Sony
Sony WF-1000XM6
S
Ranked #1 in Earbuds
Backed by 4 cited sources
Covered by 4 outlets
The 2026 consensus flagship: class-leading noise cancellation and sound quality that What Hi-Fi says sets a new benchmark at this level. Expensive, but nothing else nails every category this convincingly.
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Key features
- ✓ Class-leading ANC (~88% average noise reduction)
- ✓ Benchmark sound quality with LDAC hi-res support
- ✓ Much-improved microphone system
- ✓ Strong battery life with customizable EQ
The sources behind this ranking
4 cited sources cover Sony WF-1000XM6. Here's the stance each one takes.
S 3 A 1
W 
What Hi-Fi? Ranked #1 in their best wireless earbuds guide; says the XM6 'sound out-of-this-world' and put in an all-round performance good enough to worry every major rival, putting the Technics AZ100 and Bose in the shade. S Read → R 
RTINGS Named the best wireless earbuds RTINGS has tested, with 88% average noise reduction and a 4.8/5 sound quality score. S Read → T 
Tom's Guide 'My dream earbuds are here' - excellent sound, customizable EQ, great battery, and ANC that delivers complete silence even in loud situations. S Read → T 
TechRadar Calls them Sony's best earbuds yet, though headlines that they're 'not the best you can buy' - TechRadar prefers the Technics AZ100 overall. A Read →
Top picks in Earbuds
S Technics EAH-AZ100
#2 A Apple AirPods Pro 3
#3 A Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
#4 A Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro
#5 A Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4
#6 A Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
#7 B Bowers & Wilkins Pi8
#8 B Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
#9 B Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
#10 B Nothing Ear
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