I looked up the newest Sony noise‑cancelling headphones and recent reviews. The current Sony flagship over‑ear ANC model is the WH‑1000XM6 (released in 2025), while the still‑popular WH‑1000XM5 (2022) remains widely reviewed and sold. Below is a concise summary of professional and user impressions, plus quick buying guidance (all points include sources).

Quick summary

• Sony WH‑1000XM6 — Sony’s latest flagship as of 2025: significantly improved ANC (new QN3 processor, more mics), updated folding/portability, very good call quality, warm detailed sound, ~32+ hour battery life. Generally praised as a top pick. (theguardian.com)
• Sony WH‑1000XM5 — Still a top contender in 2024–2025: class‑leading ANC, excellent sound and call quality, widely recommended though some reviewers note comfort/fit and non‑folding design tradeoffs; frequent discounts in 2025. (TechRadar.com)
• User reports are mixed: many praise long‑term performance and ANC, while some complain about fit, occasional build/failure issues, and subjective sound tuning. (reddit.com)

Top review takeaways (what reviewers emphasize)

• Noise cancellation: Reviewers say Sony’s latest ANC is among the best — WH‑1000XM6 improves cancellation of mid/high pitched sounds and chatter vs. previous generations. Great for travel/office. (theguardian.com)
• Sound quality: Both XM5 and XM6 get high marks for balanced, detailed sound with customizable EQ in the Sony app. Some listeners find the default tuning a bit warm or bass‑forward; audiophile opinions vary. (TechGearLab.com)
• Call quality and mics: Sony improved mics and call performance; professional reviews call out excellent voice clarity on calls. (TechGearLab.com)
• Comfort and fit: Mixed. Many find them comfortable for hours, but fit can be less ideal for smaller heads and some users report long‑term wear issues. The XM6 brought subtle design changes to improve portability. (TechGearLab.com)
• Battery and features: Battery life in real‑world use typically ~30+ hours with ANC; support for multipoint Bluetooth, LDAC (high‑res), spatial features (Sony’s 360 Reality Audio). Some competitors add Dolby Atmos spatial support where Sony may be limited. (theguardian.com)

Representative review sources

• The Guardian (WH‑1000XM6 review) — praises improved ANC, new internals (QN3), better portability, strong call quality and sound. (theguardian.com)
• TechGearLab (WH‑1000XM5, Aug 2025 update) — still ranks XM5 highly for sound and ANC; notes comfort and battery tradeoffs. (TechGearLab.com)
• TechRadar (XM5 coverage / buying advice) — calls XM5 “still the best” in many respects but notes price and portability tradeoffs; also has a “should you buy in 2025” update. (TechRadar.com)
• The Verge / deal pieces and user discussions — overview of pricing, discounts, and user sentiment. (theverge.com)

Pros / Cons (condensed)

• Pros: Best‑in‑class ANC (especially XM6), very good sound, excellent call quality, strong app/EQ and features, multipoint Bluetooth and high‑res codecs.
• Cons: Premium price (though discounts common), fit/comfort not perfect for everyone, occasional user reports of build issues, limited water resistance, some competitors offer different spatial audio features.

Which to pick

• If you want the absolute newest flagship and the best ANC: WH‑1000XM6 (2025). Read reviews for portability and codec support details. (theguardian.com)
• If you want a proven flagship that’s often discounted and still excellent: WH‑1000XM5 — same great ANC and sound, likely cheaper in the US through sales. (TechRadar.com)
• If you need water resistance or specialized spatial audio features, check competitors (Bose, Sennheiser, Sonos) as they sometimes lead in particular areas; compare features against your priorities. (TechRadar.com)

If you want, I can:

• Pull the latest price/availability in the US for the WH‑1000XM6 and WH‑1000XM5 right now, or
• Summarize side‑by‑side specs (weight, battery, codecs, mic count), or
• Find top alternatives in the same price range.

Which follow‑up would you like?