If you’re buying headphones fresh — no XM5 sitting in a drawer — buy the XM6. It’s the current flagship, the ANC is the best Sony has shipped, and the price will only come down from here.

If you already own a working XM5, the math is tighter. The XM6 improves on three things the XM5 genuinely got wrong: foldability (it’s back, with a magnetic case), the headband (wider, better pressure distribution), and ANC depth (QN3 processor, 12 mics instead of 8). Those are real improvements, not spec sheet padding.

The problem is the gap. Buyers who own both describe the ANC as noticeably better on the XM6, but not transformatively so. The XM5 was already the ANC ceiling — the XM6 moved that ceiling up, it didn’t blow through it. For the $150–200 premium at full retail, most XM5 owners will struggle to feel the difference in their actual daily use.

Charge-while-listening is the upgrade that gets undersold. The XM5 cuts connection when you plug in to charge. The XM6 stays connected over Bluetooth or wired while on USB-C power. For desk workers who forget to charge and catch a low battery mid-call, this is a legitimate quality-of-life change.

The practical answer: if the XM6 drops below $280 — which it already has on clearance at some retailers — the upgrade makes sense for XM5 owners who travel regularly or find the non-folding case annoying. At $400, wait. The XM5 will drop in price now that the XM6 is the current model, and a discounted XM5 is a strong buy for anyone who doesn’t already own one.

One bug to know: DSEE Extreme (Sony’s audio upscaling) causes crackling at high volumes in some units. Turn it off in the Sony Headphones Connect app as soon as you set up the headphones.

Sony WH-1000XM6 Amazon ↗ Sony WH-1000XM5 Amazon ↗ Bose QuietComfort Headphones - Wireless Bluetooth Headphones Amazon ↗

Affiliate disclosure: Amazon links help keep this site running. Purchases may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Ask Mira

What Mic Works Best in a Noisy Apartment?

A dynamic USB mic with directional pickup. The Shure MV7+ is the right pick for most people — close-talk distance, off-axis aim, and lower gain handle untreated rooms better than any condenser will. Skip gaming RGB mics.

Ask Mira

Do I actually need AirPods Max, or do Bose or Sony work just as well in the Apple ecosystem?

AirPods Max wins on Apple-specific polish — instant multi-device handoff, lossless audio over USB-C (not Bluetooth), tight Siri integration. But for raw noise cancellation depth and all-day wearing comfort, Sony and Bose both compete seriously at a lower price. If you work across more than one device or brand, Sony or Bose serve you better.

Ask Mira

Sony WH-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort — which should I buy?

If noise cancellation is the priority, the Sony WH-1000XM5 wins. If all-day comfort and multipoint switching are what you need, the Bose QuietComfort is the better call. Both are excellent; the tie-breaker is your use case.

// More on This Topic

Related Reviews

  • Sony WH-1000XM6 Review

    The XM6 fixes the two main complaints about the XM5 — foldability and call quality — while pushing ANC further. If you're starting fresh, it's the clear buy. Upgrading from the XM5 depends on how much those improvements matter to your specific use case.

  • Sony WH-1000XM5

    Sony's flagship ANC headphones with best-in-class noise cancellation, strong call quality, and 30-hour battery — but a non-folding design that divides buyers who travel with them.

  • Bose QuietComfort Headphones

    Comfort-heavy ANC headphones that make a strong case for long focus sessions, travel, and all-day wear without turning every listening session into a tech negotiation.