Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.

Sony's WH-1000XM6 headphones are more than solid, garnering industry praise for their impressive noise cancellation, extensive software features, and attention to sonic detail. I can't deny Sony's prowess in the consumer headphones market, so much so that I gave the XM6 a ZDNET Editors' Choice award bac May.

Also: I tested Sony and Bose's best headphones for months - how my buying advice has changed in 2026

Though Sony's audio performance is among the best in the sub-$500 category, if you spend $300 more, you'll end up with Bowers & Wilkins' Px8 S2 headphones, another strong arm in the industry, albeit considerably more premium in areas Sony can't compete. If your headphone budget reaches $800, you might wonder which pair suits you best. I've tried both, and here's my take. 

Specifications

You should buy the Sony WH-1000XM6 if...

1. Noise cancellation is your top priority

Sony's WH-1000XM6 deliver some of the best noise cancellation in the industry, with responsive adaptive noise reduction algorithms and superb low-frequency noise reduction, such as from a plane engine or an air conditioner. The noise cancellation of this tier makes the XM6 headphones a great option for commuters, office workers, or anyone who wants a strong noise-canceling bubble.

The Px8 S2 have Bowers & Wilkins' best-performing ANC, but it's not nearly as intuitive as Sony's. You'll get decent noise cancellation, but not strong enough to significantly minimize background chatter, loud engines, or street noise. The Px8 S2 sport thick earpads made from high-quality materials, which provide additional passive isolation, but noise-canceling software and noise-reduction algorithms aren't Bowers & Wilkins' specialties. 

2. The smart features appeal to you

Sony's XM6 include a list of intelligent features, including Gemini Live, Speak-to-Chat, Head Gestures, and audio modes based on your location and habits. The XM6 also support the LC3 Bluetooth codec, opening opportunities for Auracast connectivity. Sony's headphones are compatible with Windows Swift Pair, feature a 10-band EQ, offer ambient music in the companion app, and include several immersive sound modes.

Also: How I share audio from my Android phone to multiple earbuds (and why it's a big deal)

On the other hand, the Px8 S2's software experience is much simpler, with a greater focus on audio technologies than on smart features. Still, the Px8 S2 support the must-haves, such as wear detection, adaptive noise cancellation, and Bluetooth multipoint. 

3. You value practicality over complexity

Sony's adaptive noise cancellation works swiftly, accounting for dynamic environmental changes, such as sudden loud noises and wind, and can also adjust strength based on your location. These features, along with additional support for more widely available higher-quality Bluetooth codecs, allow the XM6 to integrate wirelessly with a wider range of mobile devices and perform well in a range of environments.

The XM6 feature several options to maximize their performance with a smartphone, making them better suited for improved performance while on the go. Their advanced noise-canceling features make them better suited for dynamic, unpredictable environments, and their foldable design makes them easy to store.

In comparison, the Px8 S2 support a host of higher-quality AptX codecs, including Classic, Adaptive, HD, and Lossless, but these codecs are harder to find in smartphones in the US. Instead, AptX codecs are more widely supported in turntables, portable music players, speaker systems, and receivers, underscoring Bowers & Wilkins' closer association with hi-fi audio rather than everyday consumer audio.   

You should buy the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 if...

1. You want a premium pair of headphones

The Px8 S2 are a pair of well-made headphones featuring high-quality materials, including genuine Nappa leather on the earcups and headband, aluminum yokes and hinges, and memory foam ear pads for comfort. They also feature a new braided design along the headband yokes, with brushed aluminum finishes for a sleek, high-end look and feel.

Review: Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2

Bowers & Wilkins slimmed the Px8 S2's design compared to its predecessor, shaving off nearly 10 grams of weight to 310 grams. Despite using heavier, more durable metals, the Px8 S2 are about 50 grams heavier than the XM6, which is still considerably lighter than the AirPods Max 2. Sturdier materials provide a tighter clamping force in the Px8 S2, but they're less likely than plastic to lose structural integrity over time.

The XM6's exterior is mostly plastic, with a polyurethane coating on the ear pads and headband. These materials are easier to clean but are prone to cracking, peeling, and flaking after a few years of heavy wear and tear. On the bright side, they're relatively inexpensive to replace. 

2. You want the superior audio experience

Bowers & Wilkins fitted the Px8 S2 with high-quality internal audio components, including 40mm carbon drivers for increased clarity and detail with low distortion. As a result, the Px8 S2's soundstage is wider than the XM6's, minimizes distortion at higher volumes, and has more noticeable instrument separation. 

Additionally, the Px8 S2 supports wired hi-res audio up to 24-bit/96 kHz via USB-C, but also support a wired connection via 3.5mm jack.

On the other hand, Sony focuses on minimizing audio degradation in compressed files via wireless technologies, offering users its LDAC codec and DSEE Extreme upscaling technology. Sony's XM6 do not support wired USB-C audio, but do support a wired connection via a 3.5mm jack.

Writer's choice

Sony's WH-1000XM6 and Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 offer distinct experiences, best suited to different users, despite both being noise-canceling headphones. It's tricky to pick one over the other without considering how each one excels in different use cases. Still, as someone who works from home and usually drives in a car alone, I prefer the Px8 S2 for its design and sound profile. I son't have to worry about damaging the headphones, as they rarely leave my house, and I listen in a quiet environment, so noise cancellation isn't a top priority.