As someone who works remotely, travels frequently, and listens to music for hours a day, I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect pair of headphones. After three weeks with the Sony WH-1000XM6, I’m ready to give you my real, hands-on review of these flagship noise-cancelling headphones in 2025.
Are they better than the XM5? Worth the upgrade? Or is it all just marketing buzz? Here’s what I found—no fluff, no tech jargon
1. Design: Familiar Yet Refined
Sony didn’t reinvent the wheel with the XM6, but they did polish it. The headset feels lighter than the XM5, and the earcups are slightly deeper—great for comfort during long sessions. The touch controls remain intact, and the matte finish resists fingerprints better this time around.
👍 Pros:
Sleek, minimal design (black & silver options look professional)
Swiveling earcups = easy packing
Comfortable for 4+ hours straight with no heat buildup
👎 Cons:
Still a plastic-heavy build for the price
Headband cushioning could be better for people with larger heads
2. Noise Cancellation: The Best Just Got Better
Sony claims the XM6 features “Adaptive Sound 2.0,” and after testing in cafés, airplanes, and public transport—I believe the hype. It handled engine rumble, keyboard clicks, and even background chatter better than anything I’ve tried, including Bose and Apple’s latest.
💡 New in 2025:
Auto Scene Detection: Learns your locations and adjusts ANC accordingly
Voice Isolation Mode: Filters out voices unless you’re on a call
Whether I was flying or working in a noisy coworking space, I felt like I was in my own world.
3. Audio Quality: Balanced and Rich
Sony’s sound tuning has matured. The XM6 offers a neutral-but-rich sound profile. The bass is tight, not bloated. Mids are clear, and the highs never get harsh, even at high volume. I listen to everything from ambient to hip-hop to jazz—and everything sounded incredible.
🎵 Bonus: The 360 Reality Audio support makes spatial audio feel immersive, especially with supported apps like Tidal or Amazon Music HD.
🎧 Codec Support:
LDAC
AAC
SBC
AptX Adaptive (finally!)
4. Microphone & Call Quality: Solid for Work Calls
One big improvement is the call clarity. I took multiple Zoom and Teams calls on these, and every person commented on how “crisp” my voice sounded. Even with wind or background noise, the multiple mic array held up well.
📞 Use Cases:
Great for hybrid workers or digital nomads
No need to carry a separate headset for calls
5. Battery Life: Still a Powerhouse
Sony claims 40 hours of use with ANC off and about 30 hours with ANC on. I averaged 28.5 hours per charge with heavy ANC use and some LDAC listening. Not bad at all.
🔋 Charging:
USB-C Fast Charge: 3 hours playback from just 10 minutes charging
Charges fully in ~1.5 hours
I only had to charge them once per week, even with daily use.
6. App Integration: Smart but a Bit Cluttered
The Sony Headphones Connect app is robust, but still feels slightly clunky. There are now widgets for Android/iOS that let you toggle ANC modes or battery level at a glance, which I appreciated.
🛠 Notable Features:
Custom ANC Profiles by location (e.g. gym, home, train)
EQ with presets and custom tuning
Speak-to-Chat toggle
👎 Downside: First-time setup took longer than expected—firmware update + account registration
Verdict: Worth the Upgrade?
If you’re using the XM3 or XM4, the XM6 is a major leap—especially in comfort, mic quality, and ANC. If you already own the XM5, the upgrade is less dramatic but still noticeable if you’re a power user or commuter.
TL;DR – Sony WH-1000XM6 Review
| Feature | Rating |
|---|---|
| Design & Comfort | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Noise Cancellation | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Audio Quality | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Call Quality | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Battery Life | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| App & Smart Features | ⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Overall Value | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
FAQs
Q: Can I wear these headphones for workouts?
A: Not recommended—they’re not sweat-resistant. Great for walking or commuting, though.
Q: Is the XM6 better than AirPods Max?
A: Yes for ANC, comfort, and battery. AirPods Max might win in Apple ecosystem integration and spatial audio.
Q: Can I connect to two devices at once?
A: Yes, multipoint Bluetooth works flawlessly with Android and PC or iPhone and iPad.
