Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra: The Real Flagship Battle of 2025

When it comes to premium noise-cancelling headphones, the battlefield is now ruled by two veterans: Sony’s WH-1000XM6 and Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra. Both claim industry-leading sound, supreme comfort, and flawless ANC—but which one actually delivers a better all-around experience in 2025?

I’ve spent time digging into every small upgrade, design decision, and sound tweak both brands made. What follows isn’t just a spec sheet war—it’s a real comparison built on usability, tuning, comfort, and the small details that separate a good headphone from a great one.

Design and Build Quality

Sony has made subtle yet meaningful refinements in the WH-1000XM6. The headphones are lighter, the ear pads softer, and the headband feels more balanced. You immediately notice that the clamping force is gentler than the XM5, and this makes long listening sessions far more comfortable. The minimalist matte finish still feels premium, though Bose edges slightly ahead in overall tactile quality.

Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra, on the other hand, doesn’t change much visually from the QuietComfort 45, but the comfort is unmatched. The plush cushions, lightweight frame, and smoother headband pressure make them ideal for hours of wear. If comfort is your number-one factor, Bose remains the king.

Verdict: Sony looks a bit sleeker, but Bose feels better after long use.

Sound Quality

This is where Sony flexes. The WH-1000XM6 carries over the same warm, full-bodied sound signature from its predecessor but polishes the upper mids and treble for more clarity. The bass still has that typical Sony punch, yet it feels better controlled. Listening over LDAC at high-resolution bitrates, you get an impressively rich soundstage with well-defined instruments.

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The Bose QuietComfort Ultra counters with a more balanced and natural profile. Bose tunes its drivers for detail rather than drama—you’ll hear finer separation in acoustic tracks and vocals sound a touch cleaner. The new “Immersive Audio” mode adds a spatial layer that feels subtle and realistic without overdoing the surround effect.

In short, Sony gives you more energy; Bose gives you more honesty. Your preference depends on whether you like your music to feel cinematic or reference-grade.

Verdict: Sony wins for bass depth and warmth; Bose wins for accuracy and balance.

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)

Bose has long owned the ANC crown—and the QuietComfort Ultra proves why. Its noise cancelling is aggressive, consistent, and particularly impressive at cutting human voices and mid-range chatter. It creates an almost eerie silence during commutes or in offices.

Sony, however, isn’t far behind. The XM6’s upgraded processor with additional microphones dynamically adapts to the environment faster than before. It handles low rumbles (like engines and air conditioners) just as effectively as Bose but is slightly less powerful with sudden or high-frequency sounds. Sony’s “Adaptive Sound Control” is smarter this time, automatically adjusting ANC levels depending on what you’re doing.

Verdict: Bose still edges out for total quiet; Sony feels smarter and more adaptive.

Features and Connectivity

This is where Sony simply runs away. The WH-1000XM6 supports LDAC, AAC, SBC, and LC3, providing high-resolution wireless audio with Android devices. You get multipoint connectivity, quick pairing, adaptive sound modes, ambient awareness, and even wear detection. The Sony Headphones app remains one of the most customizable in the industry—letting you tweak EQ, sound modes, and ANC levels.

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The Bose QuietComfort Ultra keeps things simpler. It supports SBC and AAC (no LDAC), but includes aptX Adaptive for higher-quality streaming on select devices. Bose’s new Immersive Audio modes, voice assistant integration, and touch controls are intuitive, yet it doesn’t give you Sony’s granular control. You get the basics done beautifully, but not much more.

Verdict: Sony wins this round with its feature-rich experience and deeper customization.

Battery Life

Sony continues to dominate battery life. The WH-1000XM6 offers up to 30 hours with ANC on and up to 40 hours with it off. Even better, a 3-minute charge gives 3 hours of playback—incredibly practical for travel or daily use.

Bose QC Ultra, meanwhile, offers around 24 hours with ANC and roughly 18–20 hours when using Immersive Audio mode. Charging is via USB-C, but there’s no quick-charge performance close to Sony’s.

Verdict: Sony clearly wins on endurance.

Microphone and Call Quality

Both headphones perform excellently in quiet environments.
Sony’s XM6 introduces improved beamforming mics and wind-reduction processing, giving clear voice pickup even outdoors. However, Bose feels slightly more natural for calls in noisy places—voices sound fuller, and noise suppression feels smoother.

Verdict: Bose for cleaner call tone, Sony for sharper noise control.

Price and Value

Pricing is tight. The Sony WH-1000XM6 typically retails around $399, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra sits close to $429. Bose’s higher price mostly pays for the comfort and ANC polish, whereas Sony offers more tech per dollar—better codec support, more features, and longer battery life.

If you’re spending in this range, it comes down to priorities. Bose is for those who want effortless comfort and unmatched quiet. Sony is for those who love depth, customization, and value from every feature.

Final Verdict

There’s no clear loser here—just two different philosophies done almost perfectly.

Choose Sony WH-1000XM6 if you want the most feature-packed, balanced, and versatile experience with deep bass, smart noise cancelling, and longer battery life. It’s ideal for frequent flyers, audiophiles, and Android users who care about LDAC streaming and control.

Choose Bose QuietComfort Ultra if comfort and peace are your top priorities. It’s simpler, more refined, and delivers the purest ANC experience with naturally balanced sound—perfect for work, travel, or anyone who listens for hours nonstop.

Both are true flagships. The Sony WH-1000XM6 feels like a technological masterpiece, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra feels like an everyday luxury.