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JBL Tour One M3 vs Sony WH-1000XM6: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Sony WH-1000XM6 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Sony WH-1000XM6 - Outstanding overall at around $398.

Score breakdown

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

Sony WH-1000XM6 leads on 4 of 7 measures.

  • JBL Tour One M3
  • Sony WH-1000XM6
HearWiki score
83
88
Sound
8.0
9.0
Noise cancelling
8.7
9.6
Battery
9.6
8.1
Calls
8.1
9.6
Value
9.6
8.2
Price (USD)
$150
$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?

Half a step newer

Both shipped in 2025. The Sony WH-1000XM6 edges ahead on platform, but only just: LE Audio (LC3).

  • Tour One M32025
  • WH-1000XM62025
What differsTour One M3WH-1000XM6

Platform

LE Audio (LC3)
No
Yes

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

Specifications

Tour One M3WH-1000XM6
Type
Over-Ear
Over-Ear
Price (USD)
$150
$400
HearWiki score
83
88
Released
2025
2025
Availability
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 - 40 kHz
4 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance
18 Ω
48 Ω
Sensitivity
122 dB/mW
103 dB/mW
Bluetooth
5.3
5.3
Codecs
LDAC
SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing
Yes
Yes
Wireless range
-
10 m
Battery life
70 h
40 h
Battery life (ANC on)
70 h
30 h
Full charge time
120 min
210 min
Quick charge
-
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
touch
buttons
Voice assistant
Yes
Yes
Weight
278 g
254 g
Water resistance
none
none
Foldable
Yes
-
Detachable cable
Yes
Yes
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Pad material
leatherette
-
Connector
3.5 mm
3.5 mm
Model code
JBLTOM3AVILTTAM
-
Microphones
8
12
Microphone type
-
MEMS
Call noise reduction
Yes
-
Call NR technology
beamforming
-

What reviewers said

JBL Tour One M3

The JBL Tour One M3 is a premium wireless over-ear headphone that pairs extensive battery life with strong active noise cancellation. It supports high-resolution audio codecs and Bluetooth multipoint for flexible connectivity, while a 40mm driver aims to deliver a lively sound profile. The design is comfortable for long sessions, though it lacks any official water resistance rating.

  • Pro:Excellent battery life of up to 70 hours without ANC
  • Pro:Supports high-quality LDAC and LDHC codecs
  • Pro:Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint for seamless device switching
  • Con:No water resistance for outdoor or workout use
  • Con:Charging takes a relatively long two hours
  • Con:Impedance of 18 ohms may be sensitive to source quality

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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New comparisonJBL Tour One M3Sony WH-1000XM6