ConsFirst / Noise-cancelling headphones / Compare
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) vs Sony WH-1000XM6
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) ranks higher (#1 vs #2 of 8) and scores better on noise cancelling, comfort, durability. Sony WH-1000XM6 wins on sound, call quality, battery.
The biggest complaint about the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) is bluetooth pairing and connection trouble; for the Sony WH-1000XM6 it's comfort is hit or miss. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) | Sony WH-1000XM6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in noise-cancelling headphones | #1 | #2 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$$ |
| Type | Noise-cancelling | Noise-cancelling |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 13% | 14% |
| Overall score | 3.8 | 3.8 |
| Sound | 3.5 | 4.5 |
| Noise cancelling | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Comfort | 4.5 | 3.0 |
| Call quality | 3.5 | 4.0 |
| Battery | 3.5 | 4.5 |
| Durability | 3.0 | 2.5 |
Price tiers: $ under $150 · $$ $150–300 · $$$ over $300. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
- Bluetooth pairing and connection trouble
SoundGuys lists 'some connection issues' as a con and says pairing can need manual steps when Fast Pair fails. Amazon's summary says some owners have connection issues with non-Apple devices. Low-star Walmart reviews (syndicated from bose.com) call the Bluetooth 'terrible' and a 'nightmare', describe constant pairing prompts, and report a pair that wouldn't connect or power on after a week.
- Frustrating controls and a basic app
Tom's Guide lists 'woeful touch controls' as a con. SoundGuys calls the controls a bit confusing and the in-app EQ too simplistic. A 1-star Walmart review complains there's no mute button for Teams calls.
- Expensive, and not built for weather
Tom's Guide lists the price hike as a con. SoundGuys says the headphones are 'not even water-resistant' and scores build 6.9. Amazon owners disagree on value, with some calling them overpriced. A few low-star Walmart reviewers say ANC wasn't strong enough for office use or that a thumping noise appeared while traveling on roads.
Sony WH-1000XM6
- Comfort is hit or miss
SoundGuys' reviewer calls comfort his biggest gripe because the pads are thin. A January 2026 SoundGuys column says the earcups are shallow and small, the headband causes pressure within an hour, and the ANC mic sticks out about 2 mm and can rub the ear. Amazon's summary calls fit mixed, with some owners finding them too tight. Low-star reviews on Walmart (syndicated from sony.com) describe jaw pain, a headache after 15 minutes from clamping force, and a sore right ear. Wirecutter and Tom's Guide, by contrast, found them very comfortable.
- Cracking headband and fragile-feeling hinges
SoundGuys reported on 2026-08-05 that owners are finding the plastic ring at the end of the headband cracking, sometimes letting the slider come out. It cites at least 13 Reddit reports compiled by The Walkman Blog and says Sony doesn't cover the damage under warranty. Tom's Guide lists 'fragile-feeling articulating hinges' as a con. Amazon's summary says some owners report physical breakage under normal use, and a Walmart 1-star review describes a creaking headband.
- Bluetooth dropouts and buggy multipoint
Amazon's summary says some owners report Bluetooth connectivity issues. Low-star Walmart reviews describe audio cutting out constantly, multipoint between a MacBook and an iPhone that rarely switches properly, and a firmware update that broke audio in Zoom and Teams meetings. SoundGuys notes multipoint forces a lower-bitrate codec.
Who should pick which
Pick the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) if
Long flights where ANC and all-day comfort matter most
Glasses wearers (Amazon owners say the cushions don't pinch)
Wired lossless listening over USB-C
Skip it if: You want detailed EQ control; You need any water resistance; You already own the first-gen QC Ultra (SoundGuys and Tom's Guide say it's not worth upgrading)
Pick the Sony WH-1000XM6 if
Frequent flyers and commuters who want top-tier ANC and long battery
People who take a lot of calls
Android users who want LDAC and a detailed EQ
Skip it if: You have larger ears or are sensitive to clamping pressure; You need USB-C audio or any water resistance; You want to turn the ANC strength down (it isn't adjustable)
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