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Sony WF-1000XM6 vs WF-1000XM5: New Design and Features but Fit and Calls Favor Older Model

Sony's newer WF-1000XM6 earbuds cost about $50 more than the WF-1000XM5, with a smaller design and extra features; Engadget says the older pair may still be better for fit, ANC and calls.

AI News Feed · 2026-09-08 06:45

The most obvious difference, the review says, is the design. The M6 has a smaller silhouette and a pill-shaped housing, while the M5 closely follows earlier Sony styling. However, Engadget notes that the M6 again uses foam ear tips, and the reviewer could not always get Sony's in-app fit test to verify a proper seal in the left ear. That reduced the effectiveness of active noise cancellation, giving an edge to the M5 for users who prioritize ANC and have trouble fitting the M6.

Sound quality favors the M6 because it uses Sony's new QN3e audio chip, which the company says provides cleaner, richer audio. Engadget found that improvement especially noticeable when DSEE Extreme upscaling, available on both models, was enabled. For voice calls, the M5 is the better option: its beamforming microphones and bone-conduction technology suppressed background noise without making the caller sound too processed.

Battery life is the same on the two models at eight hours of listening with active noise cancellation on, and up to 24 hours using the charging case. Both pairs also have multipoint Bluetooth, wireless charging, IPX4 water resistance, voice commands, head gestures, adaptive sound controls and Speak-to-Chat. Feature differences on the M6 include a 10-band equalizer, automatic ambient sound control, a background music mode, Bluetooth 5.4 with LE Audio, Auto Power Save and a Battery Care tool.

Engadget says there is no single answer for which model to buy. Users who want the newest design and extras can pay the premium, while those who value fit, reliable ANC and call quality can save with the previous generation. The article also notes that competing earbuds from Bose and Technics remain strong alternatives.