The Sony WH-1000XM6 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd gen) are the two noise-cancelling headphones most buyers end up choosing between in 2026. Both cost around €350–€450, both cancel noise brilliantly, and both are top picks from major review sites: SoundGuys calls the Sony the best for most people, while What Hi-Fi names the Bose the best noise-cancelling headphones.
So which should you buy? Here’s how they compare, based on the published measurements and verdicts of SoundGuys, What Hi-Fi and RTINGS.
| Model | Sony WH-1000XM6Best overall | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd gen)Best for comfort & ANC |
|---|---|---|
| TechHive score | 9.1/10 | 9.0/10 |
| Approx. price | €349 | €379 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3, multipoint | 5.4 |
| Codecs | LDAC, AAC, SBC | aptX Adaptive, AAC, SBC |
| Battery | ~30 h (ANC on) | ~30 h |
| Weight | 254 g | 250 g |
| Wired | — | USB-C lossless audio |
| Shop Ad | Amazon | Amazon |
Noise cancelling
Both are among the very best. What Hi-Fi names the Bose its best noise-cancelling headphones, and RTINGS places it among the very best — only the AirPods Max 2 is rated slightly stronger. The Sony is close behind, scoring 8.7/10 for ANC in SoundGuys’ testing. On a plane or a train you’ll be happy with either, but if pure silence is your number-one priority, Bose wins narrowly.
Winner: Bose (narrowly)
Sound quality
Neither is the most audiophile-friendly pair you can buy — that title goes to the Sennheiser HDB 630. Between these two, SoundGuys rates the Sony’s sound as good, though it has a peak around 10 kHz that can make some recordings bright. Bose’s sound is pleasant but, as What Hi-Fi notes, not the best in its class.
Codecs matter for Android users: Sony supports LDAC, while Bose supports aptX Adaptive. iPhone owners are limited to AAC on both. Bose also lets you play lossless audio over a USB-C cable.
Winner: Sony
Comfort and design
RTINGS rates the Bose as more comfortable for most people, and it’s slightly lighter at 250 g versus the Sony’s 254 g. The Bose folds compactly for travel. Some reviewers find the Sony’s earcups shallow, which can be an issue if your ears touch the drivers.
Winner: Bose
Battery life and connectivity
It’s a tie: both last roughly 30 hours with noise cancelling on. The Sony uses Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint; the Bose uses Bluetooth 5.4.
Winner: Draw
App and features
Reviewers rate Sony’s companion app highly, while Bose’s app is described as basic by comparison.
Winner: Sony
Price
The Sony has a €449 list price, but it sold for €349 at Amazon in June 2026 and fell to around €315 in March. The Bose has a €379 reference price and was available for about €318 at MediaMarkt (with membership) in June 2026. In practice, both regularly sell for €320–€350, so compare the live prices below.
Winner: Draw — watch for deals
Sony WH-1000XM6
SoundGuys' 'best for most' pick: strong noise cancelling, good sound and a mature app.
- Bluetooth
- 5.3, multipoint
- Codecs
- LDAC, AAC, SBC
- Battery
- ~30 h (ANC on)
- Weight
- 254 g
Pros
- Strong ANC (SoundGuys 8.7/10)
- Good sound with LDAC support
- Polished companion app
Cons
- Treble spike around 10 kHz
- Shallow earcups for some heads
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd gen)
What Hi-Fi's best noise-cancelling headphones: top-tier ANC in a light, foldable, very comfortable design.
- Bluetooth
- 5.4
- Codecs
- aptX Adaptive, AAC, SBC
- Battery
- ~30 h
- Weight
- 250 g
- Wired
- USB-C lossless audio
Pros
- Top-class noise cancelling
- Excellent comfort
- Folds for travel
Cons
- Not the best-sounding in its class
- Basic app
Alternatives worth considering
Neither pair is perfect for everyone. If sound quality matters more than noise cancelling, the Sennheiser HDB 630 is What Hi-Fi’s best wireless headphones overall and lasts around 60 hours on a charge. Apple users who want the strongest ANC and seamless iPhone switching can look at the AirPods Max 2, though at 386 g they’re far heavier and don’t fold.
On a tight budget, the Edifier W820NB Plus offers LDAC and noise cancelling rated 8.4/10 by SoundGuys for usually under €100. You’ll find all of them in our full guide to the best noise-cancelling headphones.
Who should skip both?
If you mostly listen at home and don’t need noise cancelling, you can get better sound for the money from wired headphones or a pair of speakers. And if you work out or run, these over-ear models aren’t designed for sweat — true wireless earbuds are a better fit.
Verdict: which should you buy?
Buy the Sony WH-1000XM6 if you want the better all-rounder: good sound, LDAC for Android, a highly rated app and excellent noise cancelling.
Buy the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd gen) if comfort and maximum noise cancelling matter most — for frequent flyers and long office days, it’s the easier pair to wear for hours, and it folds smaller.
Both are often discounted by €100 or more from their list prices. If one is significantly cheaper than the other on the day you buy, that’s a perfectly good tie-breaker.
FAQ
Is the Sony XM6 or Bose QC Ultra better for flights?
The Bose, narrowly — its noise cancelling is rated slightly stronger, it’s more comfortable over long periods and it folds for travel.
Which sounds better?
Reviewers rate the Sony’s sound well and call the Bose’s sound good but not class-leading, though neither matches the Sennheiser HDB 630 for pure audio quality.
Which is better for iPhone?
Both use AAC with iPhones, so the codec advantage disappears. Pick based on comfort (Bose) or app and sound (Sony). If you want deep Apple integration, consider the AirPods Max 2.
