Sony's new flagship XM6 headphones are here — but there's a catch
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On May 15, Sony released its newest flagship headphones, the noise-cancelling WH-1000XM6 headphones. The new headphones have improved noise cancellation and sound, but there's a catch — they cost $449.99. That's about $50 more than the previous version, and hardly a surprise in the tariff era. Still, that's a big ask for music lovers.
As I noted in my full review, "other flagship headphones from brands like Bose, Dyson, Sonos, and Apple have all come in at $449 and above. If you're a music lover who wants the best possible sound, that's the new price of admission, folks."
Mashable has been testing the new wireless headphones over the past couple weeks, and you can read our full review of the new cans (spoiler alert: they sound fantastic). But if you're ready to pass go, drop $450, and collect your new headphones, you can already purchase them at Sony, Amazon, Best Buy, and other retailers.
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Sony's flagship headphones always rank among the very best noise-cancelling headphones, and the XM6 are no exception. In this post, we'll cover what's new, what's not, and other need-to-know details on the latest Sony noise cancellers.
Meet the new XM6 headphones: The specs
You can't release a new product in 2025 without adding some type of AI feature, even if you have to use the term AI liberally. However, Sony really did add a faster chip (seven times faster, the company says), the Sony QN3 processor. That chip powers improved noise cancellation, particularly for phone calls. The other improvements definitely fall into the iterative category, with one big exception: these headphones now fold.
And here are the specs:
Processor: Sony QN3
Microphones: 12
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 (LDAC support)
Battery: 30 hours with ANC (40 hours without)
Noise cancellation: Active noise cancellation
Spatial audio: Yes
Colors: Midnight blue, black, silver
The Sony XM6 Headphones: What's new?
For the new headphones, Sony audio engineers worked with mastering engineers here in the United States to improve the overall audio quality. And when directly comparing them to the XM5 headphones and wireless earbuds, there is a noticeable improvement. (How much better? Read our full XM6 review to find out.)
For call quality, additional microphones and "AI beamforming" provide clearer, more directional sound. For calls, the headphones also feature two additional microphones.
Most importantly, the new headphones are more travel-friendly. The case is slimmer and smaller than the XM5 case. They also trade the terrible, easily broken zipper for a magnetic latch. While the case might not look much smaller, in person, it's significantly more compact. And here's the big news: The headphones now fold up for storage.
The XM6 Headphones: What's not new?
While Dyson's OnTrac headphones were able to achieve a mighty impressive 55 hours of battery with ANC, the XM6 headphones have exactly the same battery life as the previous model. That's pretty disappointing. (Though, unless you're taking back-to-back 20-hour flights, I'm not sure anyone really needs more than 30 hours of playback at a time.) I would also class the noise cancellation and audio improvements as a matter of degrees, not miles. Considering it's been three years since the previous model, I was hoping for a little more.
Honestly, it's looking like noise-cancelling headphones like this have pretty much plateaued. Just look at the non-existent changes Apple made to the "new" AirPods Max headphones. At least Sony included noticeable audio quality improvements, a new processor, and a big new design change.
Where to buy the Sony XM6 Headphones
If you've been eagerly waiting for Sony's new headphones, you can order them now from Sony, Amazon, and Best Buy. The headphones have a $449.99 price tag and come in three colors, Midnight blue, black, and silver.
Timothy Beck Werth is the Tech Editor at Mashable, where he leads coverage and assignments for the Tech and Shopping verticals. Tim has over 15 years of experience as a journalist and editor, and he has particular experience covering and testing consumer technology, smart home gadgets, and men’s grooming and style products. Previously, he was the Managing Editor and then Site Director of SPY.com, a men's product review and lifestyle website. As a writer for GQ, he covered everything from bull-riding competitions to the best Legos for adults, and he’s also contributed to publications such as The Daily Beast, Gear Patrol, and The Awl.
Tim studied print journalism at the University of Southern California. He currently splits his time between Brooklyn, NY and Charleston, SC. He's currently working on his second novel, a science-fiction book.
