Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.
Audio geeks, rejoice. Sony released the successor to its popular WH-1000XM5 headphones<!–> earlier this year, bringing worthy improvements and Sony’s stellar sound to a new generation.
Also: The 13 best headphones of 2025
The WH-1000XM6–> headphones’ key highlights include classically rich sound, improved noise cancellation, and a reformed headset design for comfort and portability. The headphones share some similarities with their predecessor, including battery life capacity and general design.
However, they also come with a new (and pricier) price tag of $450. That’s a lot of cash to spend, especially when the price of Sony’s WH-1000XM5<!–> will only continue to drop.
That begs the question: Which headphones should you buy? Should you opt for Sony’s 2025 headphones or stick with the tried-and-true? I break it all down below.
Specifications
Sony WH-1000XM5 | Sony WH-1000XM6 | |
Available colors | Black, Midnight Blue, Silver, Smoky Pink | Black, Midnight Blue, Silver |
Frequency Range | 2.4000–2.4835 GHz | 2.4000 GHz – 2.483 5 GHz |
Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.3 |
| Spatial audio | Limited to select platforms | Available on any and all platforms |
| Battery | 30 hours with ANC on | 30 hours with ANC on |
| Noise-Cancellation Optimizer | Uses personal ANC optimizer | Uses adaptive-ANC optimizer |
| Inputs | Stereo mini jack (3.5mm) | Stereo mini jack (3.5mm) |
| Price | $400 (though on sale for $250 right now)–> | $449<!–> |
You should buy the Sony WH-1000XM6 if…
1. You want richer audio
Sony’s flagship headphones deliver some of the best sound in the game. Listening to music with the XM6 is simply a pleasure. The audio is rich and robust, capturing the breadth and depth of your music. These are my favorite headphones for sound quality I have tested so far.
Review: Sony WH-1000XM6
Part of the reason is that the XM6 include a new driver that makes your music richer, calls clearer, and sound smoother overall. This makes the XM6 headphones great for audio nerds who want to listen to the best of their music and are willing to pay a little bit more for the upgrade. Additionally, the XM6 is the first model that supports spatial audio on any streaming platform, so you can experience Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound anytime.
2. You want the best noise cancellation
Sony adds four more microphones to the XM6 headphones for a total of 12 overall, improving noise-canceling functionalities. These headphones deliver noise cancellation that is simultaneously strong yet not entirely isolating, ideal for long-haul flights or marathon work sessions. They keep distractions and chatter to a minimum while music plays.
Also: Why these Bose headphones are still worth the money – even though they’re a year old
The reason I say the mic quality isn’t entirely isolating is that you will still hear chatter if you listen to podcasts or aren’t playing any audio. Sony delivers the strongest audio (and noise cancellation) when music is playing, unlike other noise-canceling headsets like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones, which do an excellent job of blocking out sound in the absence of music but don’t deliver as stellar audio quality while it plays.
<!–>
3. You want a more travel-friendly design
The Sony WH-1000XM4 had a foldable, collapsible design that most people enjoyed. This made it easy to stuff into a packed backpack or carry-on. The WH-1000XM5 did not include that foldable design – and people weren’t happy about it. Thankfully, the XM6 headphones reinstate that design element, making them ideal for portability and travel.
You should buy the Sony WH-1000XM5 if…
1. You’re shopping on a budget
Saving money is top of mind these days, and $450 for a pair of premium headphones is a significant expense. Like clockwork, Sony dropped the price of its XM5 headphones shortly after the XM6’s release. The XM5, originally $400, are now priced at $250. We’ll only see them drop lower during Amazon Prime Day or Black Friday, so if you want in on Sony’s supreme sound (without the supreme price tag), now’s your chance to buy the XM5 at a sweet(er) price.
Also: I tested JBL’s newest premium headphones – Bose and Sony should watch out
2. You want additional colorways
The two headphones may look similar, but the XM5 lineup offers one more color option than the XM6 lineup. The XM5 and XM6 share most color options, with the exception of the Smoky Pink color you can get in the XM5 model. If this color is calling to you, you won’t find it in the XM6 lineup, so you should opt for the XM5 instead.
It’s possible Sony could introduce another color for the XM6, but the company released the XM5’s Smoky Pink color two years after their initial release, so you may have to wait.
Alternatives to consider
Featured reviews
<!–>
–>
