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Sony’sPlayStation Plus subscriptionservice has evolved over the years, initially beginning as a way to get new games each month, then giving access to online multiplayer. Now, the service has built upon both of those features, functioning a lot more likeGame Pass Ultimateand offering a lengthy catalog of games for a monthly fee, although it doesn’t add its own first-party games to the service right away. It still gives you new games each month and enables online play just as before, but now you have the option between Essential, Extra, and Premium for various prices and features.
As subscription prices have gone up, PS Plus might be a bit too much to stay subscribed to all year. Sony doesn’t make it simple to cancel, and there’s a somewhat sinister auto-renew change that may end up costing you.
Difficulty
Easy
Duration
5 minutes
If for whatever reason you want to cancel your PS Plus membership — whether you have the Essential, Extra, or Premium version — you can do so from your smartphone, computer, or a PlayStation console itself. It’s not the most complicated process, but knowing the steps before you start will no doubt save you time. Here’s how to cancel your PlayStation Plus subscription.PlayStation >>>LIP1708 Battery for Sony PlayStation 5 PS5 DualSense Controller CFI-ZCT1W
How to cancel PlayStation Plus on PS5 and PS4
First, you should be aware of how to cancel your subscription from a PS5 system, as it’s the most straightforward. You can also cancel from a PS4 console, and the process is nearly identical to its current-generation counterpart.
Step 1:From the home screen, navigate to theSettingsmenu.
Step 2:SelectUsers and Accounts.
Step 3:From theAccountmenu, selectPayment and subscriptions.
Step 5:Then, selectCancel subscriptionon the bottom left.
Step 6:You’ll be brought to a screen that asks you if you’re sure you want to cancel. SelectConfirm cancellation. This will end your services on the next expiration date, coinciding with however long your subscription is due to last. You’ll be able to enjoy the benefits until that expiration date.
If you don’t currently have access to your PS5 or PS4 system but still want to cancel your PS Plus membership, you can do so via a web browser on a computer and/or smartphone, and it’s pretty simple, thankfully!
Step 1:First, visit theSony Account Management pageand log in using your PlayStation credentials.
Step 2:SelectSubscriptionsfrom the list of menu options on the left. It’ll ask if you want to go to another page, so confirm this to move on to the next step.
Step 3:Once you arrive at the next page, a new list of options will appear on the right side of the screen, one of which isCancel Subscriptionat the bottom.
Previously, there was the option toTurn off Auto Renewthat would prevent you from being charged once your current subscription ran out. Now that this option is gone,Cancel Subscriptionserves that same purpose – it won’t instantly end your subscription. This confusion has caused many users to think they have to wait until the end of their subscription to cancel and end up forgetting and getting charged again.
Step 4:SelectConfirm Cancellationand you’ll be all set.
What happens when you end your PlayStation Plus subscription?
It’s important to be aware of what happens when you cancel your PS Plus membership. After your subscription end date (which is clearly displayed during the cancellation process), you’ll lose access to any games acquired via PS Plus. This means you won’t have access to any of the monthly games, titles from the PS Plus collection, or any games available from the catalog across Essential, Extra, and Premium memberships. You also won’t be able to play online multiplayer (with the exception of free-to-play games).
If you decide to resubscribe, you will gain access to any of the aforementioned games included with PS Plus.
This year’s strongest premium headphones battle it out for supremacy
Sony WH-1000XM6
The Sony WH-1000XM6 are a fantastic pair of over-ear headphones that combine the best design elements of their predecessors, while leveling up their sonic and ANC capabilities. With super-clean touch controls, an ultra-comfy fit and a ton of features, there’s a lot to love about these headphones, even if they do come at quite the cost.
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 are impressive in pretty much every aspect. They have a strong feature-set that’s expanding via updates, excellent build quality, but most of all, some of the best sound you can get from any headphones at this price, while still delivering very good ANC.
Pros
Open, balanced, and entertaining sound
Phenomenal build quality
More features coming in update
Cons
Sony’s active noise cancellation is better
On-ear controls aren’t as smart as Sony
Not fully foldable, so less portable than Sony
TheSonyWH-1000XM6 and Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 are easily among thebest headphoneswe’ve seen come out in 2025. If you’re looking to buy a pair of thebest noise cancelling headphonesaround, both models should certainly be up for consideration, with each offering excellent features, audio performance and build quality.
If you’re a little unsure on which model is right for you, it’s your lucky day! I’m here to break down the absolute best and worst (spoiler, there’s barely any of that) aspects of these headphones, to help you make the best possible choice.
TheBowers & Wilkins Px7 S3got an incredible five-star review from us, thanks primarily to their jaw-dropping sound-for-pound quality. But we adored theSony WH-1000XM6too for their best-in-class ANC and upgraded design. I’ve tested both models side by side for weeks on end, and I’ve learnt a lot about their capabilities, so we’ll take a look at what precisely sets them apart. Let the battle begin!
Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3: price and availability
The Sony WH-1000XM6 launched in May 2025, just a few weeks after the release of the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3. Sony’s new cans cost $449 / £399 / AU$699, which is by no means cheap.
But what do you know, the Px7 S3 cost the exact same amount as the Sony cans in each territory – though we have seen them on sale in the UK at one stage for just under £370. Both models, it’s fair to say, are comfortably in the premium tier as far as wireless headphones are concerned.
Each model comes in three different color options: Black, Midnight Blue, or Platinum Silver for the Sony WH-1000XM6; and Anthracite Black, Canvas White or Indigo Blue for the Px7 S3. For reference, I’ve been using the Platinum Silver and Canvas White options in my testing.
Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3: features
Both the XM6 and Px7 S3 are packed with the standard features you’d want from a pair of modern headphones – think fast-pairing, multi-point connectivity, wear detection and, of course, active noise cancellation. But there’s something of a chasm in terms of the amount offered by each rival.
Let’s start with Sony, which, for me, is supplying one of the most complete, detail-oriented user experiences on the market right now through the Sound Connect app. There are some awesome options such as scene-based listening, Cinema and Background Music modes for creating spatial audio from stereo sound, head-gesture monitoring (for accepting or rejecting calls), and Bluetooth Auracast.
The real standout, though, is the noise cancelling. If you haven’t already seen me rave about this elsewhere, I’ll be clear – the WH-1000XM6 are the king of ANC right now. None of the rivals I’ve tried – not even theBose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones– can top Sony’s flagships when it comes to crushing external noise. That’s because the XM6 harness the power of 12 microphones and fine-tune them in real time to enable a distraction-free listening experience.
Whether I’m traveling on public transport, walking near a busy road or working in a chatter-filled office I’m always treated to silence, or at least, near-silence. Honestly, it’s made it hard to go back to any other headphones.
Now, the Px7 S3aregood when it comes to noise cancelling – definitely an improvement over their predecessors. That’s thanks to a new ANC platform, which Bowers apparently built from scratch. It uses a total of eight mics to monitor the output of the drivers as well as outside noise in an effort to serve up its best-ever ANC.
And it works well, dulling almost all sounds effectively. But I just don’t get that same level of silence that the XM6 induce – the hum of a train sounded more prominent when using the Px7 S3 and traffic noise seeped through a little more.
Still, the Px7 do put forward a good passthrough ‘transparency’ mode, which enables you to be a bit more aware of your surroundings if, say, you’re walking in a super built-up area. Sony’s passthrough mode is a little more developed – you can adjust the level of noise that sneaks in with a slider and trigger it with a Speak to Chat option, or by covering the right earcup with your hand.
One final note on noise cancelling, though: both of these models are fantastic at maintaining excellent audio quality, even with ANC on. So regardless of which headphones you opt for, have no fear – you can still get a top-tier listening experience while shutting out your surroundings.
The only point of distraction Isometimesencountered was wind noise, which could be fairly prominent when using the Px7 S3, but wasn’t all too much of an issue with the XM6.
An area that Sony does considerably better in, though, is EQ adjustment. There’s a Find Your Equalizer mode, which creates a sound profile based on your personal taste; a 10-band custom EQ calibrator and some presets too. Meanwhile, the Px7 S3 offer a five band custom equalizer. I should say, though, that they already sounded incredible out of the box.
One area where there’s little-to-no difference, though, is battery life. Both sets of headphones go for 30 hours with ANC on. That’s… all right. There are competitors, such as theSennheiser Momentum 4 WirelessorCambridge Audio P100that can double that – but both the Sony and B&W cans can be charged while in-use, so it should be easy to avoid running out of juice, even if you’re on the move.
Both also harness their microphone systems to plate up great call quality, though the Sony cans are superior here. A combination of beamforming mics and AI sound processing ensure your voice is lifted away from pesky background noises, making foractuallycrystal-clear calling.
So yes, the Px7 S3 have a lot of nice features to mess around with and more coming. They’ve also made some substantial improvements in the way of noise cancelling and call quality. But the WH-1000XM6 are simply ahead of the competition. You can’t do better features-wise right now, and that’s why they take the edge for me.
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3
Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3: sound quality
As you’d likely expect, both the Sony WH-1000XM6 and the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 plate up excellent audio quality, making significant improvements over their respective predecessors.
The WH-1000XM6 deliver brilliantly clear, detailed audio, right across the frequency range. There’s a more balanced sound out of the box than I heard with both the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Sony WH-1000XM4, in part thanks to input from world-renowned mastering engineers throughout the headphones’ development process.
When tuning into tracks such asMole Moves Houseby Count Basic, I was struck by the tonal accuracy and rhythmic precision of each element, with smooth bass, gliding guitar and funky percussion coming through cleanly and cohesively.
The ability of the XM6 to separate out each instrumental element is pretty solid too – no matter the genre, I was never subjected to a bloated, busy interpretation of my favorite tunes.
When I spoke to some of Sony’s sound team at the XM6’s unveiling, they highlighted increased width as one of the largest changes, sonically speaking, over previous models. And don’t get me wrong, that’s definitely noticeable – I mean, there’s even a Cinema mode that upmixes a stereo signal into a more immersive format when you’re watching movies on the go.
But still, I can’t help but feel that the Px7 S3 offereven betterwidth and immersive audio.
From the very moment I placed the Bowers cans on my head and fired up Tidal, I was struck by one thing above all: an open, almost spatial property to audio, which really sucked me into the music.
And despite the phenomenal levels of width and depth they provide – which unlocks a ton of breathing space for each individual instrument to operate – there’s an undeniably stronger coherence to their presentation.
I should mention, too, that the Px7 S3 are set to get a spatial audio upgrade at a later stage, which will be accessible via the Bowers & Wilkins Music app. Sony has some spatial and head-tracking options for the XM6, but these only work on certain devices that support Android’s built-in head tracking, which doesn’t include thebest Samsung phones(and obviously rules outAppledevices).
One thing the Px7 S3 are a little more adept at than the Sony’s is the ability to almost air-lift vocal performances out of the mix, push them forward, and allow you to enjoy them in all of their glory. When tuning intoRains againby Solji, which has a real focus on higher-pitched, showstopping singing, I was gripped by the prominent positioning of vocals, which were incredibly crisp and expressive, making for a truly luxury listen.
I want to be clear – the XM6 also perform fantastically well. They just, perhaps, lack the openness of the Px7 S3. Both sets of headphones can reveal a huge degree of intricacies – in part, thanks to the inclusion of LDAC on the XM6 and aptX adaptive or aptX lossless on the Px7 S3.
All in all, these two rivals are wonderfully talented in their own right – but there can only be one winner. And in this case, I have to hand it to the Px7 S3. They may not have quite as many EQ options as the XM6, but that doesn’t matter. They sound fantastic out of the box and I was utterly hypnotized by their sound signature.
Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3: design
I barely have a bad word to say about either of these headphones, especially when it comes to design. Both of these have stunning looks, high build quality and great carry cases, meaning that you can see and feel the luxury nature of your premium purchase.
The WH-1000XM6 have borrowed the aesthetic of their predecessor, the XM5, with a sleek frame and a nice amount of padding on the headband and earcups for comfortable multi-hour listening sessions. They have a slightly wider headband than older Sony models for enhanced comfort and I can easily keep them on for hours on end without feeling irritated.
I’d argue that the earcups do looka littlechunky when wearing the headphones, and the carry case – though conveniently magnetic – is ever so slightly bigger than other ones I’ve used.
Meanwhile, the Px7 S3 are even better looking, for me. They have fabric details on the headband as well as the earcups, as well as neat metallic details and generous padding for high comfort. I did initially feel that they were a little tight on my head, but after a few days of listening, they soon adjusted to my liking.
The Px7 S3 opt for a zip-up case, which isn’t as quick and easy to use as the XM6 alternative. But I can’t deny the case’s classy, understated looks, which totally won me over. Again, its not the tiniest case on the market, but there’s a reason for that – these aren’t fully foldable. That’s not ideal if you need compact cans that you can throw in a small bag on the go.
The XM6, of course,arefoldable, but use stronger hinges than their ancestor, the XM4 – or the XM5, come to that, which weren’t foldable but had their own hinge issues.
Another thing the Px7 skip out on is touch controls. Now, for some, this may be a blessing. I’ve encountered some people that find touch controls in general to be finicky, unreliable, or too easy to trigger when you’re just adjusting your cans. These instead opt for traditional button controls, which areeasy-to-use.
But in honesty, I’d urge touch control haters to give the XM6 a go. They supply the most consistent, intuitive controls I’ve ever tried on any headphones. You can swipe and hold to adjust volume, flick sideways to skip and play tracks, tap twice – rather than once – to play/pause and even cover the right earcup to trigger passthrough mode. I’ve had no issues whatsoever with the XM6’s touch controls, and I much prefer using them to the more old-school approach of the Px7 S3’s physical buttons.
A couple of things before we move on. Neither of these models has any kind of waterproofing – something that’s very much commonplace for thebest over-ear headphones, though I’m hoping future evolutions will bring some kind of water resistance to the table.
Both have 3.5mm headphone ports, though, meaning you can indulge in wired listening if you’d prefer. However, only the B&W Px7 S3 can take USB-C lossless Hi-Res Audio over this input.
Overall, I prefer the look and feel of the Px7 S3. Yet I can’t help but find the XM6 to be more practical and pleasing to use, thanks to their foldability and future-facing touch controls. For that reason, I think we’ll call this round a tie.
Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3: value
Despite both of these models coming at, let’s face it, a pretty steep price, I still feel as if they each pack a great amount of bang for your buck.
The WH-1000XM6 are some of the most feature-rich headphones on the market, boasting class-leading noise cancelling, intelligent touch controls, amazing call quality and, of course, upgraded sound. I think, as a pair of all-rounders, they’re arguably the best that money can buy right now.
And as for the Px7 S3, I’m really not sure you could find better sound quality from any other over-ears in this price range. Their open, yet cohesive sound signature is intoxicating, and that’s the true draw here. Because yes, I’d argue the XM6 have superior features and portability. But they can’t quite beat Bowers for pure audio talents.
So I think it’ll come down to what your priority is. If it’s sound quality first, and you’re happy for other features to be very good but not quite best-in-class, then go Bowers. If you want all-rounders with the best ANC you can get, so Sony.
Yes, $450 / £400 / AU$700 is a lot of money to spend on some new headphones. But for the price you pay, you’re getting headphones that are leading the pack in some really crucial areas. Whichever pair you pick, I’m almost certain you’ll love what you see, feel and most importantly, hear.
Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3: verdict
Our battle has reached a truly epic conclusion. As you can see, there’s little to separate these two models overall. And that adds up, because if I learnt one thing from testing the WH-1000XM6 and Px7 S3 side by side, its that they’re both top-tier headphones…but meant for two different kinds of buyer.
If you want all the modern features, great sound quality, top-tier noise cancellation and a highly compact design, then I’d recommend the XM6 all day long. As I mentioned above, they’re an S-tier option if you’re seeking out a true all-rounder.
But if you’re willing to sacrifice a few features and the best sound cancelling in the game for the best sound available, then the Px7 S3 are right for you. I absolutely adore the almost spatial-sounding approach these headphones take – their immersive, well-separated audio just keeps me coming back for more and more.
Sony has made improvements across the board, from the design and call quality to noise cancellation and the all-important sound quality. The XM6 are superb. But they are pricey, and unlikely to see a big discount anytime soon.
The XM4 are still competitive, considering they’re five years old, mainly due to their significantly cheaper price. They sound good and block noise well for their cost, but the XM6 are the superior pair and boast better ANC and call quality too.
Pros
Dynamic sound
Great sense of timing
Lightweight, comfy design
Cons
No IP rating
No aptX support
XM6 are superior
The newSony WH-1000XM6have arrived, and they are excellent. With a tweaked design and small but meaningful upgrades to active noise cancellation (ANC) and sound quality, they are definite improvements on the previous-genWH-1000XM5.
But how do they fare against the model fromtwogenerations ago, theWH-1000XM4? Remarkably, those 2020-launched headphones are still on sale, and naturally are going for a knockdown price. Could they be the better buy? Let’s find out…
This is one area that the XM4 have a clear advantage. They’ve been on sale for five years now, which is an age in headphone terms. As such, their price has come down significantly since their release.
They originally launched at £350 / $350 / AU$550, but now sell for closer to £200 / $220 / AU$380. That’s significantly cheaper than the brand-new XM6, which cost £399 / $449 / AU$699.
The XM6 might come down in theBlack Friday salecome November –Sonyheadphones often do – but given that they have only just launched, we wouldn’t expect anysizeablediscounts until next year.
It’s worth noting that Sony rarely has three pairs of wireless headphones on sale at once, so we’re not exactly sure how much longer XM4 will be on sale. While the XM5 will most likely be around for some time, the remaining XM4 stock might not.
Again, five years is a long time in terms of headphone lifespan, so it isn’t surprising there are differences between the XM4 and XM6 in terms of design.
Both pairs have a fold mechanism, allowing them to fold up so you can carry them easily in a bag or coat pocket, but the XM6’s hinge mechanism looks different to the XM4’s. The sliders are noiseless and stepless on the WH-1000XM6, whereas they click on the older model.
The XM6 have a slightly tighter grip on your head than the XM4, too, but both pairs are very comfortable to wear and weigh exactly the same (254g).
Both pairs have touch controls. The headband on the XM6 is asymmetrical to help you see which way to put it on, while the band on XM4 is more uniform.
The XM6 bring some other tweaks too, such as its power button being circular and slightly recessed. The driver inside each earcup has also shrunk – the XM6 have a 30mm drive unit, whereas the XM4’s is 40mm. That may seem like a downgrade, but as we’ll see in later sections of this comprison, the smaller driver is more advanced.
The XM6 add a midnight blue finish to the standard silver and black of the XM4, and they have a new fingerprint-resistant material to keep them looking new. We’ll see how that plays out once we’ve subjected them to a few months’ use.
** Winner: Sony WH-1000XM6 **
Sony WH-1000XM6 vs XM4: features
This is where we start to see some ground open up between the two pairs. While the XM4 were groundbreaking in their day, five years on Sony has added plenty of features to the XM6 that are understandably lacking from the 2020 model.
A lot of this is courtesy of Sony’s new QN3 HD Noise Cancelling Processor. It’s seven times faster than the QN1 Noise Cancelling Processor found inside the last-gen XM5, which in turn was faster than the standard QN1 inside the XM4.
The XM6 have a new ‘look-ahead noise shaper’ that improves the digital-to-analogue conversion process by reducing distortion and improving dynamics.
They borrow tech from Sony’s Walkman range of high-end portable music players, too, such as a low-phase noise crystal oscillator to improve timing and gold-infused solder in parts of the circuit.
Sony’s 360 Reality Audio now has a spinoff for visual content, called 360 Reality Audio Upmix for Cinema. This converts a stereo audio mix to spatial audio to make it more immersive. And the XM6 have a 10-band equaliser and Gaming EQ for customising the sound further.
The battery life remains the same for both pairs – 30 hours with Bluetooth and noise-cancelling activated. But you can listen to the XM6 while you charge them, which you can’t with the XM4.
Both pairs lackaptX Bluetoothsupport, which will be a little frustrating if you own anaptX-supporting Android phone – but they do play nicely with Sony’s high-qualityLDACformat. And both can upscale compressed music files to near hi-res quality using their DSEE Extreme engine.
The XM6 also add next-genBluetooth LE AudioandAuracastsupport to their spec list. Both pairs supportBluetooth Multipointfor seamlessly switching between two wirelessly paired devices.
Quick Attention mode makes a welcome return to both pairs of headphones, allowing allowing you to lower the volume and have a conversation by covering the right earcup with your hand.
Also present and correct in both pairs are Speak to Chat (this pauses playback and engages the ambient sound mode when you’re talking) and Wearer Detection (this pauses playback when you take them off). The latter debuted on the XM4.
The XM4 introduced GPS data from your phone to adjust the ANC and ambient sound based on your location. XM6 also have this, plus an adaptive NC optimiser which automatically tweaks the noise cancellation levels based on the noise around you.
The XM4 also saw the introduction of Sony’s Precise Voice Pickup tech to prioritise voices over background sounds during calls. This continues with the XM6, but that pair’s greater number of microphones gives it clearer calls.
** Winner: Sony WH-1000XM6 **
Sony WH-1000XM6 vs XM4: noise cancellation
(Image credit: Sony)
In our original review, we described the XM4’s noise cancellation as “hugely impressive”.
“The Sonys have no trouble cutting out unwanted extraneous noise, from the rumble of a train as you pass under a railway bridge, to the hustle and bustle of a busy high street,” our expert reviews team wrote, adding that, in some environments, we actually prefer the XM4’s ANC to the XM5’s.
But the XM6 trump them both. While you can’t manually adjust the level of noise cancellation on the new model, the adaptive feature makes this pretty much redundant, as it optimises itself automatically.
They contain low-end and midrange noises extremely well, which is a godsend for anyone travelling by plane or public transport. Their ANC feels very natural too, and has less of a vacuum effect than theBose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones.
“We found the Sonys to be wonderfully consistent in dealing with bass and midrange rumblings and just giving you a nice clear background on which you can place your music,” readsour review.
** Winner: Sony WH-1000XM6 **
Sony WH-1000XM6 vs XM4: sound
And so to sound quality, the true test of any headphones.
Sony’s pairs have excelled in this department in recent years, and so it’s a familiar story – the XM6 sound better, with significant sonic advances made in the intervening years. But the XM4 hold up surprisingly well considering their discounted price. For the money, they’re arguably the best option around.
Dynamic shifts are handled with ease, and their sense of pace and agility means they’re right at home with music of all genres. They’re musical, well-balanced and very easy to listen to. If you can’t spend big on the XM6, XM5 or current models fromSennheiserorBose, we reckon you’ll be pleased with the sound the XM4 deliver.
But of course they’re outdone by the XM6, which offer, to quote our review, “the most detailed, dynamic, precise and open sound we’ve heard from a wireless Sony flagship”.
Detail levels are off the chart, playing host to the full dynamic contrast and plenty of texture. Musical elements sound fantastic in their own right, and come together into a cohesive whole.
Rhythmic drive, openness, dynamics… they’re all a step up from the XM5, which in turn offer decent sonic improvements on the XM4.
But if money is a bit tight and you want a taste of Sony’s multi-award-winning sound signature at half the price, the XM4 fit the bill perfectly.
** Winner: Sony WH-1000XM6 **
Sony WH-1000XM6 vs XM4: verdict
So there you have it. It’s not a great surprise that the XM6 are the more capable and attractive headphones. But what is a surprise – and a pleasant one at that – is that the XM4 still make a decent case for themselves at their discounted price.
They’re comfortable, offer some of the same features as the XM6, and still sound competitive at their price.
If you have the budget, the XM6 are the wireless headphones to beat right now. But if you don’t have the money for them or the XM5, the XM4 aren’t a bad shout at all in what must be their final months of shelf life.
Sony Interactive Entertainmentwill end thePlayStationStars loyalty program fully on November 2, 2026, the companyannounced. The program will no longer accept new members starting today, and there will be no new campaigns from July 23.
“Since launching the program [in 2022], we’ve learned a lot from evaluating the types of activities our players respond best to, and as a company, we are always evolving with player and industry trends,” said Sony Interactive Entertainment vice president of Network Advertising, Loyalty, and Licensed Merchandise Grace Chen. “Through this evaluation, we have decided to refocus our efforts and will be winding down the current version of PlayStation Stars. We will continue to evaluate our key findings from this program, and are looking into ways to build upon these learnings.”
Here are some key happenings as these changes take effect:
Starting today, PlayStation Stars will no longer accept new members for this version of the program.
If members choose to cancel their PlayStation Stars membership starting today, it will not be possible to rejoin this version of the program, and members will lose all earned Points.
Current PlayStation Stars members can still earn Digital Collectibles and Points, and level up their status untilJuly 23, 2025 at 7:59 a.m. PT / 3:59 p.m. BT / 11:59 p.m. JST. After this date, there will be no new PlayStation Stars Campaigns available, or any additional rewards or status benefits to earn.
This version of the PlayStation Stars program will fully end on November 2, 2026 and current PlayStation Stars members can continue to redeem Points as long as their Points don’t expire before then.
It should be noted that PlayStation Stars members will still be able to access their Digital Collectibles even after these changes take effect.
“We want to thank all of our players for supporting PlayStation Stars since the launch in 2022,” Chen added. “As we explore new ways to evolve our loyalty program efforts for the future, we’ll continue to celebrate all of our players through the various community activities we have planned.”
The best of the XM4 and XM5 in one new pair of cans
Verdict
The Sony WH-1000XM6 are a fantastic pair of over-ear headphones that combine the best design elements of their predecessors, while levelling up the sonic and ANC capabilities of what came before. With super-clean touch controls, an ultra-comfy fit and a ton of features at your disposal, there’s a lot to love about these headphones, even if they do come at quite the cost.
TheSonyWH-1000XM6 are here to try to cement Sony’s status as the go-to brand for headphones, three years after the release of its previous flagship model.
Sony says that the WH-1000XM6 are “the best noise cancelling product on the market” as well as being “improved in every single way” over previous models – talk about setting a high bar. But thankfully, they manage to jump that bar on almost every metric.
As you may expect, the Sony WH-1000XM6 offer expressive and clean audio from a new 30mm driver alongside a new QN3 processor, featuring a ‘noise shaper’ that levels up digital to analogue conversion and pre-empts sudden sound changes, resulting in a more controlled listening experience. There’s also a more balanced sound signature out of the gate, which doesn’t compromise on punchy bass, rich mids or energetic treble.
The new QN3 processor also harnesses the power of 12 microphones – four more than last time – to serve up truly incredible noise cancelling capabilities. These supply better ANC than the majority of thebest noise cancelling headphonesout there. Yes, they even stand up to the critically acclaimedBose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, which have ruled the noise cancelling roost since their launch. When on public transport, walking near traffic or working away in the office, I had either near-silence or total silence, enabling me to indulge in beautifully isolated listening sessions.
But that’s not all. There are a ton more features to get your teeth sunk into via Sony’s Sound Connect app. There’s adaptive sound control, LDAC and DSEE Extreme, extensive EQ options, Cinema mode for immersive audio, and Auracast – among others. Almost everything you could want from a premium pair of cans is here, all in one place.
On top of that, there’s an updated design, which compiles the best of what theSony WH-1000XM5and theSony WH-1000XM4had to offer. See, foldability is back from the XM4 era, and I think the majority of people will be grateful for that.
There are new, more durable hinges (the XM5 had a hinge issue) and a slightly smaller magnetic carry case as well. But the sleeker look of the XM5 has still been largely maintained.
There’s an evolution of what came before too, with a wider headband for increased comfort and a more snug fit around the neck when the headphones are out of use. Overall, you’re getting a fantastic combination of style and comfort, though some may still feel that the earcups are atadchunky.
Other incremental improvements include the ability to charge while streaming over Bluetooth, refined touch controls and better call quality. And when all the little adjustments come together, it’s clear – these are thebest Sony headphonesproduced to date.
Still, there are a few areas in which the WH-1000XM6 fall just short of their rivals. You get 30 hours of battery life with ANC, which is by no means bad, but lots of rivals (even much cheaper ones) beat that, and some can double it.
On top of that, they are quite expensive. At $449 / £399 / AU$699, these are $50 / £20 / AU$50 pricier than their predecessors were at launch. And given the WH-1000XM5 are now widely available for around $300 / £250, some may be a little tentative at taking the plunge on Sony’s newest flagship headphones.
Finally, the newly releasedBowers & Wilkins Px7 S3are the same price in the UK (US release and pricing tbc), but soundeven betterthan these Sony over-ears. Sure, they don’t quite match the XM6 on ANC or features overall, but they’re clearly better sound for the price.
All in all, though, the Sony WH-1000XM6 still have a strong claim to be some of thebest headphonesaround, with their noise-crushing ANC being the real highlight. Their treasure trove of features and talented audio performance also help them to stand tall in a convoluted market, and the design tweaks meld all the highlights from their ancestral lineage. Sure, they’re pricey, but if you’re willing to splash the cash, you’ll almost certainly love Sony’s latest release.
CP1254-A4 Battery for Sony WF-1000X WF-1000XM3 WF-SP700N
Sony WH-1000XM6 review: price & release date
$449 / £400 / AU$699
Launched on May 15th, 2025
The Sony WH-1000XM6 launched in May 2025, three years after the preceeding WH-1000XM5 model. Sony is unclear on the exact release date at the time of publishing, stating just that they’ll be available “from May” in the UK/US, while Sony Australia says you can get them “from June 2025. Pre-order available from May 16th, 2025.”
At launch, they’re available in three colorways: Black; Silver; and Midnight Blue. However, there could be scope for more color variants in the future – we saw theXM5 adopt a new Smoky Pink only back in September 2024.
At the point of release, the Sony WH-1000XM6 cost $449 / £399 / AU$699. That’s $50 / £20 more than their predecessors launched at. This price puts Sony’s flagship cans up against the likes of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 – more on those later, but basically they’reverymuch in the premium range.
Despite the slight price bump over their predecessors, these are still notably cheaper than theApple AirPods Max– which have a huge list price of $549 / £549 / AU$899.
Battery life may not wow, but in-use charging is now here
When I attended the launch of the Sony WH-1000XM6, Sony described its new flagship headphones as “the best noise-cancelling product on the market”. And the ANC is far and away the standout feature these headphones have in their arsenal.
You’re getting some of the best noise cancellation that any headphones can offer with the XM6. ANC has been improved over the XM5 thanks to Sony’s new QN3 noise cancelling processor, which harnesses twelve microphones to shut out the world around you.
Even when compared to the awesome Bose QuietComfort Ultra, the XM6 perform exceptionally well. I tried both pairs of headphones while vacuuming my home and walking in high-traffic areas, among other tasks, and each dealt with external noise fantastically.
But in my experience, the XM6 performed ever so slightly better, producing a minimum of near-silence from the outside at 60-70% volume in each test. Rest assured – these really are the real deal as far as ANC is concerned.
I also tested the XM6’s noise cancelling capabilities at Sony’s 5020 studio in Madrid, before doing real-world testing. While there, I played a song at about 50% volume with a bunch of people chatting around me and the outside world was totally shut out – it was just me and my music. At one stage, a super-harsh static sound was blasted at the studio and that slightly crept through. It was dampened severely, though, and I was barely disturbed.
If you want to be more aware of your surroundings – fear not – there’s a very fleshed-out Ambient Sound mode. This includes a slider that ranges from 1 to 20 and lets more exterior noise seep through the higher you go. On top of that, there’s a voice passthrough checkbox, which filters through speech while still suppressing other noises.
Ambient mode worked very nicely for me; I could easily hear the sound of typing in my office, murmurs from a nearby conversation and doors opening. Also, it’s worth noting Auto Ambient Sound mode, which adjusts volume of ambient sounds depending on noise levels around you.
But another one of my favorite features on the Sony WH-1000XM6 is their excellent touch controls. Something that may seem gimmicky, but is actually incredibly helpful, is that you can cup your hand over the right earcup to smoothly, yet drastically reduce media volume and dampen noise cancelling effects.
This isn’t new to the XM6, but it’s really worth highlighting. I found it incredibly useful in an office environment when a colleague wanted to talk with me, or if I was in a story and didn’t want to rip the cans off. In fact, I didn’t even bother turning on the Speak-to-Chat function, because this option is so responsive.
Generally, the XM6 have the most consistent, intuitive touch controls I’ve ever used on a pair of headphones. On the right earcup, you can slide your finger up or down and hold it in position to continually raise or lower volume respectively. That’s an improvement over the XM5, which required you to constantly flick up or down to amend loudness.
You can also double tap to pause music and flick forwards or backwards to skip or return to the previous track. Touch controls are locked to the right earcup only, much like the WH-1000XM5 model.
And there are plenty of returning features from the previous model to enjoy. Of course, you’ve got the likes of multi-point connectivity, wear detection and a good app in Sony Sound Connect.
But there’s more: adaptive sound control, which adjusts audio output depending on your environment and movement; head gesture monitoring for taking or rejecting calls; and voice assistant compatibility.
There are a few new nuggets to uncover as far as features go, however. Perhaps one of the biggest inclusions isAuracast. This is a type of Bluetooth technology that enables you to tune into an audio broadcast transmitted from a phone, TV or similar device without any pairing.
Furthermore, you can now mute the mic on the XM6 by simply double pressing the noise cancelling button. You’ll need to enable this in settings, but it’s ultra useful when on aMicrosoftTeams or Slack call, for instance.
There’s only one real area where the Sony WH-1000XM6 failed to impress me as far as features: its battery life. You’re getting 30 hours of playtime from this model, which is by no means bad – it’s the same you’ll get on the XM5 and a whole host of rivals. But there are some cans that are capable of more. TheSennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless, for example, can go 60 hours with ANC on – now that’s impressive.
Still, you can charge the XM6 while using them now, and even get three hours of playtime from just three minutes of charging – that is if you have a USB PD charger around.
If you’re looking for over-ears with highly astute call quality, you can trust the XM6 to deliver. The strongest example of this was a demo at Sony’s 5020 Studio in Madrid, in which someone make a call in an artificially noisy environment – and after placing the XM6 on, their voice was totally separated from clamoring and noise littering their surroundings.
In my real-world use, my own speech came through cleanly when making phone calls to family and friends, with vocals sounding crisp. That’s in part thanks to the additional beamforming mics used on the XM6 – there are six this time and they help to shift focus towards the mouth – while AI also enters the fray to scoop out external sounds.
DSEE extreme and LDAC for improved Bluetooth streaming
Default tuning is great, but great EQ options also available
Like their predecessors, the Sony WH-1000XM6 use a 30mm driver, rather than the larger 40mm one used for the legendary XM4 model. But the driver itself is new and improved, designed to offer more balanced audio across all frequencies.
That QN3 processor I mentioned earlier also includes a ‘noise shaper’, which refines digital to analogue conversion and enables the cans to anticipate sudden sound changes, intended to reduce distortion and produce a more controlled listening experience.
So, yes, there’s plenty of flashy new tech in the XM6 headphones, but do they actually deliver a premium audio performance? Short answer: yes. You’ll get a rhythmic, detailed, and well-balanced listen with the Sony WH-1000XM6 that still doesn’t skimp on punchy bass and exciting treble output. And that’s regardless of whether you’re listening with ANC turned on or off.
For instance, I tuned intoFluffyby Himiko Kikuchi – a laid-back jazzy track – and expressive piano sounded pleasantly forward, while full-sounding smooth bass and tightly controlled percussion accompanied subtle strings dancing through the track.
The balanced output across all frequencies is really pleasing, and there does seem to be a bit less emphasis on the low-end compared to Sony’s previous pair of flagship cans – at least out of the box.
The default EQ calibration is certainly even enough to ensure you can hear those finer details across the frequency range. No need to worry about overbearing bass, harsh treble or overly recessed mids.
When tuning intoI Want Youby Moloko, I was struck by the breathy vocals, impactful and response cymbal hits and pumping, yet disciplined bass output. This song adds instrument after instrument as it unfolds, resulting in a densely layered climax. Yet the XM6 had the capability to keep things in check, maintaining clear, distortion-free audio throughout.
There’s some incredibly stiff competition for Sony’s new headphones. I tested out a number of rivals, including the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3.
Vocals and some finer details sounded slightly clearer on the XM6 compared to Bose’s effort, though the latter did still sound great considering you can now regularly scoop them up for closer to $350 / £350.
The Px7 S3 launched mere weeks before the XM6 at essentially the same price-point (at least in the UK) and I found they had a slightly more luxury sound. They could lift vocals out of the mix and push them forwards a little more precisely than the XM6, and their open, spatial-sounding audio output was truly hypnotizing.
You get slightly better ANC from the Sony XM6, plus I found the Sony cans to be more comfortable – but if we’re talking pure sound, you could do a little better for the same price.
But still, there are plenty of ways to get a sound that matches your style with the XM6. To truly adapt them to your palate, head over to Sony’s Sound Connect app and get playing with EQ adjustment.
You have a few options here: Find Your Equalizer, which lets you pick the sound signature that suits your tastes best; presets, including Heavy, Clear and Game; or custom EQ, which lets you manually create your own calibration with a 10-band equalizer.
And there’s even more to experiment with in the Sound Connect app that can elevate your listening to the next level. Specifically, you get access to DSEE Extreme, a technology that up-mixes lower quality audio files to bring out the most detailed, quality-sounding audio possible. This works really well on music platforms such as Spotify, which is yet to offer higher-resolution streaming.
There’s also LDAC, which enables you to access ‘hi-res’ Bluetooth listening. And if you want to keep it old-school, there’s also a 3.5mm port on the headphones, as well as a cable in the box so you can engage in wired listening.
The Sony WH-1000XM6 are designed for more than just music listening, though. There’s improved width to the XM6’s soundstage, which is useful if you’re watching movies or TV series on your phone, for instance. And on top of that, there’s a cinema listening mode, which harnesses Sony’s 360 Reality Audio Upmix and can convert a stereo signal into an immersive, wraparound sonic experience.
I tried watchingThe Boy and the Heronon Netflix in Cinema mode and was impressed by the expansiveness and directionality of audio. Voices, for instance, may not have been as crystal clear as Standard mode, but if immersion is what you’re chasing, it’s well worth checking out.
There’s also a Background Music option, which can make your music sound as if it’s playing in a café or living room. Spatial audio and head tracking are included too – but will only work on certain devices that support Android’s built-in head tracking, and this doesn’t includeSamsungphones (and obviously rules outAppledevices).
Sound quality score: 4.5/5
(Image credit: Future)
Sony WH-1000XM6 review: design
Foldability is back and better than before
Ultra-comfortable headband
Some may find them to be a little bulky
New magnetic case is much more convenient
The WH-1000XM6 may not look drastically different to their predecessor, but Sony’s made a handful of small tweaks that I really appreciate.
Stitching on the front of the headband is gone in favor of a smoother, more premium look, and the headband itself is a little wider for improved comfort.
The earcups also fit more seamlessly around the neck in a downward facing position, which is super useful if you’re on the go or just need to stop for a chat.
There’s one major difference between the XM6 and the XM5, though, and that’s the reintroduction of a folding headband. Controversially, the XM5 ditched this in favor of a single-hinge, slimmer look – but XM4 fans, it’s your lucky day.
There are new, more durable hinges on the XM6 that enable them to neatly fold into a new magnetically closed carry case – this isn’t the smallest or the most flashy, but is still assembled to a high standard.
They also don’t fold up as compactly as headphones like theMarshall Monitor III ANCorAnker Soundcore Space One Pro, say, so are not quite pocketable – but it’s nice to packing in a bag.
But how do the headphones look and feel in-use? Pretty good all round! They’ve been designed in a way that makes them appear more straight on your head, rather than curved inward. That wider headband I mentioned also goes a long way in improving comfort for multi-hour listening sessions. Pair that with beautifully padded earcups and easily accessible buttons and there’s not much more I could ask for.
There are a few minor things I don’t loveabout the design of the XM6, though. First of all, the earcups look quite bulky, meaning you’re not getting the most sleek, stylish look compared to something like theSonos Ace.
The color options, while classy, also feel a little bit safe. I would’ve liked to see a more vibrant option thrown in there, or even the Smoky Pink variant – which was released as a late addition to the XM5 lineup – available from the get-go.
Finally, there’s still no waterproofing on this new model. That’s usually the case for over-ear headphones, but it would’ve been nice to see Sony lead the way with some kind of water resistance rating.
All in all, though, there’s still so much to love about the XM6 design-wise. They have a premium-looking, almost paper-like matte consistency to the casing’s finish. And they’re nice and light once again, weighing in at just 254g.
There are two physical buttons – one to turn the headphones off and on or pair via Bluetooth and one to toggle between noise cancelling modes or mute the mic during calls.
Design score: 4.5/5
Sony WH-1000XM6 review: value
A very premium price, no question
Truly awesome noise cancelling and great audio quality
Best of both worlds from previous two gens
Let’s address the elephant in the room. The Sony WH-1000XM6 are a pricey pair of headphones. And they’re also more expensive than their predecessor at launch. Yep, these come in at $449 / £400 / AU$699, which is $50 / £20 / AU$50 more than the XM5 at the point of release.
Of course, there have been economic issues for Sony and co to deal with, and there are a number of significant improvements on this model. But nonetheless, it’s a lot to pay for some over-ears considering there are so many excellent competitors floating around for considerably less.
For example, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra – which offer incredible noise cancelling capabilities, adept audio and a nice selection of smart features – are now more than a year-old, so you can find them on sale for under $350 / £350 pretty regularly. That’s a great deal less than the new XM6.
Even the WH-1000XM5 are now widely sold for around $300 / £250. And spending that extra $150 / £150 to get the newest instalment, won’t be a clear-cut decision for everyone, though I think the XM6 make the case for themselves.
But let’s give the XM6 their flowers. In terms of ANC, it really doesn’t get much better than this. You get top-tier isolation as well as fantastic sound quality, a boat-load of features and a design that marries the best of the XM4 and XM5 together. Sure, you may prefer the Bowers & Wilkins Px& S3 for sound, but the WH-1000XM6 are still, undoubtedly, among 2025’s verybest over-ear headphones.
Value score: 4/5
Buy them if…
You want incredible noise cancellation The Sony WH-1000XM6 plate up seriously impressive noise cancellation capabilities. Seriously, I could barely hear anything other than my favorite tunes when using these cans, even when walking in areas with heavy traffic or while vacuuming. If you’re sick of hearing the clicking and clacking of the train on your daily commute – or maybe your neighbor’s non-stop DIY projects, it might be time to snap these cans up.
You want top-tier features These Sony cans supply no end of features to mess around with. You get adaptive noise cancelling, cinema upmixing, ‘hi-res’ music streaming options, Find Your Equalizer… need I say more? Pretty much everything you could ever want from some headphones is at your fingertips with the XM6. Just download the Sound Connect app and you’re off.
Don’t buy them if…
You’re on a budget At $450 / £400, these over-ears are hardly wallet-friendly. You can get a lot of the features from the XM5 for far less, and there are some awesome affordable options out there such as the1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51, which pack ANC, solid sound and wonderful battery life for less than $100 / £100.
You want bundles of playtime Now don’t get me wrong, 30 hours of playtime with ANC on isn’t too bad. It’s just not anything special either. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless deliver an astonishingly high 60-hour battery life. And that’s with ANC on!
The PS5 Digital Edition has seen price rises in some regions
The price has gone up in the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand
The disc drive, however, has seen an overall reduction in price
As of today, thePlayStation 5Digital Edition has been hit with another wave of price increases in some regions. But there is some good news for PS5 Pro owners looking to pick up the disc drive.
Announced via an officialPlayStation Blog post,Sonyhas confirmed that the PS5’s price will be increased in the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. The company cited “a challenging economic environment, including high inflation and fluctuating exchange rates” as key reasons for the “tough decision.”
In the UK and Europe, there have been no price changes for the standard PS5. Otherwise, you can see the current changes here:
Europe
PS5 Digital Edition – €499.99
PS5 – No change
UK
PS5 Digital Edition – £429.99
PS5 – No change
Australia
PS5 Digital Edition – AU$749.95
PS5 – AU$829.95
New Zealand
PS5 Digital Edition – NZD $859.95
PS5 – NZD $949.95
In slightly better news, especially for PS5 Pro owners looking to add a physical disc option to their setup, the price of the disc drive has been reduced. The new disc drive prices are as follows:
Europe
€79.99
UK
£69.99
Australia
AU$124.95
New Zealand
NZD $139.95
The new prices in these regions have been reflected on PlayStation Direct, Sony’s official storefront for PlayStation products including the PS5. However, you may still have luck at other retailers if you’re currently in the market for the console.
For example, in the UK, Argos currently has the PS5 Digital Edition bundled withAstro Botat a very wallet-friendly£339.99right now. Currys is also yet to reflect the price increase, and the PS5 Digital Edition is still available here for£389. If you’ve been planning on picking up a PS5 soon, then, it may be a good idea to pounce now before the price increases are reflected across the board.
The price of some subscription plans is to jump by about 36 per cent in some territories from next week
It has been about 19 months since the last PS Plus price hike
Sony is raising the price ofPlayStation Plusin 22 countries because of the impact of “global market conditions”.
Affected regions include South America, south-east Asia and Australia, where the price of certain subscription plans are jumping almost 36 per cent.
Here is what you need to know about the PS Plus price rise, including affected countries and how you can evade them.
When are PS Plus prices going up?
The new PS Plus prices will come into force onWednesday April 16for new subscribers andJune 24(or when subscriptions run out) for existing subscribers.
Sony said the hike is down to “global market conditions” – in plain terms, that means things like inflation and other economic changes, especially in regions like Latin America where costs have soared.
Sony’s PlayStation Plus service includes access to online multiplayer, free monthly games, and a huge library of titles depending on the subscription tier
Pexels
The company argued the changes are needed to keep delivering top-tier games and perks throughPlayStationPlus. It’s part of a wider trend: asXbox Game Passand Netflix (whichnow offers games) raise their prices, Sony is following suit to stay competitive.
Where are PS Plus prices going up and by how much?
Below we have listed all the countries where Sony is upping the cost of PS Plus, along with the new and old prices for each region (and the percentage difference).
South Korea
Essential:
1 month: KRW 8,900 → KRW 10,800 (+21.3%)
3 months: KRW 23,800 → KRW 28,400 (+19.3%)
12 months: KRW 72,900 → KRW 86,400 (+18.5%)
Extra:
1 month: KRW 13,300 → KRW 16,200 (+21.8%)
3 months: KRW 36,000 → KRW 46,000 (+27.8%)
12 months: KRW 115,900 → KRW 145,800 (+25.8%)
Deluxe (Premium):
1 month: KRW 15,600 → KRW 19,000 (+21.8%)
3 months: KRW 43,200 → KRW 54,000 (+25%)
12 months: KRW 139,900 → KRW 171,000 (+22.2%)
Latin America (general pricing in USD)
Essential:
1 month: $6.99 → $7.99 (+14.31%)
3 months: $17.99 → $20.99 (+16.68%)
12 months: $59.99 → $64.99 (+8.34%)
Extra:
1 month: $9.99 → $11.99 (+20.02%)
3 months: $27.99 → $33.99 (+21.43%)
12 months: $89.99 → $107.99 (+20%)
Premium:
1 month: $11.99 → $13.99 (+16.68%)
3 months: $34.99 → $39.99 (+14.29%)
12 months: $109.99 → $124.99 (+13.64%)
Sony regularly adds new titles to the PlayStation Plus library, with recent additions including Lost Records: Bloom & Rage and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Brazil
The following price increases are for current/new subscribers:
As the increase doesn’t start until April 16, there is still time for users to get the lower price, even if they are current subscribers.
You canpurchase extra cards at a lower priceand add them to your account, andReddit users have reportedthat PlayStation lets them add additional years to their account this way.
Alternatively, Sony has cut the price of membership forBlack Fridayin the past so, if you can’t afford an annual membership now, the chances are you will get a second bite of the cherry come November. Stacking two three-month memberships should see you through till then.
Currently, the US and Europe are safe from these price hikes, but uncertainty prevails with the ongoing tariff situation.
Here are your PlayStation Plus free games for April 2025
(Image credit: Nacon)
PlayStation Plus free games change at the start of every month, and coming in at no extra cost toPS Plusmembers, these free games are a great way to expand your library on the cheap or pick up and try games that you might not have thought about initially.
More often than not, you’ll have three games to try out with each month’s drop – which covers bothPS5andPS4(so you’re still set if you haven’t jumped into the latest generation yet) – though sometimes we see some curveballs in the form of one or two fewer or more games. And we’re also likely to see morePSVRgames be thrown into the PS Plus free game mixer too.
If you are a subscriber and don’t make the most of the free games on offer from month to month, it’s worth making it a habit to start claiming them when you can since they’ll always be available to you as long as your subscription is live. Since thebest PS5 gamescan set you back a pretty penny, this is a great way to make the most of your console without having to fork out new releases every month.
You can see the lineup for March which, at time of writing is still available for a few days, below. The new line-up for April 2025 includes an excellent multiplayer horror game, and a shooter starring RoboCop. Read on to see the full lineup.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre | PS5, PS4 Take on the role of one of the notorious Slaughter family, or their victims, in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, a third-person asymmetrical horror experience based on the groundbreaking and iconic 1974 horror film. As a victim you must use your wits and stealth to stay out of the Family’s reach and find the tools you need to lead to your eventual freedom. Slaughter Family players must seek out, track down, and stop their guests from escaping. Players of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre can finally find out if they have what it takes to survive.
RoboCop: Rogue City | PS5 Become the legendary part man, part machine, all cop hero and bring justice to the dangerous, crime-ridden streets of Old Detroit. With your powerful Auto-9 or one of a range of weapons available, eradicate criminals throughout this explosive first-person adventure. Your cyborg strength and cybernetic abilities can be upgraded as you progress, to make you an even more formidable law enforcement officer.
Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – Hacker’s Memory | PS4 After being accused of a crime he didn’t commit, Keisuke Amazawa has no choice but to dive into the Digital World and investigate to prove his innocence. Even if that means joining a group of hackers and helping them to solve the troubles threatening this mysterious universe. Discover the mysterious backstory to the events that happened in Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth as you dive into a deeper and darker adventure, at crossroads between real and digital and experience the perfect mix between Adventure, Raising and Battle with over 320 Digimon to discover.
Below, you’ll find the PS Plus offerings for the last six months or so. Use these to see what you’ve missed, and to predict the kinds of games that might be available in the future.
PlayStation Plus free games: March 2025
(Image credit: Sega)
Dragon Age: The Veilguard | PS5 Unite the Veilguard and defy the gods in this immersive single-player RPG where you become the leader others believe in. When a pair of corrupt ancient gods break free from centuries of darkness, the vibrant land of Thedas needs someone they can count on.Rise as Rook, Dragon Age’s newest hero. Be who you want to be and play how you want to play as you fight back and lead your team of seven companions, each with their own rich story. Together you will become The Veilguard.
Sonic Colors: Ultimate | PS4 The evil Dr. Eggman has built an interstellar amusement park – but he’s powering it with a captured alien race called “Wisps.” Use Sonic’s speed to free the Wisps and gain their amazing powers as you explore six unique worlds, filled with hurdles to overcome. Now with stunning upscaled visuals, additional features, a new game mode and enhanced gameplay – it’s the Ultimate Sonic Colors experience.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection | PS4, PS5 13 classic Konami TMNT games are assembled in one incredible package! Experience 13 immensely popular and influential TMNT games in a totally radical collection from Konami. These retro nostalgia trips come with a range of new quality-of-life features, including online play for certain games and local couch play, the ability to save anytime and rewind, button mapping, unique development art & sketches, historic TMNT media content and more!
All three games will be available to PlayStation Plus members on March 4 until March 31.
PlayStation Plus free games: February 2025
(Image credit: Squanch Games)
Payday 3 | PS5 First up is Payday 3, the latest heist co-op shooter that sees players teaming up to pull off epic bank robberies. Expect stealth and action-packed shootouts in equal measure, as you and your squad slowly take on harder and harder jobs, with rewards increasing along with the risk.
High on Life | PS4, PS5 Fresh out of high school with no job and no ambition, you’ve really got nothing going for you until an alien cartel that wants to get high off humanity invades Earth. Now, you and a team of charismatic talking guns must answer the hero’s call and become the deadliest intergalactic bounty hunter the cosmos has ever seen. Travel to a variety of biomes and locations across the cosmos, go up against the nefarious Garmantuous and his gang of goons, collect loot, meet unique characters, and more, in the latest comedy adventure from Squanch Games.
Pac-Man World Re-Pac | PS4, PS5 In this 2004 remake of the original PlayStation platformer, with improved UI, fine-tuned mechanics and updated visuals, Pac-Man arrives home on his birthday to find the Ghosts have kidnapped Pac-Man’s family & friends and ruined his party. Off to the rescue, Pac-Man sets out to Ghost Island. Dodge Ghosts, solve environmental puzzles, rescue the Pac-Fam, and more in this platforming adventure. Play a collection of 3D mazes in Maze mode, clear Quest mode to unlock the original Pac-Man game in Original mode.
All three games will be available to PlayStation Plus members on February 4 until March 3.
PlayStation Plus free games: January 2025
(Image credit: PlayStation)
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League | PS5 Take down The Justice League yourself in single-player or team up with friends in multiplayer co-op in this genre-defying, action-adventure third-person shooter from Rocksteady Studios, creators of the critically acclaimed Batman: Arkham series. Featuring an original narrative set within an expansive open-world city of Metropolis, the game puts the four DC Super-Villains on a collision course with an invading alien force and DC Super Heroes who are now laser-focused on destroying the city they once vowed to protect.
Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered | PS4 Feel the thrill of the chase and the rush of escape in Need for Speed Hot Pursuit. Unleash a savage sense of speed both as an outlaw and a cop in the world’s hottest high-performance cars. Outsmart the heat or take down lawbreakers with the tactical weaponry at your disposal in a heart-pumping, socially competitive racing experience. Updated with enhanced visuals, cross-platform multiplayer – including the asynchronous competition powered by Autolog – plus all additional DLC content, this is the ultimate edition of Criterion Games’ critically acclaimed Need for Speed debut. It’s time to reignite the pursuit.
The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe | PS4, PS5 The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe is an expanded re-imagining of the critically acclaimed, award winning indie game The Stanley Parable from 2013. Everything that was in the original Stanley Parable is here, preserved just like it was back in 2013. But The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe also dramatically expands the world of the original game with new content, new choices, and new secrets to uncover. The labyrinth has just gotten bigger. In addition, the game has been visually upgraded to reflect modern technology while faithfully preserving the tone of the original game. Accessibility features have also been added to the game, including localization of in-world text, colorblind options, and content warnings. And just as before, the impeccable voicework of Kevan Brighting will accompany you every step of the way.
PlayStation Plus free games: December 2024
(Image credit: Cold Iron Studios)
It Takes Two | PS4, PS5 It Takes Two is a genre-bending platform adventure created purely for co-op. Choose from couch or online co-op with split-screen play, invite a friend to join for free with Friend’s Pass and work together across a huge variety of gleefully disruptive gameplay challenges.
Aliens: Dark Descent | PS4, PS5 Battle to keep your squad alive against the deadliest foe mankind has ever faced. Aliens: Dark Descent is a real-time combat strategy game where you’ll command a squad of hardened colonial marines to stop a terrifying Xenomorph outbreak on Moon Lethe. Lead your soldiers against iconic Xenomorphs, rogue operatives from the insatiable Weyland-Yutani Corporation and a host of horrifying creatures new to the Alien franchise. Infiltrate large open levels and annihilate enemies with your squad, dispatching orders strategically and intuitively. Tread carefully, as your foes will adapt their tactics to your actions while hunting you down because death is permanent.
Temtem | PS5 Every kid dreams about becoming a Temtem tamer; exploring the six islands of the Airborne Archipelago, discovering new species, and making good friends along the way. Now it’s your turn to embark on an epic adventure and make those dreams come true. Catch new Temtem on Omninesia’s floating islands, battle other tamers on the sandy beaches of Deniz or trade with your friends in Tucma’s ash-covered fields. Defeat the ever-annoying Clan Belsoto and end its plot to rule over the Archipelago, beat all eight DojoLeaders, and become the ultimate Temtem tamer.
All three games will be available to PlayStation Plus members on December 3 until January 6.
PlayStation Plus free games: November 2024
(Image credit: Milestone)
Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbo Charged (PS5, PS4) Race over 130 vehicles, including Hot Wheels Originals, Hot Wheels Monster Trucks, motorbikes and ATVs, each with their unique racing style, across multiple game modes and amazing environments. Upgrade vehicles with a dedicated skill tree that will directly affect their performance. Discover 5 brand new locations, master their secrets, and you’ll feel right at home both there and on the podium. Alternatively create the track of your dreams with the powerful Track Editor, or use the best creations from the community.
Ghostwire: Tokyo (PS5) Tokyo is overrun by deadly supernatural forces as a dangerous occultist causes the city’s population to vanish in an instant. Join forces with a powerful spectral entity on their quest for vengeance and master a powerful arsenal of abilities to unravel the dark truth behind the disappearance as you face the unknown in Ghostwire: Tokyo.
Death Note Killer Within (PS5, PS4) Death Note Killer Within is an online social deduction game for up to 10 players. Players will be split into two teams with different objectives. To win the game, players will need to figure out each other’s identities and either eliminate L who threatens Kira’s power or seize the Death Note. Enjoy a battle of wits as Kira and his followers, or as L and the investigators in the world of Death Note. As equally matched opponents, the two teams clash to control the game while hiding their true identities from each other.
Note that October’s free games are still available until November 4, 2024.
PlayStation Plus free games: October 2024
(Image credit: EA / Motive)
Dead Space (PS5) First up this month is the Dead Space remake for PS5. The sci-fi survival horror classic returns, rebuilt to offer a deeper and more immersive experience. Isaac Clarke is an everyman engineer on a mission to repair a vast Planet Cracker-class ship, the USG Ishimura, only to discover something has gone horribly wrong. The ship’s crew has been slaughtered and Isaac’s beloved partner, Nicole, is lost somewhere on board. Now alone and armed with only his engineering tools and skills, Isaac races to uncover the nightmarish mystery of what happened aboard the Ishimura in hopes of finding Nicole.
WWE 2K24 (PS5, PS4) A celebration of 40 years of WrestleMania, featuring iconic superstars past and present, playable across a vast array of game modes. Join the biggest superstars in sports entertainment as WWE 2K24 presents a retelling of WrestleMania’s greatest moments from the last 40 years. Take part in some of wrestling’s most unforgettable and career-defining matches, choosing from the likes of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Undertaker and Andre the Giant, alongside current contenders “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes, John Cena, Rhea Ripley and Roman Reigns.
Doki Doki Literature Club Plus! (PS5, PS4) Enter the psychological horror experience of Doki Doki Literature Club. You play as the main character, who reluctantly joins the Literature Club in search of a romantic interest. With every poem you write and every choice you make, you’ll charm your crush and begin to unfold the horrors of school romance. Do you have what it takes to crack the code of dating sims and get the perfect ending? This game is not suitable for children or those who are easily disturbed.
PlayStation Plus free games: September 2024
(Image credit: Tarsier Studios)
Quidditch Champions (PS4, PS5) Take to the sky and play out your QUidditch fantasy in any of the Wizarding game’s four positions (Chaser, Seeker, Keeper, or Beater) in Quidditch Champions and experience legendary arenas and maps from across the wizarding world. Play solo to become a hero of the game, or play co-op online tot ake on the world together with friends – or take them on head-to-head in PvP matches.
MLB The Show 24 (PS4,PS5) If you’ve been holding out for the best way to live your Major League Baseball dreams thenMLB The Show 24is the way to do it. Work your way up to the big leagues from scratch to become a legend of the sport, or go on a journey to create a World Series dynasty, or even learn about the unsung heroes of the sport in the latest excellent entry in the baseball game series.
Little Nightmares 2 (PS4, PS5) Embrace this horror-themed platformer and delve into a dark and twisted world as you play as Mono, a young boy, who is joined by Six, returning from the first game. It’s a journey of courage, stealth, and resourcefulness to navigate mind-boggling puzzles and gruesome enemies.
PlayStation Plus free games: August 2024
(Image credit: Warner Bros)
LEGOStar WarsThe Skywalker Saga (PS4, PS5) Play through all nineStar Warssaga films in a brand-new LEGO video game unlike any other. Experience fun-filled adventures, whimsical humor, and the freedom to fully immerse yourself in the LEGO Star Wars galaxy.
Five Nights at Freddy’s Security Breach (PS4, PS5) Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breachis the latest installment of the family-friendly horror games from Steel Wool Games. Play as Gregory, a young boy trapped overnight in Freddy Fazbear’s Mega Pizzaplex. With the help of Freddy Fazbear himself, Gregory must survive the near-unstoppable hunt of reimagined Five Nights at Freddy’s characters – as well as new, horrific threats.
Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights (PS4) Unravel the mysteries of a destroyed kingdom in this dark fantasy 2D action RPG. Journey through the sprawling and hauntingly beautiful Land’s End, traversing a submerged forest, a sealed-off contaminated underground cavern, and a grand castle. Formidable bosses await that will gladly claim your life given even the slightest chance. Defeat these powerful foes and release them from their unending curse to recruit them as allies. Overcome the challenges before you and search for the truth with powerful knights at your side.
PlayStation Plus free games: July 2024
(Image credit: 2K Games)
Borderlands 3 (PS5, PS4) Step into the shoes of a Vault Hunter and loot and shoot your way across the edge of the galaxy inBorderlands 3. Offering co-op online and joyous split-screen action this bombastic, often-witty, first-person shooter with its distinct art style will provide an excellent adventure. Mayhem, banter, and ridiculousness will abound.
NHL 24 (PS5, PS4) Take your sporting hit to the ice with one of the world’s fastest and high-intensity sports in the world withNHL 24. The new engine behind this latest installment of the series brings the feeling of pressure, intensity, and speed right to the fore. Building on the entries that came before and offering a whole host of new features, this is the definitive way to enjoy ice hockey on PlayStation.
Among Us (PS5, PS4) Identify the imposter in your space crew inAmong Usand stop them before they sabotage your ship and kill everyone on board. The enormously popular online party game is a comedy-anecdote generator and will have you and your friends in stitches as you get your alibis in order and try to hold your spaceship together.
Version 25.02-11.00.00 improves activities and adds new Unicode 16.0 emojis
New parental controls have also been implemented
A new firmware update for thePlayStation 5has been released, adding more system improvements.
This latest patch comes in a 1.3GB and is one of the more significant updates since the console’s successor, thePS5 Pro, launched.
As thepatch notesdetail, it mainly targets the system’s communications features and makes it easier for users to view activity details, which will now be displayed on cards.
Support for Unicode 16.0 emojis has been added for messages, too, along with new parental controls for Communication and User-Generated Content, which should now default to ‘Restrict’ when changing levels to Late Teens or Older.
Like previous updates, this patch sees some of the usual software performance and stability improvements to the system, messaging, and overall usability, as well.
We’ve made it simpler to view details about activities.
Activity details are now fully displayed on cards.
Potential spoilers will still be hidden.
Unicode 16.0 emojis are now supported. You can use them in your messages.
When you set the parental controls’ restriction level to Late Teens or Older, Communication and User-Generated Content will now default to Restrict. If you have previously set the level to Late Teens or Older, your previous settings will not be affected and it will be shown as Customize.
We’ve improved system software performance and stability.
We’ve improved the messages and usability on some screens.
Last week, it was reported thatthe PS5 is still dominating in console sales, outselling the PS4 in the United States, as well as theXbox Series XandXbox Series S, which are currently falling behind theXbox Oneby a signigicant margin.
Three giants in the camera industry — but which one has the best astrophotography features for you?
The Milky Way is a popular target for astrophotographers. (Image credit: Getty Images)
It can be a complex decision to choose the right camera brand for astrophotography. With new technology and an ever-increasing rate of camera development, the major photographic brands that we see regularly popping up, like Canon,Nikon, andSony, each bring district strengths to the table. Telling these strengths apart and knowing what to pay attention to can sometimes be difficult. In astrophotography, key factors likelow-light performance, high ISO capabilities, noise reduction, and any included specific astro-centric features are paramount. If you are in the market for a camera, it might be worth checking out these brands in ourcamera deals hub. In this article, we will discuss how the brands compare and answer common tech queries about each system.
Sony
Sony excels at handling high ISO with minimal noise. (Image credit: Getty Images)
Firstly, Sony recently broke ground with its cutting-edge sensor technology. Sony’s mirrorless systems, especially the full-frame options, excel in handling high ISO settings with minimal noise, making them popular for astrophotographers and people taking images in low-light environments. Their backside illuminated sensors (often referred to as BI sensors) allow more light to hit the pixel area, improving sensitivity and reducing noise, which is crucial for capturing faint celestial objects. Sony also has excellent real-time star tracking and pixel shift technology to provide clear, high-detail astro images, but much of this comes at a price, with good full-frame Sony options coming in at thousands of dollars.
Canon
Canon’s exceptional color science makes them a favorite among astrophotographers.(Image credit: Getty Images)
Canon has long been a favorite for astrophotography thanks to its exceptional color science and sensor performance at higher ISO values, although they tend to produce slightly more noise than Sony’s comparable models. Canon’s strength lies in its wide range ofcompatible lensesand dedicated low-light features in select models such as theCanon EOS R5andEOS R6. The affordability of many of their models mean that second-hand Canon options can often be purchased for a fraction of the price of many newer options.
Nikon has recently stepped up its game with mirrorless Z-series cameras, like theNikon Z6andZ7. Nikon’s full-frame cameras boast excellent dynamic range and superb low-light performance, making them competitive for astrophotography. Like Sony, Nikon’s backside illumination sensor technology helps with reducing noise at high ISOs, though Nikon’s high ISO noise reduction isn’t always as aggressive as Sony’s. Nikon also offers specialized features such as ‘star-eater’ suppression, designed to maintain image quality during long exposures which will come in handy for photographers who are pointing towards the night sky.
‘Star eater’ suppression is designed to maintain image quality during long exposures.(Image credit: Getty Images)
If you are just getting started in astrophotography, you will want to look at setups that allow experimentation — a mixture of affordability and awide range of lensesis important to look at. TheNikon D5600is a good starting point — plenty of lens combinations are available and the 24.2 MP sensor has an ISO range of 100-25,600. It is also good at low light autofocus, which, although, as a budding astrophotographer, you’ll rarely use, it is good to have as an option if you are taking photos of a supermoon, for example.
Low light autofocus is a good feature to have when photographing a supermoon.(Image credit: jamesvancouver via Getty Images)
We would also recommend something like the ultra-portableSony Alpha a6400, which, although still an APS-C sensor, offers options for interchangeable lenses and features real-time tracking, where it uses AI behavior models to detect and capture objects in the distance automatically.
Camera
Sensor
ISO Range
Megapixel
Price
Astro-features
Sony Alpha a6400
APS-C
100-32,000
24.2
$900
Real-time tracking
Canon EOS Rebel T7i (800D)
APS-C
100-25,600
24.2
$750
Dual Pixel AF
Nikon D5600
APS-C
100-25,600
24.2
$700
Low-light AF
Best mid-range cameras for astrophotography
Long exposure shooting is unavoidable in astrophotography (Image credit: Getty Images)
If you have learned the ropes and you are looking to take a step up from entry-level gear, mid-range cameras offer enhanced performance, better noise control, and several more advanced features that you are likely to use in other forms of photography, too. They are also more likely to feature full-frame sensors, which means that you will produce larger images and more detail to work with in the edit.
TheSony Alpha A7 IIIis an excellent choice for serious astrophotographers on a mid-range budget. Its full-frame sensor performs excellently in low-light scenarios, minimizing noise and maximizing detail in dark environments. TheNikon’s Z6is also an option to consider – it strikes a good balance between price and performance and like the A7 III, it uses a backside illumination sensor to allow more light to reach inside the camera, making it great for night sky photography. It also features in-body stabilization and excellent star tracking to help with long-exposure shots.
Camera
Sensor
ISO Range
Megapixel
Price
Astro features
Sony Alpha A7 III
Full-frame
100-51,200
24.2
$2000
Excellent ISO handling
Canon EOS R
Full-frame
100-40,000
30.3
$1800
RF lens mount offers lots of choice
Nikon Z6
Full-frame
100-51,200
24.5
$1600
Star tracking
Should you switch camera brands?
Once you have committed to a camera brand, and bought the associated lenses and accessories, it is sometimes quite hard to go back to the drawing board. However, if other brands or cameras have specific attributes that will help you in astrophotography, it is well worth having a look at the implications of switching. We will take each switch option and weigh it up.
Switching to Canon
If you are moving from Sony to Canon, expect to see a difference in image color science, with Canon often praised for its color accuracy. Switching to Canon can be a money saver, thanks to the high availability of lenses and bodies.
Switching away from either Sony or Nikon towards Canon may only be necessary for those looking for a switch to a camera for life full of professional specs like theCanon EOS R5.
One thing that is worth reiterating is that Canon’s widespread popularity means lens options (new and used) are plentiful — so worth considering for those who want to save money.
Switching to Sony
Sony’s high ISO noise reduction is impressive for capturing stars and deep sky objects.(Image credit: Kimberley Lane)
Although it will hit your wallet a little harder, switching to Sony offers better high ISO noise reduction and sensor technology, making it ideal for those focused on capturing deep-space objects. Switching would require an investment in Sony’s full-frame mirrorless lens system, but the superior noise handling at high ISOs can be a game-changer — these are some of the best cameras you can buy at each price point.
Switching to Nikon
Nikon offers a comparable dynamic range to its competitors and solid low-light performance in its mirrorless Z-series, but the shift away from Sony or Canon may not bring a significant leap in performance unless you value Nikon’s lens ecosystem or prefer Nikon’s ergonomics and handling.
Some photographers prefer Nikon’s ergonomics and handling.
Nikon’s dynamic range however is often praised, and this can benefit landscape astrophotographers who want more flexibility in post-processing. Their growing range of Z-mount lenses can make the switch worth it, especially for those prioritizing dynamic range over specialized astro features.
Summary
Deciding on whether to switch depends on your astrophotography goals.(Image credit: Getty Images)
The decision to switch between Sony, Canon, and Nikon largely depends on your specific astrophotography goals. Each brand offers its own set of strengths, whether it’s Sony’s superior ISO handling, Canon’s specialized low-light features, or Nikon’s dynamic range. Cost, lens availability, and compatibility with your existing astrophotography setup (includingtelescopes) should also factor into the decision. It is worth looking at theused marketto ensure you are getting the best setup for your dollar. It will also come down to the ergonomics and usability of each camera; which menu system and which interfaces you feel most comfortable with.
PlayStation
Sony WH-1000XM6
