Sony vs Bose vs Apple Noise Cancelling: Which Is Best?

Sony, Bose and Apple each make a flagship noise-cancelling product that shoppers tend to cross-shop: the Sony WH-1000XM6, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) and the Apple AirPods Pro 3. BudgetHeadphone does not run its own tests. This guide pulls together published measurements and reviews from SoundGuys, RTINGS, Tom's Guide and What Hi-Fi. The short version is that the three are closer on noise cancelling than their prices suggest, so the better question is which one fits your head, phone and habits.

Which one has the strongest noise cancelling?

Quick answer: The Sony and Bose over-ears are effectively tied, and SoundGuys's lab data put the AirPods Pro 3 slightly ahead of both.

According to SoundGuys, the AirPods Pro 3 averaged 90% noise attenuation on its B&K 5128 fixture. The Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QC Ultra (2nd Gen) each reached 87%. SoundGuys says the AirPods Pro 3 beat every over-ear headphone it has measured. A three-point gap in average loudness reduction is small, and it is an average, not a verdict on every environment. SoundGuys on the AirPods Pro 3

Between Sony and Bose, the sources disagree. SoundGuys calls it a tie, says both are excellent, and does not expect a noticeable difference in real use. SoundGuys' Sony vs Bose comparison RTINGS calls the WH-1000XM6 the best noise-cancelling headphone it has tested. RTINGS' noise-cancelling roundup Tom's Guide's reviewer would pick the Bose for the best ANC on long-haul flights or commutes. Tom's Guide

The character of the noise reduction differs a little. RTINGS says the Sony mitigates more mid-range noise such as voices and keyboards. RTINGS on the Sony WH-1000XM6 It also notes that with office noises, the Bose does not block lows as strongly. RTINGS on the Bose In a separate comparison with the AirPods Max 2, SoundGuys found the Sony's ANC comparatively weak at the lowest frequencies. SoundGuys: AirPods Max 2 vs Sony WH-1000XM6

The AirPods Pro 3 result depends on fit. SoundGuys says the ANC shuts off if the sensor does not detect your ear, and a poor seal sharply cuts performance. Apple includes several tip sizes, and you may need a different size in each ear. SoundGuys suggests running the Acoustic Seal test in iPhone settings, and notes that a few staff could still hear office noise with ANC on. RTINGS, for its part, calls the AirPods Pro 3 incredible at noise isolation. RTINGS on the AirPods Pro 3

Which is more comfortable for long wear?

Quick answer: Reviewers lean toward the Bose over-ears, especially for glasses wearers, while AirPods Pro 3 comfort depends on getting the right tips.

SoundGuys's head-to-head notes that the Sony has a lip encircling the padding, and that its less-breathable pads can build up heat. Both over-ears weigh more than 200 g. The same comparison recommends the Bose if you wear glasses and the Sony if you do not. SoundGuys also says it is very easy to get a good seal with the Bose. SoundGuys' Bose review

Tom's Guide's reviewer says that if you want supremely comfortable cans for hours, it has to be the Bose. The same piece says the Bose feel plasticky, which is a build-quality complaint. What Hi-Fi, meanwhile, calls the Sony's fit secure and comfortable. What Hi-Fi's Sony vs Bose comparison

For the AirPods Pro 3, SoundGuys says fit can be tricky. One owner quoted on SoundGuys's review page called them very comfortable with amazing ANC, but said the new tips can take some getting used to. SoundGuys' AirPods Pro 3 review If you dislike anything pressing on or over your ears, earbuds may suit you better. If you dislike anything in your ear canal, stick with the over-ears.

Which is best for phone calls?

Quick answer: The Sony earns the best mic ratings from RTINGS, while readers in a SoundGuys poll preferred the Bose, and the AirPods Pro 3 get the weakest marks.

RTINGS calls the Sony WH-1000XM6 mic system very good and says it separates background noise from your voice. It rates the Bose mic decent, and says it does not completely remove background noise. SoundGuys ran a reader poll on lab samples with 2,716 votes. It found 51% preferred the Bose, 26% the Sony and 23% said they sounded about equal. That conflicts with RTINGS, so treat the two over-ears as close.

RTINGS rates the AirPods Pro 3 mic mediocre, citing inconsistent performance across devices. It says articulation and clarity suffer when they are connected to non-Apple devices. Owners are split too. According to SoundGuys, one owner marked call quality worse than expected and another better than expected.

How do battery life and portability compare?

Quick answer: The Sony over-ears last longest in SoundGuys's lab data, and the AirPods Pro 3 trade endurance for pocket size.

SoundGuys measured 37 hours 14 minutes with ANC on for the Sony WH-1000XM6 and 27 hours 12 minutes for the Bose. For the AirPods Pro 3, SoundGuys measured 8 hours 42 minutes on a single charge with ANC on. The earbuds fit in a pocket and the charging case adds more runtime, but over-ears win if you rarely want to think about charging.

Which should you buy, and what do they cost?

Quick answer: Pick the Sony for battery and call quality, the Bose for comfort and glasses, and the AirPods Pro 3 if you want strong ANC in an earbud and use an iPhone.

List prices are close among the over-ears. Our listings show the Sony WH-1000XM6 at $449.99 and the Bose at $449, and the AirPods Pro 3 at $249. SoundGuys's text says both over-ears debuted at virtually the same price. Street prices vary. Tom's Guide showed the Sony at $458 and the Bose at $449 on Amazon, and What Hi-Fi reported the Sony at about $429 at the time of writing. Check current prices before you buy.

• Choose the Sony WH-1000XM6 if you want the longest battery life and the better-rated mic, and you do not wear glasses.
• Choose the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) if you want comfort over many hours, wear glasses, or prefer a simple seal.
• Choose the Apple AirPods Pro 3 if you have an iPhone and want measured top-tier ANC in a small case. Budget time to find the right tips.

If you want Sony earbuds instead, our Sony WF-1000XM6 review covers them at a $329.99 list price. The ANC and call-quality data above does not cover them.

The Bottom Line

None of the three is a bad choice. SoundGuys's lab data puts the AirPods Pro 3 narrowly ahead on average noise reduction, while the Sony and Bose over-ears are effectively tied, and other reviewers split on which of those two is better. Let comfort, battery, call quality and your phone decide. Our top pick for most people who want over-ears is the Sony WH-1000XM6, with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) as the pick for comfort. For earbuds, go with the AirPods Pro 3.