Expert Reviews100
The Sony WF-1000XM6 are a triumphant upgrade, offering class-leading noise cancellation and exceptional sound quality.
Sony WF-1000XM6
12 expert reviews#2 in wireless earbudsChecked 1 Nov 2026
Quick answer
The Sony WF-1000XM6 has a critic score of 87 out of 100 from 12 professional reviews, and 10 of them recommend it. It ranks #2 of 5 wireless earbuds we score. Critics praise its sound quality and noise cancelling. The most common complaint is price.
Reviews checked 1 Nov 2026
Image: SonyBest sound
Our verdict
10 of 12 reviewers who tested Sony's WF-1000XM6 recommend it, the strongest agreement among earbuds. Critics single out the noise cancelling and detailed sound, plus an app full of useful settings. The price is high, and the included ear tips don't suit every ear.
The catch: Expensive, and the tips don't fit everyone.
Critic agreement: High
Scores run from 80 to 100
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What do critics say about the Sony WF-1000XM6?
CNET92
The Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds offer top-tier sound quality, excellent noise cancellation, and superior call performance, making them a leading choice despite their high price and potential fit issues with the included eartips.
The Independent90
The Sony WF-1000XM6 are a top-tier upgrade, offering industry-leading noise cancellation, a more comfortable fit, and a more engaging, bass-rich sound profile.
Android Central90
The Sony WF-1000XM6 are exceptional all-around earbuds that excel in noise cancellation, sound quality, and smart features, making them a top-tier recommendation despite their premium price.
ecoustics.com90est.
The Sony WF-1000XM6 is a top-tier, highly recommended wireless earbud set that excels in sound quality, noise cancellation, and call performance.
SlashGear85est.
The WF-1000XM6 are highly capable earbuds that excel in sound quality and noise cancellation, though they are held back slightly by a clunky, overcrowded companion app.
Business Insider85est.
The Sony WF-1000XM6 are highly impressive flagship earbuds that offer refined sound, excellent call quality, and improved noise cancellation, though their high price point makes them a premium investment.
9to5Toys85est.
The Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds offer meaningful improvements in noise cancellation, call quality, and design over their predecessors, making them a strong, well-rounded choice for fans of the series.
Engadget84
The Sony WF-1000XM6 remains a feature-rich, great-sounding pair of earbuds, but it no longer dominates the market due to increased competition, a problematic fit, and lackluster call quality.
TechGearLab80
The Sony WF-1000XM6 offers industry-leading noise cancellation and excellent sound quality, but these strengths are hampered by a bulky, uncomfortable fit and mediocre call performance.
TechRadar80
While the Sony WF-1000XM6 offers excellent sound quality and a reliable connection, it falls short of being a top-tier recommendation due to underwhelming noise cancellation, a divisive fit, and waning support for its spatial audio features.
PCMag Middle East80
The Sony WF-1000XM6 offers exceptional sound quality and deep customization, but it is held back by a bulky design, inconsistent fit, and noise cancellation that trails behind top competitors.
Scores are converted to 0–100. "est." means the outlet gave no number, so we estimated one from its verdict. How we score
What critics praise most
Sound quality11 of 12
Noise cancelling9 of 12
Comfort2 of 12
What critics dislike most
Price8 of 12
Size and weight4 of 12
Software and app3 of 12
Alternatives
Not sure about the Sony WF-1000XM6?
Image: Bose
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For Samsung phones
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro81
10 reviews · agreement high
Image: AppleCommon questions
Is the Sony WF-1000XM6 worth it?
Most critics think so: 10 of 12 recommend it. Expensive, and the tips don't fit everyone.
What do critics dislike about the Sony WF-1000XM6?
Price (8 of 12 reviews), Size and weight (4 of 12 reviews), Software and app (3 of 12 reviews).
What is the best alternative to the Sony WF-1000XM6?
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) (critic score 88), best noise cancelling.