Sony WH-1000XM headphones · Headphones
Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Sony WH-1000XM5: Worth the Upgrade?
Skip This Upgrade
The Sony WH-1000XM6 does not justify the cost of upgrading from the Sony WH-1000XM5. The improvements are marginal, and the Sony WH-1000XM5 remains a strong performer.
18
Upgrade Score
$120
Price Difference
-0.2
Rating Change
5
New Features
5
Features Removed
How the Scores Compare
Sony WH-1000XM5→Sony WH-1000XM6
Battery+8
86
→
94
Value-4
72
→
68
Portability-3
68
→
65
Comfort+2
88
→
90
Higher is better. Category-specific 0-100 scale. Lighter bar = Sony WH-1000XM5, highlighted bar = Sony WH-1000XM6.
What Changed
Added in the New Generation
- +Next-Gen Integrated Processor V2+
- +40-hour battery with ANC
- +3-device multipoint
- +IPX4 water resistance
- +LC3 and LDAC codec support
Removed from Previous Generation
- −Industry-leading active noise cancellation
- −30-hour battery life
- −Multipoint Bluetooth 5.3
- −LDAC and DSEE Extreme audio
- −Speak-to-Chat auto-pause
Specs at a Glance
| Spec | Sony WH-1000XM6 | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Driver Size | 30mm | 30mm |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Noise Cancellation | Dual Processor ANC V2+ (8 mics) | Dual Processor ANC (8 mics) |
| Battery Life (ANC on) | 40 hours | 30 hours |
| Weight | 245g | 250g |
| Foldable | No | No |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | Industry-leading active noise cancellation |
| Best For | Buyers who want the newest Sony ANC tech and future-proof codecs | Travelers and remote workers who want the ANC gold standard |