Sony WF-1000XM6

If the discussion were purely about sound-per-pound audio quality, you've got to put the Sony WF-1000XM6 new flagship earbuds in the mix. They're cheaper than some of the real audiophile-adjacent wireless options and the sound borders on just as good. And features such as Sony's Quick Attention feature are always winners for me. But for noise-cancelling efficacy, super clear call-handling, a truly comfortable fit and assorted spatial audio chops, I think Sony's being somewhat overtaken now. Know this: that star-rating is still as high as it is because of the sound.

The XM6s are noticeably improved across the board from the XM5s, which I still like. And while these buds are certainly expensive, they're pretty hard to beat from a performance standpoint across all the key areas, including sound quality, noise canceling and voice-calling, which is why I've awarded them an Editors' Choice.

You’ll want to make sure you get along with the fit/tips, but you can’t argue the Sony WF-1000XM6 sound out-of-this-world and put in an all-round performance good enough to worry every major rival at the money.

The Sony WF-1000XM6 noise-cancelling earbuds deliver outstanding audio with robust customization options and long battery life.

Sony is back with the new XM6 earbuds and they're mighty impressive when it comes to noise-cancelling and audio quality. The case and general design is pleasing too, but they are on the expensive side!

Sony’s flagship earbuds are still near the top of the heap, but the competition has caught up.

The Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds are a significant upgrade over their predecessors. They boast excellent sound quality, customizable EQ, and great battery life. The noise cancellation excels, offering complete silence even in loud situations. The design is great, despite the slightly larger charging case. These are a highly recommended upgrade for superior quiet and sound control.

With the new XM6 wireless earbuds, Sony has succeeded in creating some of the best-sounding and most comfortable earbuds in the world — but they have a hefty price point to match. If you're willing to shell out, these are the most well-rounded and most effective noise-cancelling earbuds released in the past year.