Image: SonyWhat it gets right
- Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
- Detailed, energetic sound that works across many genres
- Clear call quality and useful automatic controls
- Folding design is practical for travel
The compromises
- Battery life trails several cheaper rivals
- Touch controls can react to accidental brushes
- The full price is difficult to justify for owners of the XM5
Buy it—or leave it?
- Noise cancellation is your first priority
- You commute or fly regularly
- You want one pair for music, calls and travel
- You already own WH-1000XM5 headphones
- Maximum battery life matters most
- You rarely listen outside a quiet home
What would you like to do now?
Choose the route that matches how confident you feel. The free review stays free whichever route you choose.
Check today’s price
Around £349 launched at £399
Confirm the exact model and storage with the retailer before paying.
Retailer link last checked 8 August 2026These are Amazon affiliate links. UKTechExpert may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. How this worksCompare the Sony XM6 with the Momentum 5
Compare noise cancellation, sound, battery life and comfort before choosing your premium headphones.
Compare the Sony XM6 with the Momentum 5Free UKTechExpert guidanceBrowse the audio products we have reviewed
Compare other audio products using the same plain-English review approach.
Browse reviewed audioFree UKTechExpert guidanceWhat it is actually like
Open any section for the detail behind our verdict.
01Noise cancellation
Low engine rumble, train noise and office hum are reduced extremely effectively, while the automatic mode changes behaviour as the environment changes. Sudden voices are harder for any headphone to erase completely, but Sony remains one of the most convincing options for creating useful quiet.
02Sound and calls
Music has strong detail and a sense of energy without forcing every owner into manual equaliser settings. The companion app still allows adjustment for people who want it. Multiple microphones keep calls intelligible in ordinary street and office conditions, a real practical improvement over buying only for music.
03Comfort and battery
The lighter folding design is comfortable for long journeys, although fit always varies by head shape. Roughly a working week's commuting is realistic between charges, but Sennheiser's Momentum 5 lasts much longer and has a replaceable battery.
Price and value
The WH-1000XM6 launched at £349 and becomes far easier to recommend around £349. At full price, compare the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen for comfort and the Sennheiser Momentum 5 for battery life and value.
Price last checked 17 August 2026This price check is more than two weeks old. Use the retailer link for the latest price; this review is temporarily excluded from the buying finder until the price is refreshed.
Who will notice the difference?
Flights and rail travel
Class-leading noise reduction and a folding case make this the strongest situation.
Hybrid work
Clear calls, multipoint connection and good comfort suit switching between phone and laptop.
Week-long battery without charging
Sennheiser's Momentum 5 is the better endurance choice.
What else should you consider?
£349 · Bose competes most directly on noise cancellation and comfort. Sennheiser offers dramatically longer battery life and a replaceable battery for less money. Sony's advantage is having the fewest weak areas across sound, quiet, calls and travel.
Our review process
This research-based verdict uses Sony's feature and battery claims alongside independent listening and noise-cancellation testing. The score includes current discounting and directly compares battery longevity with the existing Sennheiser Momentum 5 review.
Read our editorial standards