Sony WF-1000XM6: Not Quite Best in Class

Sony’s flagship earbuds aren’t the best in class anymore.

Engadget’s latest round-up puts the WF-1000XM6 in the familiar lanes of “great-sounding, sometimes muddled by some real-world tradeoffs.” The review recap notes two sticking points that keep the XM6 from a clean sweep: ANC performance and voice quality that don’t clearly outpace rivals, plus a fit problem tied to Sony’s foam tips that users either love or dismiss. In other words, the XM6 still sound excellent, but they no longer feel like the indisputable top pick in the crowded premium earbud market.

From a design and usability standpoint, the XM6 is a classic Sony play: refined sound with a comfort-focused, if polarizing, tip approach. The foam tips can seal the ear well and deliver satisfying bass, but the fit isn’t universally comfortable, and some testers report that the same tips create issues over longer listening sessions. And while Sony has refreshed the tuning and added features, Engadget’s testers say the improvements aren’t enough to clearly beat the competition on the two hot metrics buyers care about in 2026: noise cancellation in real-world environments and how clearly you come through on calls.

Industry context matters here. The true-wireless market is brutally competitive: premium rivals have chased not just neutral sound, but cleaner ANC and more reliable microphone performance in windy open-air and bustling city scenes. The XM6 remains competitive on pure sound quality—the classic Sony balance of warmth and detail—but “best-in-class ANC” isn’t the line it’s selling itself on in this round. That leaves a nuanced decision for buyers: you can count on Sony’s signature sound, but you should be honest about whether you need the strongest possible noise control or the clearest mic for calls in tricky environments.

For practitioners watching the space, a few concrete takeaways jump out. First, there’s an undeniable design tradeoff between driver size, seal, and comfort. Big drivers and powerful ANC can come at the expense of fit stability, and even slight seal variation shifts bass and mids in a way that makes consistent listening taste-dependent. Second, mic performance isn’t just about the array on the buds; the ecosystem and app support matter—testers note that some software features help, but there’s no magic fix for real-world wind or crowd noise. Third, battery life under active noise cancellation remains a constraint; for many listeners, ANC inevitably draws more power, nudging you toward shorter sessions or more frequent charging. Finally, the space is evolving quickly, and brands like Apple and Samsung are pushing their own ANC and mic tech in ways that redefine “best” each year rather than every few cycles.

So, who should buy versus skip? If you’re chasing Sony’s distinct sound profile and you’re already happy with the XM5’s fit and ANC, the XM6 is a subtle step up in some areas but not a must-have upgrade. If you’re shopping new and you prize the strongest possible ANC and crystal-clear calls in noisy environments, you’ll likely find better value elsewhere—or you’ll want to wait for Sony’s next iteration.

Head-to-head with the obvious alternatives, the XM6 still holds its own on tonality, but rivals often pull ahead in the two most scrutinized categories: active cancellation and call quality. If your daily routine hinges on quiet commutes and reliable outdoor calls, you’ll notice the difference.

Verdict: Skip upgrading from the XM5 for most buyers; wait for a stronger leap in ANC and call performance, or explore rivals that currently edge ahead in those fronts.

Sources

Engadget review recap: Sony WF-1000XM6, ASUS Zenbook Duo and more