Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones — this is the pair you should buy for Black Friday

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Which are the ANC headphones for you?

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So you've been saving for months to get the newest pair of noise canceling headphones around — but which do you buy? Black Friday has just dropped prices, so you're going to need to make a decision. Fast.

Is it the Sony WH-1000XM6? The jack of all trades of headphones that block out loads of noise and offer 30 hours of battery. Or is it the second-generation Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, which block out even more noise but don't quite have as many features? Don't worry, I have the answer for you.

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

The latest Sony flagship headphones offer great sound, excellent ANC, and 30 hours of battery life. They're also packed with features, like spatial audio and a customizable EQ.

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Bose Quietcomfort Ultra Headphones gen 2
Lowest price!
Bose Quietcomfort Ultra Headphones gen 2: was $449 now $399 at Amazon

Bose's flagship headphones are the best way to block noise. Their noise canceling is the very best around, and they offer strong audio quality with up to 30 hours of battery life.

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Do you want the best noise canceling?

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

The Sony WH-1000XM6 are very good at blocking noise. Their ANC is amongst the best noise-canceling headphones, doing a great job of keeping the outside world at bay.

But they're simply not as impressive as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones gen 2. They have the best ANC of any pair of headphones you can buy. There is no noise that the Bose headphones struggle with — it's hard to imagine noise canceling getting better.

Do you want the best sound quality?

Sony WH-1000XM6

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Both headphones sound good, with warm sound signatures and plenty of detail. Neither will disappoint you if you pick them and stick them on your head.

But the Sony headphones sound better. They pay more attention to the finer parts of your music, with better vocal clarity and more control in the low end. If you care about the way that your music sounds, you should buy the WH-1000XM6.

Do you want the best comfort?

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Both headphones are very light and comfortable, and you won't have any problems with wearing them for longer periods of time.

The QuietComfort Ultra Headphones take the prize though. They feature plusher foam, and a more comfortable fit overall. I've been able to wear them all day before without them feeling uncomfortable. Want cushy cans? Buy the QC Ultra.

Do you want the best battery life?

A man wearing black Sony WH-1000XM6 noise-cancelling headphones with sunglasses

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

With ANC turned on, both headphones offer ample 30 hours of battery life. That's plenty of juice to get you through a few days use.

Sony does offer more battery life overall though. If you turn off the ANC, you can bring the battery life up to 40 hours, giving you more staying power in a pinch. If you want the longer lasting headphones, then get the Sony cans.

Do you want the most features?

Sony WH-1000XM6

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Being flagship headphones, both the Sony and Bose are packed with features. EQ, spatial audio, noise control settings, and more.

But the Sony WH-1000XM6 simply have more options. There's more granular EQ, and better ANC modes. The application is also easier to use than the Bose app.

Which headphones should you buy?

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

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No matter which pair of headphones you go for, you're going to have a good time. They're both comfortable cans that offer great ANC and excellent sound. But there can be only one that you take home this Black Friday — and that pair should be the Sony WH-1000XM6.

They offer more battery life, better sound, and more options in the app. The ANC gets close to the Bose headphones, and they're still very comfortable. As Black Friday settles in, the XM6 are the headphones you should buy. But keep an eye on further price drops to help you decide.

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

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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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