I Spent Months Testing Headphones. I Didn’t Expect This Pair to Win Best Overall

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For the 2026 Men's Journal Tech Awards, I spent a lot of time testing headphones and earbuds to name the best of the best across a smattering of superlatives, leveraging my experience as an audio producer.

With so many impressive options on the market, finding the best for you is challenging and relative. If you’re a frequent flier, you’ll want something portable with a hefty battery life. The active set will prioritize more rugged units with an IP5 rating or better to protect against sweat, water, heat, dust, and more. It should also fold up easily and last at least the length of a flight across the globe without needing to be recharged. For everyday use? That's a bit trickier. You want a pair of headphones that strikes a Goldilocks sweet spot—superior noise cancellation to drown out the cacophony of city streets and commutes, high-resolution audio that's balanced with minimal distortion, a lengthy battery life, and a handsome design that begets long-wear comfort. Sony WH-1000XM6 is the standout in my head-to-head testing.

Why Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones Are Great

I confess, I used to think Sony’s XM series was slightly overrated. The WH-1000XM6, however, shows Sony’s commitment to gentle, elegant evolution. The result is a headphone that I almost never tire of wearing or listening with. The modern, understated design looks high-end without drifting into “HiFi Dad” territory. I find gesture controls often feel gimmicky and they’re frustrating when they don’t work well. Thankfully, Sony only added the essentials here, like track navigation and volume and my blind swipes are almost always recognized.

Two other small but welcome updates to the previous model that won me over include a return to a folding design for easier packing and the ability to use Bluetooth mode while charging. About that, three minutes of fast-charging will give you almost three hours of use—a feature I rely on more than I should.

What the WH-1000XM6 maintains from previous iterations is the stellar noise cancellation, which almost makes me forget I live next to a busy road and, of course, the balanced, detailed sound that won Sony’s XM series so many fans in the first place. I’ll admit, I sometimes nudge the bass up via the companion app, but that’s more a reflection on my music preferences than a failing of the headphones. I’m always jumping between my phone and my PC, so I also appreciate the multi-point Bluetooth connectivity, especially as it supports Sony’s increasingly popular LDAC high-resolution wireless technology.

Sony WH-1000XM6 Specs

• Battery Life: Rechargeable lithium-ion battery with up to 30 hours playback with ANC on (up to 40 hours with ANC off); 3 minutes quick charge = ~3 hours play (USB-C)
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 with support for SBC, AAC, LC3, and LDAC codecs; 3.5 mm detachable audio cable included. Ability to connect up to two devices at once.
• Weight: approx. 254 g / 8.96 oz
• Design: Over-ear, foldable for travel

Why You Should Trust Me

I'm a journalist, audio producer, and YouTuber with more than 15 years' experience covering technology and the culture that surrounds it. I'm the former managing editor at Engadget, where I worked for over a decade, writing everything from long-form features and buyer’s guides to hands-on reviews and industry profiles. My specialties include cameras, audio, music production, outdoor gear, and creator technology.