The Sony XM6s, aka “the Once and future King” of Bluetooth earphones, are so amazing that they won my earphone of the year award for 2026, and I still stand by it even though my Sennheiser MTW5s are my favorite fitting and sounding combo of the year. There is just no getting around the ability to read my text messages and activate Google Assistant by voice. Sony and Samsung alike do things like this, but only Sony is universal for both iOS and Android. Sony’s ANC is legendary! They even have voice commands and battery protection modes so your investment lasts. Finally, they have the battery life to back it up, along with LDAC and DSEE sound abilities for Android.
The absolute only thing I don’t like about the Sony XM6s is the eartips and overall size. Once I got the silicone tips on Amazon for $6, I have had far fewer complaints about the fit. Others might not feel the same, so I understand that they might not be for everyone. But if they do fit you, I don’t think there is a single earphone that is a better overall package, which is why it is my earphone of the year.
Basically, for the last couple of weeks or months, I have been promoting the Sennheisers as my favorite sound and fit combo earphones. Sure, everyone knew that the Sony XM6s were still the overall earphones of the year. But when I decided to look at both again and do a test, I wasn’t shocked that the Sony still won overall. However, I was shocked at how much I missed using them and how much of a difference they make with quality-of-life features like touch-to-speak, text message reading, and Google voice activation. The other part that shocked me again was how amazing these sound. The vocals are the best I have ever heard; their bass is emotional, their mids are rich, and the treble is very crisp and detailed. But the best part is the separation, huge soundstage with killer imaging and timbre. I mean, Sony killed it with these earphones, and the fact that more people aren’t talking about them, including myself, is a shame. I truly think the Sony XM6s are a result of timing. If they hadn’t launched so close to their competitors like Samsung and Sennheiser, I think people would still be going crazy over them now..
I am just sitting here listening and shaking my head at the dominance of these earphones if I am honest with myself. My life is going so much better using this product compared to any other earphones. It is ridiculous how useful these earphones make my life, while dominating in sound and ANC. Walking outside and hearing my text messages read out to me instead of missing them is beyond useful. Touch-to-hear is such a cheat code when I need it, which has been several times today. Coming from so many other earphones, even the touch controls are a pleasure to work with due to their accuracy. Once again, they are making my life better. Having my hands full and being able to reach out to Google Assistant to text my wife while I was listening to an audiobook is sick!
Top Five best Earphones of 2026
- Xm6
- Samsung buds 4 pro
- Sennheiser MTW5
- Noble Osprey
- Soundcore Anker Buds 2
I get it; AirPods present some of this magic too if you are on iPhone. They read your text messages and access Siri, but Siri still isn’t Gemini or the Samsung AI features on my Fold 8, so I will stay right here. AirPods don’t have the sound of the Sonys, nor the touch controls and battery life of the Sonys. So again, the XM6s are a totally superior beast of earphones, and it’s not really worth debating. In fact, they are the only earphones at this time that I feel are worth the exact asking price. They won my Earphone of the Year for 2026 and I still stand by that, if not doubling down on it. I’ve truly missed using them, so I’m going back to them. I’m ashamed I almost disregarded them with the Sennheiser MTW5s in my hands. They aren’t even close to what this earphone is as a total package. Yes, they are the best fit and sound combo in Bluetooth, but there is but one “Once and Future King” of Bluetooth. The Sony even has that same magical ability to Super-position sound like the Sennheisers.
