Need a headset upgrade? Sony's WH-1000XM6 gets a much-needed discount, bringing it down to a new all-time low

Sony WH-1000XM6 testing on Android Central

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

I've always been a fan of Sony's 1000X headsets, so much so that I ended up buying a few models after the testing window. That said, I didn't like the WH-1000XM5; the design just wasn't great, and their inability to fold inward made the headset a bad choice to take on the road.

That's why I was excited to use the WH-1000XM6. While Sony didn't mess with the audio drivers too much, the WH-1000XM6 has a much better design; the hinge has a folding mechanism, and the headset is once again travel-friendly. The case itself isn't anywhere as bulky as its predecessor, and I was able to slot it into my travel bag with relative ease.

With Sony rolling out the WH-1000XM6 two years after the introduction of the WH-1000XM5, there's an inevitable price hike; the headset retails for $449, but it's on sale for $398 as of writing; it's a modest 13% decrease, but every little bit makes a difference. It's discounted in other regions as well, going down to ₹39,990 ($446) in India.

✅Recommended if: You travel extensively. The WH-1000XM6 has unmatched noise isolation, and it excels as a travel headset thanks to the new folding hinge design.

❌Skip this deal if: You want a neutral sound. Get the Bose QC Ultra Gen 2 in that case. Also, the WH-1000XM6 doesn't have ingress protection, so that's something to consider.

I didn't see any problems with the design in the month I tested the WH-1000XM6, and if anything, the headset has better durability than its predecessor. Comfort is good too thanks to the padded ear cushions and headband, and there's decent adjustability. Like its predecessors, the headset doesn't get any ingress protection, so I wouldn't suggest using it at the gym.

The only issue when it comes to usability is that the WH-1000XM6 has a higher clamping force, and it exerts a noticeable amount of pressure. It gets annoying after a while, and this is one of the main reasons why I didn't take the WH-1000XM6 on a recent intercontinental flight — I prefer the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 in this regard.

The QC Ultra Gen 2 is much better to wear for an extended duration, and even on a 16-hour flight, I had no issues wearing the headset even if it's 9g heavier — I can't imagine doing that with the WH-1000XM6. Where the WH-1000XM6 comes into its own is noise isolation; Sony does a terrific job with ANC, and that hasn't changed this year. The headset blocks out ambient sounds really well in noisy surroundings, outmatching Bose by a marginal amount.

When it comes to audio quality, the WH-1000XM6 continues to be a bit bass-heavy, though not as much as its predecessors. The headset has the same 30mm driver as the WH-1000XM5, but changes to the tuning means you get a slightly different sound.

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There is a slight boost to the low-end that provides an increased rumble and vigor to the mix, but outside of that, the tuning is pleasant. I still prefer Bose's neutral soundstage, but there's no doubting that the WH-1000XM6 is designed to be lively in this area.

You can easily customize the sound, adjust EQ, and change modes via the Sony Sound Connect app. It also lets you tweak transparency settings, configure 36-degree sound, and adjust gesture controls. On that note, the headset has intuitive gestures, and it triggers actions without much of a hassle.

Sony's LDAC codec is intact on the headset, and you shouldn't have any issues streaming lossless music to the headset with your Android phone — Google worked with Sony to integrate LDAC into Android 8.0 Oreo, and all subsequent versions of the OS have the codec built-in.

Coming to battery life, the WH-1000XM6 lasted just over the claimed 30 hours, with the headset beating out the QC Ultra Gen 2 by an hour and a half. There's fast charging as well, and you get three hours of music playback with just a 10-minute charge, and this definitely came in handy a few times when I didn't charge the headset before going out.

On the whole, I like what Sony did with the WH-1000XM6. The design is much better this generation, and it's easier to travel with. The sound quality has evolved, you get class-leading noise isolation, and plenty of useful extras. I still prefer the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 as I like the fit better, but if you've used Sony's headsets in the past, you'll love what the WH-1000XM6 has to deliver. And with the sale bringing it down to $398, it's just that a better value.

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