Two of the most talked-about premium over-ear headphones are the Sony WH-1000XM6 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. Both promise class-leading noise cancellation and all-day comfort, but they take different routes to get there. This head-to-head uses the data we have on file to help you decide which one fits your listening habits.
The short version: the Sony scores higher overall, but the Bose is no slouch. The differences are smaller than the headline numbers suggest, and your choice may come down to codec support versus a slightly lower price. We'll walk through each area below.
Price and positioning
The Sony WH-1000XM6 costs $398, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones cost $449. That is a $51 gap, which is not huge at this level, but it does mean the Sony asks for less money while delivering a higher overall score. The Bose launched in 2023, the Sony in 2025, so the Sony is the newer design.
Both sit firmly in the premium over-ear category, competing with the likes of Apple and Sennheiser. Neither is a budget option, and both expect you to care about noise cancellation and comfort as much as raw sound quality. If you are looking for something cheaper, our best over-ear guide has alternatives under $300.
The scores, side by side
On the HearWiki scale, the Sony scores 86/100 and the Bose scores 81/100. That is a five-point gap, which is meaningful but not a landslide. Look at the subscores and the picture gets more nuanced:
- Sound: Sony 8, Bose 7
- ANC: both 8.5
- Battery: Sony 7.5, Bose 7
- Calls: both 7
- Value: Sony 7.5, Bose 6.5
The Bose only wins on nothing here; it ties on ANC and calls, and loses everywhere else. But the Sony's advantages are modest in each category. The biggest single difference is value, where the Sony's lower price and higher score combine to give it a clear edge. You can see the full breakdown in our comparison table.
Sound
The Sony WH-1000XM6 uses a 30 mm dynamic driver and supports LDAC, which allows high-resolution wireless audio on Android devices. It also supports SBC, AAC and LC3. The Bose uses a 35 mm dynamic driver but only supports SBC and AAC, plus aptX Adaptive on some devices. For iPhone users, that difference is irrelevant because AAC is the standard there. For Android users, LDAC gives the Sony a real edge if you listen to lossless files.
In terms of tuning, the Sony is described as well-balanced, which means it should handle most genres without favouring bass or treble too heavily. The Bose scores one point lower on sound, suggesting it is slightly less neutral or detailed out of the box. Neither is a bad-sounding headphone, but if you value wireless hi-res audio, the Sony is the safer bet.
If you are open to wired options, our best wired IEMs guide offers alternatives that may outperform both for less money.
Noise cancelling and battery
Both headphones score 8.5/10 for noise cancellation, which is excellent. The Sony uses adaptive noise cancellation with a 12-microphone array; the Bose uses its own adaptive system. In practice, you will likely find both block out the same amount of aeroplane hum, office chatter and traffic noise. This is a tie, not a win for either.
Battery life is where the gap appears. The Sony claims 40 hours with ANC off, but drops to 24 hours with ANC on. The Bose claims 24 hours with ANC on, with no figure recorded for ANC off. So with ANC active, they are effectively equal. The Sony's extra 16 hours only matters if you turn ANC off, which most people rarely do. The Bose also has quick charge, but the Sony does not record a fast-charge spec.
Neither headphone has wireless charging, and the Sony has no water resistance rating, so neither is suited for workouts or heavy rain. Both weigh 254g, so comfort should be similar, though the Bose is often praised for its plush earcups.
Calls and everyday use
Both score 7/10 for call quality, which is good but not class-leading. The Sony has a 12-microphone array, which should help with voice pickup in noisy environments. The Bose does not list a microphone count in our data, so we cannot compare that directly. If you take calls on the move, either should handle them adequately, but neither is a specialist headset.
In everyday use, the Sony uses button controls, while the Bose uses touch controls. That is a matter of preference: buttons are more reliable in gloves or when you are not looking, while touch can be more convenient but sometimes triggers accidentally. The Sony supports multipoint Bluetooth 5.3, and the Bose also uses Bluetooth 5.3, though multipoint is not explicitly recorded for the Bose.
If you are a gamer, neither is marketed as a gaming headset, and you would be better served by our best gaming headsets guide.
Which one should you buy?
If you want the best overall score, the highest value, and support for LDAC on Android, buy the Sony WH-1000XM6. It costs less, scores higher, and offers a newer design. The only reason to hesitate is if you strongly prefer touch controls or if you find the Bose's earcups more comfortable on your head.
If you are an iPhone user who does not care about LDAC, and you want the comfort that Bose is known for, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are still a fine choice. They tie on noise cancellation and calls, and the sound difference is only one point. You pay more for the Bose, but you are not getting a worse product, just a slightly less well-rounded one.
For most people, the Sony is the better buy. But if comfort is your top priority and you never use Android hi-res streaming, the Bose remains a strong alternative. Check our best ANC earbuds if you prefer a smaller form factor.
FAQ
Which has better noise cancellation, Sony WH-1000XM6 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra?
Both score 8.5/10 for noise cancellation, so they are effectively tied. You will not notice a major difference between them on a plane or in a busy office. Choose based on other factors like price and codec support.
Is the Sony WH-1000XM6 worth the upgrade over the Bose QuietComfort Ultra?
The Sony costs $51 less and scores five points higher overall, so yes, it is the better value. The main advantages are LDAC support, a slightly better sound score, and a newer release date. The Bose only wins if you strongly prefer its comfort or touch controls.
Do both headphones support multipoint Bluetooth?
The Sony WH-1000XM6 supports multipoint Bluetooth 5.3, so you can connect to two devices at once. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra also uses Bluetooth 5.3, but multipoint support is not recorded in our data, so we cannot confirm it. Check the Bose manual if that feature is essential to you.
