Sony WF-1000XM5 vs Sony WF-1000XM6
Quick take: The Sony WF-1000XM5 costs $50 less.
| Spec | Sony WF-1000XM5 | Sony WF-1000XM6 |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$248 | ~$298 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Wireless Earbuds | Wireless Earbuds |
| Noise Cancelling | ANC | ANC |
| Battery (single charge) | 8 hrs | 8 hrs |
| Battery (with case) | 24 hrs | 24 hrs |
| Quick Charge | 3 min = 1 hr | 5 min = 1 hr |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Multipoint | Yes | Yes |
| Driver Size | 8.4 mm | 8.4 mm |
| Weight | 5.9 g | 6.5 g |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial Audio | Yes | Yes |
| App EQ | Yes | Yes |
Pros & cons
Sony WF-1000XM5
- ✓LDAC delivers genuine hi-res from any Android phone
- ✓Rich warm 8.4mm Dynamic Driver X sound out of box
- ✓8 hours with ANC on beats Bose Ultra by two
- ✓Foam tips seal so well ANC feels stronger than measured
- ✓3-minute quick charge buys an hour
- ✓XM6 launch keeps pushing street prices down
- ✗Call quality falls apart in wind
- ✗Polished case scratches almost immediately
- ✗Some owners report uneven bud drain after a year
- ✗Enabling multipoint silently disables LDAC hi-res
- ✗App buries EQ settings three menus deep
Sony WF-1000XM6
- ✓Owners rank the QN3e ANC at or above Bose
- ✓8 hours ANC-on battery leads the flagship class
- ✓LDAC hi-res, LC3, and multipoint all at once
- ✓11% slimmer matte body grips better than XM5 gloss
- ✓5-minute charge buys an hour
- ✓10-band EQ and 360 Reality Audio in Sound Connect
- ✓Qi wireless charging case
- ✗$330 list is a $30 jump over the XM5, though street is already lower
- ✗6.5g buds still don't fit everyone; fit complaints persist
- ✗Sony's earbud line has a battery-degradation track record; unproven long-term
- ✗IPX4 only — sweat resistance, nothing more