Sony WH-1000XM6

When active noise cancellation (ANC) is the whole reason you're buying headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM6 is the new end of the conversation. The 12-microphone array and the new QN3 processor push the quiet further than the already-excellent XM5, and Sony finally fixed the one thing every traveller complained about: the XM6 folds again, so the carry case is small enough to actually live in a backpack.

What you're getting

This is the flagship over-ear in 2026, and it earns the spot. The ANC is the quietest on the market, a notch ahead of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra and clearly past the XM5. Call quality for working from home is the other standout. The 12-mic setup with voice pickup means your Teams and Zoom calls come through clean, even with a coffee machine going behind you. Battery is a reliable 30 hours with ANC on, and the 10-minute fast charge gives you 5 hours, which is the feature you actually use when you're running for a flight.

What the RefDat test lab found

On a Sydney to Perth Qantas flight the engine drone all but disappears, and a crying baby two rows back drops to a murmur. Eight hours of back-to-back calls stays comfortable past the point where the XM5 started to clamp, thanks to a wider headband and softer pads. Walking down Pitt Street Mall with ANC on you still hear bus horns and traffic, as you should, so you don't step in front of a B-line bus. The new magnetic case opens flat and packs easily, though it feels less armoured than the old zip case.

What owners report

The mood on Whirlpool and ProductReview is overwhelmingly positive on sound and quiet, with the same one gripe repeated everywhere: the price. At a $699.95 recommended retail price (RRP), the XM6 launched $150 above where the XM5 started, and the regulars on OzBargain have been blunt about waiting for the first real sale rather than paying full freight on day one. The other consistent watch-outs are practical: there is no IP water or sweat rating, so these are not gym or running headphones, and the touch controls still take a session to get used to.

The compromises

Three things to know before you buy. The price is the big one, and if you do not need the folding design or the latest ANC, the older XM5 is still on sale for around $150 less and remains superb. There is no USB-C digital audio, so the wired connection is analog only through the included cable. And there is still no sweat resistance, which rules them out for the gym. None of that stops the XM6 being the best all-round noise-canceller you can buy; it just means you should buy them for the commute and the desk, not the treadmill.

Where to buy in Australia

JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, Officeworks, the Sony Store all stock the XM6. Sony Australia handles warranty directly, and JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman process returns without drama. Replacement ear cushions run about $50 to $60. Because it is a new model, the deepest discounts tend to land around the major sale events, so if you are not in a hurry, a little patience saves real money.

Your rights under Australian Consumer Law

At $699 this is a premium product with a reasonable expected lifespan of 4 to 5 years. Sony offers a 1-year manufacturer warranty, but consumer guarantees under Australian Consumer Law (ACL) extend well beyond that at this price. If the folding hinge cracks, the battery degrades badly, or the ear cushions deteriorate inside that lifespan, you have a consumer guarantee claim. Start with the retailer you bought from, JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, wherever, and they must handle it rather than redirect you to Sony.

Bottom line

The XM6 is the best noise-cancelling headphone on sale in Australia, and the return of the folding design removes the only sensible reason to look elsewhere. It is expensive, and the value-conscious move is to wait for a sale or buy the still-excellent XM5. But if you want the best, this is it. RefDat Score: 4.5 out of 5.