The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the better choice for most UK shoppers. At £329, it undercuts the AirPods Max 2 (£449) by £120, delivers class-leading noise cancellation, and works brilliantly across Android, iOS, and Windows — without locking you into one ecosystem. A recent hands-on comparison by Tom’s Guide confirmed the XM6 as the overall winner.

The Sony WH-1000XM6 is Sony’s flagship over-ear noise-cancelling headphone, released in 2025 as the successor to the widely praised WH-1000XM5. It sits at the top of Sony’s consumer audio range and competes directly with the Apple AirPods Max 2 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra. Sony confirmed the XM6 features a redesigned headband, improved noise cancellation via a new QN3 chip, and 30 hours of battery life with ANC switched on.

The headline news here is the Tom’s Guide comparison published on 9 April 2026, in which the reviewer tested both headphones side by side across noise cancellation, sound quality, comfort, and call performance. The XM6 won on noise cancellation and value. The AirPods Max 2 won on call quality and Apple ecosystem integration — but at a £120 premium that is hard to justify unless you’re deeply committed to Apple devices.

The Sony WH-1000XM6 retails at £329 in the UK at time of writing. The AirPods Max 2 costs £449, making the Sony the significantly cheaper option by £120. For context, the previous generation WH-1000XM5 launched at £379 in 2022, so Sony has actually brought the entry price down while upgrading the hardware , a rare move in the premium headphone market.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra, another key rival, sits at around £349 in the UK, putting the XM6 below that too. At £329, the Sony is the most affordable of the three major premium over-ear options available right now.

The Sony WH-1000XM6 in Black is available from four UK retailers at time of writing: Amazon, Currys, Sony’s own website, Very.co.uk, and eBay Partner Network. Prices sit at £329 across the main retailers, though small variations can appear, particularly on eBay.

We’re tracking prices across all four retailers on Shopping.co.uk , compare current offers here.

Currys is worth checking first if you want in-store support or are interested in finance options. Amazon is reliable for fast delivery and straightforward returns. Buying direct from Sony’s website sometimes includes extended warranty registration, which is worth considering on a £329 purchase. Stock appears healthy across all four retailers at the time of writing.

One limitation to flag: the Black colourway is currently the confirmed available option on Shopping.co.uk. If you’re after alternative colours, check individual retailer listings directly, as availability can vary.

This comparison matters because £449 is a lot of money for headphones, and the AirPods Max 2 asks you to spend it without offering a noise cancellation advantage. According to Tom’s Guide’s testing, the XM6 matches or beats the AirPods Max 2 in the areas most people care about day to day: blocking out noise on public transport, sound quality during music playback, and battery endurance.

The £120 price difference is the deciding factor for most buyers. That gap could cover a year’s worth of streaming subscriptions, a decent pair of earbuds for the gym, or simply stay in your pocket.

Where the AirPods Max 2 earns its premium is call quality and smooth switching between Apple devices. If you use an iPhone, iPad, and Mac daily and make a lot of video calls, the Apple integration saves friction. But for the majority of UK shoppers , especially those on Android or mixed-device households , the Sony is the smarter buy.

Sony’s decision to price the XM6 below the XM5’s original launch price also signals confidence. They’re not padding margins on the new generation; they’re competing hard on value in a market where Bose and Apple have both pushed prices upward.

At £329, the Sony WH-1000XM6 is the strongest value proposition in the premium over-ear headphone market right now, sitting £120 below the AirPods Max 2 and £20 below the Bose QuietComfort Ultra while winning on noise cancellation in independent testing.

Best place to buy: Currys , offers in-store demos and finance options, useful on a £329 purchase, and price-matches Amazon at time of writing.

vs. the previous model: The WH-1000XM5 launched at £379 and can now be found for around £249-£279 at UK retailers. If budget is tight, the XM5 remains excellent, but the XM6’s improved QN3 chip and lower launch price make it the better long-term buy at current prices.

Our take: Buy the XM6 now if you’re on Android or use multiple devices , if you’re an Apple-only household making daily video calls, the AirPods Max 2 is worth the premium, but for everyone else, the Sony wins clearly.

Is the Sony WH-1000XM6 better than the AirPods Max 2?
For most people, yes. The XM6 costs £120 less and delivers better noise cancellation according to Tom’s Guide testing. The AirPods Max 2 is better for Apple-only users who prioritise call quality.

How long does the battery last on the Sony WH-1000XM6?
Sony states 30 hours of playback with ANC enabled, per official product specs. That matches the AirPods Max 2 on paper.

Where is the cheapest place to buy the Sony WH-1000XM6 in the UK?
Prices currently sit at £329 across Amazon, Currys, Sony, Very.co.uk, and eBay. We’re tracking all of them , check the latest prices here.

Does the Sony WH-1000XM6 work with iPhone?
Yes. Unlike the AirPods Max 2, the XM6 works across Android, iOS, and Windows with no significant feature loss on any platform.