Which is better for flights?

Both cancel engine noise well. The Sony has the edge on paper with 12 microphones and the QN3 processor, and reviewers specifically praise it on flights. The Bose is close and lighter to wear for long stretches.

Which has better sound quality?

It depends on taste. Sony leans bass-forward with clear vocals; Bose uses CustomTune to tailor output to your ear canal and adds Immersive Audio. Reviewers rate both highly, with some saying the Sony is good but not exceptional for its tier.

Which is better for calls and meetings?

The Sony has a six-microphone AI beamforming array and tap-to-mute, and owners report excellent call quality on both ends. Some reviewers still find its ANC weak for Microsoft Teams. The Bose handles calls fine but is less documented for meetings.

Is the Bose worth stepping up to over the Sony?

Step up only if you want spatial audio and the lighter build. The Sony gives you more codecs, Auracast, multipoint and a folding case, so it is the broader package for most shoppers.

Both are rated at 30 hours. The Bose drops to about 23 hours with Immersive Audio on. The Sony offers roughly 3 hours of playback from a 3-minute charge, which helps on short notice.

Do either work with Android and iPhone?

Both pair with either. Android users get more from the Sony thanks to LDAC and LE Audio; iPhone users are limited to AAC on both, so the gap narrows.

Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones II

Both are top-tier noise-canceling over-ear headphones with 30-hour batteries. The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the better all-rounder for frequent flyers and Android users: LDAC, LE Audio, Auracast, multipoint and a foldable design give it more connectivity and portability, and reviewers rate its ANC among the best available. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra II counters with Immersive Audio, CustomTune ear-shape calibration and lighter 9.3 oz build, and owners consistently praise comfort. Choose Sony for features and codec support, Bose for spatial sound and long-wear comfort.

Choose the Sony WH-1000XM6 if you want the widest feature set, LDAC and Auracast support, multipoint pairing and a folding travel design.
Choose the Bose QuietComfort Ultra II if spatial audio and all-day comfort matter more to you than codec variety.

Prices

Sony WH-1000XM6: $295.99 at Walmart (checked today)
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones II: $359.99 at Best Buy (checked today)
Difference: the Sony WH-1000XM6 is $64.00 cheaper than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones II today

What reviewers say

	Sony WH-1000XM6	Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones II
Noise canceling	Adaptive system with 12 microphones and the QN3 processor; reviewers call it best in market	Bose's best headphone ANC with CustomTune and ActiveSense; owners rate it highly
Sound tuning	Bass-forward, co-tuned with mastering engineers; some say good but not exceptional	CustomTune calibrates to your ear canal; full-spectrum Bose signature
Spatial audio	No dedicated immersive mode	Bose Immersive Audio places sound in front of you
Codecs and connectivity	SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3, LE Audio, Auracast, multipoint	Bluetooth 5.4, standard codecs, no LDAC or Auracast
Weight and comfort	1.5 lb listed weight; comfortable per reviewers	9.3 oz with metal arms and even headband pressure
Folding and travel	Folds, ships with carrying case	Foldable, no case listed
Battery	30 hours; 3-minute charge gives about 3 hours	30 hours, 23 with Immersive Audio; 3-hour full charge
Calls	Six-mic AI beamforming, tap to mute; some find ANC weak for Teams	Clear voice pickup with Aware Mode; less documented for meetings

Spec	Sony WH-1000XM6	Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones II
Bluetooth	SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3, Multipoint, LE Audio, Aura…	Yes
Noise Canceling	Yes	Yes
With Microphone	Yes	Yes
Color	Black, Midnight Blue, Platinum Silver, Olive Gr…	Black
Style	On-ear	On-ear
Wireless Type	Bluetooth	Bluetooth
Over-Ear	Yes	Yes
Battery life	30 h	30 hours
Wireless	Y	Yes
Wireless technology	Bluetooth	Bluetooth
actual_color	Black	Black
Impedance	48 ohms	32 ohms

Spec	Sony WH-1000XM6	Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones II
Microphone	Yes	Yes
Connector on Cable	3.5 mm	3.5 mm, USB, 2.5 mm
Battery Time (in use) (h)	40.0	30.0
NFC	No	No
Buttons & Controls	Answer/Hang Up, Skip Song, Volume, Play/Pause	Answer/Hang Up, Skip Song, Volume, Play/Pause
Water Resistant	No	No
Simulated Surround Sound	Yes	Yes
Weight (oz)	9.0	9.3
Voice Assistant	Google Assistant	Google Assistant, Apple Siri

Sony WH-1000XM6

4.7 / 5Google Shopping · 6,100 ratings

Reviewers rate the WH-1000XM6 highly, calling its noise cancellation the best available and praising the more expansive, refined sound and improved comfort. CNET scored it 9.2 and named it the top headphone it tested this year. A minority say the sound is merely good for the price and that call noise cancellation falls short.

What people mention

Noise cancellationPraisedSeveral reviewers call it the best ANC available and say it silences engine noise and nearby conversations.
Sound qualityMixedMost praise the expansive, refined sound and punchy bass, but a few say it is only good for the original retail price.
ComfortPraisedThe redesign and stainless steel reinforcement are credited with making long sessions more comfortable.
CallsMixedVoice pickup is strong, but some shoppers say ANC does not help on MS Teams calls or meetings.

A reviewer's verdict

CNET9.2
It is the top pair of headphones tested this year, with a redesign for improved comfort, stainless steel reinforcement and upgraded drivers for a more expansive, refined sound.
Read the review

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones II

4.6 / 5747 ratings

Rated 4.6 out of 5 from 747 ratings, buyers mostly praise the noise cancellation, comfort and immersive sound. Complaints center on battery drain with Immersive Audio on and the high price.

What people mention

Noise cancellingPraisedOwners say it silences engine drone and office chatter better than most rivals.
ComfortPraisedThe light weight and soft earcups let people wear them for hours without pressure.
Immersive AudioMixedListeners like the wider stage but note it drains battery and does not suit every track.
BatteryMixed

Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones II

Prices

Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones II

Prices

Sony WH-1000XM6

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones II

What separates them

Price history

Prices at every store

Sony WH-1000XM6

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones II

Specs compared

What reviewers say

Sony WH-1000XM6

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones II

Questions and answers

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Buying guides that pick them

Sony WH-1000XM6

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones II

What separates them

Price history

Prices at every store

Sony WH-1000XM6

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones II

Specs compared

What reviewers say

Sony WH-1000XM6

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones II

Questions and answers

Ask our shopping agent

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