Wireless noise-canceling headphones 300-450 euros – The masters of wireless noise-canceling face off

Sony has dominated the premium wireless noise-cancelling headphone market for years with its 1000X series. Now we compare all the latest premium noise-cancelling headphones against Sony's new WH-1000XM6. Will the success continue?

TEXT: AAPELI LEMINEN (HEADLINE)

Bose was once the pioneer of noise-canceling headphones and for a long time almost synonymous with the entire product category. The company dominated the market for years, until Sony emerged as the clear leader with its new 1000X series – both in tests and sales statistics. For several generations, Sony models have dominated the field with an almost annoying superiority. Now, the latest version, the WH-1000XM6, is trying to do the same.

Will it raise the bar even further, or is it finally time for other brands to seriously challenge the scepter?

The standard of the test was high, but the top one still stood out clearly. In noise cancellation (ANC), the Sony WH-1000XM6 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra once again fought for the top spot: Sony offers the most consistent attenuation and remains stable even in wind, while Bose excels in taming low-pitched growls – and is also the most comfortable headphone in the test even during long sessions. In terms of sound quality, the best result was almost invariably achieved with the equalizer: when finely tuned, the AKG N9 Hybrid, Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QC Ultra achieved a natural, distinctive sound that can withstand critical listening. The JBL Tour One M3 doesn't quite reach the balance of the top three, but it offers a lot of features and a long battery life at a significantly more affordable price point. The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 charms with its finishing and energetically entertaining sound, which often requires some bass lightening with the EQ. The Nothing Headphone (1) is a tuner's dream: its parametric EQ allows for a subtle, even “reference”-like result. The Skullcandy Aviator 900 ANC and Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 were clearly the weakest, with both sound and ANC lagging behind their competitors.

The differences were more pronounced in hands-free use. The Bose QC Ultra was the clear winner: speech was transmitted naturally in both directions and background noise was kept well under control. There were problems with the Sony WH-1000XM6: in our test, the hands-free did not work with all phones, meaning the sound did not go into the headphones or out of the microphones. The B&W Px7 S3, AKG N9 Hybrid and JBL Tour One M3 handled calls properly, the Nothing was dark in tone and let noise through, while the Skullcandy surprised: Clear and interference-free operation. The Beyerdynamic's speech sound was thin and the whole thing was sensitive to wind.

In terms of comfort, Bose is the undisputed number one thanks to its lightweight construction and soft cushions. Sony is close, but the headband can be heavy for some users during long listening sessions. B&W feels premium in the hand, but the grip is firm; JBL and AKG are practical everyday companions; Nothing's weight is a burden during marathons; Skullcandy is initially comfortable but the cushions are tiring; Beyerdynamic is sturdy and tight. In terms of battery life, AKG clearly lasts the longest (up to 100/55 h), JBL and Nothing follow with long duration, while Sony (40/30 h) and Bose (24 h) fall short - although Sony compensates with the fastest quick charge on the market.

If your priority is the best possible noise cancellation and travel comfort, the choice falls between Sony and Bose. If sound quality is number one, you will get the most balanced playback in the test when you adjust AKG, Sony or Bose slightly in the Harman-like direction. For those looking for versatile features at a reasonable price, the JBL Tour One M3 is a strong card. For those who love design and finish, the B&W Px7 S3 is a natural choice, as long as you accept that it is worth cleaning up the bass with EQ. For those who like a personal look and feel, Nothing Headphone (1) offers an exceptionally good toolkit. On the other hand, the Skullcandy Aviator 900 ANC and Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 fall behind in this group, unless one of their individual strengths suits your needs. The common lesson for all models is ultimately the same: a small or sometimes slightly larger, well-considered EQ fine-tuning almost invariably makes them better.

What to where and for whom?

Best ANC & travel headphones:

- Sony WH-1000XM6
- Bose QC Ultra

Best sound quality (with EQ):