If you’re looking for a new pair of noise-cancelling cans, then chances are Sony’s WH-1000XM6 and XM5 have already made your shortlist. But which are the best Sony headphones of 2025?

The newer XM6, launched in May this year, might feel like an obvious pick. But their recent release has made the older Sony WH-1000XM5 over-ears much more affordable. We’ve compared them to help you decide which model is the better fit…

Sony WH-1000XM6 vs. WH-1000XM5: specs compared

Before we look at their designs and features in detail, here’s a quick overview of how the Sony WH-1000XM6 specs stack up against the XM5:

Price and availability

Sony’s WH-1000XM6 headphones hit the shelves in May this year. And at the time of writing, you can pick up a pair for £399. Their release came three years after that of the WH-1000XM5, which you can now snap up for just £279. That’s a lot less than what they cost at launch in 2022, which was just under the £400 mark. Despite being an older model, the XM5 is still available to buy.

Design and comfort

At first glance, you’d struggle to tell these noise-cancelling headphones apart. Especially as the XM6 comes in almost all the same colours as the older pair (Black, Midnight Blue, and Platinum Silver). But the Sony WH-1000XM6 does have a few subtle yet nifty design upgrades over the older XM5, making them comfier to wear and easier to travel with.

The biggest difference is that the XM6 bring back the foldable XM4 design that the XM5 dropped. With new stainless-steel hinges, the earcups swivel and collapse inward — letting you fold the headphones up into a compact ball. That means they’re a little less cumbersome to carry around, and you can stick them loose in your backpack without taking up much space.

If you want to keep them safe in their included case when you’re on the go, the new XM6 still has to be stored flat though. But their case is slightly smaller than the one which comes with the XM5. And it’s a doddle to open — ditching the zip in favour of a cool magnetic clasp.

How do they compare when worn? The WH-1000XM6 has a wider headband designed to ease the pressure on the top of your head, keeping them more comfortable for longer. There’s also a new type of mesh covering the XM6’s built-in mics, which helps your voice sound clearer in windy conditions (more on this later).

Sound quality

Sony 1000X Series headphones have always delivered great audio quality. And the older XM5 cans do sound awesome, with punchy bass and smooth mids and highs. What’s so great about their balanced sound profile is that it helps prevent fatigue, so you can indulge in a blockbuster movie or lengthy double album without straining your ears.

But for their new XM6 headphones, Sony’s made some sound improvements in a few areas:

• Upgraded drivers: The XM6's updated drivers have perforations in their voice coil and a stiffer dome housing. These tweaks result in richer-sounding vocals, more openness, and increased clarity.

• Wider soundstage and more precise imaging: Instruments and vocals feel more separated and true-to-life when listening through Sony’s latest headphones. They were co-created with world-renowned mastering engineers, so that explains that one!

• Improved D/A conversion: The XM6’s fancy new QN3 processor powers a ‘look-ahead noise shaper’, which lowers distortion by enhancing the digital-to-analogue process. So, they do a little more to make things sound better, and they also keep the XM5’s clever ‘DSEE Extreme’ upscaling tech that gives poor-quality audio files a big boost in fidelity.

Noise cancellation

Sony has made its XM6 headphones even more efficient at combatting outside sounds, so you can enjoy pods and playlists in peace. The XM6’s clamping force has been slightly increased, which makes the earcups fit more snugly around your ears. But with soft and stretchable padding, they feel more cosy than tight.

However, how they’ve really nailed the noise-cancelling on the XM6 is thanks to that new QN3 processor. It’s seven times faster than the XM5’s chip and fine-tunes the XM6’s 12 mics (four more than what you get on the XM5) in real time. This means they can precisely detect and cancel out external sounds before they even reach you.

The latest headphones also have an ‘Adaptive NC Optimiser’ — a feature the XM5 lacks. It’s always running in the background and adjusts the noise cancellation based on where you are and even how the headphones fit on your head. It’s an extra layer of noise-cancelling wizardry that helps block out distractions in even the noisiest of places.

But you won’t always want to tune out the world around you. And both pairs of headphones have an ‘Ambient Sound Mode’ that can balance your music and external sounds. It’ll filter most general noise but let in what matters, like platform announcements or when someone’s trying to speak to you. This tech’s been made even smarter on the XM6 though.

Other features

With the XM6, Sony’s gone an extra step further to really help your voice cut through in windy conditions. These headphones not only engage an extra mic than the XM5 for calls, but use Ai-based beamforming tech gives your voice a boost while filtering out background noise. So, you’ll sound crystal-clear.

Another new XM6 feature includes ‘360 Reality Audio Upmix for Cinema’. This adds Sony’s spatial audio processing to films and shows you’re watching in stereo, which makes big cinematic scores feel extra immersive.

Battery life and charging

One thing that's stayed the same is the battery life. Sony’s WH-1000XM6 headphones provide up to 30 hours of playtime with noise cancellation on and 40 hours with it off, just like the older XM5. But that's still plenty of juice for a few days, which is impressive when you factor in that upgraded processor.

New to the XM6 is the ability to top up their battery while streaming over Bluetooth. That means you won’t have to go without your fave pod or playlist during recharge time.

Should you get the Sony WH-1000XM6 or WH-1000XM5?

It’s clear that Sony’s WH-1000XM6 headphones have a few big advantages over the XM5. From its better noise-cancelling tech to its more precise sound and convenient foldable design. But if you're on a tighter budget, the XM5 is still a more than solid choice.

FAQs

Can I use the Sony WH-1000XM6 with iPhone or Android?

Yes, you can hook up Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones with both Apple iPhones and Android phones. All you need is Bluetooth to get them paired wirelessly. Sony | Sound Connect can also be downloaded on both iOS and Android, which is a handy app that helps you get the most of your headphones by tweaking their EQ, noise cancellation settings, and much more.

Can you use Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones for gaming?

Sony’s WH-1000XM6 headphones double up as a pretty powerful gaming headset. They come equipped with a few gaming-specific features, like Game EQ, which enhances sound quality for first-person shooters. That way, you’ll be able to hear enemy footsteps and drone strikes approaching sooner. And they support low-latency Bluetooth LE Audio too, which reduces the delay between your actions and in-game sounds.

What's included in the box with the Sony WH-1000XM6?

The following accessories come included with Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones:

• Carrying case

• Connection cable (for wired listening)

• USB cable (for recharging the headphones)

• Reference guide

• Warranty card

Can I use the WH-1000XM6 with a wired connection?

Yes, you can plug in and listen through Sony’s WH-1000XM6 headphones with a traditional wired connection. They come with a 3.5mm jack and cable, and you can still make use of their noise-cancelling tech when connected.

Should I upgrade from the WH-1000XM4 to the WH-1000XM6?

If you’ve got the budget to upgrade to Sony’s latest XM6 over-ears, then you’ll notice a big improvement over the older XM4 headphones. The latest cans offer a more detailed sound with much better noise cancellation.

Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones also have a superior mic for calls and let you mute/unmute by double pressing their noise control button. This is handy for those times you don’t want to reach for your phone during a voice or video chat.

Need more help?

We’ve got loads more audio and headphone tips here on TechTalk. Whether you want to know what Apple’s latest AirPods Max update is all about or which are the best portable speakers — we’ve got plenty of expert advice.