Head-to-head · spec by spec, a verdict per need

Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2026

Sony WH-1000XM6 is the pick for battery and travel, with up to 30 hours of play with noise cancelling on.

See which one is for you Compare side by sideAffiliate

For spatial sound and films, choose the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), whose new Cinema Mode gives sound effects a movie-like feel wherever you go.

By Bez, Editor✓ Updated 28 October 2026

Sony WH-1000XM6See it on Amazon

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)Image: BoseSee it on Amazon

Which one is for you?

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Which pick suits which need
Ifyou fly often and need a fast top-up charge	Sony WH-1000XM6	See it on Amazon
Ifyou want headphones that fold into a compact case	Sony WH-1000XM6	See it on Amazon
Ifyou watch films on the go	Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)	See it on Amazon
Ifyou take calls and video meetings over USB-C	Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)	See it on Amazon
Ifyou want to tune the sound with a 10-band EQ	Sony WH-1000XM6	See it on Amazon

At a glance

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1★ Top pick
Sony
Sony WH-1000XM6Best for long battery and travel
Up to 40 hours of listening for flights, trains and long days
See it on Amazon
2
Bose
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)Best for spatial sound and films
Spatialised, movie-style sound effects wherever you go
See it on Amazon

Side by side

From the makers' and retailers' published factsAffiliate

The picks side by side
Pick	Best for	The fact that sets it apart	Where to buy
Sony WH-1000XM6	long battery and travel	The HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3 and 12 mics, with an Auto NC Optimizer that adapts wherever you go.	See it on Amazon
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)	spatial sound and films	Quiet Mode for noise cancelling, Aware Mode to hear your surroundings, and Bose Immersive Audio that places the music in front of you.	See it on Amazon

Cut the noise on your travel, commute and work calls. Battery, sound and calls decide the choice. Sony's WH-1000XM6 gives up to 30 hours with noise cancelling on, and a 3-minute charge gives 3 hours of play. Bose's QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) brings Immersive Audio and Cinema Mode for films, plus USB audio for calls.

Both in detail

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1★ Top pickBest for long battery and travel

Sony WH-1000XM6

Up to 40 hours of listening for flights, trains and long days.

What it is: The WH-1000XM6 is a pair of Sony headphones with noise cancelling, which blocks out background sound. Its Auto NC Optimizer adapts wherever you go, and a 3-minute charge gives you 3 hours of play.
Perfect for: It suits the frequent traveller who wants a battery that keeps going through long journeys and daily commutes.
Why we picked it: This is Sony's newest flagship, and it brings a next-generation noise cancelling chip to the pair. Pick it when you want the newest Sony model rather than an older one.
What's new: Sony's newest flagship, which it invites WH-1000XM5 owners to trade in for. It adds a next-generation noise cancelling chip, LE Audio readiness and LC3 codec support.

The HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3 and 12 mics, with an Auto NC Optimizer that adapts wherever you go.
Up to 40 hours of battery, or 30 hours with noise cancelling on; a 3-minute charge gives 3 hours of play.
Folds into a compact size with a magnetic-closure carry case, plus a 10-band EQ and 360 Upmix for Cinema.

The catch: Battery with noise cancelling on is 30 hours, shorter than the 57 hours on the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 5 Wireless.

Check today's price on Amazon

2Best for spatial sound and films

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)

Spatialised, movie-style sound effects wherever you go.

What it is: Bose's QuietComfort Ultra headphones bring spatialised sound to films and music, with Cinema Mode for movie-like immersion and Immersive Audio placing the music in front of you. Cinema Mode brings movie-like immersion wherever you go, and Immersive Audio places the music in front of you.
Perfect for: Pick this if films and spatial sound come first, especially if you watch on the go.
Why we picked it: Against the 1st Gen, this one adds a new Cinema Mode and spatial audio for both music and film. Bose lists up to 30 hours of play, against 24 hours on the 1st Gen, though using Immersive Audio cuts that to 23 hours.
What's new: Next-generation ActiveSense, a new Cinema Mode and spatialised audio for music and film. Bose lists 30 hours of battery, against 24 hours for the 1st Gen.

Quiet Mode for noise cancelling, Aware Mode to hear your surroundings, and Bose Immersive Audio that places the music in front of you.
A new Cinema Mode spatialises sound effects for movie-like immersion wherever you go.
Up to 30 hours of play (23 with Immersive Audio), and USB audio for calls and video meetings over USB-C.

The catch: Using Immersive Audio cuts the stated battery from 30 hours to 23 hours.

Check today's price on Amazon

How we chose

Our buying criteria

Noise cancelling headphones block out background sound, so you can hear your music, films or calls clearly. To make this list, a pair needed strong noise cancelling, a long battery and a clear way to take calls. Sony's QN3 processor and 12 mics handle the noise. Bose gives you Quiet Mode for silence and Aware Mode to hear your surroundings. Bose adds Immersive Audio and Cinema Mode for films. Each pair of headphones here was checked against its maker's specs and live UK listings, and each catch is shown.

Noise cancelling: Sony's Auto NC Optimizer adapts wherever you go; Bose offers Quiet and Aware modes.
Battery: Sony gives up to 30 hours with noise cancelling on; Bose falls from 30 to 23 with Immersive Audio.
Fast charge: Sony gives 3 hours of play from a 3-minute charge.
Calls: Bose offers USB audio over USB-C, so check your laptop has a USB-C port.

How we choose every pick

Your questions, answered

Which headphones have the longer battery life: Sony XM6 or Bose QC Ultra?

The Sony WH-1000XM6 wins on battery. You get up to 40 hours of play, or 30 hours with noise cancelling on, and a 3-minute charge gives you 3 hours. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra gives up to 30 hours, or 23 with Immersive Audio, so pick the Sony for long trips.

Which one has better noise cancelling?

The Sony WH-1000XM6 is built around noise cancelling tech: an HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3, 12 mics and an Auto NC Optimizer that adapts wherever you go. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra offers Quiet Mode for noise cancelling, plus Aware Mode to hear your surroundings.

Do the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones fold up?

Yes. The Sony WH-1000XM6 folds into a compact size and comes with a magnetic-closure carry case. You also get a 10-band EQ, a tool that lets you shape the sound, and 360 Upmix for Cinema.

What is Bose Cinema Mode?

Cinema Mode is a new feature that spatialises sound effects for movie-like immersion wherever you go. For spatial sound and films, pick the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen).

Can I use Bose QC Ultra headphones for work calls?

Yes, the Bose QC Ultra can. Its USB-C connection gives you USB audio for calls and video meetings, plus up to 30 hours of play.