Nothing Ear (2) vs Sony WH-1000XM6
The Verdict
The Nothing Ear (2) and Sony WH-1000XM6 sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The Nothing Ear (2) is the cheaper of the two at $149 versus $450, a difference of about $301. The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the newer release, which usually means a faster chipset and longer software support. Nothing Ear (2) stands out for striking transparent design that stands out, 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 Nothing Ear (2) if…
- →Striking transparent design that stands out
- →Hi-res LHDC 5.0 codec support and personalized sound profile
- →Bluetooth multipoint for two-device pairing
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
Nothing Ear (2)
Pros
- Striking transparent design that stands out
- Hi-res LHDC 5.0 codec support and personalized sound profile
- Bluetooth multipoint for two-device pairing
- Comfortable, lightweight fit with secure seal
- Affordable at $149
Cons
- ANC is good but not class-leading
- Battery life with ANC on is shorter than rivals
- App and feature support is best on Nothing phones
- Pinch controls take getting used to
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 | Nothing Ear (2) | Sony WH-1000XM6 |
|---|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | ||
| Type | in-ear | over-ear |
| Weight | 4.5 g (per bud) | 230 g |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 4 hrs buds (ANC on) / 6.3 hrs (ANC off), up to 22.5 hrs total with case (ANC off) | Up to 40 hours (ANC on) |
| Charging | USB-C, Qi wireless | USB-C, 3 min = 3 hours, charge while listening |
| Drivers | 11.6 mm dynamic driver with custom diaphragm | 30mm carbon fiber composite |
| Features | Personalized active noise cancellation, LHDC 5.0 hi-res audio support, Personal Sound Profile via Mimi hearing test, Dual connection (Bluetooth multipoint), Pinch-stem controls, Transparent design with glyph case | 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 | LHDC 5.0, AAC, SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| Multipoint | ||
| Water Resistance | IP54 (buds), IP55 (case) | — |
Want to compare a third product?
Add another product for a 3-way comparison.
Related Comparisons
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 Nothing products or all Sony products. View full details for the Nothing Ear (2) or the Sony WH-1000XM6.