If you’ve been longing for a new wireless headset to take on long flights or crowded commutes, but holding out for a good deal, your time has come. You can grab the Sony WH-1000XM6 for just $398 from Amazon in Black and Platinum Silver, while the Midnight Blue and Sand Pink are marked as limited-time deals. It’s our favorite wireless headset, with best-in-class noise reduction, excellent battery life, and every feature you’d expect for the price point.
Sony’s success when it comes to silence is largely thanks to a suite of 12 microphones, eight outside and four inside, that constantly monitor both the exterior world and what’s still sneaking through. A significantly speedier processor also means that higher frequencies, which active noise-canceling can struggle with, are handled better than other headsets with similar tech. The result is incredible noise-canceling, perfect for tuning out everything from the whirr of a robotic vacuum to the clacking of your keyboard. There’s transparency mode too, for when you can’t tune out the whole world, and the communication microphone even gets a boost from Sony’s sound tech.
The listening experience has gotten a lot better with the updated model too, thanks to both better sound isolation and the upgraded processing. Our reviewer Parker Hall noted that “classics like the Marshall Tucker Band’s ‘Can’t You See’ come through with smooth tape warmth, perfectly layered bass, and a searing, gravely vocal.” You can always use the app to tweak the equalizer to your liking, as well as adjust the spatial audio and noise-canceling settings on the fly.
The Sony have all the usability features you’d expect from a premium headset too, like one-touch pairing, multipoint support, and 30 hours of battery life, plus quick charging if you find yourself low on juice. You can also cover the right earcup to temporarily pause your music and switch to transparency mode for a quick chat or to hear an announcement in the airport.
If you’re sold, Amazon has the Sony WH-1000XM6 marked down to $398 in all four colors, or check out our full roundup of the best wireless headsets for other options.
