Headphones
Sound, noise cancellation & comfort
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Best forNoise cancellation with USB-C listening
The second-generation Ultra adds USB-C listening to an already capable noise-cancelling design. That is a useful distinction from Sony’s XM6, though the overall upgrade is modest for owners of the original Bose model. Fit and connection needs are better reasons to choose it than the promise of a dramatic generational leap.
- Noise cancellation
- Quiet and Aware listening modes
- USB-C audio
- USB-C lossless listening
- Sound adjustment
- Bose app EQ
- Carrying protection
- Included
Reasons to choose it
- Strong ANC and a folding design.
- Wired digital audio through USB-C.
Before you buy
Incremental upgrade for existing Ultra owners.
3 review sourcesSony WH-1000XM6
Best forTravel isolation with extensive customization
Strong noise cancellation, extensive sound controls and a folding design make the XM6 easy to recommend for frequent travel. Comfort is the point on which the reviews disagree, so buy somewhere with a sensible return policy. There is no USB-C audio; Bose’s second-generation Ultra is the alternative if that connection matters.
- Noise cancellation
- Adaptive ANC and transparency
- USB-C audio
- No; charging only
- Sound adjustment
- Sony Sound Connect; 10-band EQ
- Carrying protection
- Included; magnetic closure
Reasons to choose it
- Strong isolation supported by more than one test publication.
- Folding travel design and extensive sound controls.
Before you buy
No wired USB-C listening.
3 review sources1 benchmark datasets include at least two selected models. See Benchmarks for results and test conditions.