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Noise-Cancelling Headphones · Comparison

The Sony WH-1000XM6 meets
the Sony WH-CH720N

The most complete noise-cancelling headphone: near-top ANC, the best calls, and a detailed sound. We tested it head-to-head against the Sony WH-CH720N across 7 key dimensions.

By Ryan V. · September 24, 2026

Sony WH-1000XM6 noise-cancelling headphones in Black, three-quarter view on white
Sony WH-1000XM6 in Black folded flat with earcups stacked for travel
Sony WH-1000XM6 earcup edge close-up showing the power button, NC/AMB button and 3.5mm headphone jack
Profile view of a person wearing the Sony WH-1000XM6 in Black against a grey backdrop
BEST

Sony WH-1000XM6

“The most complete noise-cancelling headphone: near-top ANC, the best calls, and a detailed sound”

$459.99MSRP
Our Score
86.6 / 100
Buy on Amazon Check Current Price
Sony WH-CH720N noise-cancelling headphones in Black, three-quarter view on white
Sony WH-CH720N in Black, front view showing the headband and both earcups
Sony WH-CH720N in Black, side view of the earcup with its controls and Sony-branded headband
Sony WH-CH720N in Black resting on a sunlit stone ledge beside keys, a bag and a coffee cup
VALUE

Sony WH-CH720N

“Three-time What Hi-Fi? Award winner that brings real noise cancelling in well under $100 on sale”

$179.99MSRP
Our Score
73.1 / 100
Buy on Amazon Check Current Price
01

Head-to-Head Breakdown

ANC
28% of score +
Sony
93
Sony
70
Sony WH-1000XM6

RTINGS ranks it the best noise-cancelling headphone it has measured, blocking everything from airplane rumble to A/C whine, and it beats the XM5 on mid-range noise like office chatter. TechRadar's four-scenario test scored it 28/30, a hair behind Bose's 29.5, and SoundGuys gives it 8.7/10.

Sony WH-CH720N

What Hi-Fi? found reliable commute-grade noise cancelling for the price, and Engadget rates it above average for the money but says it struggles in some environments.

Sound
24% of score +
Sony
90
Sony
76
Sony WH-1000XM6

What Hi-Fi? calls it the most detailed, dynamic and open sound it has heard from a wireless Sony flagship, and SoundGuys rates it 4.8/5. SoundGuys flags a 10kHz spike that is hard to EQ away.

Sony WH-CH720N

What Hi-Fi? says it matched, and at points beat, significantly more expensive pairs, though the bass is a little over-enthusiastic.

Comfort
15% of score +
Sony
86
Sony
78
Sony WH-1000XM6

Engadget calls it supremely comfy and Tom's Guide finds it more comfortable than the XM5. RTINGS notes the shallow cups don't always seal well with glasses, and Tom's Guide says it can get warm.

Sony WH-CH720N

At 192 g it is the lightest pair here, and light clamping keeps it easy to wear for a full commute.

Battery
10% of score +
Sony
62
Sony
69
Sony WH-1000XM6

Floor+scale on rated ANC-on battery: 50 + ((30-20)/(60-20))*50 = 62. 20 hours is the group's functional baseline (50); longer runtime earns up to 50 more points.

Sony WH-CH720N

Floor+scale on rated ANC-on battery: 50 + ((35-20)/(60-20))*50 = 69. 20 hours is the group's functional baseline (50); longer runtime earns up to 50 more points.

Build
6% of score +
Sony
78
Sony
55
Sony WH-1000XM6

The folding hinge is back and the case is sturdy, though Tom's Guide found the articulating hinges fragile-feeling.

Sony WH-CH720N

Engadget notes lots of plastic, and What Hi-Fi? points out there is no case and it doesn't fold.

Calls
7% of score +
Sony
88
Sony
65
Sony WH-1000XM6

TechRadar named it the best for calls among standard noise-cancelling headphones, and What Hi-Fi? praises its call quality. Engadget found calls suffer in very loud places.

Sony WH-CH720N

SoundGuys calls its functionality solid. No source rates the mics highly.

Trust
10% of score +
Sony
90
Sony
88
Sony WH-1000XM6

Sony's 1000X line is the category's long-running benchmark, rated 4.2 stars across 3,740 Amazon ratings.

Sony WH-CH720N

Rated 4.3 stars across 16,818 Amazon ratings, and it has won What Hi-Fi?'s budget Award three years running.

02

Strengths & Weaknesses

Sony WH-1000XM6

+ Strengths
  • RTINGS ranks its noise cancelling best in its lab, and What Hi-Fi? gave it an Award as the best overall
  • TechRadar found the best call quality of any standard noise-cancelling headphone it tested
  • What Hi-Fi? calls it the most detailed, open sound Sony has put in a wireless flagship
− Weaknesses
  • Bose still blocks slightly more noise in TechRadar and Tom's Guide testing
  • Shallow ear cups can lose their seal for glasses wearers, according to RTINGS
  • No USB-C audio or aptX, and Sony has raised the list price to $459.99
Key flaw: If blocking noise is the only thing you care about, Bose still edges it: TechRadar and Tom's Guide both give the QuietComfort Ultra a slight win on raw cancellation.

Sony WH-CH720N

+ Strengths
  • What Hi-Fi? says it matched and sometimes beat much pricier pairs, earning its third straight Award
  • 35 hours of rated battery with noise cancelling on, which What Hi-Fi? says lasts about a week of use
  • Light at 192 g, with multipoint and Sony's app EQ
− Weaknesses
  • Engadget found the noise cancelling struggles in some environments
  • Mostly plastic, with no case and no folding
  • Bass runs a little heavy out of the box
Key flaw: The noise cancelling is good for a commute but not in the XM6's league.
03

The Verdict

Our Bottom Line

The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the pair that the most rigorous testers put first. RTINGS ranks it the best noise-cancelling headphone it has measured, What Hi-Fi? made it its overall pick and gave it an Award, and SoundGuys calls it the best for most people. Three independent top spots, from two measurement labs and one expert listening panel, is the strongest consensus in this category.

BEST
Sony WH-1000XM6
Sony WH-1000XM6 noise-cancelling headphones in Black, three-quarter view on white

The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the pair that the most rigorous testers put first. RTINGS ranks it the best noise-cancelling headphone it has measured, What Hi-Fi? made it its overall pick and gave it an Award, and SoundGuys calls it the best for most people. Three independent top spots, from two measurement labs and one expert listening panel, is the strongest consensus in this category.

Best for:
  • You fly or commute daily and want near-top noise cancelling
  • You take a lot of calls on your headphones
  • You want detailed, balanced sound without spending audiophile money
  • You switch between a laptop and phone and need multipoint
  • You want a pair that folds into a compact case for travel
Buy on Amazon
VALUE
Sony WH-CH720N
Sony WH-CH720N noise-cancelling headphones in Black, three-quarter view on white

The Sony WH-CH720N has won What Hi-Fi?'s best cheap noise-cancelling Award three years in a row, and the reason is in the verdict: it matched, and at points beat, significantly more expensive pairs. Engadget named it its best budget pick with above-average noise cancelling for the price, and SoundGuys lists it as a notable mention.

Best for:
  • You want real noise cancelling for under $100 on sale
  • You commute by bus or train more than you fly
  • You want light headphones for long wear
  • You care about battery life more than premium materials
  • You are buying for a student or a second pair
Buy on Amazon
04

Specifications

Spec Sony WH-1000XM6 Sony WH-CH720N
Battery (ANC on) 30 hr 35 hr
Driver 30 mm 30 mm
Weight 254 g 192 g
Codecs SBC/AAC/LDAC/LC3 SBC/AAC
Multipoint Yes Yes
Folds Yes No
Read the full Noise-Cancelling Headphones review
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