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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
VS
Sony WH-1000XM6 wins by 2
Bose QuietComfort Ultra — CustomTune ANC · Immersive Audio · aptX Adaptive
Bose

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

CustomTune ANC · Immersive Audio · aptX Adaptive

93
/ 100
From $429
Specdex verdict

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

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

Pick Sony WH-1000XM6 if…

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

Pick Bose QuietComfort Ultra if…

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

Sony WH-1000XM6 95
vs
93 Bose QuietComfort Ultra

Score breakdown

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

Specs side-by-side

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

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

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

FAQ: Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra

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

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

Is Sony WH-1000XM6 worth the price? +

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

Is Bose QuietComfort Ultra worth the price? +

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

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

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

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

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