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Sony WH-1000XM6 vs AirPods Max: Which premium ANC headphones should you buy this Black Friday?

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Here's the headphones I would get myself

Sony WH-1000XM6 and Apple AirPods Max
(Image credit: Tom's guide)
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It's Black Friday, which means excellent prices on very desirable headphones. The headphones in point: Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods Max.

For example, right now you can buy the AirPods Max from Amazon for $429, which is $120 off for the latest USB-C model. Meanwhile, the WH-1000XM6 is this year's entrant from Sony. The WH-1000XM6 are even cheaper at $398 at Amazon, which is $61 off. But should you choose them over Apple's aluminum cans? Let's find out.

Apple AirPods Max
Apple AirPods Max: was $549 now $429 at Amazon

The Apple AirPods Max are a great-sounding, looking and feeling pair of noise-canceling headphones. They offer Spatial Audio support, last for 20 hours on charge and come in five colors. They're down to a great price for Black Friday sales.

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Sony WH-1000XM6
Sony WH-1000XM6: was $459 now $398 at Amazon

Sony's latest headphones are a comfortable pair of cans with excellent ANC and solid sound. You get improved vocal clarity and a much longer 30 hours of battery life with ANC enabled. You'll save $61 right now.

View Deal

Want a more comfortable fit?

A woman wearing white Sony WH-1000XM6 noise-cancelling headphones

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

The AirPods max with their lovely padded earcups and soft headband are a very comfortable pair of headphones, but their weight does mean they can start to cause issues after a while.

The much lighter XM6, on the other hand, are more comfortable over longer periods of time,. So if you're looking for comfortable headphones Sony is the way to go.

Want the best ANC?

Sony WH-1000XM6

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Both options have excellent noise canceling, but in my Sony WH-1000XM6 vs AirPods Max face-off I preferred the ANC from the Sony's. The WH-1000XM6 do a better job of blocking out everyday sounds like buses and trains, as well as the din of your office. But the AirPods Max are still quite good for blocking out the roar of that plane engine on cross-country flights.

Want the best sound quality?

The AirPods Max USB-C in a photo studio

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

The Sony WH-1000XM6 are great if you want bass. They're a warm sounding headphone, and feature excellent vocal clarity. They sound good.

But if you're interested in excellent sound then you'll want to pick the the AirPods Max. They're more spacious, more detailed and more revealing. Add in the USB-C audio mode and you've a great pair of wireless headphones for audiophiles.

Want the most features?

Black and white models of the Sony WH-1000XM6 noise-cancelling headphones outdoors in sunshine

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

The AirPods Max are the best option for Apple users, with loads of features if you wield an iPhone, a Macbook and an iPod on the daily. Think Spatial Audio, multi-connect and more.

The Sony WH-1000XM6, on the other hand, have more features for everyone. Adjustable EQ, personalized spatial audio, and more. If you want more features, these are the way to go.

What about the hardcase?

The hard case for Sony WH-1000XM6 noise-cancelling headphones on a marble table

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

If you want a protective hard case in the box, don't buy the AirPods Max. The case in the box is a strange slip-case thing, and it doesn't cover enough of the headphones to be truly protective.

The Sony headphones have a very good case. It's got a helpful magnetic clasp to stay closed, and keeps your headphones safe from damage.

Which headphones should you buy this Black Friday?

Sony WH-1000XM6

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

The AirPods Max are very good. They're supremely well made, offer excellent features, and they sound really good. If you're an Apple user, they should be close to the top of your list of "headphones you should buy."

But the Sony WH-1000XM6 are going to be more things to more people. They're more comfortable than the AirPods Max, feature better ANC and have extras like customizable EQ. And the case is something I'd actually want to use.

For more discounts, check out our Amazon Black Friday deals live blog and our main Black Friday deals live blog.

Shop today's best Black Friday deals

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Tammy Rogers
Tammy Rogers
Audio Editor

Tammy and her generous collection of headphones have found a new home — Tom's Guide! After a two-and-a-half-year stint as iMore's resident audiophile, Tammy's reviews and buying guide expertise have more focus than ever on Tom's Guide, helping buyers find the audio gear that works best for them. Tammy has worked with some of the most desirable audio brands on the planet in her time writing about headphones, speakers, and more, bringing a consumer focussed approach to critique and buying advice. Away from her desk, you'll probably find her in the countryside writing (extremely bad) poetry, or putting her screenwriting Masters to good use creating screenplays that'll never see the light of day.

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