KEF Nothing Headphone (1) 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 5 of 7 measures.

KEF Nothing Headphone (1)
Sony WH-1000XM6

HearWiki score

Sound

7.4

9.0

Noise cancelling

8.4

9.6

Battery

8.0

8.1

Calls

6.4

9.6

Value

8.3

8.2

Price (USD)

$240

$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). The KEF Nothing Headphone (1) answers on convenience features: it adds Water resistance (IP52).

Nothing Headphone (1)2025
WH-1000XM62025

What differsNothing Headphone (1)WH-1000XM6

LE Audio (LC3): No; Yes
Water resistance: IP52; Not rated

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

Specifications

Nothing Headphone (1)WH-1000XM6

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $240; $400
HearWiki score: 77; 89
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: 20 Hz - 40 kHz; 4 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance: 16 Ω; 48 Ω
Sensitivity: -; 103 dB/mW
Bluetooth: 5.3; 5.3
Codecs: LDAC; SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; Yes
Wireless range: 10 m; 10 m
Battery life: 80 h; 40 h
Battery life (ANC on): 35 h; 30 h
Full charge time: -; 210 min
Quick charge: 5 min → 5 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: ChatGPT; Yes
Weight: 329 g; 254 g
Case weight: 264 g; -
Water resistance: IP52; none
Detachable cable: -; Yes
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Connector: USB-C; 3.5 mm
Microphones: 4; 12
Microphone type: -; MEMS
Call noise reduction: Yes; -
Call NR technology: 4-mic ENC; -

Specification comparison of KEF Nothing Headphone (1) vs Sony WH-1000XM6
Spec	KEF Nothing Headphone (1)	Sony WH-1000XM6
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$240	$400
HearWiki score	77 / 100 Great	89 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2025	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	20 Hz - 40 kHz	4 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance	16 Ω	48 Ω
Sensitivity	-	103 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.3	5.3
Codecs	LDAC	SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	Yes
Wireless range	10 m	10 m
Battery
Battery life	80 h	40 h
Battery life (ANC on)	35 h	30 h
Full charge time	-	210 min
Quick charge	5 min → 5 h	3 min → 3 h
Wireless charging	No	No
Features
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	ChatGPT	Yes
Design
Weight	329 g	254 g
Case weight	264 g	-
Water resistance	IP52	none
Detachable cable	-	Yes
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Connector	USB-C	3.5 mm
Calls
Microphones	4	12
Microphone type	-	MEMS
Call noise reduction	Yes	-
Call NR technology	4-mic ENC	-

What reviewers said

KEF Nothing Headphone (1)

The KEF Nothing Headphone (1) is a distinctive over-ear wireless headphone that blends adaptive active noise cancellation with LDAC high-resolution audio support and Bluetooth 5.3 multipoint connectivity. Its 40 mm dynamic drivers and 80-hour battery life (35 hours with ANC enabled) make it a versatile option for both travel and daily listening, while the IP52 rating adds light durability. With a bold design and customizable EQ, it aims to stand out in the mid-range wireless market.

Pro:Adaptive ANC with transparency mode
Pro:Excellent battery life up to 80 hours (ANC off)
Pro:LDAC support for high-resolution wireless audio

Con:No wireless charging support
Con:Battery life drops significantly with ANC on
Con:16-ohm impedance may require more power from some sources

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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