Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bose QC Ultra (2nd Gen): Which to Buy?

Short verdict: Both are superb, and you won't regret either. Buy the Sony WH-1000XM6 if you care most about sound quality, customisation and battery life, or if you use LDAC on Android. Buy the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) if you want the most comfortable fit, wear glasses, want lossless USB-C listening, or simply want the headphones that many reviewers still say make the world go quietest. For the average buyer, the Sony is the slightly better all-rounder; for frequent flyers who value comfort, the Bose edges it.

Quick comparison table

	Sony WH-1000XM6	Bose QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Released	May 2025	October 2025
US launch price	$449.99 (later listed at $459.99)	$449
Rated battery (ANC on)	Up to 30 h	Up to 30 h (23 h with Immersive Audio)
Rated battery (ANC off)	Up to 40 h	Up to 45 h
Battery measured by SoundGuys (ANC on)	About 37 h	About 27 h
Quick charge	3 min = up to 3 h (with USB PD charger)	15 min = up to 3 h
Weight	254 g	0.58 lb (about 264 g) per Bose
Bluetooth	5.3, LE Audio	5.4
Codecs	SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3	SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive
Multipoint	Yes	Yes
Wired listening	3.5 mm analogue only	USB-C lossless + 2.5 mm analogue
EQ	10-band	3-band
Spatial audio	360 Reality Audio upmix	Immersive Audio (Still, Motion, Cinema)
Controls	Touch gestures	Buttons + touch volume strip
Case	Zipperless hard case, magnetic clasp	Compact zip case
Water resistance	None	None

Both launched at around $450 and are frequently discounted, often by similar amounts, so compare current prices before you buy.

Noise cancelling

Winner: too close to call (Bose by a nose for many listeners)

This is the category most people care about, and it's genuinely close. Independent lab measurements put them almost level: RTINGS' side-by-side comparison gives the Sony a slight edge in overall noise isolation, while SoundGuys found no clear winner and said both easily handle aircraft, train and road noise.

Hands-on reviewers lean towards Bose. Tom's Guide called the Bose 2nd Gen the best noise cancelling headphones you can buy, and in a six-month head-to-head, its reviewer said the Bose blocked out everything while the Sony was very good but not quite the best. Several reviewers describe a difference in character: Bose's Quiet mode goes especially deep on steady low drones like jet engines, but some people notice a slight pressure sensation. Sony's ANC feels more natural and less intrusive.

Bottom line: if you're sensitive to that "pressure" feeling, pick the Sony. If you want the absolute deepest silence on a plane, pick the Bose. Either will massively reduce noise compared with midrange headphones.

Both transparency modes are excellent. Bose's Aware mode now smooths sudden loud noises, while Sony's ambient mode uses AI-trained processing and can adjust automatically.

Sound quality

Winner: Sony WH-1000XM6

Most reviewers prefer the Sony's sound. Tom's Guide found the XM6 offers better clarity, especially in the midrange, and more engaging music playback, while the Bose suits background listening more than focused listening. What Hi-Fi also rates Sony ahead on all-round sound, and SoundGuys concludes more people will like the Sony's tuning, although it notes a treble spike around 10 kHz that EQ can't completely remove.

The Bose is no slouch. The 2nd Gen is tighter and better balanced than the original, with a warm, punchy tuning and its CustomTune calibration. But two things favour Sony:

• EQ: Sony's app offers a 10-band EQ; Bose offers only 3 bands.
• Codec support: Sony supports LDAC, which works with most Android phones. Bose's high-resolution option, aptX Adaptive, only works with Snapdragon Sound phones. On an iPhone, both are limited to AAC, so the difference narrows.

The Bose has one audio trick the Sony can't match: lossless USB-C audio. Plug into a laptop or phone with a USB-C cable and you get digital, lossless sound. The Sony only offers analogue 3.5 mm wired listening.

Comfort and fit

Winner: Bose QC Ultra (2nd Gen)

Both are comfortable, and Tom's Guide rated them a tie for comfort, though it noted the Sony's headband could cause pressure after very long wear. RTINGS and most other reviewers describe the Bose as one of the most comfortable headphones available, with plush cushions and gentle clamping force.

For glasses wearers, SoundGuys specifically recommends the Bose over the Sony, because its soft cushions seal more easily around spectacle arms. If you wear glasses daily, see our guide to the best headphones for glasses wearers.

Both are over 250 g, so neither is ultralight, and both get warm on long sessions.

Battery life

Winner: Sony WH-1000XM6

On paper they look level: both are rated at up to 30 hours with ANC on. The Bose drops to 23 hours if you use Immersive Audio, but can reach 45 hours with ANC off versus Sony's 40.

In independent testing, the Sony pulls well ahead. SoundGuys measured about 37 hours with ANC on for the Sony, versus just over 27 hours for the Bose. Sony's quick charge is also faster: 3 minutes on a USB PD charger gives up to 3 hours of listening, while Bose needs 15 minutes for up to 3 hours.

Call quality

Winner: Bose (slightly)

Both handle calls well. The Sony uses a 12-microphone array with AI-based voice processing, and the Bose has improved noise handling. In SoundGuys' listener poll comparing recorded samples, 51% preferred the Bose microphone, 26% preferred the Sony and the rest rated them roughly equal. Reviewers note the Bose can sometimes sound slightly distant in noisy places, but voices remain clear and intelligible.

Features and app

Winner: Sony WH-1000XM6

The two brands take opposite approaches. Bose keeps things simple: a clean app with modes, a 3-band EQ, shortcuts and Immersive Audio. Sony's Sound Connect app offers much more: a 10-band EQ, automatic noise cancelling adjustments, 360 Reality Audio upmixing, voice commands and a wide range of customisation.

If you enjoy fine-tuning your headphones, the Sony is far more satisfying. If you want headphones that just work, the Bose's simplicity is an advantage.

Spatial audio: Bose's Immersive Audio works with any source and now includes Cinema mode for films. Reactions to Cinema mode are mixed, but it's a genuinely useful option on a plane. Tom's Guide rated Sony's spatial features ahead overall.

Controls: Sony uses swipe and tap gestures on the earcup, which most reviewers find reliable. Bose uses physical buttons plus a touch-sensitive volume strip, which Tom's Guide and SoundGuys both found fiddly. Some people still prefer Bose's physical buttons.

Codecs and connectivity

Winner: depends on your phone

• iPhone: both use AAC, so neither has an advantage. The Bose's USB-C audio is handy with a USB-C iPhone.
• Most Android phones: Sony wins thanks to LDAC.
• Snapdragon Sound Android phones: Bose supports aptX Adaptive for high-quality, low-latency audio.
• Laptops and gaming: Bose's wired USB-C connection offers lossless, low-latency audio. Sony supports LE Audio with LC3 for compatible devices.

Both support multipoint, so you can stay connected to a phone and laptop at once. If you ever have connection problems with either, our guide to why headphones keep disconnecting covers the usual fixes.

Design and portability

Winner: Sony for looks, Bose for packing

Both now fold. Sony brought back folding hinges on the XM6 with a new metal hinge, and ships them in a zipperless case that closes with a magnetic clasp, which reviewers find quick to use day to day. RTINGS notes the Bose case is more compact, so the Bose takes up less room in a bag.

Style is subjective, but Tom's Guide preferred the Sony's minimalist look and noted Bose's polished metal yokes quickly collect fingerprints. Neither has an IP rating, so neither is suited to heavy rain or workouts.

Price and value

Winner: tie

The Sony launched at $449.99 in May 2025 and has since been listed at $459.99; the Bose launched at $449 in October 2025. Both are regularly discounted, and the deeper sale usually decides the better value on any given day.

If neither fits your budget, consider cheaper Bose alternatives: the Bose QuietComfort SC offers excellent ANC and comfort for far less, and Bose's new QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) launched in August 2026 at $359 with Immersive Audio and USB-C audio. For even tighter budgets, see our best headphones under $100.

Scorecard

Category	Winner
Noise cancelling	Too close to call (Bose deeper, Sony more natural)
Sound quality	Sony
Comfort	Bose
Glasses wearers	Bose
Battery life	Sony
Calls	Bose (slightly)
App and features	Sony
Codecs	Sony on most Android; Bose on Snapdragon Sound
Wired listening	Bose (USB-C lossless)
Portability	Bose (smaller case)
Price	Tie

Which should you buy? Verdict by buyer type

• Frequent flyers: Bose. The deepest ANC for engine drone, all-day comfort and a smaller case. Cinema mode is a bonus for in-flight films.
• Music lovers: Sony. More detailed sound, a 10-band EQ and LDAC on Android.
• Glasses wearers: Bose. Softer cushions seal better around frames.
• Android users: Sony for most phones (LDAC); Bose if your phone supports Snapdragon Sound.
• iPhone users: Either. Choose Bose for comfort and USB-C lossless audio, Sony for better sound and battery.
• Heavy travellers who hate charging: Sony. Around 10 more hours in independent tests and faster quick charging.
• Remote workers on calls: Bose by a small margin for microphones and comfort over long days; Sony if you want longer battery.
• People who hate settings menus: Bose. It sounds and works great straight out of the box.
• Tinkerers: Sony. Far deeper app customisation.

For a deeper look at the Bose, read our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) review. Want earbuds instead? Our AirPods Pro 3 review covers Apple's best noise cancelling earbuds.

Check Sony WH-1000XM6 price on Amazon

Check Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd Gen price on Amazon

Pros and cons

Sony WH-1000XM6 pros

• More detailed, engaging sound
• Best-in-class battery life in independent tests
• LDAC support and 10-band EQ
• Extensive app features and reliable touch controls

Sony WH-1000XM6 cons

• Headband pressure on very long sessions for some
• No USB-C audio
• Bulkier case
• Slight treble peak that EQ can't fully remove

Bose QC Ultra (2nd Gen) pros

• Deepest-feeling ANC for many listeners
• Exceptionally comfortable, great with glasses
• Lossless USB-C audio
• Compact case and simple, polished app

Bose QC Ultra (2nd Gen) cons

• Sound less detailed than Sony
• Only a 3-band EQ
• Fiddly touch volume controls
• Shorter real-world battery life

Frequently asked questions

Which has better noise cancelling, Sony WH-1000XM6 or Bose QC Ultra 2nd Gen?

It's extremely close. Lab measurements from RTINGS give Sony a slight edge on average, while many hands-on reviewers, including Tom's Guide, feel the Bose blocks more, especially low engine drone. Sony's ANC feels more natural; Bose's goes deeper but can cause a slight pressure sensation.

Which sounds better, Sony or Bose?

Most reviewers, including Tom's Guide, What Hi-Fi and SoundGuys, prefer the Sony WH-1000XM6 for sound quality, thanks to better clarity, a 10-band EQ and LDAC support.

Which is more comfortable?

The Bose is generally rated more comfortable, particularly for long wear and for glasses wearers. The Sony is also comfortable but some users report headband pressure after many hours.

Which has better battery life?

Both are rated at up to 30 hours with ANC, but the Sony lasted around 37 hours in SoundGuys' test versus about 27 hours for the Bose.

Are the Sony WH-1000XM6 or Bose QC Ultra better for iPhone?

Both work well with iPhone using the AAC codec. The Bose adds lossless USB-C listening, which works with USB-C iPhones; the Sony offers better sound tuning and battery life.

Can you use either for working out?

Neither has an IP rating, so neither is designed for sweat or rain. Look at our guide to the best headphones for working out instead.

Is it worth paying full price for either?

Usually not. Both are discounted often, so wait for a sale unless you need them immediately.

Final verdict

There's no bad choice here. The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the better all-rounder for most people: better sound, longer battery life, LDAC and far more control over how it works. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) is the better travel companion for comfort-first listeners and glasses wearers, with noise cancelling that many reviewers still rank as the best, plus lossless USB-C audio the Sony lacks. Decide which matters more to you, sound and features or comfort and silence, and then buy whichever is cheaper that week.

Check Sony WH-1000XM6 price on Amazon

Check Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd Gen price on Amazon

Sources

• SoundGuys: Bose QC Ultra (2nd Gen) vs Sony WH-1000XM6
• RTINGS: Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bose QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
• Tom's Guide: Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bose QC Ultra 2 after six months
• What Hi-Fi?: Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bose QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
• SoundGuys: Sony WH-1000XM6 launch details
• Bose press release: QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
• Bose product page: QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)

This review is based on manufacturer specifications, independent lab measurements and expert and owner reviews. Prices and availability change often – check the retailer for the latest deal.