Sony WH-1000XM4

The Sony WH-1000XM4 still crushes it with best-in-class sound and top-tier ANC that feels basically new. Our total score of 89.7 out of 100 reflects a headphone that's hard to beat for the price, especially now that it's often under $350. If you need a folding, all-day noise canceler with zero fuss, this is the one to buy.

The sound here is genuinely at the top of the charts. Our measurements put it ahead of almost every wireless over-ear we've tested, with a lively, bass-forward presentation that makes tracks slam without turning into mud. The LDAC support is clutch if you're on Android, and DSEE Extreme does a solid job rescuing compressed Spotify streams. The ANC sits in a standout 88th percentile, it's not quite the absolute best in 2025 but it's close enough that you won't notice unless you A/B test in a wind tunnel. Connectivity is excellent with rock-solid Bluetooth 5.0 and multipoint that just works. The microphone handles Zoom calls fine, but our pure music benchmark offers a reality check: a 77.4 out of 100. The bass-heavy tuning can step on some midrange detail, so critical listeners might want to EQ a bit.

Against the Sennheiser Momentum 4, the Sony pulls ahead in ANC but loses on pure sound refinement and battery life. The Bose QC Ultra is the ANC king now, though the XM4's sound is more fun and engaging out of the box. If you care about premium materials, the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 runs laps around the XM4's build, but it costs double and doesn't sound twice as good. The Technics EAH-A800 offers better comfort, and the JBL Live 770NC is a budget alternative that can't touch Sony's noise canceling or detail retrieval.

The price situation is actually sketchy. Scanning vendors, we see listings from a reasonable $338 all the way up to a ridiculous $22,990, so definitely shop around. At the $300-350 level, this thing is a steal. You're getting sound and ANC that still smokes most headphones in its class, and the feature set ages like fine wine. The real value play is snagging it on sale, where it often dips below $250, and at that point it's almost an impulse buy.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 landed back in 2020 and somehow still feels like a benchmark. It's the pair of headphones I keep coming back to when friends ask for a no-nonsense ANC recommendation, and our database confirms why: a ridiculous 97th percentile sound score and ANC that holds its own against things twice the price. Even three years later, Sony's tuning and noise-canceling tricks make most commutes way less terrible.

But hold up. The XM5 is out, the Bose QC Ultra is flexing, and the Sennheiser Momentum 4 is a real contender. So is the XM4 still a smart buy? After running the numbers and digging through what actual owners are saying, the answer is a very confident yes, especially with prices currently between $338 and some comically high markups (just grab it in the $300 ballpark and call it a day).

If you need all-day plush comfort and flat-out neutral tuning, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 fits better. And if you take calls in windy conditions constantly, the microphone just isn't the best out there. Also, anyone who wants strong water resistance should definitely walk away, because IPX0 won't survive a drizzle.

Grab the XM4 if you want killer ANC, fantastic wireless sound, and a folding design that actually travels well. It's ideal for students, commuters, and anyone living in open offices or loud households. The multipoint and battery life mean you can walk into a coffee shop, connect to your laptop and phone, and just get stuff done.