Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen)
Sony WH-1000XM6 (#4) vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) (#5): in our Over-ear Headphones for Conferencing scoring the Sony WH-1000XM6 totals 8.8/10 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) 8.6/10. At $398 versus $449, the Sony WH-1000XM6 costs $51 less.
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Side by side
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $398 | $449 |
| Driver Size | 30mm carbon fiber dome | Bose proprietary |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.2 with LDAC | — |
| Frequency Response | 4Hz-40kHz | — |
| Weight | ~250g | — |
| Battery | 30 hours | 30 hours |
| Microphones | — | Multi-mic beamforming array (no boom) |
| Audio | — | Lossless USB-C |
| Mute | — | Software only (no hardware button) |
| Dongle | — | None (Bluetooth only) |
How they differ in real use
Built from our over ear music scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.
Both the Sony WH-1000XM6 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) made our Top 5 Over-ear Headphones for Conferencing, at #4 and #5. A consumer ANC headphone with significantly improved call quality (12 mics). Best choice if you want ONE headphone for music, travel, AND calls. However: no USB dongle (Bluetooth-only can be flaky on Windows), no boom mic, no hardware mute button, and no Teams/Zoom certification. Dedicated UC headsets above are better for calls-first users. Included for those who prioritize comfort and ANC above call quality. Best-in-class noise cancellation and legendary all-day comfort, but beamforming mics without a boom trail every other option here. No dongle, no certification, no hardware mute. Buy this for music/travel and accept 'good enough' call quality—not as a dedicated conferencing headset.
We score over-ear headphones for conferencing on Microphone Quality (35%), ANC Performance (25%), Comfort (20%), Connectivity (10%) and Battery Life (10%). On that basis the Sony WH-1000XM6 totals 8.8 out of 10 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) 8.6. The widest gap is Microphone Quality, where the Sony WH-1000XM6 scores 8 against 7 for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) — voice clarity and noise isolation. Comfort also separates them: 10 for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) versus 9.4 for the Sony WH-1000XM6. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) claws back ground on ANC Performance.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Driver Size — 30mm carbon fiber dome on the Sony WH-1000XM6 versus Bose proprietary on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen). They match on Battery.
Pricing as of February 8, 2026: $398 for the Sony WH-1000XM6 and $449 for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen), a $51 difference in the Sony WH-1000XM6's favor. Owners praise the Sony WH-1000XM6 for industry-leading noise cancellation and foldable design (brought back from XM4); the most common complaint is not audiophile-grade for critical listening. Owners praise the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) for class-leading ANC blocks virtually all background noise and legendary all-day comfort (best in this list); the most common complaint is no boom microphone—beamforming mic trails dedicated UC headsets.
Sony WH-1000XM6
- Industry-leading noise cancellation
- Foldable design (brought back from XM4)
- 30mm carbon fiber dome drivers
- LE Audio/Auracast support
- Not audiophile-grade for critical listening
- Premium price at $449
Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen)
- Class-leading ANC blocks virtually all background noise
- Legendary all-day comfort (best in this list)
- Lossless USB-C audio for music between calls
- 30hr battery
- No boom microphone—beamforming mic trails dedicated UC headsets
- No USB dongle (Bluetooth-only can cause issues on Windows)
- No hardware mute button (must mute in software)
Which should you buy?
The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the better fit for everyday listeners and commuters and travelers — it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for Microphone Quality and Battery Life. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) is the better fit for those wanting one headphone for music AND calls and noisy environment workers prioritizing ANC over voice quality, and the stronger choice if Comfort and ANC Performance matter more to you than the overall score. Since the Sony WH-1000XM6 is both the higher scorer and $51 cheaper, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) only makes sense for those wanting one headphone for music AND calls. The Sony WH-1000XM6 is a poor fit for audiophiles seeking reference sound; the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) is a poor fit for those needing best call quality (get Poly or Jabra instead).
Choose the Sony WH-1000XM6 if
- Everyday listeners
- Commuters and travelers
- Those wanting one versatile pair
Skip it if
- Audiophiles seeking reference sound
- Budget shoppers
Choose the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) if
- Those wanting one headphone for music AND calls
- Noisy environment workers prioritizing ANC over voice quality
- Comfort prioritizers on all-day calls
Skip it if
- Those needing best call quality (get Poly or Jabra instead)
- Enterprise IT environments requiring certifications
Common questions
Is the Sony WH-1000XM6 better than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen)?
In our Over-ear Headphones for Conferencing ranking the Sony WH-1000XM6 scores higher overall, 8.8 to 8.6, with the biggest advantage in Microphone Quality. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) is stronger on Comfort and ANC Performance, so it is the better pick if those matter most to you.
How much more does the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) cost than the Sony WH-1000XM6?
$51 more as of February 8, 2026: $449 for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) against $398 for the Sony WH-1000XM6. Prices move, so the merchant page shows the current figure.
What is the main difference between the Sony WH-1000XM6 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen)?
The headline spec difference is Driver Size: 30mm carbon fiber dome on the Sony WH-1000XM6 versus Bose proprietary on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen). In use, the gap that matters most is Microphone Quality (8 vs 7 in our scoring): voice clarity and noise isolation.