Gear Review: Sony WF-1000XM6 – Truly wireless noise cancelling earbuds

Let’s be honest. We all have that one travel companion who insists on narrating every kilometre of the road trip, the fellow passenger on the plane who thinks 35,000 feet is the perfect altitude for a phone call, and the coffee shop ambient noise that follows you around as if it has personal beef with your concentration. Ladies and gentlemen, meet your new best defence: the Sony WF-1000XM6.

Sony WF-1000XM6 in Black/Supplied

Sony’s flagship truly wireless earbuds have long been the gold standard in the noise-cancelling game — and with the WF-1000XM6, the Japanese tech giant hasn’t just defended its crown. It’s polished it, fitted it with four microphones, tuned it with Grammy-winning engineers, and quietly whispered, ‘Try us.’

Available at Sony World for R6,999 , these earbuds promise to be the perfect companion whether you’re in a Cape Town café, boarding a flight to Joburg, or navigating the beautiful chaos of an African adventure.

Block out the world (Literally)

The headline feature — and arguably the reason most people are reaching for their wallets — is the noise cancellation. Sony claims a 25% improvement over the already impressive WF-1000XM5, and reviewers the world over have backed this up, describing the ANC as nothing short of creating a ‘vacuum-like silence’.

The magic is powered by Sony’s next-generation HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3e, paired with the Integrated Processor V2 and an Adaptive Noise Cancelling Optimiser. In plain English: these earbuds listen to what’s happening around you and continuously adjust, in real time, to shut it out. Four microphones per earbud (up from three) means even that mid-to-high frequency noise — think the drone of a plane cabin, the hum of a busy café, the road noise on the N2 — is reduced to a polite whisper.

Sony has also fine-tuned the ear tips to seal better against the ear canal, adapting to your unique ear shape. In four sizes. Because your ears deserve a bespoke experience too.

“…immediately creating a vacuum-like silence that rivals or surpasses anything else in the true wireless category.” — Major HiFi

Sound that actually respects your playlist

Noise cancellation without sound quality is like a great view from a scratchy aeroplane window — you’re impressed, but slightly irritated. Sony clearly knows this. The WF-1000XM6 features a newly developed driver unit with a composite diaphragm: a soft edge for deep, immersive bass, and a lightweight rigid dome for crisp, extended high frequencies.

Add 32-bit audio processing (upgraded from 24-bit on the WF-1000XM5), Hi-Res Audio Wireless, LDAC support, DSEE Extreme upscaling, and 360 Reality Audio compatibility — and you’ve got earbuds that treat your music with genuine respect.

What makes this especially impressive is that Sony didn’t tune the sound in isolation. They worked with Grammy-winning and Grammy-nominated mastering engineers including Randy Merrill (Sterling Sound — Ed Sheeran), Chris Gehringer (Sterling Sound — Rihanna, Lady Gaga), Mike Piacentini (Battery Studios — Bob Dylan), and Michael Romanowski (Coast Mastering — Alicia Keys and the Star Wars Episodes 4, 5 and 6 soundtracks).

The result? Whether you’re streaming Afrobeats through Cape Town traffic or losing yourself in a cinematic soundtrack at 30,000 feet, the WF-1000XM6 delivers your music the way the artists actually intended it to sound.

Sony WF-1000XM6 in Black Case/Supplied

“Can you hear me now?” — Yes. Clearly.

The call quality on the WF-1000XM6 is, by Sony’s own claim, the best in its class for truly wireless earbuds. That’s a bold statement — but the technology backs it up. Each earbud is equipped with two microphones and a bone conduction sensor, which picks up the vibrations of your jawbone as you speak. Combined with an AI beamforming noise reduction algorithm, your voice is captured with remarkable clarity even when you’re surrounded by noise.

So yes, you can take that important business call from a busy safari lodge veranda, or stay connected with the family from the airport departure lounge — and the person on the other end will hear every word. Not the lounge announcement. Not the crying baby. You.

Style meets substance

The WF-1000XM6 marks a significant design departure from its predecessor. Gone is the glossy, egg-shaped profile of the WF-1000XM5 — replaced by an elongated oval form that follows the natural curves of the inner ear. The earbuds are approximately 11% slimmer, reducing contact with the ear’s complex contours and making extended wear genuinely comfortable.

A newly adopted ventilation structure reduces internal noise — particularly the ‘occlusion effect’ that makes footsteps and chewing sounds unnervingly loud with some earbuds. Walkers, runners, gym-goers and outdoor adventurers, this one’s for you.

Available in Black (with a smooth, refined texture that quietly communicates ‘quiet luxury’) and Platinum Silver (with metal flakes and glass beads for a fresh, airy feel), both colourways are understated in the best possible way. The case has also been redesigned to open more easily — even one-handed — because fumbling with your earbuds case while holding coffee is a universal struggle Sony has decided to solve.

Smarter, faster, better connected

Connectivity has been overhauled. Bluetooth 5.3 with antennas 1.5 times larger than the WF-1000XM5 means fewer dropouts, more reliability, and seamless switching between devices. The earbuds support Multipoint connection (two devices simultaneously), LE Audio for ultra-low latency (excellent for gaming and video), and are Qi wireless charging compatible for hassle-free top-ups.

Battery life delivers up to 8 hours on a single charge with noise cancellation active — and the charging case extends that to a generous 24 hours total. A full day’s travel, including the long-haul flight and the late-night arrival, is well within reach.

Google Gemini integration allows hands-free AI assistance — schedule meetings, add to your shopping list, brainstorm ideas — all through natural conversation, without reaching for your phone. For Android users especially, this is a genuinely useful addition to daily life on the go.

Adaptive Sound Control automatically adjusts the balance between noise cancellation and ambient awareness based on your activity — walking, commuting, exercising — so you’re never out of tune with your environment when it matters.

A Nod to the Planet

In a world increasingly conscious of its footprint, Sony has made thoughtful choices with the WF-1000XM6. Approximately 25% of the plastics used are biomass-based circular materials, reducing reliance on virgin fossil-based plastic. The packaging is plastic-free. It’s not a revolution in eco design — but it’s a meaningful step in the right direction from a global brand that understands the stakes.

“Five generations in, and Sony is still finding ways to make a great product even better. The WF-1000XM6 is the travel companion your ears deserve.”

The Getaway Scorecard

The Verdict

Five generations in, and Sony is still finding ways to set the pace. The WF-1000XM6 is not a radical reinvention — it’s something more impressive: the quiet, confident refinement of a product that was already very good, made considerably better.

The noise cancellation is class-leading. The sound quality is exceptional. The call quality is the best in its category. The design is sleeker and more comfortable. And at R6,999, while not cheap, you’re investing in earbuds that will genuinely enhance every journey, every commute, every moment you need to carve out a little silence in a noisy world.

For the Getaway reader — someone who moves through the world with intention, values great experiences, and appreciates gear that earns its place in your bag — the WF-1000XM6 is a very easy recommendation.

Now if you’ll excuse us, we’re off to find a busy airport coffee shop to test them properly. In the name of journalism, of course.

Quick Specs at a Glance

Product provided for review purposes. Pricing correct at time of publication.

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