Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods Max: after hours of testing, these are the noise cancelling headphones I’d buy

The Sony WH-1000XM6 are easily some of the best headphones to come out of 2025. They’ve wowed with brilliantly balanced audio, supreme noise cancelling capabilities, and fun-loving features. But here at TechRadar, we wanted to find out – are they able to topple the Apple AirPods Max?

The AirPods Max star in our guide to the best noise cancelling headphones and are awesome for Apple users with Spatial Audio compatibility, Auto Switching and the like. But their adept sound quality and beautiful looks may even tempt some Android fans too.

It’s been a few years since the Apple AirPods Max hit the shelves, so can they compete with the Sony WH-1000XM6? Well, I’ve tested both side by side for hours on end to find out, so that you don’t have to. So, which headphones should you buy? All will be revealed in good time…

Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods Max: price and availability

The Sony WH-1000XM6 launched in May 2025, more than four years after the Apple AirPods Max. Sony’s new cans cost $449 / £399 / AU$699, which is by no means cheap.

But when they’re not on sale – which is pretty common – the AirPods Max come in at a much higher price-point. Yes, they’ll typically set you back $549 / £499 / AU$899 – $100 / £100 / AU$200 more than the XM6. We’ll come to whether they’re worth that extra cash a little later on…

Each model comes in a range of colors, with the XM6 available in: Black, Midnight Blue, or Platinum Silver. There are a good number of color variants for the AirPods Max – the variant I tested was Green, but that doesn’t appear to be so widely available at the moment. The main options I spotted on the Apple website were: Blue, Midnight (Black), Orange, Purple, and Starlight (Cream).

Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods Max: specs

Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods Max: features

As you’d expect from headphones with high pricetags, both the WH-1000XM6 and AirPods Max are rammed full of features. But what’s on offer is fairly different, largely due to the AirPods Max being optimized for iOS devices only.

So, let’s talk through a few of those iOS-oriented features. One fantastic inclusion is Automatic Switching, which seamlessly connects to your iPhone, iPad, or MacBook, without you having to manually link your cans to each device. This is super handy if you want to switch between a work call on your laptop and listening to music on your phone, say. While these headphones don’t have the traditional multi-point connectivity you’ll find on the WH-1000XM6, anyone deep in the Apple ecosystem needn't worry about that.

Other nuggets include the option to share audio between two sets of AirPods from any Apple source device – like the Apple TV 4K – so you and a second user can tune in to the same media simultaneously. There’s also One-tap setup, Siri integration, and Conversation Boost – the latter cranks up the volume of conversations when you're in transparency mode.

The XM6, meanwhile, aren’t significantly restricted, no matter if you’re an Android or iOS user – but there are a couple of aspects worth noting. Firstly, if you want higher-res Bluetooth music listening, you’ll need to activate LDAC – something that’s on most Android phones, but missing on Apple. Secondly, Spatial audio and head tracking are here – but they only work on certain devices that support Android's built-in head tracking, not including iPhones.

But enough of the exclusive stuff – let’s compare the big one. That’s right, it’s time to talk noise cancellation. Is this a tight contest? Well, no. I’ll get to it – the Sony WH-1000XM6 are the kings of ANC right now, and possess the greatest noise-crushing capabilities I’ve ever experienced – yes, even better than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones.

The AirPods Max do perform well in this department and will cut out surrounding chatter and dampen harsher sounds. But for a near-silent listening experience, it’s Sony all the way.

One other area where the XM6 outperform the AirPods Max is battery life. You get 30 hours with ANC on from the Sony's, which is pretty standard for premium cans in this price range. The AirPods Max, meanwhile, can only supply an underwhelming 20 hours – even at the point of release, this was hardly commendable.

I also have to say that the Sony Sound Connect companion app is rammed full of so many useful features that both Android and Apple users can enjoy. There’s scene-based listening, touch controls, a Find Your Equalizer test, and so much more. When it comes to the pure depth on offer, it’s hard to beat the XM6.

Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods Max: sound quality

As we saw in the features section, it’s undeniable that the AirPods Max were built with iOS devices in mind.

They harness the power of Apple’s Spatial Audio, opening up a beautifully expansive, immersive sound that actually outperformed my expectations for both music and movies – I’m an Android guy, cut me some slack. I really enjoyed the expansive, full sound of the AirPods Max, and they even sounded vibrant and open when connecting up to an Android phone.

Just generally, the AirPods Max plate up a pleasantly detailed, well-balanced sound that doesn’t skimp on impactful bass. But that bass isn’t just meaty – it’s also precise and rhythmic, and doesn’t overshadow expressive treble or rich mids. But alas, they’re still not quite up to the standard of Sony’s latest cans.

See, when it comes to sound quality, the WH-1000XM6 are about as good as it gets in this price class. They were built in partnership with leading mastering engineers, which is evident in their immaculate balance across all frequencies.

They offer an even more dynamic, beautifully separated, and open sound than the AirPods Max – which is impressive given their significantly lower cost. They also have Cinema mode, which upmixes stereo content to a more immersive format.

I mentioned it earlier, but the Sony cans also bring LDAC to the table, which helps you unlock higher resolution audio. AirPods Max also support Apple’s Lossless audio via USB-C thanks to a recent update, provided you're prepared to go wired, which sounds wonderful. Again – for me, the AirPods Max remain a fantastic-sounding pair of headphones, but the newer XM6 are just a cut above.

Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods Max: design

OK, it’s been all Sony so far, but this is where things get a little different. Personally, I love the look of the AirPods Max. These are still some of the best-looking headphones out there, with a premium-looking stainless steel exterior, mesh headband, and memory foam earcups. And despite their above-average weight, they’re extremely comfortable, never feeling irritating in use, even after hours of consecutive listening.

Can the same be said for the WH-1000XM6? Well, partially.

They also have a fairly luxurious look to them, with no stitching on the front of the headband unlike the Sony WH-1000XM5, attractive textured appearance, and minimalistic vibe. They don’t use the same premium-looking materials as the AirPods Max, and they have less interesting color options too. I’m also not a massive fan of the decently chunky earcups, but that’s just personal preference.

It’s not totally plain sailing for Apple, though. While they win in the looks department, they’re certainly losers when it comes to practicality. The AirPods Max don’t have folding hinges like the XM6, meaning they’re not as compact. They also use physical controls, which some may welcome, but I prefer the highly responsive, intuitive touch controls of the XM6.

Finally, let’s talk about that AirPods Max case. It’s been said many times before, but it’s frankly ridiculous. It only covers the earcups themselves rather than the whole product, and looks plain goofy. The XM6, meanwhile, come with a magnetic case – and yes, it’s a proper full-sized case.

If you purchase a separate case, I’d have to hand this category to the AirPods Max, overall. They’re just more beautiful, eye-catching, and high-end (looks-wise). I do hope the next Apple headphones come with the option of touch controls, though. Sorry, XM6 – love the folding, but I just don’t think you’re as attention grabbing.

Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods Max: value

That was a close one, but I tell you what isn’t – which pair of headphones is better value for money. It is, of course the Sony WH-1000XM6.

Sony’s flagships just have it all, don’t they? Mind-blowingly good sound. Top-of-the-range noise cancellation. A boat-load of features… I’d keep going but we’ll be here all day. They just outshine the AirPods Max on a technical level – even if they’re not as pretty.

And given that they’re typically $100 / £100 / AU$200 less than the AirPods Max, it’s pretty one-sided.

Sure, if you’ve got a range of Apple devices, the sheer practicality of Auto Switching and Spatial-Audio-oriented sound might prove tempting. But you can always use the 3.5mm connection on the XM6 to swiftly hook up to your laptop without pairing. And the XM6 will sound fantastic to Apple users, even without Spatial Audio.

Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods Max: verdict

So, if you’ve got this far, you’ll probably have guessed it. Mmhmm, the Sony WH-1000XM6 are the overall winner for me, and a better value option for most of you out there.

I have to give the AirPods Max their flowers. They outstripped my expectations with tantalizingly open, yet cohesive audio for music and movies alike. They’re also blessed in the looks department, and have highly useful ease-of-use features for Apple device owners.

But the lower price, superior sound quality, and top-tier noise cancelling of the XM6 has proved a little too hot for Apple’s over-ears to handle. Would you agree? Do you own either of these models and have thoughts of your own? I’d love to hear from you, so let me know your thoughts in the comments!

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