Sony WH-1000XM4 vs XM5 vs XM6 UK 2026: Which Should You Buy?

Sony has three flagship headphones on sale at once. Ratings and review counts help separate them.

We compared them on Amazon UK, using price, rating and number of reviews. We haven't tested them ourselves. This comparison is based on the Amazon listings and customer ratings, so check the latest price and details before you buy.

Headphones	Approx. price	Rating	Reviews
Sony WH-1000XM6	£349	4.2	1,900+
Sony WH-1000XM5	£199	4.3	12,000+
Sony WH-1000XM4C	£219	4.6	110+
Sony ULT WEAR	£99	4.4	4,200+

Our take: the XM5 has the most reviews and is cheaper than the newer XM6. The ULT WEAR at around £99 is the budget route into Sony noise cancelling.

Short answer: The WH-1000XM5 (around £199, rated 4.3 from more than 12,000 buyers) is the safe middle choice. The XM6 costs around £150 more and is rated 4.2 so far. The XM4C has the highest rating but only 113 reviews. Prices and ratings are from Amazon UK, checked when our catalogue was last updated. Prices change, so check the latest on Amazon.

1. Best choice: WH-1000XM5

Sony WH-1000XM5 Premium Wireless Noise Cancelling

★★★★☆ 4.3 · 12,075 Amazon UK ratings

£199

A 4.3 rating from more than 12,000 buyers at around £199, the most reviewed Sony here.

Check Price on Amazon

Compare more in our Best Premium Headphones UK 2026 guide →

2. Newest: WH-1000XM6

Sony WH-1000XM6 Flagship Wireless Noise Cancelling

★★★★☆ 4.2 · 1,923 Amazon UK ratings

£349

A 4.2 rating from more than 1,900 buyers at around £349, about £150 more than the XM5.

Check Price on Amazon

Compare more in our Best Premium Headphones UK 2026 guide →

3. Highest rated: WH-1000XM4C

Sony WH-1000XM4C Wireless Noise Cancelling

★★★★☆ 4.6 · 113 Amazon UK ratings

£219

A 4.6 rating but from only about 110 buyers, at around £219. Few reviews, so treat the rating with care.

Check Price on Amazon

Compare more in our Best Premium Headphones UK 2026 guide →

4. Cheaper Sony: ULT WEAR

Sony ULT WEAR Wireless Noise Cancelling

★★★★☆ 4.4 · 4,183 Amazon UK ratings

£99

A 4.4 rating from more than 4,200 buyers at around £99, the cheapest Sony noise-cancelling pair here.

Check Price on Amazon

Compare more in our Best Premium Headphones UK 2026 guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Sony XM6 worth it over the XM5?

On ratings, not yet. The XM6 costs about £150 more and is rated 4.2 against 4.3 for the XM5, which has far more reviews.

What is the cheapest Sony noise cancelling headphone?

The Sony ULT WEAR at around £99, rated 4.4 from more than 4,200 buyers.

HomeGadgetPro Editorial Team

Our buying guides are based on real Amazon UK product data, verified customer ratings and independent research. Prices are checked weekly. We may earn commission on purchases made through links in this article — see our affiliate disclosure.