Every couple of years, Bose and Sony trade blows in an effort to claim the title of the best noise-canceling headphones you can buy. Until recently, Bose's QuietComfort Ultra (9/10, WIRED Recommends) had the edge, offering world-crushing cancellation that bested Sony's still-great WH-1000XM5 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) and other top models from the likes of JBL, Sonos, and Apple.

Now, Sony's back with its latest WH-1000 model, the predictably titled WH-1000XM6 (9/10, WIRED Recommends). The new pair offers an almost startling armament of microphones and noise-cancellation tech, along with improved sound, style, and features. So can it claim the title? Let's dive into the details.

Look and Feel

Starting with aesthetics, neither of these plastic-clad models stands out like Apple’s iconic (and heavy) AirPods Max, but both manage to blaze their own trail to match premium pricing with a posh design.

Sony’s XM6 gets a refreshed plastic matte exterior that feels both grittier and more robust than its predecessor. Along with extra style points, the new design rectifies one of the XM5's biggest detractions with a new hinge point along the arms that once again makes Sony's best wireless headphones foldable for travel. This leads to a more travel-friendly case, including a design refresh that swaps the zipper top for a convenient magnetic flap.

As for the all-important fit, the XM6 rely on thick padding and clamping force along the earcups to keep them secure, but the headband pad is surprisingly thin. The headphones are still comfortable for hours of wear, especially once you break them in, but the band t...