Sony WH‑1000XM6 vs WH‑1000XM5 Comparison: Which Noise‑Cancelling Headphones Should You Buy in 2025?
Sony’s WH‑1000X series has defined premium active noise‑cancelling (ANC) headphones for several generations. In 2022 the WH‑1000XM5 refined the formula with an elegant new look and improved ANC, while the WH‑1000XM6 arrived in mid‑2025 to reclaim the crown. But does the latest model justify the higher price? This in‑depth comparison explains the differences between the two flagships, using real‑world tests, published data and user feedback so you can choose the right headphones.
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Step‑by‑step comparison
Evaluating headphones requires breaking down many variables. This article follows six clear steps to compare the Sony WH‑1000XM6 and WH‑1000XM5:
- Design and build quality – How they fold, materials used, comfort and portability.
- Noise cancelling and ambient sound – The type and number of microphones, processors and passive isolation.
- Features and connectivity – On‑device controls, app features, codecs and smart audio.
- Sound quality – Driver design, tuning and EQ flexibility.
- Battery life and charging – Real‑world runtimes and quick‑charge capabilities.
- Price and value – Cost differences and whether the upgrade makes sense.
Each section highlights improvements, shortcomings and what remains the same.
Design and build quality
Folding design and portability
One of the most noticeable differences is how the headphones fold. The XM5 introduced a streamlined, non‑folding design with smooth curves and no visible hinges, so the earcups could only fold flatwhathifi.com. This required a wider case for travel but reduced creaking and wind noise. Many users appreciated the simplicity but missed the compactness of previous models.
Sony listened. The WH‑1000XM6 folds inward, similar to the older XM4. SoundGuys notes that the XM6 adds a visible metal reinforcement at the hinge for durability and folds into a smaller footprintsoundguys.com. The Guardian’s review echoes this observation, mentioning that the earcups now swivel and fold, fitting into a redesigned travel case with a magnetic clasptheguardian.com, theguardian.com. Folding makes the XM6 more travel‑friendly while preserving the sleek look.
Comfort and materials
Both models use recycled ABS plastic with memory‑foam padding and soft synthetic leather. The XM6 is slightly lighter and retains the minimalist aesthetic. However, comfort is subjective. SoundGuys found that the XM6’s ear pads feel deflated, with shallow cups that cramp larger ears, and a protruding ANC microphone can rub against your earsoundguys.com. By contrast, the XM5 offers deeper and more compliant padding that accommodates more head shapessoundguys.com. Neither model has a published water‑resistance rating, so they are not ideal for workouts or rainy commutessoundguys.com.
Both headphones adopt eco‑friendly materials. The Guardian notes that the XM6’s earcups are easily removable for repair and the headphones use recycled plastictheguardian.com. This improves sustainability and potentially extends longevity.
Verdict on design
- Portability: XM6 wins with its foldable hinge and more compact casesoundguys.com.
- Comfort: XM5 has deeper, softer padding, though XM6 remains light and refinedsoundguys.com.
- Durability: XM6’s metal‑reinforced hinge suggests better long‑term reliability, but both share similar plastics.
Noise cancelling and ambient sound performance
Microphones and processors
The XM5 uses Sony’s Integrated Processor V1 with eight microphones to analyze outside noise and generate a cancelling signalwhathifi.com. This delivers impressive ANC, particularly against low‑frequency hums like aircraft engines and train rumbles. It automatically adapts to the environment but can be inconsistent with variable traffic noisewhathifi.com.
The XM6 upgrades to the QN3 processor, which The Guardian says is seven times faster than the previous chip and works with 12 microphones. This increased sensor count allows more precise detection of unwanted sounds and enables deeper noise reduction. In SoundGuys’ measurements, the XM6 reduced ambient noise by up to 87 %, compared to the XM5’s still‑impressive 84 %soundguys.com. The Guardian reports that the XM6 cancels difficult high‑pitch tones like keyboard clicks and train announcements better than rivalstheguardian.com.
Ambient (transparency) mode
Both headphones have an ambient sound mode that pipes external sound into the earcups when you cover the right earcup or engage it in the app. The XM6 has 20 ambient levels and can automatically adjust based on your environment. It even allows voices to pass through while blocking other noisestheguardian.com. SoundGuys notes that the transparency mode is less muffled than the XM5’s but still lacks adjustable strength in the current firmwaresoundguys.com. The XM5’s ambient mode is good but slightly less natural.
Verdict on noise cancellation
- ANC strength: XM6 wins with more mics, a faster processor and better high‑frequency reduction.
- Ambient sound: XM6 provides more ambient levels and voice‑through optionstheguardian.com.
- Consistency: Both deliver excellent low‑frequency noise reduction; XM5 may still suit some users if comfort is a priority.
Features and connectivity
Shared features
Both headphones retain Sony’s core features: DSEE Extreme upscaling, Speak‑to‑Chat, Quick Attention, auto‑pause/resume via proximity sensor and multipoint Bluetooth pairingwhathifi.com. Each supports SBC, AAC and LDAC codecs and includes a 3.5 mm jack for wired listening. Touch gestures control volume, track changes and voice assistants.
XM6 improvements
SoundGuys reports that the XM6 adds spatial audio upmixing. It can up‑mix stereo tracks into spatial sound via the Sony Headphones Connect app, similar to Apple’s Spatialize Stereo. The headphones also support Bluetooth 5.3, LC3 codec and LE Audio, making them future‑proof for Auracast broadcasting. You can listen via the USB‑C charging port while charging—something the XM5 cannot dosoundguys.com. Both models fast‑charge via USB‑C, offering roughly three hours of playback after three minutes of charging.
Connectivity notes
- The XM6 still lacks wired audio over USB‑C; you must use the analog 3.5 mm cablesoundguys.com.
- Both support Google Assistant and Alexa voice assistants and Apple’s Siri via smartphone integration.
- Neither headphone has an official ingress‑protection (IP) ratingsoundguys.com.
Verdict on features
- XM6 adds future‑proof wireless features (Bluetooth 5.3, LC3, Auracast), spatial audio upmixing and charging while listeningsoundguys.com.
- XM5 still offers an excellent feature set but lacks the new codec support and spatial audio enhancementwhathifi.com.
Sound quality comparison
Drivers and tuning
The XM5 introduced a 30 mm carbon‑fibre composite driver that improved clarity, bass precision and rhythm. It delivered a dynamic, V‑shaped sound: pronounced bass, scooped mids and bright treble. Critics praised its ability to render orchestral tracks and electronic music with energy and detail. However, some listeners found the out‑of‑box tuning dark or muffled until they applied EQ via Sony’s apprecordingnow.com.
The XM6 continues with 30 mm drivers but refines the tuning. SoundGuys states that Sony fixed the harsh treble peaks of the XM5, smoothed out the low end and delivered a warmer yet balanced signaturesoundguys.com. The Guardian notes that the XM6 provides rounded, well‑controlled sound with solid bass and clear detail across the range; out‑of‑box it has a warm, slightly bass‑accentuated profile, and a full EQ in the app allows customizationtheguardian.com. This results in a sound that is “consumer‑friendly” but less fatiguing than the XM5’s bright treblesoundguys.com.
Sound modes and 360 audio
Both models support Sony’s 360 Reality Audio and Android’s spatial audio. The XM6 adds a background music feature, letting you overlay ambient sounds like a café or living room, and includes cinema audio mode for movie watchingtheguardian.com. The XM6’s ability to up‑mix stereo content into spatial audio is a unique perk that enhances immersionsoundguys.com.
Verdict on sound
- XM6: Warmer, smoother tuning with improved treble and bass balance; spatial audio upmix; additional sound modes.
- XM5: Dynamic and energetic but slightly V‑shaped; treble can be harsh without EQrecordingnow.com.
Battery life and charging
Rated and tested runtimes
Sony advertises the XM5 at 30 hours with ANC on and 40 hours without. Independent testing by SoundGuys measured 31 hours 53 minutes with ANC and 53 hours 6 minutes without ANCsoundguys.com. The XM5 charges via USB‑C, delivering five hours of use after 10 minutes of charging and three hours after three minutes with a USB‑PD chargerwhathifi.com.
For the XM6, Sony quotes similar battery life: 30 hours with ANC. The Guardian found the XM6 lasted more than 32 hours in real‑world testing. SoundGuys measured 37 hours 14 minutes with ANC on, outperforming the XM5 by roughly five hours. Both models offer fast charging; three minutes of charging yields about three hours of playbacksoundguys.com.
Charging while listening
A key advantage of the XM6 is that you can listen to audio while charging via the USB‑C portsoundguys.com. The XM5 does not allow listening while charging and requires you to use the 3.5 mm cable when the battery is flat.
Verdict on battery
- XM6: Slightly longer ANC runtime (~37 hours) and the ability to listen while chargingsoundguys.com, soundguys.com.
- XM5: Excellent battery life (31 hours with ANC, 53 hours without) but no charging/listening simultaneous optionsoundguys.com.
Price, availability and value
At launch, the WH‑1000XM5 was priced at US $399, while the WH‑1000XM6 debuted at US $449 (similar to its UK price of £399【568368660103053†L185-L299】). Over time, market discounts may narrow this gap. The XM6 offers foldable portability, improved ANC, better battery life, spatial audio upmixing and future‑proof connectivity. However, if you find the XM5 at a significant discount, it remains an excellent headphone with outstanding ANC and sound quality.
Table: key differences
| Feature | Sony WH‑1000XM6 | Sony WH‑1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Foldable design | Yes – folds inward; metal‑reinforced hingesoundguys.com | No – folds flat onlywhathifi.com |
| Microphones/processor | 12 mics with QN3 chip (7× faster)theguardian.com | 8 mics with Integrated Processor V1whathifi.com |
| Noise cancelling | Up to 87 % ambient reduction; excellent high‑pitch cancellationsoundguys.com, theguardian.com | About 84 % reduction; great low‑frequency cancellationsoundguys.com, whathifi.com |
| Ambient/transparency | 20 levels with voice‑throughtheguardian.com | Basic ambient mode; no level adjustmentssoundguys.com |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3, LC3, LE Audio, Auracast, spatial audio upmixingsoundguys.comsoundguys.com | Bluetooth 5.2; SBC, AAC, LDAC; no LC3/Auracastwhathifi.com |
| Battery life (ANC on) | Rated 30 h; tested ~32–37 htheguardian.comsoundguys.com | Rated 30 h; tested 31 h 53 mwhathifi.com, soundguys.com |
| Charging/listening | Possible via USB‑Csoundguys.com | Not possible (must use analog cable) |
| Sound signature | Warmer, balanced; improved treble and bass controlsoundguys.com, theguardian.com | V‑shaped; pronounced bass and bright treblewhathifi.com, recordingnow.com |
| Spatial audio | Native 360 Reality Audio + stereo upmix + head trackingtheguardian.comsoundguys.com | 360 Reality Audio (no upmixing); head tracking depends on device |
| Price at launch | ~US $449【568368660103053†L185-L299】 | ~US $399 |
Real‑world examples
Travel scenarios: A frequent flyer who owned the XM5 noticed that it could only lay flat in the case. For long trips, this took up valuable backpack space. After upgrading to the XM6, he appreciated how the headphones folded inward and fit into the new hard case. During a transcontinental flight, the XM6’s stronger ANC made cabin announcements and chatter almost imperceptible, while the ability to keep listening via USB‑C during a layover meant he never missed a podcast.
Remote working and commuting: A remote worker tested both headphones during daily video calls and coffee‑shop sessions. The XM5’s microphones and Precise Voice Pickup produced clear callswhathifi.com, but ambient sounds sometimes leaked through. The XM6’s improved mic array and advanced ANC suppressed more chatter and keyboard noise, resulting in fewer “please mute yourself” comments from colleagues. When walking to meetings, the XM6’s voice‑through ambient mode let her hear crossing signals and greetings without removing the headphones.
Conclusion: Which should you choose?
The Sony WH‑1000XM6 is a true refinement of the XM5. It restores the foldable design, introduces a faster processor with 12 microphones, improves noise cancellation (especially high‑frequency sounds), adds spatial audio upmixing, enhances battery life and lets you listen while charging. These upgrades make it the best choice for travellers, commuters and early adopters who want the most advanced features.
However, the WH‑1000XM5 remains an outstanding headset. It offers excellent ANC, dynamic sound with customizable EQ and a more comfortable fit for some users at a lower price. If you find a good deal on the XM5 or prefer deeper ear cups and a slightly lighter design, it may be the better value.
Ultimately, your choice hinges on how much you value foldability, future‑proof wireless features and incremental improvements in ANC and sound. Both are top‑tier noise‑cancelling headphones that will satisfy most listeners.
Internal links for more insights
- Read our in‑depth review of the Sony WH‑1000XM5 for a detailed look at the previous generation.
- Discover the best military smart watches for 2025 and other rugged tech gear.
- Explore our noise‑cancelling headphones buying guide to see how Sony compares with Bose, Apple and other brands.