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Bose QuietComfort Ultra — CustomTune ANC · Immersive Audio · aptX Adaptive
Bose

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

CustomTune ANC · Immersive Audio · aptX Adaptive

93
/ 100
From $429
VS
Sony WH-1000XM6 wins by 2
Sony WH-1000XM6 — LDAC · 30 h · 12-mic ANC with QN3
Sony

Sony WH-1000XM6

LDAC · 30 h · 12-mic ANC with QN3

95
/ 100
From $449
Specdex verdict

Sony WH-1000XM6 takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Bose QuietComfort Ultra lands at 93 and Sony WH-1000XM6 at 95. That puts Sony WH-1000XM6 ahead by 2 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Bose QuietComfort Ultra if…

  • ✓Best comfort in class
  • ✓Excellent ANC
  • ✓Immersive Audio spatial feature

Pick Sony WH-1000XM6 if…

  • ✓Best sound quality in ANC class
  • ✓LDAC + multipoint + Auracast support
  • ✓Excellent EQ app and ANC tuning
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Sound quality

Sony WH-1000XM6

Tuning, detail, and staging

Sony WH-1000XM6 leads on sound (96 vs 92).

Noise cancelling

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

ANC strength for commute and travel

Bose QuietComfort Ultra leads on anc (96 vs 94).

Comfort

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

Long-session wearability

Bose QuietComfort Ultra leads on comfort (98 vs 92).

Value for money

Tie

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Effectively tied — similar score-per-dollar at MSRP.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra 93
vs
95 Sony WH-1000XM6

Score breakdown

Bose QuietComfort Ultra
93
anc 96
sound 92
comfort 98
battery 86
features 90
Sony WH-1000XM6
95
anc 94
sound 96
comfort 92
battery 88
features 96

Specs side-by-side

Bose QuietComfort Ultra versus Sony WH-1000XM6 — full spec comparison
Spec Bose QuietComfort Ultra Sony WH-1000XM6
Driver
35 mm dynamic
30 mm dynamic
Battery
24 h (Immersive Audio off) / 18 h (on)
▲ 30 h (24 with ANC on)
Weight
▲ 253 g
254 g
Codecs
SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive
LDAC + LC3 + AAC + SBC
ANC
—
Hybrid · 12-mic with QN3 HD Noise Cancelling Processor
Bluetooth
—
5.3 LE
Charging
—
USB-C, 3 min for 3 h

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

Pros
  • +Best comfort in class
  • +Excellent ANC
  • +Immersive Audio spatial feature
Cons
  • −Bose app fiddly
  • −No USB-C audio (3.5 mm + Bluetooth only)
  • −No LDAC support

Sony WH-1000XM6

Pros
  • +Best sound quality in ANC class
  • +LDAC + multipoint + Auracast support
  • +Excellent EQ app and ANC tuning
Cons
  • −ANC marginally trails Bose QC Ultra
  • −Plastic build vs premium rivals
  • −No higher-res codecs above LDAC

FAQ: Bose QuietComfort Ultra vs Sony WH-1000XM6

Which is better, Bose QuietComfort Ultra or Sony WH-1000XM6? +

Sony WH-1000XM6 scores 95 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 2. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Bose QuietComfort Ultra worth the price? +

At $429, Bose QuietComfort Ultra delivers a Specdex score of 93 — strongest in comfort.

Is Sony WH-1000XM6 worth the price? +

At $449, Sony WH-1000XM6 delivers a Specdex score of 95 — strongest in sound.

Does Bose QuietComfort Ultra or Sony WH-1000XM6 last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for sound quality, Bose QuietComfort Ultra or Sony WH-1000XM6? +

Sony WH-1000XM6 — leads on sound (96 vs 92). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, Bose QuietComfort Ultra or Sony WH-1000XM6? +

Bose QuietComfort Ultra — leads on anc (96 vs 94). ANC strength for commute and travel.