Beats Powerbeats Pro vs Sony WH-1000XM6
The Verdict
The Beats Powerbeats Pro and Sony WH-1000XM6 sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The Beats Powerbeats Pro is the cheaper of the two at $249 versus $450, a difference of about $201. The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the newer release, which usually means a faster chipset and longer software support. Beats Powerbeats Pro stands out for ear hooks provide the most secure fit for intense workouts, while Sony WH-1000XM6 is praised for qn3 processor delivers industry-leading anc. Use the side-by-side spec table below to compare cameras, displays, battery life and connectivity in detail and decide which one fits your priorities.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Beats Powerbeats Pro if…
- →Ear hooks provide the most secure fit for intense workouts
- →H1 chip enables Hey Siri and fast Apple pairing
- →9-hour battery per charge is class-leading for sport earbuds
Buy the Sony WH-1000XM6 if…
- →QN3 processor delivers industry-leading ANC
- →40-hour battery life with ANC
- →Foldable design returns (compact case)
Pros & Cons
Beats Powerbeats Pro
Pros
- Ear hooks provide the most secure fit for intense workouts
- H1 chip enables Hey Siri and fast Apple pairing
- 9-hour battery per charge is class-leading for sport earbuds
- IPX4 handles sweat and rain during outdoor training
- Physical buttons are reliable — no accidental touch inputs
Cons
- Charging case is enormous compared to competitors
- Lightning charging port instead of USB-C
- No ANC at $249 is a tough sell against AirPods Pro
- Ear hooks make them impossible to use while lying on your side
Sony WH-1000XM6
Pros
- QN3 processor delivers industry-leading ANC
- 40-hour battery life with ANC
- Foldable design returns (compact case)
- LDAC + LC3 codec support for hi-res audio
- Charge while listening via USB-C
Cons
- $450 is $50 more than XM5
- 230g is still heavier than some competitors
- No aptX Lossless support
Full Specifications
| Spec | Beats Powerbeats Pro | Sony WH-1000XM6 |
|---|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | ||
| Type | in-ear | over-ear |
| Weight | 20.3 g (pair) | 230 g |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 9 hrs (24 hrs total with case) | Up to 40 hours (ANC on) |
| Charging | Lightning, 5 min = 1.5 hrs (Fast Fuel) | USB-C, 3 min = 3 hours, charge while listening |
| Drivers | Custom 12mm driver | 30mm carbon fiber composite |
| Features | Apple H1 chip with Hey Siri, Adjustable, secure-fit ear hooks, Volume and track controls on each earbud, Automatic play/pause with ear detection, 9-hour battery per charge | QN3 HD processor (7x faster than QN1), 12 microphones for ANC, Foldable design, 360 Reality Audio, DSEE Extreme upscaling, Cinema upmix mode, Speak-to-chat |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wired option | ||
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 (Apple H1 chip) | 5.4 |
| Multipoint | ||
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | — |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in headphones, see all Beats products or all Sony products. View full details for the Beats Powerbeats Pro or the Sony WH-1000XM6.