Why I own 4 different pairs of headphones, and how I effectively use each one

May 3, 2026 TH Author

The Sony WH-1000XM6 over-ear headphones are undoubtedly the most advanced from Sony, sporting a muted, practical design ideal for everyday use. They have 30 hours of battery life, great sound, and the most intuitive noise cancellation available. Sony upgraded the XM6 with smarter noise processing, a foldable design for portability, and spatial audio compatible with any streaming platform.

Also: I listened to Sony, Bose, and Apple’s flagship headphones – and this pair’s ahead of the pack

The XM6 are incredibly feature-rich, offering LDAC and LC3 codec support for most Android users, Speak-to-Chat, location-based audio modes, a detailed 10-band equalizer, DSEE Extreme upscaling, Head Gestures, and Gemini Live integration. The more you customize these headphones, the better they become.

All of the XM6’s features make them a pair of highly practical over-ear headphones suited for commuting, traveling, working in the office, running errands, or listening to music or watching YouTube at home. I recommend these headphones to individuals seeking a pair of everyday headphones that deliver exceptional sound quality, effective noise cancellation, compatibility with various devices, and the latest software features.

However, if you don’t play around with them, you won’t maximize their full potential nor your full $460. If you want a premium yet laid-back experience, consider the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen).