Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2
Sony WH-1000XM6 (#1, best overall) vs Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 (#3, best premium): in our Over-ear Wireless Headphones for Music scoring the Sony WH-1000XM6 totals 9.1/10 and the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 8.5/10. At $300 versus $799, the Sony WH-1000XM6 costs $499 less.
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TopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $300 | $799 |
| Driver Size | 30mm carbon fiber dome | 40mm carbon cone |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.2 with LDAC | Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Lossless |
| ANC | QN3 processor, 12 microphones | Adaptive noise cancellation |
| Weight | ~250g | 320g |
| Battery | 30+ hours with ANC | 30 hours |
How they differ in real use
Built from our over ear wireless scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.
Both the Sony WH-1000XM6 and the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 made our Top 5 Over-ear Wireless Headphones for Music, at #1 (best overall) and #3 (best premium). Consistently rated best overall wireless over-ear headphones with well-balanced high-res sound, strong ANC, and 30+ hour battery. LDAC support and customizable EQ make it the complete package. Premium build and sound quality with 24-bit/96kHz wireless audio via aptX Lossless. Luxury Nappa leather materials and replaceable pads make it the audiophile's wireless choice.
We score over-ear wireless headphones for music on Sound Quality (30%), ANC Performance (25%), Comfort (20%), Battery Life (15%) and Value (10%). On that basis the Sony WH-1000XM6 totals 9.1 out of 10 and the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 8.5. The widest gap is ANC Performance, where the Sony WH-1000XM6 scores 9.5 against 8 for the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 — noise cancellation effectiveness. Value also separates them: 8.5 for the Sony WH-1000XM6 versus 6 for the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2. The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 claws back ground on Sound Quality.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Driver Size — 30mm carbon fiber dome on the Sony WH-1000XM6 versus 40mm carbon cone on the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2; Connectivity — Bluetooth 5.2 with LDAC on the Sony WH-1000XM6 versus Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Lossless on the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2; ANC — QN3 processor, 12 microphones on the Sony WH-1000XM6 versus Adaptive noise cancellation on the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2; Weight — ~250g on the Sony WH-1000XM6 versus 320g on the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2; Battery — 30+ hours with ANC on the Sony WH-1000XM6 versus 30 hours on the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2.
Pricing as of February 8, 2026: $300 for the Sony WH-1000XM6 and $799 for the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2, a $499 difference in the Sony WH-1000XM6's favor. Owners praise the Sony WH-1000XM6 for industry-leading ANC and LDAC support for high-res audio; the most common complaint is premium price at $398. Owners praise the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 for 24-bit/96kHz wireless audio and aptX Adaptive & Lossless support; the most common complaint is very expensive at $799.
Sony WH-1000XM6
- Industry-leading ANC
- LDAC support for high-res audio
- Customizable EQ via app
- 30+ hour battery with ANC
- Premium price at $398
- Not audiophile-grade for critical listening
- Touch controls can be finicky
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2
- 24-bit/96kHz wireless audio
- aptX Adaptive & Lossless support
- Premium Nappa leather build
- Replaceable pads and headband
- Very expensive at $799
- ANC not class-leading
- Heavy for a wireless headphone
Which should you buy?
The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the better fit for all-around music listening and traveling and commuting — it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for ANC Performance and Value. The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 is the better fit for audiophiles wanting wireless and refined sound and craftsmanship seekers, and the stronger choice if Sound Quality matters more to you than the overall score. Since the Sony WH-1000XM6 is both the higher scorer and $499 cheaper, the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 only makes sense for audiophiles wanting wireless. The Sony WH-1000XM6 is a poor fit for audiophiles seeking reference sound; the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 is a poor fit for budget shoppers.
Choose the Sony WH-1000XM6 if
- All-around music listening
- Traveling and commuting
- Daily use
Skip it if
- Audiophiles seeking reference sound
- Budget shoppers
Choose the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 if
- Audiophiles wanting wireless
- Refined sound and craftsmanship seekers
- Hi-res music listeners
Skip it if
- Budget shoppers
- Those prioritizing ANC over sound
Common questions
Is the Sony WH-1000XM6 better than the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2?
In our Over-ear Wireless Headphones for Music ranking the Sony WH-1000XM6 scores higher overall, 9.1 to 8.5, with the biggest advantage in ANC Performance. The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 is stronger on Sound Quality, so it is the better pick if that matters most to you.
How much more does the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 cost than the Sony WH-1000XM6?
$499 more as of February 8, 2026: $799 for the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 against $300 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 Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2?
The headline spec difference is Driver Size: 30mm carbon fiber dome on the Sony WH-1000XM6 versus 40mm carbon cone on the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2. In use, the gap that matters most is ANC Performance (9.5 vs 8 in our scoring): noise cancellation effectiveness.