The original
Sony WH-1000XM6
$460
Search on Amazon ↗The Sony WH-1000XM6 ($460) and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) ($449) are only $11 apart, and SoundGuys found both extremely capable at noise cancelling with no clear winner. Sony lasted about 10 hours longer in SoundGuys' battery test and has more app control, while Bose adds lossless USB-C listening.
The original
$460
Search on Amazon ↗Close match
Bose
$449Save $11 (2%)
Search on Amazon ↗| Spec | Sony WH-1000XM6 | Bose QC Ultra (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | $460 | $449 |
| Battery, ANC on (maker) | Up to 30 hours | Up to 30 hours (23 with Immersive Audio) |
| Battery, ANC on (SoundGuys test) | 37 h 14 min | 27 h 12 min |
| Weight | 254 g | 0.583 lb (about 264 g) |
| Bluetooth codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Multipoint | Yes, 2 devices | Yes, 2 devices |
| USB-C audio | No (3.5 mm wired only) | Yes, lossless up to 16-bit/48 kHz |
| App EQ | 10-band | 3-band |
| Folds into case | Yes | Yes |
| Water resistance | No IP rating | No IP rating |
Only about $11 cheaper at list, and its EQ is simpler than Sony's app.
Sony WH-1000XM6: Buy the Sony WH-1000XM6 if battery life matters most, you use an Android phone with LDAC, or you like fine-tuning sound with a detailed EQ.
Bose QC Ultra (2nd Gen): Buy the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) if you wear glasses, want wired lossless audio over USB-C, or prefer simple controls, and save $11 too.
It is close. In its head-to-head, SoundGuys found both extremely capable and named no clear winner.
Both makers rate up to 30 hours with noise cancelling on, and Bose drops to 23 hours with Immersive Audio. In SoundGuys' standard test the Sony lasted 37 h 14 min and the Bose 27 h 12 min.
Only on the Bose. It plays lossless audio over USB-C at up to 16-bit/48 kHz. SoundGuys says the Sony has no USB listening, only a 3.5 mm wired connection.
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Every swap is a product sold in the US that does the main job of the original. Close match is another brand with similar features, Same brand, cheaper is an older, smaller or renewed model from the same maker, and Budget pick is the cheapest thing that still does the job. On each page, Closest match is the close match nearest the original in price, and Lowest price is the cheapest swap. We compare published specs, retailer listings and reviews; we don't test products ourselves.
A cheaper product is cheaper for a reason. Each swap says what you give up, like weaker noise cancelling, a smaller screen or a shorter warranty, so you can decide if the savings are worth it.
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