Versus Engine
Apple AirPods 5 vs Sony WF-1000XM6
Specs, price and the one trade-off that actually decides it — Apple AirPods 5 against Sony WF-1000XM6, side by side.
Cheaper to start
Apple AirPods 5
Starts about $200.99 lower.
Rated higher
Sony WF-1000XM6
9.3 vs 0.0 on our design scale.
Standout
Apple AirPods 5
Custom high-excursion Apple driver
Apple AirPods 5
Apple's first open-ear earbuds with Active Noise Cancellation, alongside a redesigned Transparency mode and Conversation Awareness.
Where it wins, where it doesn't
Pros
- Custom high-excursion driver and high dynamic range amplifier for high-quality audio
- Improved Transparency mode and Conversation Awareness for better situational awareness
- Up to 22 hours of total battery life with the charging case
- Dust, sweat, and water-resistant (IP57)
Cons
- Battery life is relatively short at up to 4 hours with ANC enabled
- Compatibility is limited to Apple devices only
Specifications
- AccessibilityLive Listen audio Headphone levels Headphone Accommodations
- Audio / Adaptive AudioBlends Transparency and ANC dynamically
- Audio / Adaptive EQNext-generation Adaptive EQ
- Audio / ArchitectureNew multiport acoustic architecture
- Audio / Conversation AwarenessAuto-lowers volume when you start speaking
- Audio / Spatial AudioPersonalized Spatial Audio (requires iPhone with TrueDepth camera)
- Audio / Transparency ModeImproved Transparency mode
- audio_processing—
- Battery / With ANCUp to 4 hours per charge (vs 3 hours on AirPods 4)
- Battery / With Wireless Charging Case + ANCUp to 22 hours total
- battery_buds_anc—
- battery_with_case—
- bodyCopy—
- Case / ChargingWireless charging (Apple Watch chargers, Qi, USB-C)
- catchCopy—
- Charging CaseAirPods 5: Works with USB-C connector AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case: Works with USB-C connector, Apple Watch charger, or Qi-certified chargers
- ChipH2 headphone chip
- ConnectivityBluetooth 5.3 wireless technology
- ControlsPress once to play or pause media Press once to answer a call or mute or unmute Press once for camera remote Press twice to end a call Press twice to skip forward Press three times to skip back Press and hold to switch between listening modes Swipe up or down to adjust volume (AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case) Say “Hey Siri” or just “Siri” to do things like play a song, make a call, or get directions With Siri Interactions, nod your head yes or gently shake your head no when Siri asks if you want to answer an incoming call, hear a text message, manage notifications, and more
- DesignOpen-ear form factor; improved dust, sweat, and water resistance (no IP rating published)
- driver—
- Dust, Sweat, and Water ResistantDust, sweat, and water resistant (IP57)
- equalizer_bands—
- MaterialsAirPods 5 are made with 40% recycled content, including: 100% recycled aluminum in the hinge of the case 100% recycled cobalt in the battery
- microphones—
- Noise CancellationActive Noise Cancellation in an open-ear design; removes up to 50% more external noise than AirPods 4
- processor—
- SensorsDual beamforming microphones Inward-facing microphone Optical in-ear sensor Motion-detecting accelerometer Speech-detecting accelerometer Force sensor
- Siri / Head GesturesNod or shake your head to respond to Siri
- Size and WeightAirPods 5 (Each): Height: 1.19 inches (30.2 mm), Width: 0.72 inch (18.3 mm), Depth: 0.71 inch (18.1 mm), Weight: 0.15 ounce (4.3 grams), Charging Case (USB-C): Height: 1.82 inches (46.2 mm), Width: 1.97 inches (50.1 mm), Depth: 0.83 inch (21.2 mm), Weight: 1.14 ounces (32.3 grams)
- Size and Weight (Each)Height: 1.19 inches (30.2 mm) Width: 0.72 inch (18.3 mm) Depth: 0.71 inch (18.1 mm) Weight: 0.15 ounce (4.3 grams)
- System RequirementsiPhone models with the latest version of iOS iPad models with the latest version of iPadOS Apple Watch models with the latest version of watchOS Mac models with the latest version of macOS Apple TV models with the latest version of tvOS Apple Vision Pro with the latest version of visionOS
- Year introduced2026
Sony WF-1000XM6
Sony's flagship earbuds at $329.99, with a redesigned driver and eight-microphone cancellation.
Where it wins, where it doesn't
Pros
- Bone-conduction voice sensing gives unusually clean call audio in noise
- Strong cancellation for the form factor
- Gemini Live integrated rather than bolted on
Cons
- Assistant features assume Google's ecosystem
- Isolation still trails over-ear models
- Fit is tip-dependent and fatiguing over long sessions
Specifications
- Accessibility—
- Audio / Adaptive Audio—
- Audio / Adaptive EQ—
- Audio / Architecture—
- Audio / Conversation Awareness—
- Audio / Spatial Audio—
- Audio / Transparency Mode—
- audio_processing32-bit
- Battery / With ANC—
- Battery / With Wireless Charging Case + ANC—
- battery_buds_anc8 hours
- battery_with_case24 hours
- bodyCopyCrafted with mastering-engineer insight and advanced noise-cancelling technology, the WF-1000XM6 delivers faithful, detailed sound. The refined ergonomic design keeps the fit natural for listening that lasts.
- Case / Charging—
- catchCopySound mastered. Noise cancelled.
- Charging Case—
- Chip—
- Connectivity—
- Controls—
- Design—
- driver8.4mm
- Dust, Sweat, and Water Resistant—
- equalizer_bands10
- Materials—
- microphones8
- Noise Cancellation—
- processorQN3e
- Sensors—
- Siri / Head Gestures—
- Size and Weight—
- Size and Weight (Each)—
- System Requirements—
- Year introduced—