The Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are the two best noise-canceling headphones RTINGS has tested, and they're close in price. Sony wins on noise canceling, microphones, and EQ; Bose wins on comfort, battery, and wired options.
Choose the Sony WH-1000XM6 (~$460) for the strongest noise canceling, the better mic, LDAC, and a more detailed EQ.
Choose the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) (~$359) for all-day comfort, a better seal with glasses, longer battery life, and USB-C audio.
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | Bose QC Ultra (2nd Gen) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$460 | ~$359 |
| Noise canceling (RTINGS) | The best tested, slightly ahead | Excellent, very close behind |
| Comfort | Light, low clamping force | More comfortable, deeper earcups |
| Seal with glasses | Less consistent | More consistent |
| Battery (RTINGS, ANC on) | About 32 hours | About 37 hours |
| Sound | Warm and punchy, more bass | Full bass, neutral mids, darker treble |
| EQ | Graphic EQ and presets | Simpler EQ |
| Bluetooth codecs | LDAC, LC3 | aptX Adaptive |
| Wired listening | 3.5 mm analog | 3.5 mm and USB-C audio |
| Microphone | Better | Fine for calls |
| Controls | Touch panel | Physical buttons |
| Case | Hard case with magnetic closure | Padded zip case |
These are the two best noise-canceling headphones RTINGS has tested, and the gap is small. In RTINGS' lab, the Sony WH-1000XM6 block slightly more noise overall, especially mid-range sounds like office chatter and cabin din that most rivals let through. The Bose are excellent with low engine rumble and only a touch behind with voices.
Fit can flip the result. The Sony's earpads are fairly shallow and don't seal on every head, especially if you wear glasses, and a poor seal lets in noise. The Bose seal more consistently across head shapes and with glasses, so for some people the Bose end up quieter in real life.
Both are light enough for long flights, but the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) are the more comfortable pair, with deeper earcups and plush padding that rarely press on your ears. They also feel a little better built. The Sony clamp gently and are light, and their redesigned folding hinge makes them more compact in the bag, but some people find the shallow earcups touch their ears over a long day.
The Sony have a warm, excited sound with plenty of thump and punch. The extra bass can make busy mixes sound a little muddy, but Sony's app has a graphic EQ and presets to rein it in. The Bose have a full low end with a more neutral mid-range, so vocals and instruments sound natural, but the treble is a bit dark, which can make some tracks sound veiled. Bose's EQ is simpler, and its Immersive Audio spatial mode, including a Cinema setting, is fun for movies.
Codecs matter if you use Android. The Sony support LDAC for higher-quality streaming, while the Bose support aptX Adaptive, which works with more Android phones and can lower lag. iPhones use AAC with both.
The best noise-canceling headphones RTINGS has tested. They block low bus and plane rumble, high-pitched whine, and, unlike most rivals, a lot of mid-range noise too. They're light, have a better mic than the Bose, and fold into a compact case with a magnetic closure.
Worth knowing: the shallow earpads don't seal well on every head, especially with glasses.
Check WH-1000XM6 price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.Bose's flagship is the one to get if comfort comes first. The light frame and generous padding are easy to wear for an entire long-haul flight, and the earpads fit a wider range of head shapes, so you're more likely to get a good seal. Noise canceling is excellent, and the battery lasts longer than the Sony's.
Worth knowing: they're bulky even in their padded zip case, and the default sound is a bit dark up top.
Check QC Ultra price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.See all our picks in the best noise-canceling headphones.