Headphones / Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) vs Sony WH-1000XM6
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) vs Sony WH-1000XM6
Sony WH-1000XM6
The noise-cancelling benchmark — and the folding hinge is finally back.
Wins overall by 0.2 points
Quick Verdict
The Sony WH-1000XM6 wins by 0.2 points, which is not enough to settle it. The most effective ANC you can buy, and the most comfortable flagship here. Pick on the specs that matter to you, not the overall score.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) and Sony WH-1000XM6 are both current-generation headphones models, and they're priced almost identically ($449 vs $449.99). On Sound Quality, the Sony WH-1000XM6 leads (9.0 vs 8.5/10) — driver performance, tuning, and detail. On Gaming, the Sony WH-1000XM6 leads (7.5 vs 7.0/10) — latency, low-lag mode support, and soundstage. On Value, the Sony WH-1000XM6 leads (8.0 vs 7.5/10) — features and performance relative to price. Overall, the Sony WH-1000XM6 scores 8.6/10 across our 10 scoring categories versus 8.4/10 for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), though the gap is close enough that your specific use case should decide it. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) | Sony WH-1000XM6 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.00 | $449.99 |
| Release Year | 2025 | 2025 |
| Battery Life (hrs) | 30 | 30 |
| Battery (ANC off) (hrs) | 45✓ | 40 |
| Quick Charge (min for 3hrs) | 15 | 3✓ |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 with Auracast |
| Weight (g) | 250✓ | 254 |
| Driver Size (mm) | Not published by Bose | 30 |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Adaptive ANC with updated ActiveSense and CustomTune ear-canal calibration, with manual ANC levels in the app | HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3 driving a 12-microphone array with Adaptive NC Optimizer |
| Multipoint Pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Microphones (mics) | Not published by Bose for the Ultra | 12 |
| Foldable | Yes | Yes |
| Water Resistance | None | None |
| App EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black, White Smoke, Midnight Violet | Black, Platinum Silver, Midnight Blue, Sand Pink |
Category Scores
Battery
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) and Sony WH-1000XM6 are level here, at 8.0/10 each. playtime, standby, and charging speed is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Noise Cancelling
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) and Sony WH-1000XM6 are level here, at 9.9/10 each. how well ambient noise is blocked is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Comfort
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) is marginally ahead, 9.2 to 9.0. A gap this small rarely decides a purchase on its own, though it counts if clamp force, padding, and weight for long sessions is your priority.
Sound Quality
The Sony WH-1000XM6 leads clearly here, 9.0 against 8.5 — a 0.5-point margin on driver performance, tuning, and detail. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Call & Mic Quality
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) and Sony WH-1000XM6 are level here, at 8.5/10 each. voice clarity and background noise rejection on calls is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Travel
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) and Sony WH-1000XM6 are level here, at 9.5/10 each. foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Gaming
The Sony WH-1000XM6 leads clearly here, 7.5 against 7.0 — a 0.5-point margin on latency, low-lag mode support, and soundstage. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Sony WH-1000XM6 leads clearly here, 8.0 against 7.5 — a 0.5-point margin on features and performance relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Durability
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) and Sony WH-1000XM6 are level here, at 7.5/10 each. build materials, hinge quality, and reported longevity is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Features
The Sony WH-1000XM6 leads clearly here, 9.0 against 8.5 — a 0.5-point margin on app ecosystem, multipoint, spatial audio, extras. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) if…
- • Comfort matters most to you — the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) scores 9.2/10 here (clamp force, padding, and weight for long sessions).
Choose the Sony WH-1000XM6 if…
- • Sound Quality matters most to you — the Sony WH-1000XM6 scores 9.0/10 here (driver performance, tuning, and detail).
- • Gaming matters most to you — the Sony WH-1000XM6 scores 7.5/10 here (latency, low-lag mode support, and soundstage).
- • Value matters most to you — the Sony WH-1000XM6 scores 8.0/10 here (features and performance relative to price).
- • Features matters most to you — the Sony WH-1000XM6 scores 9.0/10 here (app ecosystem, multipoint, spatial audio, extras).
Pros & Cons
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Pros
- +The most effective noise cancelling available, narrowly ahead of Sony
- +CustomTune ear-canal calibration genuinely improves both ANC and sound
- +aptX Adaptive and USB-C lossless added this generation
- +Lightest flagship here at 250g and superbly comfortable
Cons
- −Wired listening still requires battery power, unlike most rivals
- −Immersive Audio costs you seven hours of battery
- −No LDAC
- −Bose publishes neither driver size nor microphone count
- −Only an iterative update over the first generation
Sony WH-1000XM6
Pros
- +Best-in-class noise cancelling, and the clearest reason to buy these
- +Sony restored the folding hinge, with a magnetic hard case
- +Only 254g and the most comfortable here over long sessions
- +10-band EQ, the deepest of any headphone here
- +LDAC plus Auracast
Cons
- −No USB-C audio playback — the port charges only, a real omission at this price
- −30mm drivers are the smallest here
- −No aptX support
- −No IP rating
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) or Sony WH-1000XM6 better overall?+
Based on our 10-category scoring, the Sony WH-1000XM6 comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Sound Quality, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) or the Sony WH-1000XM6?+
The Sony WH-1000XM6 scores higher on Sound Quality (9.0/10 vs 8.5/10) — driver performance, tuning, and detail.
Which is better for Gaming, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) or the Sony WH-1000XM6?+
The Sony WH-1000XM6 scores higher on Gaming (7.5/10 vs 7.0/10) — latency, low-lag mode support, and soundstage.
Which is better for Value, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) or the Sony WH-1000XM6?+
The Sony WH-1000XM6 scores higher on Value (8.0/10 vs 7.5/10) — features and performance relative to price.
Which is better for Features, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) or the Sony WH-1000XM6?+
The Sony WH-1000XM6 scores higher on Features (9.0/10 vs 8.5/10) — app ecosystem, multipoint, spatial audio, extras.
Is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) worth the price difference over the Sony WH-1000XM6?+
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) is the cheaper option at $449 versus $449.99. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Sound Quality.
What's the warranty on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) vs the Sony WH-1000XM6?+
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) ships with a 12-month warranty; the Sony WH-1000XM6 ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
Sennheiser MOMENTUM 5 Wireless — $399.95
Premium Option
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 — $479.00
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.