We tested Sony's brand-new WF-1000XM6 earbuds. Here's how the highly anticipated headphones stack up.

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The battle for the best wireless earbuds continues to rage with the debut of the Sony WF-1000XM6. There are plenty of solid earbuds out there, but only a few truly amazing ones. Bose, Apple, and Sony are locked in an ongoing match to have the absolute best product. With its latest earbuds, Sony aims to climb back to the top.

Compared to the previous-generation XM5 earbuds, the 1000XM6 have a new processing chip, updated drivers, and more microphones inside. The earbuds are also re-shaped, which could help them fit in more people's ears. After spending several weeks with the XM6, I've come away thoroughly impressed. I've tested dozens of premium earbuds over the last several years, and Sony has clearly upped its game. The WF-1000XM6 deliver pristine audio quality with even better noise cancellation than the previous model.

However, at $330, the XM6 are among the most expensive options in this class. That means they won't be for everybody. But if you have the budget, they're an ideal travel companion. Their call quality is also top-notch, making them an appealing fit for workers who hold virtual meetings throughout the day.

Fit and feel are in line with the previous model

The first few generations of Sony's WF-1000XM series were all excellent earbuds on a technical level, but I never wanted to wear them because they were huge. The size and shape didn't fit well in my ears. Thankfully, Sony has improved the design over time. The 1000XM5 were excellent in this area. In fact, they were the first in the series that I had no qualms about wearing daily or for long stretches.

The good news is that the WF-1000XM6 don't stray far from the previous generation. Sony says the new XM6 buds have been slimmed down by around 11% at their widest point. They're also more oval in shape than the XM5, which had a more bulbous design. In practice, this should help enable a tighter seal in typical ear shapes.

I haven't had any issues with long-term wearability, though the curvature of the previous model actually fit my ears slightly better. If you've tried Sony's earbuds before and they didn't fit quite right, these may be worth a try again, similar to the redesign of Apple's AirPods Pro 3.

The included ear tips are made from foam, which feels dense and works well for noise blocking and audio quality. There are four tip sizes in the box, from extra small to large.

ANC performance improves, yet again

To improve the new earbud's ANC performance, Sony emplyed a similar series of upgrades in hardware and processing as it did on its recent WH-1000XM6 over-ear headphones. Compared to the previous XM5 earbuds, the XM6 now feature more microphones on board, going from a total of six to eight. The mics help capture a broader range of frequencies, so they're better at filtering out unwanted ones. Also, like Sony's latest over-ear model, the XM6 earbuds feature a more advanced chipset that better analyzes external noise for real-time ANC optimization.

Since I didn't have any upcoming flights, I replicated the noise and volume levels of an airplane cabin (75-80dB) to test the XM6 earbuds' ANC performance. I also compared them to the 1000XM5 and the latest Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds.

In short, the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds edged out the new WF-1000XM6 in noise cancellation. But the XM6 easily beat the older XM5. So, Sony's latest earbuds are a clear step up from their predecessors but still rank a close second below their top rival. They're amazingly capable, but to my ears, don't overtake Bose in overall ANC strength.

Although the older 1000XM5 earbuds also performed well in my tests, the XM6 offered a noticeable improvement when going back and forth between the two. The AirPods Pro 3 also performed well with ANC, but the XM6 had a slight advantage in my testing. However, the AirPods Pro 3 and XM6 are close enough that the difference might come down to your ear shape and the tightness of the seal.

Beyond airplane noise, the WF-1000XM6 were also excellent at blocking the high frequencies of a vacuum cleaner, as well as taking the edge off rush-hour commuting and busy work areas. Fit and proximity to sound will ultimately determine how well these block unwanted noise, but I like what I heard — or rather, what I didn't hear.

Outside ANC, it's worth noting that the WF-1000XM6 earbuds also deliver excellent performance in their digital transparency mode. This setting uses the earbuds' microphones to let in outside noise so you can hear your surroundings. I found it to be near perfect, with no noticeable artifacting.

Audio quality is excellent for music, movies, and calls

Much like Sony's older WF-1000XM5, the new WF-1000XM6 earbuds offer robust sound with a full frequency range, from meaty lows to sparkling highs. For streaming music from apps like Apple Music or Spotify, these earbuds work great right out of the box.

The default sound is well-balanced and mostly neutral. While certain pop songs like Harry Styles' "Aperture" or Billie Eilish's "Chihiro" feature pounding rhythm and resonant low-end, these buds aren't overly saturated with bass. More importantly, the midrange is crisp, clear, and full of pristine details. Backing vocals and harmonies are much more present with the XM6 than they are with cheaper earbuds.

Of course, if the default sound isn't to your liking, you can adjust the EQ in the Sony Connect app. I cycled through the options a few times, but was most satisfied with the standard listening mode. Watching movies with the 1000XM6 is also a joy, as they deliver a fully cinematic sound with sweeping audio.

When it comes to rivals, Bose's QC Ultra Earbuds do offer a bit more low-end boom by default. Meanwhile, Apple's AirPods Pro 3 have a little more vibrancy and a wider soundstage than the XM6, but Sony's earbuds are more neutral, which some listeners may prefer.

When not listening to music, the WF-1000XM6 are also excellent earbuds for voice calls. I used them to record my voice and was surprised at how full and clear it sounded. I have more than 40 microphone test recordings to compare them to, and the XM6's voice quality is among the best and noticeably better than the previous generation. It was eye-opening to listen back to my 2023 recording of the WF-1000XM5 earbuds.

Battery life is good and the charging case is easy to travel with

The first time I saw the WF-1000XM6 in person, I was pleasantly surprised by how small the charging case was. It's very pocketable and should fit in nearly any purse or clutch as well. It wasn't until I got home and compared the older XM5 case to the new one, that I realized that the XM6 case is actually just a tad taller, albeit less wide.

The case supports wireless charging, in addition to the USB-C port on the back. Sony lists the earbuds' battery life at eight hours, with up to 24 hours with the charging case. In my testing, even with ANC turned on, they lasted for hours of continuous listening. I never needed to charge the case for the whole first week of use.

These shouldn't have any problem with cross-country flights or hourslong meetings. For international flights, you'll need to top them off in the case, but you won't need an outlet.

Should you buy the Sony WF-1000XM6?

The Sony WF-1000XM6 wireless earbuds don't break any new ground, but I'm not sure they needed to. Instead, they offer a natural evolution of what's come before. By finely tuning everything that was already great about the XM5, the WF-1000XM6 earn their place as Sony's most impressive wireless earbuds yet.

The earbuds' shape has been tweaked, and the case has grown slightly taller, but neither change is inherently better or worse than what came before. The biggest downside here is the $330 retail price, which is more than Bose and Apple charge for their flagship offerings. The XM6 earbuds' audio quality and ANC are good enough to justify a high price, but the competition is fierce.

With that in mind, if you don't need the absolute best ANC performance, then Sony's older WF-1000XM5 earbuds remain a great value when on sale for $250 or less. But if budget isn't a concern and you want the most advanced concumer earbuds Sony makes, the WF-1000XM6 are the ones to get.

For more recommendations, check out our guides to the best headphones and best Sony headphones.