Sony WF-1000XM6

The best mic performance we've ever tested, period. ANC crushes competing buds like the Bose QC Ultra 2nd Gen. Sound is lush and detailed with LDAC, and you get 8 hours of battery per bud. But the case is bulky and prickly, and the foam-only tips aren't for everyone.

The Sony WF-1000XM6 lands with the best mic performance we've ever recorded in an earbud, a perfect 100th percentile that makes it the gold standard for calls. ANC is nearly as impressive at 97th percentile, and with a 96th percentile connectivity score, these earbuds also ace Bluetooth stability and multipoint. Sound is a strong 87th percentile, thanks to a dynamic 8.4mm driver and LDAC support, though it's not the absolute top of the charts. The price varies from $328 to $450 across vendors, so you're paying a premium for those standout features.

But the user sentiment score of 79th percentile hints at some friction. Comfort is just average, and many owners point to the larger case with sharp edges as a step back. Battery life is solid at 8 hours with ANC on, but it's more of a sidegrade than a leap over the previous generation. If you've been dreaming of a tiny charging case, this isn't it. The XM6 excels at what it does best: keeping you in the zone with incredible silence and letting you talk without yelling.

For calls, these earbuds are in a league of their own. That 100th percentile mic rating means your voice comes through cleaner than on any competing true wireless model in our database. Eight beamforming mics and advanced noise rejection make you sound like you're in a quiet room even on a windy street. We haven't seen anything close. The adaptive noise cancellation lands at 97th percentile, outmatching the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen in our side-by-side tests for high-frequency isolation. It's not just effective, it's fast and natural, with almost none of the seashell pressure some owners report (though a few still notice it).

Sound quality sits in the leading group at 87th percentile. The 8.4mm dynamic driver, tuned with input from four mastering engineers, delivers a wide soundstage and crisp imaging. Out of the box, the mids can feel a touch recessed, but the Sound Connect app's customizable EQ fixes that in a minute. LDAC support means you can pull high-res audio wirelessly from Android devices, and the detail retrieval is excellent. Battery life is solid at 8 hours per earbud with ANC, topping up to 24 hours with the Qi-compatible case. A five-minute quick charge gives you an hour of playback, which is handy. Connectivity is top-tier with Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint, and a 96th percentile score, meaning dropouts are rare and switching between your phone and laptop is seamless.

At $328 on the low end you're getting the best call earbud on the market and ANC that outperforms the Bose QC Ultra 2nd Gen, which typically runs $299. That's a defensible ask if you're on calls all day. But the price can climb to $450, and at that level the gap between the XM6 and the $250 Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro starts to feel less justifiable. The bigger case and lack of USB-C audio or wireless charging improvements over the XM5 also sting at full retail. If you find the XM6 for $328 at Amazon, it's a solid deal for the absolute top mic and ANC combo; at $450, you'd better really need that call clarity.

The Sony WF-1000XM6's mic performance is uncontested, but how does the rest stack up? The Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen matches the XM6 on noise cancellation and often beats it on comfort, but falls behind on mics and lacks LDAC. The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 has slightly more refined sound (think 90th percentile territory) and a smaller case, yet its ANC can't touch the Sony. For mixed use, the Technics EAH-AZ100-K is a dark horse, offering excellent call quality and a more compact design, though its sound signature is warmer. The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro is the budget winner: solid ANC and decent mics for $200, but it's outclassed in raw ANC performance. If calls are your priority, Sony wins by a mile. For pure sound, the Sennheiser edges it out, and for all-day comfort, Bose still has the crown.

If you own the WF-1000XM5 and aren't desperate for noticeably better call quality, the XM6 is a hard sell. The battery life hasn't meaningfully improved, and the larger case is a downgrade in daily pocketability. Anyone who hates foam ear tips or needs a compact, gym-friendly design should look at the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 for sound or the Technics EAH-AZ100-K for a more ergonomic alternative that still handles calls well.

The Sony WF-1000XM6 is a phone-call powerhouse with ANC that silences the outside world better than almost anything else. Sound quality is excellent and customizable, and the battery reliably gets you through a workday. The trade-offs are real: a chunky, sharp case that feels like a step backward, and a fit that won't wow everyone. Owners who hate foam tips or pocket space will grumble, but if you live on Zoom or Teams, these are the earbuds to beat. Just double-check the price and make sure you're not paying $450 for an upgrade you could have gotten for a lot less by shopping around.