Sony WH-1000XM6 vs. WH-1000XM5: I compared both headphones, and this model wins

2 hours ago 3

A examination photograph betwixt the Sony WH-1000XM5 and WH-1000XM6

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Audio geeks, rejoice. Sony released the successor to its fashionable WH-1000XM5 headphones earlier this year, bringing worthy improvements and Sony's stellar dependable to a caller generation.

Also: The 13 champion headphones of 2025

The WH-1000XM6 headphones' cardinal highlights see classically affluent sound, improved sound cancellation, and a reformed headset plan for comfortableness and portability. The headphones stock immoderate similarities with their predecessor, including artillery beingness capableness and wide design.

However, they besides travel with a caller (and pricier) terms tag of $450. That's a batch of currency to spend, particularly erstwhile the terms of Sony's WH-1000XM5 volition lone proceed to drop.

That begs the question: Which headphones should you buy? Should you opt for Sony's 2025 headphones oregon instrumentality with the tried-and-true? I interruption it each 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 prime platforms	Available connected immoderate and each platforms
Battery	30 hours with ANC on	30 hours with ANC on
Noise-Cancellation Optimizer	Uses idiosyncratic ANC optimizer	Uses adaptive-ANC optimizer
Inputs	Stereo mini jack (3.5mm)	Stereo mini jack (3.5mm)
Price	$400 (though connected merchantability for $250 close now)	$449

You should bargain the Sony WH-1000XM6 if...

1. You privation richer audio

Sony's flagship headphones present immoderate of the champion dependable successful the game. Listening to euphony with the XM6 is simply a pleasure. The audio is affluent and robust, capturing the breadth and extent of your music. These are my favourite headphones for dependable prime I person tested truthful far.

Review: Sony WH-1000XM6

Part of the crushed is that the XM6 see a caller operator that makes your euphony richer, calls clearer, and dependable smoother overall. This makes the XM6 headphones large for audio nerds who privation to perceive to the champion of their euphony and are consenting to wage a small spot much for the upgrade. Additionally, the XM6 is the archetypal exemplary that supports spatial audio connected immoderate streaming platform, truthful you tin acquisition Sony's 360 Spatial Sound anytime.

2. You privation the champion sound cancellation

Sony adds 4 much microphones to the XM6 headphones for a full of 12 overall, improving noise-canceling functionalities. These headphones present sound cancellation that is simultaneously beardown yet not wholly isolating, perfect for long-haul flights oregon marathon enactment sessions. They support distractions and chatter to a minimum portion euphony plays.

Also: Why these Bose headphones are inactive worthy the wealth - adjacent though they're a twelvemonth old

The crushed I accidental the mic prime isn't wholly isolating is that you volition inactive perceive chatter if you perceive to podcasts oregon aren't playing immoderate audio. Sony delivers the strongest audio (and sound cancellation) erstwhile euphony is playing, dissimilar different noise-canceling headsets similar the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones, which bash an fantabulous occupation of blocking retired dependable successful the lack of euphony but don't present arsenic stellar audio prime portion it plays.

3. You privation a much travel-friendly design

The Sony WH-1000XM4 had a foldable, collapsible plan that astir radical enjoyed. This made it casual to worldly into a packed backpack oregon carry-on. The WH-1000XM5 did not see that foldable plan -- and radical weren't blessed astir it. Thankfully, the XM6 headphones reinstate that plan element, making them perfect for portability and travel.

You should bargain the Sony WH-1000XM5 if...

1. You're buying connected a budget

Saving wealth is apical of caput these days, and $450 for a brace of premium headphones is simply a important expense. Like clockwork, Sony dropped the terms of its XM5 headphones soon aft the XM6's release. The XM5, primitively $400, are present priced astatine $250. We'll lone spot them driblet little during Amazon Prime Day oregon Black Friday, truthful if you privation successful connected Sony's ultimate dependable (without the ultimate terms tag), now's your accidental to bargain the XM5 astatine a sweet(er) price.

Also: I tested JBL's newest premium headphones - Bose and Sony should ticker out

2. You privation further colorways

The 2 headphones whitethorn look similar, but the XM5 lineup offers 1 much colour enactment than the XM6 lineup. The XM5 and XM6 stock astir colour options, with the objection of the Smoky Pink colour you tin get successful the XM5 model. If this colour is calling to you, you won't find it successful the XM6 lineup, truthful you should opt for the XM5 instead.

It's imaginable Sony could present different colour for the XM6, but the institution released the XM5's Smoky Pink colour 2 years aft their archetypal release, truthful you whitethorn person to wait.