
Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus vs Sony WF-1000XM6: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sony WF-1000XM6 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus | Sony WF-1000XM6 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $150 | $298 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2021 | 2026 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver type | - | custom driver |
| Driver size | 6 mm | 8.4 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | 16 Ω | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, Scalable | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Wireless range | 10 m | 10 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 11 h | 12 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 8 h |
| Battery incl. case | 22 h | 24 h |
| Full charge time | - | 90 min |
| Quick charge | 3 min = 1 h | 3 min = 1 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | Yes |
| ANC type | none | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | No | Yes |
| Wear detection | No | Yes |
| Controls | touch | touch |
| Voice assistant | Bixby | Google Assistant, Alexa, Siri |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 6.3 g | 6.4 g |
| Case weight | 39.6 g | 47 g |
| Water resistance | IPX2 | IPX4 |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 3 | 8 |
| Microphone | - | Yes |
What reviewers said
Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus are true wireless earbuds that deliver a balanced, neutral sound profile with improved battery life and call quality over their predecessor. While they lack active noise cancellation and advanced codec support, their comfortable fit, reliable performance, and strong app integration make them a solid everyday choice, especially at discounted prices. They offer practical features like wireless charging and USB-C, but their dated feature set faces stiff competition in today's market. Their strengths lie in versatility and dependable performance rather than cutting-edge specs.
- Pro:Balanced and neutral sound signature
- Pro:Excellent battery life with the charging case
- Pro:Clear call quality thanks to triple microphones
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:Only IPX2 water resistance, not suitable for heavy workouts
- Con:Lacks multipoint connection and advanced codecs like aptX
Sony WF-1000XM6
The Sony WF-1000XM6 true wireless earbuds deliver a top-tier audio experience with adaptive noise cancellation and robust sound quality, making them a strong all-around choice for daily use and workouts. They feature a long battery life, LDAC support, and multipoint connectivity, though their premium price and slightly bulky case are minor trade-offs. Overall, they excel in most areas, with call clarity and customization options further boosting their appeal.
- Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:Rich, detailed sound with LDAC support
- Pro:Long battery life even with ANC on
- Con:Premium price point may deter budget buyers
- Con:Charging case is somewhat larger than rivals
- Con:Stock ear tips might not fit all ear shapes
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
Compare something else
Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.
