Wireless Earbuds / Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) vs Sony WF-1000XM6
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) vs Sony WF-1000XM6
Sony WF-1000XM6
The most complete premium earbud — top ANC, sound and a 10-band EQ.
Wins overall by 0.5 points
Quick Verdict
The Sony WF-1000XM6 takes this by a clear 0.5 points. The most complete premium earbud — top ANC, sound and a 10-band EQ. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) only makes sense if it wins on a category you care about more than the total.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) and Sony WF-1000XM6 are both closely matched wireless Earbuds models, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) is $31 cheaper than the Sony WF-1000XM6 ($299 vs $329.99). On Battery, the Sony WF-1000XM6 leads (8.0 vs 6.0/10) — playtime in the buds and total runtime with the case. On Features, the Sony WF-1000XM6 leads (9.5 vs 8.0/10) — app depth, spatial audio, multipoint and extras. On Sound Quality, the Sony WF-1000XM6 leads (9.2 vs 8.5/10) — tuning, detail and codec support. Overall, the Sony WF-1000XM6 scores 8.4/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 7.9/10 for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen). 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 Earbuds (2nd Gen) | Sony WF-1000XM6 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.00 | $329.99 |
| Release Year | 2025 | 2026 |
| Battery (ANC on) (hrs) | 6 | 8✓ |
| Battery with Case (hrs) | 24 | 24 |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Bose adjustable ANC with CustomTune ear-canal calibration; Quiet, Aware and Immersion modes | QN3e HD Noise Cancelling Processor with an Integrated Processor V2 and four microphones per bud, around 25% more ambient noise reduction than the XM5 |
| Driver Size (mm) | Not published by the manufacturer | 8.4 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 with Auracast |
| Multipoint | Yes | Yes |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes |
| Weight per Bud (g) | 7.26 | 6.5✓ |
| Codecs | Bose lists Bluetooth profiles only; aptX Adaptive was on the first generation but is unconfirmed here | SBC, AAC, LDAC and LC3 |
| Spatial Audio | Yes — Bose Immersive Audio with Still and Motion head-tracked modes, plus a new Cinema Mode | Yes — 360 Reality Audio with head tracking |
| App EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black, White Smoke, Midnight Violet | Black, Platinum Silver |
Category Scores
Sound Quality
The Sony WF-1000XM6 leads clearly here, 9.2 against 8.5 — a 0.7-point margin on tuning, detail and codec support. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Noise Cancelling
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) is marginally ahead, 9.8 to 9.5. A gap this small rarely decides a purchase on its own, though it counts if how much ambient noise is actually removed is your priority.
Battery
The Sony WF-1000XM6 leads clearly here, 8.0 against 6.0 — a 2.0-point margin on playtime in the buds and total runtime with the case. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Comfort & Fit
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 8.0 — a 0.5-point margin on weight, fit options and how they feel over long sessions. If that is what you are buying for, the Sony WF-1000XM6 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Call Quality
The Sony WF-1000XM6 leads clearly here, 9.0 against 8.5 — a 0.5-point margin on microphone performance and background noise rejection. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Features
The Sony WF-1000XM6 leads clearly here, 9.5 against 8.0 — a 1.5-point margin on app depth, spatial audio, multipoint and extras. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Durability
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) and Sony WF-1000XM6 are level here, at 6.5/10 each. IP rating, build materials and case robustness is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Value
The Sony WF-1000XM6 leads clearly here, 7.5 against 7.0 — a 0.5-point margin on features and performance relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) if…
- • Comfort & Fit matters most to you — the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) scores 8.5/10 here (weight, fit options and how they feel over long sessions).
- • You want to spend less — it's $31 cheaper.
Choose the Sony WF-1000XM6 if…
- • Battery matters most to you — the Sony WF-1000XM6 scores 8.0/10 here (playtime in the buds and total runtime with the case).
- • Features matters most to you — the Sony WF-1000XM6 scores 9.5/10 here (app depth, spatial audio, multipoint and extras).
- • Sound Quality matters most to you — the Sony WF-1000XM6 scores 9.2/10 here (tuning, detail and codec support).
- • Call Quality matters most to you — the Sony WF-1000XM6 scores 9.0/10 here (microphone performance and background noise rejection).
Pros & Cons
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Pros
- +Best noise cancelling available in an earbud, comfortably ahead of Apple and Sony
- +CustomTune ear-canal calibration meaningfully improves both ANC and sound
- +Nine fit combinations means almost anyone can get a seal
- +Wireless charging finally built into the case rather than a separate cover
Cons
- −Worst battery in the premium tier — 6 hours, dropping to just 4 with Immersive Audio on
- −Only IPX4, with no dust protection at $299
- −Heaviest buds here at over 7g each
- −Bose publishes neither driver size nor codec support
Sony WF-1000XM6
Pros
- +The most complete premium earbud here — top-tier ANC, sound and call quality together
- +10-band EQ gives more tuning control than any rival
- +LDAC hi-res plus Auracast
- +8 hours in the buds with ANC on
Cons
- −The most expensive option here at $329.99, a $30 increase over the XM5
- −Only IPX4, behind the IP57 of AirPods Pro 3 and Galaxy Buds4 Pro
- −No aptX support
- −Matte plastic finish reads less premium than the Bose or Sennheiser
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) or Sony WF-1000XM6 better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Sony WF-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 Battery, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) or the Sony WF-1000XM6?+
The Sony WF-1000XM6 scores higher on Battery (8.0/10 vs 6.0/10) — playtime in the buds and total runtime with the case.
Which is better for Features, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) or the Sony WF-1000XM6?+
The Sony WF-1000XM6 scores higher on Features (9.5/10 vs 8.0/10) — app depth, spatial audio, multipoint and extras.
Which is better for Sound Quality, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) or the Sony WF-1000XM6?+
The Sony WF-1000XM6 scores higher on Sound Quality (9.2/10 vs 8.5/10) — tuning, detail and codec support.
Which is better for Comfort & Fit, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) or the Sony WF-1000XM6?+
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) scores higher on Comfort & Fit (8.5/10 vs 8.0/10) — weight, fit options and how they feel over long sessions.
Is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) worth the price difference over the Sony WF-1000XM6?+
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) is the cheaper option at $299 versus $329.99. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Battery.
What's the warranty on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) vs the Sony WF-1000XM6?+
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) ships with a 12-month warranty; the Sony WF-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
Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro — $249.99
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.