Sony, Bose or Beats
Sony vs Bose vs Beats headphones in the UK: WH-1000XM6 £349.00, QuietComfort Ultra £447.77, Studio Pro £180.88. Battery, noise cancelling, weight and phone fit.
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At a glance
In a Sony vs Bose vs Beats headphones comparison, the Sony WH-1000XM6 is the best all-round buy at £349.00 on Amazon UK at the time of writing (October 2026). The Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) at £299.95 is the pick for Bose noise cancelling, and the Beats Studio Pro at £180.88 is the pick for iPhone owners on a budget. The wider field is ranked in best wireless headphones UK 2026.
| Situation | Brand | Pick | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best all-round headphones | Sony | Sony WH-1000XM6 | £349.00 |
| Noise cancelling first, price second | Bose | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones | £447.77 |
| Bose for less | Bose | Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) | £299.95 |
| iPhone owner on a budget | Beats | Beats Studio Pro | £180.88 |
| Light on-ear pair for commuting | Beats | Beats Solo 4 | £150.00 |
Noise cancelling and codecs decide the Sony and Bose choice; battery and price decide the Beats choice. The Sony model replaced an older pair that is covered in Sony WH-1000XM6 vs WH-1000XM5.
Beats vs Bose headphones: which has the better battery life?
Beats has the longer battery on the over-ear models compared here. Beats rates the Studio Pro at 40 hours with noise cancelling off and 24 hours with noise cancelling or Transparency mode on. Bose rates both the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and the QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) at 24 hours, falling to 18 hours with Immersive Audio on. Sony rates the Sony WH-1000XM6 at 30 hours with noise cancelling on.
| Headphones | Price | Rated battery | £ per rated hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | £349.00 | 30 h (ANC on) | £11.63 |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones | £447.77 | 24 h (18 h with Immersive Audio) | £18.66 |
| Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) | £299.95 | 24 h (18 h with Immersive Audio) | £12.50 |
| Beats Studio Pro | £180.88 | 24 h (ANC on), 40 h (ANC off) | £7.54 |
| Sennheiser MOMENTUM 5 | £329.00 | 57 h (listing) | £5.77 |
| Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 | £173.00 | 60 h (listing) | £2.88 |
Bose's newer QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) lift the rating to 30 hours, or 23 hours with Immersive Audio on, according to Expert Reviews, at a launch price of £449 according to TechRadar. The Amazon UK listing found for the Ultra range is the original model at 24 hours, so the table prices that one.
Beats by Dre vs Bose headphones: which is better?
Bose is better for noise cancelling and Beats is better for price. The Beats Studio Pro costs £180.88 and the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) cost £299.95, a gap of £119.07 that is £3.31 a month over three years. Expert Reviews says the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) are essentially as good at silencing background sound as the premium Ultra model.
- Weight: Beats lists the Studio Pro at 260 g. Bose lists the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones at about 254 g, and the reviews of the QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) put them at between 230 g (Expert Reviews) and 241 g (TechRadar).
- Codecs: Expert Reviews reports the QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) support only SBC and AAC over Bluetooth, with lossless audio over USB-C. Beats also offers lossless audio over USB-C on the Studio Pro.
- Battery: Expert Reviews calls the Bose battery below average at 24 hours. The Beats Studio Pro gives 16 hours more with noise cancelling off.
Which brand suits Android and which suits iPhone?
Sony and Bose suit Android best because both add a higher-quality codec on compatible phones. Beats suits both platforms, with a Beats app for Android, Google Fast Pair and Find My Device support, and Apple-side Find My.
| Headphones | Android | iPhone |
|---|---|---|
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | LDAC for higher-bitrate streaming | Standard Bluetooth audio |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones | Snapdragon Sound on compatible phones | Standard Bluetooth audio |
| Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) | SBC and AAC only | SBC and AAC only |
| Beats Studio Pro | Fast Pair, Find My Device, Beats app | Find My, Personalised Spatial Audio |
Owners weighing Apple against Beats can read which AirPods to buy in the UK.
Skullcandy vs Beats vs Bose and Sony vs Beats vs Sennheiser
Skullcandy and Sennheiser beat all three big brands on rated battery. The Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 costs £173.00 and the Amazon UK listing rates it at 60 hours, which is £7.88 less than the Beats Studio Pro and 36 hours more than Beats rates that model with noise cancelling on. The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 5 costs £329.00, £20.00 less than the Sony WH-1000XM6, and its listing rates it at 57 hours.
Battery is where those two stop. Sony and Bose lead on noise cancelling, and the Skullcandy listing leans on bass and gym use rather than cancelling. The Beats Solo 4 at £150.00 is an on-ear model rated at 50 hours by its listing, and suits buyers who want a light pair for commuting on a budget. Cheaper noise cancelling is ranked in best budget headphones UK 2026.
What are the top wireless headphone brands in 2026?
Five brands cover most UK purchases: Sony, Bose, Beats, Sennheiser and Skullcandy. Apple sits alongside them with the AirPods Max 2 at £499.00 on Amazon UK. Each brand has a different strength.
| Brand | Strength | Phone fit | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony | Noise cancelling, codecs, all-round features | LDAC on Android | WH-1000XM6, £349.00 |
| Bose | Noise cancelling, comfort, calls | Snapdragon Sound on Android | QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, £447.77 |
| Beats | Price, iPhone pairing, USB-C lossless | Fast Pair and Find My Device | Studio Pro, £180.88 |
| Sennheiser | Battery life | Listing rates 57 h | MOMENTUM 5, £329.00 |
| Skullcandy | Battery life per pound | Listing rates 60 h | Crusher ANC 2, £173.00 |
Whether the price of a flagship is justified is covered in are expensive headphones worth it.
Sony WH-1000XM6 - best overall
Sony WH-1000XM6 specifications
- Noise cancelling: adaptive, 12 microphones
- Battery: up to 30 hours with ANC on
- Weight: 254 g
- Bluetooth 5.4 with LDAC
- Frequency response: 4 Hz to 40,000 Hz
- Charging: USB-C
Sony's flagship suits commuters, flyers and Android owners who want LDAC. Expert Reviews notes that it can adjust attenuation automatically based on activity or location, which the Bose cannot, and puts its UK launch price at £399.
Sony WH-1000XM6 - pros and cons
Where to buy
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Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones - best for cancelling
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones specifications
- Noise cancelling: active, with Immersive Audio spatial mode
- Battery: 24 hours, 18 hours with Immersive Audio on
- Weight: about 254 g (0.560 lb)
- Bluetooth 5.3 with Snapdragon Sound
Expert Reviews calls the Bose range among the best over-ear options for noise cancelling. The cost is battery, at 24 hours against Sony's 30, and a price £98.77 above the Sony WH-1000XM6.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones - pros and cons
Where to buy
Check price
Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) - best Bose value
Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) specifications
- Noise cancelling: active, with Immersive Audio
- Battery: 24 hours, 18 hours in Immersive Audio mode
- Weight: about 230 g (Expert Reviews) to 241 g (TechRadar)
- Codecs: SBC and AAC, lossless audio over USB-C
The QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) cost £147.82 less than the Ultra and are the lighter pair. They suit iPhone owners and commuters who want Bose cancelling without the Ultra extras.
Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) - pros and cons
Where to buy
Check price
Beats Studio Pro - best on a budget
Beats Studio Pro specifications
- Noise cancelling: active, with Transparency mode
- Battery: 40 hours ANC off, 24 hours ANC or Transparency on
- Weight: 260 g
- Lossless audio over USB-C with the included cable
- Android: Google Fast Pair, Find My Device and the Beats app
- Apple: Find My
The Beats Studio Pro suits listeners who want an easy pair for either phone at £168.12 below the Sony WH-1000XM6. It is the heaviest here, at 260 g.
Beats Studio Pro - pros and cons
Where to buy
Check price
Radar · 0-100 scores
- Sony WH-1000XM6
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
- Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)
- Beats Studio Pro
Sony vs Bose vs Beats: full spec sheet
Sony leads on battery with noise cancelling on, and Beats leads with it off. All four weigh between 230 g and 260 g.
| Spec | Sony WH-1000XM6 | Bose QC Ultra | Bose QC (2nd Gen) | Beats Studio Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon UK price | £349.00 | £447.77 | £299.95 | £180.88 |
| Battery, ANC on | 30 h | 24 h | 24 h | 24 h |
| Battery, ANC off | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | 40 h |
| Battery, Immersive Audio on | Not applicable | 18 h | 18 h | Not applicable |
| Weight | 254 g | about 254 g | 230 g to 241 g | 260 g |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.3 | 5.4 (Expert Reviews) | Class 1 |
| Codecs and audio | LDAC | Snapdragon Sound | SBC, AAC, USB-C lossless | USB-C lossless |
| Android helpers | LDAC | Snapdragon Sound | None listed | Fast Pair, Find My Device |
| £ per rated ANC hour | £11.63 | £18.66 | £12.50 | £7.54 |
Buyers who want the wider market should read best wireless headphones UK 2026.
What does the extra money buy?
Each step up buys battery, codecs or noise cancelling. Compare Electronic priced each step at Amazon UK prices at the time of writing (October 2026) and spread it over 36 months.
| Step up | Extra cost | Per month over 3 years | What it buys |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beats Studio Pro to Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) | £119.07 | £3.31 | Bose cancelling, 230 g to 241 g, USB-C lossless |
| Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) to Sony WH-1000XM6 | £49.05 | £1.36 | 30 h battery, LDAC, adaptive cancelling |
| Sony WH-1000XM6 to Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones | £98.77 | £2.74 | Immersive Audio, Snapdragon Sound, Bose cancelling |
| Beats Studio Pro to Sony WH-1000XM6 | £168.12 | £4.67 | 6 more hours with ANC on, LDAC, 6 g less weight |
The cheapest useful step is £49.05, from the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) to the Sony, which adds 6 hours of rated battery.
How to choose between Sony, Bose and Beats
- Noise cancelling first: shortlist the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) at £299.95 and the Sony WH-1000XM6 at £349.00, which sit £49.05 apart.
- Battery first: Beats rates 40 hours with noise cancelling off, Sennheiser and Skullcandy list 57 and 60 hours.
- Android phone: LDAC on the Sony and Snapdragon Sound on the Bose are the codec advantages.
- iPhone: the Beats Studio Pro adds Find My at £180.88, and the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) work well over AAC.
Who should skip each model?
- Skip the Sony WH-1000XM6: buyers who put cancelling above battery and are ready to pay for the Bose.
- Skip the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones: buyers who need more than 24 hours, since the Sony costs £98.77 less and rates 6 hours longer.
- Skip the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen): Android owners who want a high-bitrate codec.
- Skip the Beats Studio Pro: frequent flyers, since 24 hours with noise cancelling on ties for the shortest here.
Verdict
The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the headphone to buy in a Sony vs Bose vs Beats choice. At £349.00 on Amazon UK at the time of writing (October 2026) it rates 30 hours with noise cancelling on and adds LDAC. Buyers who want Bose should take the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) at £299.95 over the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones at £447.77. iPhone owners on a budget should take the Beats Studio Pro at £180.88. The wider ranking is in best wireless headphones UK 2026, and earbud buyers should read which AirPods to buy.
Frequently asked questions
Sony vs Beats vs Bose headphones: which should I buy?
Buyers who want the best all-round headphones should buy the Sony WH-1000XM6 at £349.00 on Amazon UK at the time of writing (October 2026). Bose suits listeners who put noise cancelling first, from £299.95. Beats suits iPhone owners on a budget, with the Beats Studio Pro at £180.88. Each brand's cheapest sensible pick sits at a different price.
Beats vs Bose headphones: which has better battery life?
Beats has the longer battery on the models compared here. Beats rates the Studio Pro at 40 hours with noise cancelling off and 24 hours with it on. Bose rates the QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) and the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones at 24 hours, and 18 hours with Immersive Audio on. Sony rates the WH-1000XM6 at 30 hours with noise cancelling on.
Beats by Dre vs Bose headphones: which is better for Android?
Bose is the safer Android choice for calls and codecs, and Beats is a fair choice for casual listening. The Beats Studio Pro supports Google Fast Pair and Find My Device, with a Beats app for Android. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones list Snapdragon Sound, which gives aptX Adaptive on compatible phones. Sony adds LDAC on the WH-1000XM6.
Skullcandy vs Beats vs Bose: is Skullcandy worth buying?
Yes for battery and price, no for flagship noise cancelling. The Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 costs £173.00 on Amazon UK at the time of writing (October 2026) and the listing rates it at 60 hours. That is 36 hours more than the Beats Studio Pro with noise cancelling on, for £7.88 less. Bose and Sony lead on cancelling.
Sony vs Beats vs Sennheiser: how do the three compare?
Sony leads on features, Sennheiser on battery and Beats on price. The Sony WH-1000XM6 costs £349.00 and lasts 30 hours with noise cancelling on. The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 5 costs £329.00 and its listing rates it at 57 hours. The Beats Studio Pro costs £180.88 and Beats rates it at 24 hours with noise cancelling on.
What are the top wireless headphone brands in 2026 in the UK?
Sony, Bose, Apple, Sennheiser and Beats lead the premium end, with Soundcore and Skullcandy leading on price. Sony and Bose hold the noise cancelling lead, Apple and Beats lead on iPhone integration, and Sennheiser leads on battery. Amazon UK prices at the time of writing (October 2026) run from £39.99 to £499.00 across these brands.
Is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra worth more than the Sony WH-1000XM6?
Not on specification. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones cost £447.77 on Amazon UK, £98.77 more than the Sony WH-1000XM6 at £349.00, and Bose rates them at 24 hours against Sony's 30. Buyers who rank noise cancelling above everything else may still pay it: Expert Reviews calls the Bose range among the best for cancelling.