Jabra built its reputation on call quality. The Elite series has been the gold standard for wireless earbuds that make you sound clear on the other end of a phone call. The Elite 10 Gen 2 is the company’s best effort yet, priced directly against Sony’s WF-1000XM6 at around $280.
Sony’s earbuds are the all-around champions — best ANC, great sound, and a feature set that covers every use case. But Jabra has a different priority: making you sound great when you are talking, not just when you are listening. After extensive use for calls, music, and daily life, here is how two excellent earbuds compare.
Call Quality
Jabra wins this category, and it is the reason to buy the Elite 10 Gen 2. Six microphones per earbud with bone conduction sensors and advanced noise suppression algorithms filter out wind, traffic, and background chatter. On a call from a busy street, the person on the other end hears your voice clearly while the city noise fades to a distant murmur. The HearThrough mode for your own voice during calls is the most natural implementation of any earbud.
Sony’s call quality is good but not Jabra-level. The WF-1000XM6 uses AI noise reduction that works well in moderate noise but struggles in very loud environments — wind noise on a breezy day, loud coffee shop chatter. You sound fine. With Jabra, you sound like you are in a quiet room even when you are not.
If you take calls regularly from noisy environments — commuting, coffee shops, open offices — the Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 is the clear choice.
Sound Quality
Sony’s WF-1000XM6 has a more detailed, energetic sound with better instrument separation. The dual-processor setup and 8.4mm driver deliver sound that makes you want to rediscover your music library. LDAC support provides hi-res audio on compatible Android phones.
Jabra’s Elite 10 Gen 2 has a warmer, more relaxed sound. Bass is present and punchy. Mids are clear. The soundstage is wide for earbuds. The Jabra Sound+ app includes an EQ with presets and a custom mode. The sound is enjoyable and non-fatiguing, but it lacks the last bit of sparkle and detail that Sony delivers.
Sony wins on sound quality. The Jabra sounds good, but Sony sounds great.
Noise Cancellation
Sony’s ANC is the benchmark. The dual-processor system and eight microphones create near-silence in noisy environments. Adaptive ANC adjusts automatically.
Jabra’s ANC is above average — good enough for commuting and office work — but cannot match Sony’s effectiveness on low-frequency rumble and overall noise attenuation. Jabra’s adaptive ANC adjusts to your environment, but the ceiling is lower.
For ANC, Sony wins. The margin is significant.
Comfort and Fit
Jabra’s Elite 10 Gen 2 uses a semi-open design that reduces the plugged-up feeling of fully sealed earbuds. The oval ear tips (Jabra calls them EarGels) create a secure seal without deep insertion. Comfort is excellent for hours of wear. The IP57 rating means they survive rain and sweat — the best durability in this comparison.
Sony’s foam tips create excellent passive isolation but can feel intrusive after extended wear. The IPX4 splash resistance is fine but not as robust as Jabra’s IP57.
Jabra wins on comfort for most people and durability for everyone. The semi-open design is genuinely more comfortable for all-day wear.
Battery Life
Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2: 8 hours with ANC on, 36 hours with case. Wireless charging included.
Sony WF-1000XM6: 8 hours with ANC on, 24 hours with case. Wireless charging included.
Jabra’s case provides significantly more total battery. If you travel or forget to charge the case, the extra 12 hours matter.
Verdict
The Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 is the better buy for people who take calls regularly and need earbuds that survive workouts and rain. The call quality is unmatched, the comfort is excellent, and the battery life and durability are top-tier. If earbuds are a productivity tool as much as an entertainment device, Jabra has your use case covered.
The Sony WF-1000XM6 is the better buy for people who prioritize music and noise cancellation. The sound quality and ANC are best-in-class. Call quality is good, but not the reason to choose them. If earbuds are primarily for listening, Sony delivers the best experience.
If you take more than two calls per day in environments that are not silent: get the Jabra. If you mostly listen to music and podcasts: get the Sony.