Sony WH-1000XM6
Sony
96 Overall Score
vs
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 61561
SteelSeries
56 Overall Score
What Buyers Say
Sony WH-1000XM6
72 out of 100 high confidence 433 reviews
The Sony WH-1000XM6 earns praise for its exceptional noise cancellation, clear sound quality, and comfortable fit for many users, with several calling it the best headphones they've owned. However, a significant number of reviews highlight serious drawbacks: uncomfortable clamping force and shallow earcups causing pain, buggy multipoint Bluetooth connectivity, a fingerprint-prone finish, and disappointing customer service regarding warranty repairs and promised free gifts. While the ANC and audio are top-tier, comfort and reliability issues prevent it from being a universal recommendation.
Pros
- Exceptional noise cancellation
- Clear and detailed sound quality
- Comfortable for many users
- Long battery life
- Foldable design
Cons
- Uncomfortable clamping force
- Shallow earcups causing pain
- Buggy multipoint Bluetooth
- Fingerprint-prone finish
- Poor customer service
Noise cancellation 25
Comfort 20
Sound quality 18
Bluetooth connectivity 8
Customer service 7
Build quality 6
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 61561
No customer feedback yet
Scores
Budget
Commute
Work
Gaming
Studio
Music
Calls
Specifications
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | SteelSeries Arctis Nova 61561 | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | over-ear | over-ear |
| Open/Closed | closed | closed |
| Foldable | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight | 0.25 kg★ | 0.76 kg |
| Ear Cushion | synthetic leather | AirWeave Memory Foam |
| Headband | synthetic leather | Steel |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | neodymium |
| Driver Size | 30 mm★ | — |
| Drivers | 1★ | — |
| Freq Min | 4 Hz★ | — |
| Freq Max | 40 kHz★ | — |
| Impedance | 48 Ω | — |
| Sensitivity | 103 dB★ | — |
| Hi-Res Audio | ✓★ | — |
| Codecs | LDAC | SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7P Wireless Multi-Platform Gaming Headset — Neodymium Magnetic Drivers — 2.4GHz + Bluetooth — 38Hr USB-C Battery — Gen2 AI Mic — PlayStation, PC, Switch, VR, Mobile - White |
| Surround | Sony WH-1000XM6 The Best Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones, HD NC Processor QN3, 12 Microphones, Studio-Quality, New Sandstone Color | Sony WH-1000XM6 The Best Noise Cancelling Wireless | Sony | Sa | Spatial Audio, Tempest 3D |
| Noise Control | ||
| ANC | ✓ | ✓ |
| ANC Type | adaptive | — |
| Transparency | ✓ | ✓ |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | 5.3★ | — |
| Profiles | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP, TMAP, PBP | — |
| Multipoint | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm | — |
| Detachable Cable | ✓★ | — |
| Cable Length | 1.2000000476837158 m | — |
| Range | 10 m★ | — |
| Battery | ||
| Battery Life | 30 hrs | 38 hrs★ |
| Charge Time | 3 hrs | 0.25 hrs★ |
| Fast Charging | 3 minutes for 3 hours playback | 15 min charge for 6 hours more game |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mic Count | 6★ | — |
| NC Mic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boom Mic | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Detachable Mic | ✗ | ✗ |
| Features | ||
| Voice Assistant | Siri, Google Assistant | — |
| Touch Controls | ✓★ | — |
| App | Sony | Sound Connect | Sonar Software |
| Gaming Mode | ✓ | ✓ |
| Water Resistance | Waterproof | — |
Pros & Cons
Sony WH-1000XM6
- Strong connectivity (100th percentile)100th %ile
- Strong anc (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong sound (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong build (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Below average user sentiment (22nd percentile)
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 61561
- Strong social proof (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong mic (89th percentile)89th %ile
- Strong anc (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong battery (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Below average comfort (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average build (34th percentile)
Verdict
Winner: Sony WH-1000XM6
Scores 96 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 12 of 41 specs.