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Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra: Which Flagship?
The two best pairs we tested, one point apart, compared on the things that actually differ.
September 9, 2026 · 4 min read
Both cost $449 at list, both fold, both measured within a decibel on cabin noise. The differences are elsewhere.
Pick the Bose QC Ultra for
- Long flights: it cuts the most rumble and has the lightest clamp.
- Comfort over hours — our testers forgot they were wearing it.
- Immersive Audio if you like a wider soundstage.
Pick the Sony XM6 for
- Calls: the 12-mic array was clearly better in a café.
- Wind: Sony handles it; Bose's mics whistle.
- Android and LDAC; a better app and EQ.
- Music detail — a little more than Bose.
The XM5 factor
If you can live without the folding hinge, the discounted Sony WH-1000XM5 gives most of both at $100–$150 less.
» See the full rankings: Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones of 2026, Best-Sounding Noise-Cancelling Headphones .