Headphones / Px7 S2e vs WH-1000XM6
Px7 S2e vs WH-1000XM6
WH-1000XM6
The most refined noise-cancelling headphone Sony has made.
Wins overall by 0.7 points
Quick Verdict
The WH-1000XM6 is the stronger all-around pick, beating the Px7 S2e by 0.7 points overall. The most refined noise-cancelling headphone Sony has made.
The Px7 S2e and WH-1000XM6 are both closely matched headphones, and the Px7 S2e is $51 cheaper than the WH-1000XM6 ($399 vs $449.99). On call & mic quality, the WH-1000XM6 leads (9.4 vs 8.0/10) — voice clarity and background noise rejection on calls. On features, the WH-1000XM6 leads (9.5 vs 8.3/10) — app ecosystem, multipoint, spatial audio, extras. On noise cancelling, the WH-1000XM6 leads (9.7 vs 8.6/10) — how well ambient noise is blocked. Overall, the WH-1000XM6 scores 8.9/10 across our 10 test categories versus 8.2/10 for the Px7 S2e. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Px7 S2e | WH-1000XM6 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $449.99 |
| Release Year | 2023 | 2025 |
| Battery Life (hrs) | 30 | 30 |
| Battery (ANC off) (hrs) | 30 | 30 |
| Quick Charge (min for 3hrs) | 15 | 3✓ |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Weight (g) | 307 | 254✓ |
| Driver Size (mm) | 40 | 30 |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Multipoint Pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Microphones (mics) | 8 | 12✓ |
| Foldable | Yes | Yes |
| Water Resistance | None | None |
| App EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 24 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Anthracite Black, Cloud Grey, Forest Green | Black, Platinum Silver, Midnight Blue |
Category Scores
Battery Life
The Px7 S2e is rated for up to 30 hours with ANC on (30 hours with ANC off), while the WH-1000XM6 is rated for up to 30 hours with ANC on (30 hours with ANC off). Quick charge gets the Px7 S2e roughly 3 hours of playback from a 15-minute top-up, versus a 3-minute top-up for the WH-1000XM6.
Noise Cancelling
On our noise cancelling score, the Px7 S2e rates 8.6/10 versus 9.7/10 for the WH-1000XM6. WH-1000XM6 carries the ANC edge overall in this matchup based on the combined scoring above — see the Scores section for the full category breakdown.
Comfort
The Px7 S2e weighs 307g and scores 8.0/10 for comfort; the WH-1000XM6 weighs 254g and scores 9.0/10. Lighter weight generally means less clamp fatigue over multi-hour sessions.
Sound Quality
Sound quality scores: Px7 S2e 9.5/10, WH-1000XM6 9.3/10. Driver size is 40mm on the Px7 S2e versus 30mm on the WH-1000XM6 — larger drivers don't guarantee better sound, but they're one input into tuning.
Calls & Microphone
The Px7 S2e uses a 8-microphone array and scores 8.0/10 for calls, while the WH-1000XM6 uses 12 microphones and scores 9.4/10.
Travel
For travel we weight battery life, ANC, and foldability together. The Px7 S2e scores 8.3/10 and folds flat; the WH-1000XM6 scores 9.3/10 and folds flat.
Gaming
Neither model is a dedicated gaming headset, but relative gaming scores are 7.0/10 for the Px7 S2e and 7.4/10 for the WH-1000XM6. For latency-sensitive games, a wired connection is recommended for either.
Best For
Choose the WH-1000XM6 if…
- • You're on calls constantly and need clear mic pickup with background noise rejection.
- • You want the deepest app ecosystem and extra features like spatial audio or multipoint.
- • Noise cancelling is your top priority — the WH-1000XM6 scores 9.7/10 for blocking ambient noise.
- • You wear headphones for hours at a time and need superior comfort.
- • You travel often and want reliable ANC, a compact fold, and long battery life on planes.
Pros & Cons
Px7 S2e
Pros
- +Best build quality and materials in this comparison set
- +Reference-grade sound tuning from a hi-fi speaker brand
- +2-year warranty
- +24-bit audio processing for higher-resolution playback
Cons
- −Heaviest headphone here after AirPods Max
- −Premium price without premium-tier ANC
- −Smaller brand means fewer retail listening demos
WH-1000XM6
Pros
- +Best-in-class active noise cancelling
- +Class-leading call quality thanks to the 12-mic array
- +Folds flat again after the XM5 dropped that feature
- +Excellent app with deep EQ and spatial audio controls
- +Multipoint pairing works reliably across two devices
Cons
- −Most expensive Sony XM headphone yet
- −Modest battery gains over the XM5
- −No official water/sweat resistance rating
- −Case is slightly bulkier than AirPods Max
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Px7 S2e or WH-1000XM6 better overall?+
Based on our 10-category scoring, the 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 has better battery life, the Px7 S2e or the WH-1000XM6?+
The Px7 S2e lasts longer, rated for up to 30 hours with ANC on versus 30 hours for the WH-1000XM6.
Is the Px7 S2e worth the price difference over the WH-1000XM6?+
The Px7 S2e is the cheaper option at $399 versus $449.99. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in call & mic quality.
Which is better for travel, the Px7 S2e or the WH-1000XM6?+
For travel, we weight battery life, ANC performance, and foldability. The WH-1000XM6 scores higher here (9.3/10).
Which has better noise cancelling?+
The WH-1000XM6 has the stronger ANC, scoring 9.7/10 versus 8.6/10.
Can I use the Px7 S2e and WH-1000XM6 for gaming?+
Both support standard Bluetooth audio, but neither is purpose-built for competitive gaming latency. Between the two, the WH-1000XM6 scores better for gaming use (7.4/10). For latency-critical gaming, a wired connection is recommended for either.
Do the Px7 S2e and WH-1000XM6 support multipoint Bluetooth pairing?+
Yes, the Px7 S2e supports multipoint. Yes, the WH-1000XM6 supports multipoint too.
Which is more comfortable for long listening sessions?+
The WH-1000XM6 scores higher on comfort (9.0/10), largely due to clamp force, padding, and weight — the Px7 S2e weighs 307g and the WH-1000XM6 weighs 254g.
What's the warranty on the Px7 S2e vs the WH-1000XM6?+
The Px7 S2e ships with a 24-month warranty; the 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
Momentum 4 Wireless — $299.95
Premium Option
AirPods Max — $549.00