1Rank 01 of 10 · Noise-Cancelling Wireless Earbuds
Sony WF-1000XM6
The model where claim and measurement agree best: Sony states 8 hours with noise cancelling on and SoundGuys measured 9 hours 41 minutes, alongside an 88% average loudness reduction.
8.1BPR score
- €270Price
- up to 8 h (NC on) — published by Sony; 9 h 41 min measured by SoundGuysBattery life per charge with ANC on
- 1 of 10in Noise-Cancelling Wireless Earbuds
- 8.1BPR score 0–10
Review
What this product is
Written after the analysis, from the same sources the score is built on: the manufacturer's documentation, available studies and verified owner feedback.
The WF-1000XM6 suits buyers who want the strongest all-round evidence and use an Android phone that can exploit LDAC or LC3. Sony's specification sheet is plain: maximum 8 hours of music with noise cancelling on, 12 hours with it off, 5 hours of calls, Bluetooth 5.3, and SBC, AAC, LDAC and LC3. The earbuds weigh about 6.5 g each with medium tips and carry IPX4, which covers splashes only; Sony's store page states that the case is not waterproof.
SoundGuys scored the pair 8.4 out of 10, with 8.8 for active noise cancelling, and measured 9 hours 41 minutes on one charge. Its listed drawbacks are the price and a change in sound when ANC is switched off.
What is missing: Sony's German store page gives no battery hours at all, so the figures come from Sony's support specification page; the total runtime with the case was not stated on either page we opened; there is no dust rating; and nothing is said about battery replacement. At 269.99 euros in Sony's own store it is also the third most expensive model here.
Technical data
Specification
Figures from the manufacturer's documentation, verified against available outside sources. Values we could not confirm are marked as declared.
- Battery per charge, ANC on
- up to 8 h
- Battery per charge, ANC off
- up to 12 h
- Total with case
- not published on the pages we opened
- Call time
- up to 5 h (NC on)
- Charging
- USB-C and Qi wireless; earbuds approx. 1.5 h, case approx. 2 h
- Bluetooth
- 5.3, multipoint (2 devices)
- Codecs (as published)
- SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3
- Ingress protection
- IPX4 (earbuds only)
- Weight
- approx. 6.5 g per earbud (with M tips)
- Driver
- 8.4 mm
- Independent test (SoundGuys)
- 8.4/10 overall; ANC 8.8; 9 h 41 min; 88% loudness reduction
Component scores
Where the score
comes from.
Four components, equal weight, each on a 0–10 scale and each resting on a named source. The overall score is their mean — the full procedure is in the methodology.
What we liked
- 8 h with NC on published; 9 h 41 min measured by SoundGuys
- 88% average loudness reduction and ANC score 8.8/10 at SoundGuys
- SBC, AAC, LDAC and LC3 all listed by Sony
- USB-C and Qi wireless charging
- Multipoint with two devices
Worth knowing
- IPX4 only: no dust rating, case not protected
- Total runtime with case not published on the pages we opened
- 269.99 euros in Sony's store
- No statement on battery replaceability
Comparison
How it compares
within the category
All values come from the same analysis and are comparable only within the category Noise-Cancelling Wireless Earbuds.
| Product | Score | Battery life per charge with ANC on | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| WF-1000XM6This product · top score | 8.1 | up to 8 h (NC on) — published by Sony; 9 h 41 min measured by SoundGuys | €270 |
| Air Pro 4+Runner-up | 7.9 | up to 8 h (ANC on) — published by EarFun; 6 h 17 min measured by SoundGuys | €100 |
| Category average10 products analysed | 7.5 | — | — |
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Sony WF-1000XM6 last with noise cancelling on?
Sony publishes a maximum of 8 hours of music playback with noise cancelling on and 12 hours with it off. SoundGuys measured 9 hours 41 minutes on a single charge in its review.
Is the WF-1000XM6 waterproof?
No. Sony states IPX4, which under IEC 60529 means protection against splashing water only, with no dust rating. Sony's store page adds that the charging case is not waterproof.
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