Best Sony Headphones in 2026

The Sony WH-1000XM6 is our Best overall pick. It combines Sony's strongest current noise cancellation with detailed sound, clearer calls, multipoint connectivity and folding hinges for easier packing.

The other picks target value, luxury listening, powerful bass, workouts, gaming and wired monitoring. Each one earns its place through a specific strength and clearly defined tradeoffs.

The best Sony headphones right now

Sony WH-1000XM6 - Best overall

Sony's WH-1000XM6 delivers the strongest all-purpose package for travel, commuting and office listening. Its noise cancellation is Sony's strongest current system, call clarity and adaptive ANC improve on the WH-1000XM5, and app-based EQ complements the detailed sound.

The approximately 254 g design folds for easier packing and supports Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint. Battery life reaches 30 hours with ANC or 40 hours without it, with SBC, AAC, LDAC and LC3 available. LDAC reduces the maximum battery estimate, and USB-C is principally for charging rather than universal wired digital audio.

Sony WH-1000XM5 - Best value

The WH-1000XM5 earns the value spot when its lower cost outweighs the WH-1000XM6's improvements. It retains excellent ANC and call quality, a comfortable approximately 250 g design and 30 hours of rated playback with ANC.

Bluetooth 5.2 includes multipoint, while SBC, AAC and LDAC cover its codec selection. The full Sony app also provides EQ for adjusting the warm stock tuning.

Choosing it means accepting a nonfolding design, no LC3 support and weaker ANC and calls than the WH-1000XM6. Its active wired frequency response is rated from 4 Hz to 40,000 Hz.

Sony 1000X The Collexion WH-1000XX - Best for luxury listening

Soundstage, finish and luxurious comfort define the Sony 1000X The Collexion WH-1000XX. It provides a more spacious and refined presentation than Sony's mainstream models, backed by higher-grade materials, roomier earcups, strong ANC and excellent call performance. Bluetooth 6.0 supplies multipoint and SBC, AAC, LDAC and LC3 support, while a detachable 3.5 mm cable enables analog listening. The tradeoffs are substantial weight at approximately 320 g, 24 hours of ANC battery life and noise cancellation that remains below the WH-1000XM6.

Sony WF-1000XM6 - Best earbuds

Compact listening gets Sony's strongest combination of earbud ANC, sound and calls in the WF-1000XM6. The approximately 6.5 g earbuds deliver detailed, balanced sound with extensive EQ, while call performance improves on the model they replaced. Bluetooth 5.3 supports SBC, AAC, LDAC and LC3, and multipoint simplifies connected-device switching.

Rated playback reaches eight hours with ANC and 12 hours without it. Using LDAC with ANC lowers Sony's estimate to five hours. The IPX4 earbuds resist splashes, while the unrated case supports USB and wireless charging.

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Sony ULT Wear WH-ULT900N - Best for bass

Two selectable ULT bass-boost modes make the Sony ULT Wear WH-ULT900N the clear choice for electronic, hip-hop and pop listeners who favor impact over neutral balance. Its 40 mm dynamic driver is paired with strong ANC for its midrange position.

Battery life reaches 30 hours with ANC and 50 hours without it. The approximately 255 g headphones fold for transport and combine Bluetooth 5.2, multipoint, LDAC and passive playback through a detachable 3.5 mm cable.

The presentation is less neutral than the 1000X models, and the mostly plastic build is bulkier than the WH-CH720N. Certain serial-number ranges are covered by Sony's rotating-shaft crack service program, making a serial-number check essential.

Sony WH-CH720N - Best affordable over-ear

At approximately 192 g, the Sony WH-CH720N is exceptionally light for an over-ear ANC model. Its comfortable fit, app EQ, multipoint connection and rated battery life of 35 hours with ANC or 50 hours without it cover everyday listening well. Bluetooth 5.2 supports SBC and AAC, and the detachable 3.5 mm cable enables passive playback. The savings come with weaker engine-rumble reduction than the 1000X models, inexpensive-feeling plastic, no LDAC, no folding hinges and no carrying case.

Sony WF-C710N - Best affordable earbuds

Battery life is the Sony WF-C710N's standout strength. It provides up to 8.5 hours with ANC, 12 hours without it and 30 hours with the case when ANC is used. Each earbud weighs approximately 5.2 g and carries an IPX4 rating for sweat and splashes.

Full, energetic sound, app EQ, multipoint and clearer calls than the previous model create a practical feature set. Bluetooth 5.3 supports SBC and AAC. Flagship-level ANC, LDAC, LC3 and wireless case charging are not included, and the stock tuning can sound too bass-heavy for some listeners.

Sony LinkBuds Clip - Best open-ear earbuds

Awareness is the reason to choose the Sony LinkBuds Clip. Its clip-on open-ear design leaves the ear canal unobstructed, keeping traffic, coworkers and conversations audible. The lack of an acoustic seal also means there is no noise isolation, with bass and detail suffering in loud places.

Each earbud weighs approximately 6.4 g and carries an IPX4 rating, while the case weighs 42 g and is not water-resistant. Battery life reaches nine hours per charge and 37 hours with the case. A three-minute charge supplies approximately 60 minutes of playback.

Clear sound, useful listening modes and good call performance suit quieter environments. The case lacks wireless charging, and the clip fit becomes uncomfortable for some ears.

Sony LinkBuds Fit - Best for workouts

Secure Air Fitting Supporters and an approximately 4.9 g weight make the Sony LinkBuds Fit the workout pick. IPX4 protection covers sweat and splashes, while ANC and ambient modes manage surrounding sound. Bluetooth 5.3 includes multipoint plus SBC, AAC, LDAC and LC3 support. The 8.4 mm drivers and extensive Sound Connect customization add flexibility, but rated ANC playback stops at 5.5 hours. Touch controls are inconsistent, ANC and sound remain below the WF-1000XM6, and the supporters do not suit every ear shape.

Sony INZONE H9 II - Best for gaming

Gaming takes priority in the Sony INZONE H9 II. A low-latency 2.4 GHz USB-C transceiver works alongside Bluetooth 5.3, enabling simultaneous connectivity and Bluetooth mixing. The detachable cardioid boom microphone is another major strength, and compatible spatial-audio features expand its gaming focus.

The headset weighs approximately 260 g without the microphone and runs for up to 30 hours with ANC off. ANC works in wireless and active wired modes, while the detachable 3.5 mm cable supports active and passive playback. Battery life trails several gaming competitors, low-frequency ANC is weaker than the WH-1000XM6, and the soft pouch provides little physical protection.

Sony MDR-M1 - Best wired headphones

Wired production, editing and focused listening are the Sony MDR-M1's strengths. The closed-back dynamic design combines detailed, controlled monitoring sound with excellent passive isolation and an approximately 216 g weight for long sessions.

Its 40 mm driver has a stated frequency response of 5 Hz to 80,000 Hz. Impedance is 50 ohms at 1 kHz, and sensitivity is 102 dB/mW, making the headphones easy enough to drive from many interfaces and portable sources.

Sony includes detachable 3.94-foot and 8.2-foot cables with 3.5 mm and 6.3 mm connectivity. There is no Bluetooth, microphone or ANC, and the closed-back presentation is less open than studio open-back designs.

• Choose the wearing style first. Over-ear models generally provide stronger ANC and longer battery life. Sealed earbuds prioritize portability, open-ear models preserve awareness, and wired studio headphones avoid Bluetooth latency and battery concerns.
• Match ANC to your environment. The WH-1000XM6 and WF-1000XM6 are the strongest choices for aircraft and transit. Midrange ANC models suit offices but suppress low-frequency engine noise less effectively.
• Match codecs to the source. LDAC, AAC and LC3 availability depends on support from both the headphones and the source device. Check that pairing before treating a particular codec as a deciding feature.
• Compare the battery mode you will use. Sony's maximum figures vary with ANC, codec and features such as EQ or DSEE. LDAC commonly reduces playback time, so compare ratings with your preferred features enabled.
• Check fit, weight and water resistance. Fit affects both comfort and earbud ANC. IPX4 earbuds tolerate sweat and splashes but not immersion, and their charging cases generally lack the same protection.
• Plan for packing and wired use. The WH-1000XM6 and ULT Wear fold, while the WH-1000XM5 and WH-CH720N do not. Several over-ear models accept a 3.5 mm cable, but powered features and microphone behavior vary by model.

Is the Sony WH-1000XM6 worth buying over the Sony WH-1000XM5?

The Sony WH-1000XM6 improves ANC and call clarity, folds inward and adds LC3 support. Both models are rated for 30 hours with ANC, which keeps the Sony WH-1000XM5 compelling when it costs substantially less.

Which Sony earbuds are best for different uses?

The Sony WF-1000XM6 lead for ANC, sound and calls. The Sony WF-C710N prioritize affordability and battery life, Sony LinkBuds Fit emphasize secure exercise fit, and Sony LinkBuds Clip preserve awareness with an open-ear design.

Which Sony headphones fold for easier packing?

The Sony WH-1000XM6 and Sony ULT Wear WH-ULT900N fold for transport. The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Sony WH-CH720N do not fold inward.

Are these Sony earbuds waterproof?

The Sony WF-1000XM6, Sony WF-C710N, Sony LinkBuds Fit and Sony LinkBuds Clip earbuds carry IPX4 ratings for sweat and splashes, not immersion. Their charging cases do not share that protection.

Which Sony wireless headphones support analog wired listening?

The Sony WH-1000XM6, Sony WH-1000XM5, Sony ULT Wear WH-ULT900N, Sony WH-CH720N, Sony 1000X The Collexion WH-1000XX and Sony INZONE H9 II support analog wired operation. ANC, EQ and microphone behavior varies by model and power state over the cable, while the true-wireless earbuds cannot use an analog cable.