Over-Ear Headphones · owner-verdict comparison

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) vs Sony WH-1000XM6: what real owners say

Real owners rate these about evenly: 35% of 474 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) owners recommend it, vs 35% of 571 for the Sony WH-1000XM6.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)

35%of 474 owners recommend
35% recommend · 23% neutral · 42% don't
Owners praise
  • Exceptional comfort for long sessions, owners repeatedly say they "disappear" on your head and can be worn for hours or all day, often rated more comfortable than the Sony XM6, Bose QC45, and even AirPods Max
  • Best-in-class active noise cancelling, especially for steady low-frequency noise like airplane engines, HVAC, and trains
  • Rich, detailed sound with punchy bass that many say sounds great right out of the box without needing EQ
Owners complain about
  • A persistent white-noise/hissing sound from the ANC circuit that owners describe as annoying during quiet moments, calls, and pauses in audio
  • A firmware update stripped out features many relied on, including cycling between paired Bluetooth devices via the headphone button, multipoint switching, and battery-percentage announcements on power-up
  • Creaking, popping, or clicking noises from the hinges and headband, plus a jarring "thump" when the adaptive ANC reacts to sudden noises like a door slamming
Full owner report →

Sony WH-1000XM6

35%of 571 owners recommend
35% recommend · 25% neutral · 40% don't
Owners praise
  • Noise cancellation is best-in-class, with many owners calling it the strongest ANC they've used and effective even in subways, offices, and on flights
  • Sound quality is excellent once tuned with the 10-band EQ, with owners praising wider soundstage, deeper bass, and clearer detail versus the XM4/XM5
  • Build feels sturdier than the XM5 thanks to the new metal hinge, and many long-term owners report years of daily use with zero cracks or breaks
Owners complain about
  • Hinges and headband can crack or snap outright, sometimes within months, and owners report Sony denying warranty repair or charging for it
  • The plastic housing feels cheap for a $400-450 price point, undermining the premium feel owners expect at that cost
  • Out-of-the-box sound is muddy, bass-heavy, or dull and needs manual EQ adjustment to sound good
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) if
  • ✓Frequent travelers who want top-tier ANC and all-day comfort on long flights
  • ✓Glasses wearers and long-session listeners who prioritize a soft, low-clamp fit
  • ✓Upgraders from Bose QC35/QC45 who value premium build over Sony's plastic feel
  • ✓Listeners who want strong out-of-the-box sound without needing an EQ
Skip it if
  • People who make lots of calls, since mic and call quality draw frequent complaints
  • Anyone needing to fully disable ANC, since wind noise and hiss bother some owners
Get the Sony WH-1000XM6 if
  • ✓Commuters and travelers who want class-leading ANC for trains, planes, and noisy offices
  • ✓Listeners willing to tweak the 10-band EQ, since many say default tuning is flat until adjusted
  • ✓Careful owners who store them in the case and avoid rough daily abuse
  • ✓Apple and Android users who want reliable multi-device switching, calls, and cinema/movie modes
Skip it if
  • Gym-goers and heavy sweaters, since owners report sweat damage, coating peel, and mic failures with no IP rating
  • Buyers wanting rock-solid build quality, given recurring reports of hinge and headband cracks over time

What Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) owners say

“My ultra used daily for over a year is still working great. Had some firmware issue at the start but currently it is Ok. Good anc, great sound and sturdy.”
— GrumpyBitFlipper on Reddit
“I come from the xm5 earbuds and just bought the QC Ultra 2nd gen’s because even though I loved the Sony’s, I don’t like wearing them knowing there’s too much toxic chemicals in them.”
— therealpurpledolpin on Reddit
“but not the Ultras (not worth the price increase imo)”
— xolavenderwitch on Reddit

What Sony WH-1000XM6 owners say

“I then connected them to my android phone and everything was much crisper and detailed because it used LDAC. I then also played around with the equalizer and now they sound much better.”
— Alanwake28 on Reddit
“Using XM3 daily since before covid, only headphone I own and do everything you say we shouldn't. Through pouring rain, snowstorms, at the gym, at my factory, stuffed into bags.”
— electro_lytes on Reddit
“The issue I have with the Sony XM6 headphones is that they tend to cause my ears to become warm and sweaty, especially during extended use. This discomfort can be quite distracting”
— No-Seaworthiness7880 on Reddit

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) vs Sony WH-1000XM6: frequently asked questions

Is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) or the Sony WH-1000XM6 better?

Real owners rate these about evenly: 35% of 474 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) owners recommend it, vs 35% of 571 for the Sony WH-1000XM6.

Who should get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)?

Owners point the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) at frequent travelers who want top-tier ANC and all-day comfort on long flights, and glasses wearers and long-session listeners who prioritize a soft, low-clamp fit.

Who should get the Sony WH-1000XM6?

Owners point the Sony WH-1000XM6 at commuters and travelers who want class-leading ANC for trains, planes, and noisy offices, and listeners willing to tweak the 10-band EQ, since many say default tuning is flat until adjusted.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) is a persistent white-noise/hissing sound from the ANC circuit that owners describe as annoying during quiet moments, calls, and pauses in audio. For the Sony WH-1000XM6, it's hinges and headband can crack or snap outright, sometimes within months, and owners report Sony denying warranty repair or charging for it.