Short answer: the Sony WH-1000XM6, if you are buying new. The Bose QuietComfort 35 II ranks higher than it (#136 vs #211 of 231 over-ear headphones, 3.4/5 vs 2.3/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Sony WH-1000XM6 is still sold new at $378.
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II is the better-sounding pick. Active noise cancelling and a 20 hour battery make it a practical choice for commuting and flights. Watch for: Bluetooth 4.0 and no aptX or LDAC support limit wireless audio quality and connection features compared with newer models.
The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the longer-running choice. Active noise cancelling, up to 30 hours of battery with ANC on (40 with it off) and LDAC, AAC and LC3 support cover most wireless needs, and a cable can be used too. It is rated for 30 hours of battery against 20 for the Bose QuietComfort 35 II. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the Bose QuietComfort 35 II lacks. The catch: An 11.5 dB dip near 8.1 kHz and treble about 3 dB under target leave cymbals and detail muted, so the sound is dark and heavy rather than balanced, with a preference score of only 43.
Buy the Sony WH-1000XM6 new; the Bose QuietComfort 35 II is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bose QuietComfort 35 II | Sony WH-1000XM6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $378.99 Discontinued | $378.00 |
| Ranked | #136 of 231 in Over-Ear Headphones | #211 of 231 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 69 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 43 (median of 4 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.61 dB standard deviation | 3.41 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.81 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.83 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wireless and wired | Wireless and wired |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (240 g) | 0.6 lbs (254 g) |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (40 with ANC off, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Sub-bass Extension | - | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+7.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Driver Type | - | Dynamic |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 30mm dynamic |
| Impedance | - | 48 ohms |
| Sensitivity | - | 103 dB/mW |
| Frequency Response | - | 4Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How Bose QuietComfort 35 II compares with other leading options:
- Focal Azurys vs Bose QuietComfort 35 II
- Bose QuietComfort 35 II vs Fairphone Fairbuds XL
- Bowers & Wilkins Px8 vs Sony WH-1000XM6
- Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless vs Sony WH-1000XM6
- Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Sony WH-1000XM6
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Bose QuietComfort 35 II: $378.99 Wireless Discontinued Amazon $378.99 eBay
Pros: Active noise cancelling and a 20 hour battery make it a practical choice for commuting and flights. Bluetooth with SBC and AAC suits iPhones, and a wired connection is available when the battery runs out. At 240 g it is light for an over-ear with a built-in microphone, and its preference score of 69 in crinacle’s measurement is respectable for a noise cancelling model.
Cons: Bluetooth 4.0 and no aptX or LDAC support limit wireless audio quality and connection features compared with newer models. The Focal Azurys has a higher rating as a wired closed-back, though it lacks wireless and noise cancelling. The design dates from 2017, and the Fairphone Fairbuds XL offers newer Bluetooth, aptX HD and a longer battery at a lower price. Discontinued.
Full Bose QuietComfort 35 II review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes |
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wireless and wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.61 dB standard deviation |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 69 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.81 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (240 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.3 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +2.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 99 Hz | -3.4 dB | 0.26 |
| Peak | 1,332 Hz | +3.2 dB | 0.62 |
| Peak | 2,633 Hz | -4.5 dB | 3.08 |
| Peak | 5,938 Hz | -5.2 dB | 6.00 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +1.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,646 Hz | +3.7 dB | 0.99 |
| Peak | 4,334 Hz | -2.3 dB | 3.66 |
| Peak | 7,076 Hz | +2.6 dB | 5.94 |
| Peak | 6,213 Hz | -3.9 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sony WH-1000XM6: $378.00 Wireless Amazon $378.00 eBay
Pros: Active noise cancelling, up to 30 hours of battery with ANC on (40 with it off) and LDAC, AAC and LC3 support cover most wireless needs, and a cable can be used too. The tuning suits bass lovers: in hobbyist measurements on squig.link sub-bass sits about 7.5 dB and mid-bass about 6 dB above target, giving films and electronic music plenty of weight. At 48 ohms and 103 dB/mW it also runs easily from a phone in wired mode, and it rates above the Sony INZONE H9 II.
Cons: An 11.5 dB dip near 8.1 kHz and treble about 3 dB under target leave cymbals and detail muted, so the sound is dark and heavy rather than balanced, with a preference score of only 43. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless rates higher and costs less.
Full Sony WH-1000XM6 review and specifications →
| Released | May 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes |
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (40 with ANC off, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wireless and wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.41 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 30mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 4Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 43 (median of 4 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 48 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 103 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+7.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.83 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (254 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons