Sony WH-1000XM6 Review: The Noise-Cancelling Kings Are Back!
It's been a surprisingly long three-year wait, but Sony has finally returned to the premium headphone scene in 2025 with the Sony WH-1000XM6. Positioned as the very best noise-cancelling cans around, they come with a premium £400 price tag here in the UK—a slight increase over previous models and most competitors. So, are they actually worth the investment?
I've had these headphones glued to my head for over two weeks, through busy airports, screeching tube trains, and long work sessions. Here is my full and honest Sony WH-1000XM6 review.
Image: Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones. Source: Sony Official
Table of Contents
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Design & Comfort
The WH-1000XM6s look distinctly Sony but are also a departure from the near-identical designs of previous generations. They are chunky but not ridiculously so. I quite like the irregular, modern design, and the branding is subtle. However, the smooth, soft-touch matte finish on the black model is an absolute magnet for fingerprints and smudges. I'd personally lean towards the silver or midnight blue options for a cleaner, bolder look.
The earcups feature generous padding and a faux leather finish. Source: Sony
They fold up compactly thanks to sturdy metal hinges, making them easy to stuff into a backpack. Comfort gets a solid 4 out of 5 from me. The headband is slightly wider this generation, but it could still use a bit more padding. I occasionally had to shift it on my head to avoid a pressure point during long sessions. The earcups, however, are fantastic. They are generously padded with the same faux leather finish as the XM5s, and they pop right off for cleaning. Even with glasses on, I didn't feel any significant pressure for hours at a time—including one 12-hour travel day with minimal breaks.
Sony Headphones Connect App
To unlock the full potential of the XM6s, you'll need to download Sony's Headphones Connect app. Be warned: it's seriously dense with features and takes some getting used to. You can customize everything from ANC and audio settings to enabling features like "Speak-to-Chat." The app also offers adaptive settings based on your activity (walking, running, etc.) and provides a host of tips to get you started. All the premium features you'd expect are here, including multi-point connectivity and future-proofing with Auracast support.
Touch Controls & Usability
Previous Sony headphones had touch controls that could be a bit hit-or-miss. I'm happy to report that the WH-1000XM6s have perfected them. They are responsive, intuitive, and I experienced no accidental triggers.
- Double Tap (Right Earcup): Play/Pause
- Swipe Forward/Back: Skip track
- Swipe Up/Down & Hold: Adjust volume
There's zero learning curve. You can also customize the Noise Control/Ambient button and disable the touch controls entirely if you wish. The wear-detection, which automatically pauses music when you take the headphones off, works flawlessly. Physical buttons are minimal: a power/pairing button and the dedicated ANC/Ambient button on the left cup, alongside a welcome 3.5mm audio port.
Bluetooth & Voice Assistant
Bluetooth streaming has been absolutely rock-solid. I kept the connection set to "Sound Quality Preferred" and experienced zero stutters or dropouts, even in packed airports and train stations. There's also no noticeable lag when editing video, which is a huge plus. The XM6s offer full Gemini support for voice assistance and can read out and reply to notifications. A quirky feature also allows the headphones to announce the time every hour on the hour.
Noise Cancellation: Pure Obliteration
"It's not noise cancellation what these things do. It's noise obliteration."
This is where the Sony WH-1000XM6s truly set themselves apart and justify their price. The old QN1 processor has been replaced by the seven times faster QN3 processor, and the microphone count has increased from eight on the XM5s to twelve. The result is staggering.
On London's screeching underground trains, the horrific high-pitched scream was reduced to a gentle whistle. The roar of an airplane engine became nothing more than a soft, distant hum, like a desktop fan. The ANC is, simply put, the best in the business.
The XM6s make chaotic environments feel peaceful.
Intelligent Ambient Mode
Sony's Ambient Mode is equally impressive. It intelligently filters sound, blocking out background traffic and chatter while still allowing you to hear important announcements or have a conversation without blasting your eardrums. If you need to hear everything immediately, just cup your hand over the right earcup to instantly lower your audio and pipe in all external sound.
Audio Quality & Customization
The XM6s support all the expected codecs, including LDAC for high-resolution audio, and feature 30mm drivers. Sony has also integrated tech from its Walkman devices, like a low-phase noise crystal oscillator, to refine the sound.
The default audio profile, crafted with help from mastering engineers, sounds excellent and balanced. However, if you're like me, you'll dive into the 10-band EQ. I boosted the bass for my angry metal music and bumped the highs slightly. While Sony offers a tool to create a custom sound profile, I prefer the more precise hearing tests found on competitors like the JBL Tour One M3s. Nevertheless, I was more than satisfied with the crisp, clear, and powerful sound I was able to achieve. Vocals in podcasts and audiobooks are perfectly clear.
Battery Life & Charging
Sony estimates around 30 hours of battery life with ANC on, and my testing found this to be spot-on. After a 15-hour day of continuous use, the battery was down to exactly 50%. While 30 hours is very respectable, it's not class-leading; some rivals push closer to 50 hours. Still, it's more than enough for a long-haul flight or a weekend away.
The charging is fantastic. A mere 3-minute charge provides 3 hours of playback. Even better, you can continue to use the headphones while they're charging via USB-C—a feature that is surprisingly rare and incredibly useful.
Verdict: Are They Worth It?
The Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones are a triumphant return for the brand. While they may not have the absolute best out-of-the-box audio or the longest battery life, they offer an unbeatable overall package. The sheer number of useful, well-implemented features is staggering, and the streaming support is future-proofed with Auracast.
The main reason to buy these headphones is for the noise cancellation. It is simply incredible, top-tier, Grade-A stuff that makes stressful travel genuinely peaceful.
However, they aren't cheap. At £400, they are a serious investment. If your top priority is silencing the world around you with class-leading technology and you want a feature-packed, comfortable, and reliable set of cans, then the Sony WH-1000XM6s are absolutely worth it. They are an absolute lifesaver for frequent travelers and commuters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do the WH-1000XM6s compare to the WH-1000XM5s?
The XM6s offer significant upgrades in noise cancellation thanks to the new QN3 processor and 12-microphone array (up from 8 on the XM5s). The touch controls are more reliable, the design is slightly refined, and they introduce Auracast support for future connectivity.
Are the Sony WH-1000XM6 good for phone calls?
Yes. They feature six beamforming microphones and AI-powered noise reduction that focuses on your voice while muffling background noise, including wind. Call quality is clear and professional.
Can you use the headphones with a wire?
Yes. They come with a 3.5mm audio port and a cable in the box, so you can use them wired if you prefer or if the battery runs out.
Are they worth the £400 price tag?
If you are a frequent traveler or someone who is highly sensitive to noise, the investment is justified by the phenomenal noise-cancelling performance alone. For more casual users, there are more affordable alternatives, but they won't match the XM6's overall feature set and ANC quality.
Can you use them while they are charging?
Yes, one of their best features is the ability to continue listening to audio via Bluetooth or the wired connection while the headphones are plugged in and charging via USB-C.
Tags: Sony, Headphones, WH-1000XM6, Review, Noise Cancellation, Audio, Tech, Gadgets, Travel, Bluetooth Headphones, Premium Headphones
