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Sony WH-1000XM4 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.

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.

  • Sony WH-1000XM4
  • Sony WH-1000XM6
HearWiki score
75
89
Sound
8.0
9.0
Noise cancelling
8.2
9.6
Battery
8.5
8.1
Calls
6.1
9.6
Value
4.2
8.2
Price (USD)
$320
$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 Sony WH-1000XM4 (2020). The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.0 and LE Audio (LC3).

  • WH-1000XM42020
  • WH-1000XM620255 yr newer
What differsWH-1000XM4WH-1000XM6

Platform

Bluetooth
5.0
5.3
LE Audio (LC3)
No
Yes

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

Specifications

WH-1000XM4WH-1000XM6
Type
Over-Ear
Over-Ear
Price (USD)
$320
$400
HearWiki score
75
89
Released
2020
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
4 Hz - 40 kHz
4 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance
16 Ω
48 Ω
Sensitivity
105 dB/mW
103 dB/mW
Bluetooth
5.0
5.3
Codecs
SBC, AAC, LDAC
SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing
Yes
Yes
Wireless range
-
10 m
Battery life
38 h
40 h
Battery life (ANC on)
30 h
30 h
Full charge time
180 min
210 min
Quick charge
10 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
touch
buttons
Voice assistant
Alexa, Google Assistant
Yes
Weight
254 g
254 g
Water resistance
none
none
Detachable cable
-
Yes
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Connector
-
3.5 mm
Microphones
2
12
Microphone type
-
MEMS

What reviewers said

Sony WH-1000XM4

The Sony WH-1000XM4 are premium wireless over-ear headphones that deliver outstanding active noise cancellation and balanced, detailed sound. They remain a top pick thanks to their comfortable fit, long battery life, and useful features like adaptive ANC, multipoint pairing, and touch controls. Despite being a few years old, they still compete strongly with newer flagships.

  • Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
  • Pro:Rich, well-balanced audio with LDAC support
  • Pro:Comfortable lightweight design for long sessions
  • Con:No water resistance rating
  • Con:No wireless charging support
  • Con:Touch controls can be finicky for some users

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 comparisonSony WH-1000XM4Sony WH-1000XM6