Tech in 2025: Sony WH-1000XM6 marks the return of the king of the headphone market
Another year filled with shiny gadgets and new technology is about to end. This year disappointed a lot of people and impressed a lot of people. The Sony WH-1000XM6 is one of the big attractions of 2025 as far as headphones go.
Every year, as a tech reviewer, I try out a number of gadgets. Some I like, some seem just fine, and some don’t work for me at all. And then, every once in a while, along comes a gadget that quietly claims its place, a gadget you don’t think twice about packing in your travel bag, reaching for or recommending. As the year 2025 comes to a close, one of the products that I miss a lot is the Sony WH-1000XM6. I have used it frequently since it launched in India in August and it brings a smile to my face every day.
Sony’s WH-1000XM lineup has always set the benchmark for noise-canceling headphones. But this year, with the
Under the hood, the Sony WH-1000XM6 packs the latest QN3 noise-canceling processor, paired with a 12-microphone array that promises to deliver excellent ANC and crystal-clear call quality. The headphones use 40mm drivers with carbon-fiber diaphragms for powerful, detailed sound, and support high-resolution wireless codecs like LDAC for better streaming over Bluetooth.
Connectivity has also been improved with Bluetooth 5.4, multi-device pairing, Auracast support, and Google Fast Pair and Swift Pair. Battery life is about 30 hours with ANC on, and a five-minute quick charge gives about 30 minutes of playback. And while these specifications look impressive on paper, they proved to be just as solid in our review. You can read it here: Sony WH-1000XM6 review: Great sound, great ANC and all-day comfort.
As the year comes to an end and I look back at the gadgets that meant the most to me, the XM6 easily comes up. In fact, for me, it’s hard to call these anything other than the best wireless headphones of 2025. And these aren’t just flowery words from fans about a favorite brand or device. The XM6 receives this praise for all the right reasons.
It ticks every box – at least the ones I look for in a premium pair of headphones – and not just comfort and sound quality. But there’s also reliability, stability, and a clear sense that the product actually justifies its premium price tag.
Minimal and comfortable design
At first glance, the XM6 doesn’t seem “new”, and that may not be a bad thing. With its flagship wireless headphones, Sony has created a distinctive minimalist design language, and with the XM6, the brand is heading down the same path. The headphones sport a clean look that feels nothing but premium. Although the first glance may seem familiar, it is only when you look closer that you realize the difference.
With the XM6, Sony has brought back the foldable design, and that alone makes a difference. The headphones fold neatly into a more compact case, making them much easier to travel with. This is also one of the main reasons why the XM6 never leaves my bag, be it a large backpack or a casual party sling.
And while I liked the design of the headphones, I was equally impressed by the case. I’m using the white color option, and the case matches the color of the headphones, at least, and now uses a magnetic closure instead of a zip. It seems much more practical and easier to use.
These good looks are paired with just the right weight for comfort. At around 254 grams the XM6 are impressively light for a flagship over-ear headphone. Add to this the plush ear cushions, a well-padded headband, and a smooth hinge mechanism, and there were moments when I actually forgot I was wearing a great pair of headphones. It felt like it was a soft pillow gently covering my ears, especially comforting in these winter days, keeping out both noise and cold.
In fact, these headphones often don’t come off my head, not only during travel but also during long working days. The XM6 definitely helped me keep focused on my work while drowning out the constant chatter of the newsroom. Of course, my manager was not happy with having to call me two or three times every time I needed to be called. But hey, don’t blame me. This is the noise cancellation of the XM6!
There was one area where I think the headphones could have been better: comfort during an active lifestyle. These are not gym headphones as their pads start feeling slippery after a little sweat.
Best in noise cancellation. Duration
However, the main reason why I consider the XM6 to be one of the tech highlights of 2025 is their improved noise cancellation. Powered by Sony’s new QN3 noise-canceling chip and 12-microphone setup, the XM6 delivers exactly what it promises. There’s no doubt that these are the best ANC headphones – or earphones – I’ve used this year.
Flights, overnight train trips, traffic noise, newsroom conversations, the XM6 handled it all with ease. It created the kind of peace that allowed me to concentrate, relax, or enjoy the music without distraction. In fact once the music started, the outside world almost completely disappeared.
The good ANC performance is enhanced and helped by the great sound quality the XM6 can produce. The Sony My usual playlists move between pop, Bollywood, K-pop, rock and hip-hop and various genres, the XM6 sounds consistently great. At least to my ears, tracks on the XM6 sound catchy, vocals remain crisp, and the bass hits with impact without ever overwhelming the mix.
Now the XM6 is definitely not a pair for audiophiles who want more neutral headphones, instead it focuses more on enjoyable sound. This works great for me.
Another highlight here is the battery life of the XM6. Sony promises up to 30 hours of battery life, and in real-world use, that claim is comfortably held up. I mean I’ve been using it for several months now and I’ve never encountered an issue with the battery where it’s frustratingly or annoyingly low. Often I charge the XM6 once a week, mostly on weekends when I’m away from work and the usual hustle and bustle. Charging also happens quickly. In about an hour you’re back at full power, and a short five-minute top-up provides about 30 minutes of playback.
Best headphones of 2025? Absolutely
After using the Sony 1000XM6 as my daily audio driver for several months, I can comfortably say this: these headphones get almost everything right. And I’ve tried quite a number of headphones this year. It’s not perfect, but it’s fairly balanced and meets most of the regular – but sensible – demands of users.
The XM6 sounds great, cancels out noise better than anything else I’ve used this year, lasts forever on a charge, and is comfortable enough to wear all day. The return of the foldable design and the thoughtful new case feels like the cherry on the cake.
Yes, there are some caveats. The XM6 is not for gym sessions, and audiophiles looking for strict neutrality will want something more balanced. But for anyone willing to spend the premium price on a premium set of cans – these certainly aren’t cheap at a market price of around Rs 38,000 – the XM6 should do a great job. He did this in 2025. And I believe it will be difficult for others to beat it even in 2026.
