Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Reviewers give Sony the edge on sound and battery, and Bose the edge on noise cancelling, fit and price.
Disclosure: PickedTech is reader-supported. Some links on this page are affiliate links, and we may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. This never affects which products we recommend or how we rank them. How we make money.
How this page was made: this is a research-based guide built from manufacturer spec pages, official prices and published lab measurements from the outlets we name and link. We haven’t tested these products ourselves, and we don’t invent scores. Our methodology.
Quick answer
Get the Sony WF-1000XM6 ($329.99 list) if sound quality, battery life and EQ matter most; What Hi-Fi and SoundGuys both rate it higher overall. Get the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds 2 ($299 list, seen at $249) if you want the strongest noise cancelling, a secure fit and aptX support on Android.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Check Sony WF-1000XM6 price (opens in a new tab)Check Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) price (opens in a new tab)
Key facts at a glance
| Sony WF-1000XM6 | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329.99 list; $273.99 at Walmart (What Hi-Fi) | $299 list; fallen to $249 (What Hi-Fi) |
| Battery (ANC on) | 8 hours; 24 with case | 6 hours; 24 with case |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive (aptX Lossless via Snapdragon Sound) |
| EQ | 10-band, ±6dB | 3-band |
| Fit | Ear tips | Ear tips plus stability bands |
These are the two flagship noise-cancelling earbuds most people shortlist.
Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): side-by-side
| Sony WF-1000XM6 | Bose QC Ultra Earbuds 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329.99 list; $273.99 at Walmart (What Hi-Fi) | $299 list; fallen to $249 (What Hi-Fi) |
| Battery (ANC on) | 8 hours; 24 with case | 6 hours; 24 with case |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive (aptX Lossless via Snapdragon Sound) |
| EQ | 10-band, ±6dB | 3-band |
| Fit | Ear tips | Ear tips plus stability bands |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Wireless charging | Yes (Qi) | Yes (Qi) |
| Multipoint | Yes | Yes |
How much do they cost?
Sony WF-1000XM6 plans
| Option | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| List | $329.99 | $328 at Amazon, $273.99 at Walmart (What Hi-Fi) |
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) plans
| Option | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| List | $299 | Fallen to $249 (What Hi-Fi) |
What are the pros and cons?
Sony WF-1000XM6: pros
- Better sound (What Hi-Fi, SoundGuys)
- 8-hour battery
- LDAC and 10-band EQ
Sony WF-1000XM6: cons
- More expensive
- Large earbuds (SoundGuys)
- No aptX
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): pros
- Class-leading ANC (What Hi-Fi)
- Secure fit with stability bands
- aptX Adaptive
- Cheaper
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): cons
- 6-hour battery
- Basic 3-band EQ
Which should you choose: Sony WF-1000XM6 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)?
What Hi-Fi gave Bose the price, design and noise-cancelling rounds, and Sony the sound round. SoundGuys[2] scored Sony 8.4 and Bose 7.7. If you mostly want silence on a plane or train, get the Bose. If you mostly want music to sound its best, get the Sony.
Choose Sony WF-1000XM6 if…
- Sound quality comes first
- You want longer battery life
- Your Android phone supports LDAC
Choose Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) if…
- Noise cancelling comes first
- Earbuds tend to fall out of your ears
- Your phone supports aptX
More earbud comparisons
On an iPhone, also consider AirPods: see Sony WF-1000XM6 vs AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Pro 3 vs Bose QC Ultra Earbuds 2. For the full list, see best noise-cancelling earbuds.
Frequently asked questions
Which has better noise cancelling?
Which lasts longer?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- What Hi-Fi: Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Bose QC Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen (whathifi.com)
- SoundGuys: Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Bose QC Ultra 2 (soundguys.com)
- Sony WF-1000XM6 (electronics.sony.com)
- Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) (bose.com)
Related
Sony WF-1000XM6 vs AirPods Pro 3
Sony’s newest flagship earbuds cost $80 more than AirPods Pro 3. Which one fits depends mostly on your phone.
comparisonAirPods Pro 3 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Apple’s feature-packed default against Bose’s noise-cancelling specialist.
comparisonSony WF-1000XM6 vs WF-1000XM5
Better noise cancelling, mics and fit on the XM6. Same battery and codecs. The XM5 is often much cheaper now.
best ofThe Best Noise-Cancelling Earbuds in 2026
AirPods Pro 3 win for Apple users. Bose and Sony fight for best ANC/Android flexibility — pick by phone ecosystem and fit.