1Rank 01 of 8 · Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Sony Sony WH-1000XM6
The best-measuring headphone here on nearly every axis: highest peak attenuation, 37 hours of measured battery against a 30-hour claim, 30 ms latency, and 254 g. Heavily discounted from its €449 launch price.
9.3BPR score
- €315Price
- ANC 8.7/10 — beats 90% of over-ears (SoundGuys)Measured ANC performance
- 1 of 8in Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones
- 9.3BPR 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 default recommendation, and the measurements justify it rather than merely permitting it.
SoundGuys measured peak attenuation of 54.0 dB at 7,720 Hz — the highest here — effective from 52 Hz to 19,400 Hz, with an ANC score of 8.7/10 that beats 90% of over-ears they have tested and passive isolation at 7.6/10. Note the peak sits at 7.7 kHz rather than the 15 kHz where several rivals peak, which means more of this figure is genuine cancellation rather than seal.
The battery result is the standout. Sony claims 30 hours with ANC on; SoundGuys measured 37 hours 14 minutes. A manufacturer under-claiming is rare enough to be worth noting.
Audio quality scored MDAQS 4.8/5, top 10% of over-ears. Latency measured 30 ms. Weight is 254 g on 30 mm drivers. What Hi-Fi? gave it five stars and a What Hi-Fi? Award 2025; SoundGuys scored it 8.3/10.
Two practical limitations. There is a 3.5 mm socket, but USB-C charges only and carries no audio — so no USB-C lossless listening, which the Bose and B&W both offer. And there is no IP rating.
One specification conflict we could not resolve. SoundGuys lists Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC, LDAC and LC3. What Hi-Fi? additionally credits it with LE Audio and Auracast. Those claims are not straightforwardly compatible and should be checked against Sony's own specification sheet if broadcast audio matters to you.
At €314.99 street against €449 at launch, the discount is substantial and the price has room to fall further before Black Friday.
Technical data
Specification
Figures from the manufacturer's documentation, verified against available outside sources. Values we could not confirm are marked as declared.
- Measured peak ANC
- 54.0 dB at 7 720 Hz (SoundGuys)
- ANC score
- 8.7/10 - beats 90% of over-ears
- Passive isolation
- 7.6/10
- Battery claimed / measured
- 30 h / 37 h 14 min with ANC on
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3
- Bluetooth
- 5.3 (LE Audio and Auracast disputed between sources)
- Multipoint
- 2 devices
- Measured latency
- 30 ms
- Weight / driver
- 254 g / 30 mm
- Wired
- 3.5 mm yes; USB-C charging only, no USB-C audio
- IP rating
- None
- Audio quality
- MDAQS 4.8/5
- Price
- EUR 449 launch; from EUR 314.99 street
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
- Highest measured peak attenuation here at 54.0 dB, effective 52 Hz to 19 400 Hz
- ANC score 8.7/10 — beats 90% of over-ears SoundGuys has tested
- Measured 37 h 14 min battery against a 30-hour claim
- Audio MDAQS 4.8/5, top 10% of over-ears
- 254 g — among the lightest here
- 30 ms measured latency, LDAC and LC3 support
- What Hi-Fi? five stars and a 2025 Award
Worth knowing
- USB-C charges only — no USB-C audio, unlike the Bose and B&W
- No IP rating
- Sources conflict on whether it supports LE Audio and Auracast
- 30 mm drivers, smaller than most rivals here
- Whether ANC works in passive wired mode is unverified
Comparison
How it compares
within the category
All values come from the same analysis and are comparable only within the category Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones.
| Product | Score | Measured ANC performance | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony WH-1000XM6This product · top score | 9.3 | ANC 8.7/10 — beats 90% of over-ears (SoundGuys) | €315 |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)Runner-up | 9.0 | ANC 8.7/10 — beats 90% of over-ears (SoundGuys) | €310 |
| Category average8 products analysed | 8.3 | — | — |
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth waiting for a Black Friday discount?
It has already fallen from €449 at launch to around €315, which is most of the decline. European television and audio pricing typically shows a further 10-17% at Black Friday on top of age-driven discounting. On a €315 headphone that is roughly €30-55. If you need it now, the bulk of the saving has already happened.
Does it support Auracast?
We could not resolve this. SoundGuys lists Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC and LC3; What Hi-Fi? additionally credits LE Audio and Auracast. Check Sony's own specification sheet before buying on that basis. In practice Auracast deployment in Europe is still early — the Bluetooth SIG cites named venues like Bristol Temple Meads station and the Sydney Opera House rather than shipment figures — so it is not yet a reason to choose a headphone.
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