jabra Elite 85h
Sony WH-1000XM6

HearWiki score

Sound

7.0

9.0

Noise cancelling

5.5

9.6

Battery

7.2

8.1

Calls

6.6

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 Jabra Elite 85h (2019). The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.0, Top codec LC3 against AAC, LE Audio (LC3) and ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid.

Elite 85h2019
WH-1000XM620256 yr newer

What differsElite 85hWH-1000XM6

Bluetooth: 5.0; 5.3
Top codec: AAC; LC3
LE Audio (LC3): No; Yes
ANC type: Hybrid; Adaptive

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

Specifications

Elite 85hWH-1000XM6

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $230; $400
HearWiki score: 55; 89
Released: 2019; 2025
Availability: Still sold new; 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: 10 Hz - 20 kHz; 4 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance: -; 48 Ω
Sensitivity: 102 dB/mW; 103 dB/mW
Bluetooth: 5.0; 5.3
Codecs: SBC, AAC; SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; Yes
Wireless range: -; 10 m
Battery life: 41 h; 40 h
Battery life (ANC on): 36 h; 30 h
Full charge time: 150 min; 210 min
Quick charge: 15 min → 5 h; 3 min → 3 h
Wireless charging: No; No
Active noise cancelling: Yes; Yes
ANC type: hybrid; adaptive
Transparency mode: Yes; Yes
Companion app: Yes; Yes
Custom EQ: Yes; Yes
Wear detection: Yes; Yes
Controls: buttons; buttons
Voice assistant: Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri; Yes
Weight: 296 g; 254 g
Water resistance: none; none
Detachable cable: -; Yes
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Connector: -; 3.5 mm
Microphones: 8; 12
Microphone type: -; MEMS

Specification comparison of Jabra Elite 85h vs Sony WH-1000XM6
Spec	Jabra Elite 85h	Sony WH-1000XM6
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$230	$400
HearWiki score	55 / 100 Average	89 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2019	2025
Audio
Driver	40 mm dynamic	30 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	40 mm	30 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	10 Hz - 20 kHz	4 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance	-	48 Ω
Sensitivity	102 dB/mW	103 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.0	5.3
Codecs	SBC, AAC	SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	Yes
Wireless range	-	10 m
Battery
Battery life	41 h	40 h
Battery life (ANC on)	36 h	30 h
Full charge time	150 min	210 min
Quick charge	15 min → 5 h	3 min → 3 h
Wireless charging	No	No
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
ANC type	hybrid	adaptive
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	Yes	Yes
Wear detection	Yes	Yes
Controls	buttons	buttons
Voice assistant	Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri	Yes
Design
Weight	296 g	254 g
Water resistance	none	none
Detachable cable	-	Yes
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Connector	-	3.5 mm
Calls
Microphones	8	12
Microphone type	-	MEMS

What reviewers said

Jabra Elite 85h

The Jabra Elite 85h is a wireless over-ear headphone with hybrid active noise cancellation, delivering up to 36 hours of playback with ANC enabled. It offers Bluetooth 5.0, multipoint connectivity, and an 8-microphone setup for clear calls, all housed in a comfortable, foldable design.

Pro:Excellent battery life with ANC on
Pro:Hybrid ANC effectively reduces ambient noise
Pro:Multipoint allows pairing with two devices simultaneously

Con:No water resistance rating
Con:Lacks wireless charging support
Con:Only SBC and AAC codecs, no aptX or LDAC

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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