It makes almost everything better: The Sony WH-1000XM6 is a pair of headphones that will make your mouth water

A real step back, several small steps forward: The Sony WH-1000XM6 does almost everything better than its predecessor, making it a strong contender for the title of the best Bluetooth headphones currently available. However, you'll have to dig deep into your pockets for this ear candy.

Sony took three years to release a new pair of headphones in the 1000X series. The wait was worth it, as the Japanese company not only addressed the criticism of its predecessor with the WH-1000XM6, but also made numerous further improvements. The result is a comfortable and compact pair of Bluetooth headphones with outstanding sound and excellent active noise cancellation (ANC).

The WH-1000XM5 was criticized for its rigid headband, which made it impossible to fold compactly. The new model features hinges positioned just above the earcups. Like the entire headset, they feel very sturdy and don't rattle or creak.

The new earbuds are also more comfortable. First, the earcups now have slightly thicker padding, allowing more airflow for the ears and making the headphones particularly comfortable – even for those who wear glasses. Sony has also slightly improved passive noise cancellation. Another comfort improvement is a wider and thicker padding on the headband. Overall, the WH-1000XM6 fit extremely comfortably, yet securely.

When folded, the headphones fit into a more compact case than their rigid predecessor, taking up significantly less space in your luggage. The robust yet stylish case also features a practical magnetic closure and a separate compartment for the charging and headphone cables.

Successful control

The controls have remained largely unchanged. On the outside of the right earpiece, there's a precisely responsive touch surface that allows you to control playback with taps and swipes. The touch surface is also used for calls. However, you can also accept or decline calls by nodding or shaking your head.

On the underside of the left earcups are two buttons that are easy to find and distinguish with your thumb. One is used to turn the earphones on and off and for Bluetooth pairing. The other primarily toggles between ANC and transparency mode. Pressing it two or three times also allows you to access the streaming services Spotify or Amazon Music, as well as the sleep and relaxation app Endel.

Another practical feature is speech recognition: When you start speaking, playback stops and transparency mode is activated. Great: The sensitivity can be adjusted to two levels or automatically adjusted to the environment. You can also specify how long it takes for the mode to end if you remain silent.

Clear but extremely comprehensive app

All settings are configured in the extremely comprehensive yet clearly laid out Sound Connect app. It also offers the option to automatically launch a music application during certain activities or to adjust ANC to specific activities.

In addition to numerous preset modes, Sound Connect now features an even more detailed equalizer with ten adjustable frequency bands instead of the previous five. You also have the option to restore lost details in compressed audio files using AI in real time or to transform stereo sound into 3D sound in videos. The headphones also support high-resolution audio and 3D sound via the Bluetooth LDAC codec or Sony's 360 Reality Audio.

Even better sound

The predecessor already had excellent sound, but the WH-1000XM6, with its refined internals, sounds even better, with a touch more detail, definition, and clarity. Sony also seems to have improved the dynamics. The difference isn't significant, but the overall sound seems more coherent and precise.

An equalizer should only be necessary for those with impaired hearing or in special cases, as the headphones deliver a convincing performance for every style of music. One such special case is gaming, for which there's now a dedicated mode with amplified footstep and gunshot sounds.

Gamers will also appreciate that the WH-1000XM6 supports Bluetooth LE audio with extremely low latency. It also supports the Auracast standard, allowing you to use your own headphones during audio tours in museums, for example.

Top ANC, great transparency mode

Sony has also stepped up its game with ANC. To be precise, the manufacturer has increased the number of microphones used for this from eight to twelve. This means that the WH-1000XM6 not only suppresses distracting noises somewhat more effectively than its predecessor, but also adapts even better to its surroundings.

The active noise cancellation not only reliably filters out the noise on busy streets, in airplanes, or on trains. It also proved very effective in practical tests against office noises like clattering keyboards or conversations between colleagues. Overall, the WH-1000XM6 dampens more different sounds than most competitors.

What's pleasing is that not only is the inherent noise typical of ANC minimal, but the sound also remains unaffected by the function. This applies to the transparency mode. Another great feature is that you can continuously adjust the strength of the effect or let it happen automatically. There's also the option to let voices pass through while ANC is in use.

Uninterrupted telephone calls, good stamina

In our practical tests, we were also impressed by how well the WH-1000XM6 adapt to phone calls in noisy environments. With six microphones and AI support, the headphones create a beamforming system that captures voices excellently and effectively suppresses ambient noise. During a phone call at a busy intersection, one caller said they could hear virtually nothing of their surroundings. Also commendable is how effectively the WH-1000XM6 suppresses wind noise.

The headphones' battery life isn't outstanding, but it's still very good. Sony claims a maximum of 30 hours. The test period didn't allow the battery to be completely drained, but the fact that the indicator reached 83 percent after about five hours roughly confirms the manufacturer's specifications. If the battery is empty, three minutes of charging is enough to provide approximately three hours of listening time. And unlike its predecessor, the WH-1000XM6 can continue to be used while charging.

Conclusion

If you're looking for the best Bluetooth headphones currently available, you should definitely give the WH-1000XM6 a try. Sony has eliminated the design flaws of its predecessor and taken the sound and active noise cancellation to a new level. At €450, the price has unfortunately also reached a new level, but the headphones also have a lot to offer.