Sonos Ace Ultra vs Sony WH-1000XM6: which noise cancelling headphones should you buy?
Which noise cancelling headphones are better, the Sonos Ace Ultra or the Sony WH-1000XM6? I tested both side by side — here’s my verdict.
The Sonos Ace Ultra and Sony WH-1000XM6 are both premium noise cancelling headphones that have received high praise. The Sonos Ace Ultra, released in September 2026, are priced at $449 / £399 / AU$699 and offer excellent audio performance with good movie audio and excellent Sonos ecosystem interactivity. However, they lack full foldability, lack LDAC support, and do not sound as detailed as the XM6.
On the other hand, the Sony WH-1000XM6, released back in May 2025, also cost $449 / £399 / AU$699. They deliver class-leading ANC, fantastic sound quality, and incredible touch controls. The Sony WH-1000XM6 also feature super-clean touch controls, an ultra-comfortable fit, and a ton of features at your disposal. However, they do have slightly weaker battery life and a bulkier look compared to the Ace Ultra.
Both headphones share similar features such as extensive EQ options, multi-band custom options, wired and Bluetooth connectivity, wear detection, and impressive ANC. The Sony WH-1000XM6 have a slight edge in noise cancelling due to their larger microphone system and a very slight edge in overall performance, but the Sonos Ace Ultra provides wider ecosystem support and native Dolby Atmos support, which sets them apart. Ultimately, both headphones offer incredible quality and justify their price tag.
Written by urgent.news from TechRadar's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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