Sony WH-1000XM6 review: The best headphones for travel

I’m quite the frequent traveler. My family lives in India, but I’m based in New York. That means at least once a year, I need to embark on a very long 16-hour transatlantic journey that’s almost always turbulent. I, unfortunately, hate turbulence and struggle to keep my calm, immediately sending Hail Marys out into the universe the second the airplane passes through rough air.

For the last year, though, I’ve figured out how to mitigate my flight anxiety, and it’s all thanks to the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones. How might a pair of noise-canceling headphones reduce flight anxiety, you may ask? My Sony headphones drown out every single airplane noise, and if I close my eyes, I can almost imagine myself back in the sanctuary of my home.

These Sony headphones have been my daily favorite for the last year or so. They’re comfortable, offer an extended 30-hour battery life, and fast charging features. I wear these every time I fly, and they are the best headphones for travel I’ve ever used.

Weight: 256 grams

Battery Life: 40 without ANC, 30 with

Driver unit: 30 mm

It’s no secret that airplanes are genuinely noisy. From the sound of the hydraulics to the ever-running engines, anyone who suffers from flight anxiety might misconstrue the slightest sound to mean trouble. My solution? Put on my Sony headphones, turn on noise canceling, and play my favorite songs on repeat. The noise cancellation is actually strong enough that even if you don’t have music playing, it will still numb the louder airplane sounds around you — a boon when I’m trying to sleep.

Great noise cancellation, even better fit

Their other greatest feature? The comfortable foam earcups. I’ve worn these headphones for long flights and long days of work without feeling any pain. You’ll want to make sure the ear cups cover your ears completely to avoid any discomfort, though — the slightest change in fit can affect this. The plush headband is adjustable too, making sure these headphones stay on, even as you bop your head to your favorite beats.

Battery life is pretty decent

The battery life on these headphones does run 30 hours (with noise cancellation), and I can safely say that if you’ve got a full battery life, you’ll get through your next transatlantic flight in noise-canceling mode without draining your headphones. They charge pretty quickly, too, and Sony offers fast charging on these, so a quick 3-minute recharge will get you as much as three hours of listening time. Whenever my headphones are running low on juice, this feature is a game-changer for me. You can also charge these headphones while using them, which was a big plus for me, as that meant I never had to leave my safe “bubble” during long flights.

My usual music of choice on severely turbulent flights is EDM tracks — primarily because they’re so punchy that they distract me from what’s happening around me. The Sony WH-1000XM6s are particularly good at delivering bass-heavy EDM songs from my favorites like Alok, R3hab, and Anyma. Instruments sound clear and detailed, and bass in particular thumps evenly without overwhelming my eardrums — even at loud volumes.

Is it worth it?

As someone who travels often and has tried literally every cure to flight anxiety in the book — yes, I’ve tried meditation and fidget spinners — I couldn’t survive flights without the Sony WH-1000XM6. They offer big sound, have a comfortable fit, and truly drown out all those pesky airplane noises that peak my anxiety. No, it’s not a magic pill that will kill your anxiety, but it’s something that makes flying bearable for me, and that alone is a win.

Are these the best Sony headphones?

As of now, the Sony WH-1000XM6 are the best headphones the brand makes. That said, if you’re looking for a slightly cheaper alternative, you can shop the previous-gen Sony WH-1000XM5.

Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. Sony WH-1000XM6

The previous generation, the Sony WH-1000XM5s, have a similar sleek build but don’t feature the foldable design of the Sony WH-1000XM6. Sound quality is also a tad better, and I find, having tested both, that the Sony WH-1000XM6 can withstand scuffs and scratches better.

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