Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II vs Sony WH-1000XM6
The Verdict
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and Sony WH-1000XM6 sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is the cheaper of the two at $299 versus $450, a difference of about $151. The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the newer release, which usually means a faster chipset and longer software support. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II stands out for arguably the best noise cancellation in any wireless earbud, 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 Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II if…
- →Arguably the best noise cancellation in any wireless earbud
- →CustomTune personalizes sound and ANC to your ears
- →Comfortable, secure fit with included Stability Bands
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
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
Pros
- Arguably the best noise cancellation in any wireless earbud
- CustomTune personalizes sound and ANC to your ears
- Comfortable, secure fit with included Stability Bands
- Excellent natural-sounding Aware mode
- Strong, balanced sound signature
Cons
- No Bluetooth multipoint
- No aptX or hi-res codec support (AAC/SBC only)
- Wireless charging case is sold separately as an accessory
- Bulky case compared to competitors
- No wear-detection auto-pause at launch (added later)
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 | Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II | Sony WH-1000XM6 |
|---|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | ||
| Type | in-ear | over-ear |
| Weight | 6.2 g (per bud) | 230 g |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 6 hrs buds, up to 24 hrs total with case | Up to 40 hours (ANC on) |
| Charging | USB-C (wireless charging case sold separately) | USB-C, 3 min = 3 hours, charge while listening |
| Drivers | 9.3 mm dynamic driver | 30mm carbon fiber composite |
| Features | CustomTune sound calibration, Industry-leading ANC with adjustable modes, Aware Mode with ActiveSense, Stability Band fit kit, Touch controls with volume swipe | 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 | AAC, SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| Multipoint | ||
| Water Resistance | IPX4 (buds) | — |
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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 Bose products or all Sony products. View full details for the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II or the Sony WH-1000XM6.