Sony’s WF-1000XM6 earbuds maintain the company’s reputation for feature-rich audio devices, but face stiffer competition than ever. The $330 earbuds deliver excellent sound quality with deep bass and clear treble, thanks to new drivers with soft edges and rigid domes. However, the foam ear tips continue to cause fit issues, with the Sound Connect app only confirming proper seals in one ear during testing.

While Sony packs the M6 with features like Adaptive Sound Control, Speak-to-Chat, and multipoint Bluetooth, the ANC performance lags behind competitors like Bose’s QC Ultra Earbuds. The M6 struggles with human voices and constant noise sources like fans, making it less effective in office environments. Call quality also disappoints despite Sony’s claims of AI-powered noise reduction and eight microphones with bone conduction technology.

The battery life holds up well at eight hours per charge with ANC active, and the compact design shows Sony’s commitment to reducing size. Yet at this price point, the combination of fit issues, subpar ANC, and call quality problems makes it harder to recommend over alternatives like Technics AZ100 for sound quality or Bose for noise cancellation. The M6 remains a solid option for Sony fans who prioritize features over absolute performance in specific areas.