The king of noise-canceling headphones is back. Sony’s new WH-1000XM6 landed in India and the US last week with one clear goal: defending its title.
For years, Sony’s XM series has been the default choice for premium over-ear headphones. With the WH-1000XM6, Sony isn’t rewriting the rules; it’s trying to perfect them. The company promises smarter noise cancellation that adapts to your environment, a lighter design for all-day comfort, and microphones that finally make taking calls a pleasure.
But is “refined” enough in 2025? With fierce competition from the Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Apple’s AirPods Max, does the XM6 do enough to remain the undisputed champion?
We’ve tested the Sony WH-1000XM6 in crowded cafés, on noisy flights, and in quiet rooms to find out. This is our full review.
Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphone & Availability
The Sony WH-1000XM6 is available now for ₹34,990 in India and $428 in the United States. It can be purchased from Amazon, Sony’s official website, and major electronics retailers like Croma and Best Buy.
Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphone Review: Sound
Sony’s WH-1000X headphones have long been the benchmark, and the XM6 doesn’t just continue that legacy; it refines it. Instead of a complete overhaul, Sony has focused on making everything sound cleaner, clearer, and more immersive.
Hardware and Codec Support
At the heart of the XM6 are 30mm precision-engineered drivers with a stiffer dome design, improving rigidity and reducing distortion at high volumes. This upgrade allows for tighter bass control and more defined midrange clarity.
The headphones run on Bluetooth 5.3 and support all the right codecs, including LDAC, AAC, SBC, and the newer LC3. Using LDAC on a compatible Android device unlocks high-resolution audio, a feature that still puts Sony a step ahead of its main rivals.
However, Sony made one puzzling omission: no USB-C audio passthrough. For purists who prefer a wired digital connection, this feels like a missed opportunity. The 3.5mm AUX input still works great, but the lack of wired digital audio limits versatility.
Bass
If you love bass, the WH-1000XM6 will make you grin. The low-end is massive yet meticulously controlled, offering deeper and punchier bass than the XM4. It’s a refined, muscular warmth that anchors every track without sounding bloated or muddy. In noisy environments like a flight from Delhi to Goa, this deep low-end gives music an almost live feel.
Mids and Vocals
Sony has worked to improve midrange clarity, and it shows. Vocals sound richer and more organic. That said, the stock tuning has a warmth that can sometimes place vocals slightly behind the instruments. Thankfully, a quick adjustment in the app’s 10-band EQ easily brings them forward.
Treble
High frequencies on the XM6 are crisp and detailed without ever becoming harsh. Sony has found a sweet spot, keeping the sparkle and air in the sound. We noticed a hint of sibilance (a slight hiss on “S” sounds) on the default settings, but it’s a minor complaint that is easily smoothed out with the EQ.
Cinema Mode
A standout new feature is Cinema Mode, a spatial audio setting for video. It expands the stereo image dramatically, making vocals feel centered while environmental sounds swirl around you. It’s not full head-tracked 3D audio like Apple’s, but it adds a convincing sense of depth that makes the XM6 as enjoyable for binge-watching as they are for music.
Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphone Review: Design and Build
With the WH-1000XM6, Sony has perfected the art of functional, lightweight design. The biggest upgrade is a direct response to user feedback: the folding design is back. The earcups now collapse inward on a sturdy, metal-reinforced hinge, making the XM6 dramatically more portable than the rigid XM5.
The body is crafted from a high-quality, soft-touch matte plastic that feels premium while keeping the weight down to an astonishing 253 grams. This material is excellent at resisting fingerprints, a welcome change from glossy competitors. The clamping force feels expertly calibrated—secure enough for a brisk walk without causing fatigue during a long-haul flight. The new synthetic leather earpads are softer and slightly deeper, creating a better seal and improving long-term comfort.
This focus on usability extends to the new hard-shell carrying case. It’s noticeably slimmer than the XM5’s, with a satisfying magnetic clasp replacing the old zipper. Inside, dedicated slots and a small flap for cables make packing effortless.
Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphone Review: Controls
Sony continues to bet on its minimalist control scheme, centering it on the right earcup’s touch panel. Swipes for volume and track skips are snappier, and the improved algorithm is far better at rejecting accidental brushes. The indispensable Quick Attention Mode, cupping the right earcup with your hand to temporarily lower volume and activate ambient sound, is as responsive as ever.
That said, the all-touch approach isn’t for everyone. Many will still miss the tactile certainty of physical volume buttons, a feature competitors from Bose and Sennheiser have wisely included.
On the left earcup, Sony provides two essential physical buttons for power and ANC control. The second button cycles through Noise Cancelling, Ambient Sound, and Off, and it can be customized in the app. This year, the power button has been redesigned with a more defined ridge, making it easy to identify by feel. It’s a small, thoughtful improvement that eliminates fumbling when you’re trying to power them down or enter pairing mode.
Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphone Review: Companion App
While the XM6 sounds great out of the box, the Headphones Connect app is where you unlock its full potential. The app’s standout feature is the new 10-band EQ, a huge upgrade from the previous 5-band version. It offers granular control that allows audiophiles to fine-tune the sound precisely to their liking.
The app is also the hub for Sony’s signature intelligent features. Adaptive Sound Control automatically adjusts noise cancellation to your environment, Speak-to-Chat pauses audio when you talk, and 360 Reality Audio creates a spherical soundstage for supported music. The app’s multi-device connection is also rock-solid, seamlessly switching between a laptop and a phone.
However, the app’s biggest weakness is its cluttered interface. Key features can feel buried under multiple taps and toggles, potentially causing “option paralysis” for new users. A streamlined dashboard would be a welcome improvement. Despite this, it remains one of the most comprehensive and powerful companion apps on the market.
How is the Noise Cancelling and Transparency Mode?
Sony’s mastery of silence takes another confident step forward. Powered by an updated Q3 processor and AI, the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is a clear refinement over the excellent XM5.
Switch on the ANC, and the world simply fades away. During testing on a busy street, the headphones effortlessly muted traffic and nearby construction. The noise cancelling also remains perfectly stable while walking, with no distracting “popping” sounds.
The Ambient Sound mode, which lets the outside world in, has seen a significant clarity boost. It makes voices sound clearer and more natural, a massive improvement that makes conversations feel far more lifelike.
How is the Call Quality on the WH-1000XM6?
If the XM5 was for listening, the XM6 is for being heard. Using a six-microphone array and AI noise suppression, Sony has made call quality a headline feature. The improvement is dramatic.
In real-world tests on windy streets, the AI aggressively isolates your voice, delivering a crisp, clear signal. This transforms the XM6 into a true all-rounder—the perfect headset for jumping from a Spotify playlist into a Zoom call.
How Long Does the WH-1000XM6 Battery Really Last?
The endurance of the WH-1000XM6 is stunning. Sony rates it for 30 hours with ANC on, but we easily achieved over 37 hours in real-world use. After a five-hour train journey with noise cancellation active, the battery had only dropped to 90%.
This performance places the XM6 comfortably ahead of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (24 hours) and Apple’s AirPods Max (20 hours). When you do run low, a quick three-minute charge delivers several hours of listening time via a standard USB-C port.
Review Verdict: Should You Buy the Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones?
After weeks of testing, the question isn’t whether the WH-1000XM6 are great headphones. They are phenomenal. The real question is whether they’ll make a tangible difference in your day-to-day life. And the answer is, almost certainly, yes.
Are they technically perfect? No. The app can be a bit busy, and the lack of wired USB-C audio might annoy some. But in the moments that truly matter, when you need to focus, connect, or just escape, those minor complaints simply fade away.
So, are they worth it? If you’re looking for a single, reliable companion for your work, travels, and personal time, the answer is a resounding yes. The WH-1000XM6 aren’t just the best noise-cancelling headphones; they’re an investment in your own peace of mind.
Smartprix ⭐ Rating: 8.3/10
- Sound: 8.5/10
- Design and Build: 8.5/10
- Fit and Comfort: 8.5/10
- Controls: 8/10
- Companion App: 7.5/10
- Connectivity: 8.5/10
- Noise Cancellation: 8.5/10
- Microphones: 8.5/10
- Battery and Charging: 8/10
First reviewed in October 2025.
