Sony WH-1000XM4
The Dual Noise Sensor and Edge-AI adapt noise cancellation to your environment, while the 30-hour battery with a 10-minute quick charge for five hours of playback supports all-day use. Speak-to-Chat automatically pauses audio and pipes in ambient sound when you talk, and multipoint Bluetooth connects to two devices simultaneously for seamless switching. Best for frequent flyers and call-heavy professionals who need dependable ANC, 87.6-rated call clarity, and a comfortable 254g foldable design.
Об этом Headphones
About Sony WH-1000XM4 Sony WH-1000XM4.ONLY MUSIC.NOTHING ELSE.Sony’s intelligent industry-leading noise canceling headphones with premium sound elevate your listening experience with the ability to personalize and control everything you hear. Industry-Leading Noise Cancelation.Industry-leading noise cancellation technology means you hear every word, note, and tune with incredible clarity, no matter your environment. These noise canceling headphones feature additional microphones that assist in isolating sound for a reduction of even more high and mid frequency sounds. The Technology That Makes It Happen.Dual noise sensor technology, featuring two microphones on each earcup, captures ambient noise and passes the data to the HD Noise-Canceling Processor QN1. Using a new algorithm, the HD Noise-Canceling Processor QN1 then applies noise-canceling processing in real time to a range of acoustic environments. Working together with a new Bluetooth® Audio SoC (System on Chip), it senses and adjusts to music and noise signals, as well as acoustic characteristics between the driver unit and ears, at over 700 times per second.
Optimizing Noise Canceling.To maximize noise-canceling performance, the WH-1000XM4 headphones incorporate two technologies: Personal Noise-Canceling Optimizer, designed specifically for you, and Atmospheric Pressure Optimizing, designed specifically for air travel. Ambient Sound Control.Adjust ambient sound with the Sony | Headphones Connect app to cancel noise while still allowing essential sounds, like overhead announcements, through when you're listening on the move.
Wireless Freedom, Premium Sound.LDAC transmits approximately three times more data (at the maximum transfer rate of 990 kbps) than conventional BLUETOOTH® audio, allowing you to enjoy High-Resolution Audio content in exceptional quality, as close as possible to that of a dedicated wired connection. Sound You Can Believe In.A built-in analog amplifier integrated in the HD Noise-Canceling Processor QN1 realizes an unmatched signal-to-noise ratio for low distortion and exceptional sound quality for portable devices. Powerful 1.57" drivers, with Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) diaphragms, make the headphones perfect for handling heavy beats and can reproduce a full range of frequencies up to 40 kHz.
Real-Time Restoration Of All Your Compressed Files.Using Edge-AI (Artificial Intelligence) co-developed with Sony Music Studios Tokyo, DSEE Extreme™ (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) upscales compressed digital music files in real time. Dynamically recognizing instrumentation, musical genres, and individual elements of each song, such as vocals or interludes, it restores the high-range sound lost in compression for a richer, more complete listening experience
Smart Listening Technology To Enhance Your Listening.The WH-1000XM4 headphones use an array of smart technologies to create a seamless, hands-free listening experience. For example, simply start speaking to automatically pause your music in Speak-to-Chat, or enjoy adaptive playback thanks to the proximity sensor and two acceleration sensors that detect whether your headphones are being worn or not. For Everyday Convenience, Just Speak-to-Chat.As soon as you speak to someone, Speak-to-Chat automatically stops the music and lets in ambient sound so you can conduct a conversation—handy if you want to keep your headphones on, or your hands are full. Based on Precise Voice Pickup Technology, this smart feature uses five microphones built into your headphones and advanced audio signal processing to recognize and react to your voice. And once your chat is over, your music starts playing again automatically. Traveling.Lose yourself in your journey, with no background noise to interrupt your favorite tracks.
Waiting.Hear important announcements while you wait without noticing other background noise. Learns Your Favorite Locations.Over time, Adaptive Sound Control learns to recognize locations that you frequently visit, such as your workplace, the gym, or a favorite café, and tailors sound to suit the situation.
Headphones That React To You.Proximity sensor and two acceleration sensors in your headphones can detect whether you're wearing them or not, then adapt playback accordingly to help save battery power. Pause The Music.Take off your headphones and the music pauses automatically.
Resume Playing.Put the headphones back on and the music automatically resumes. Quick Attention.Need to quickly hear voices or sounds around you? Just place your hand over the housing to instantly turn your music volume down and let ambient sound in.
Wear All Day In Total Comfort.WH-1000XM4 headphones blend sophisticated style with exceptional comfort. Super-soft, pressure-relieving ear pads in foamed urethane evenly distribute pressure and increase ear/pad contact for a stable fit. And with a lighter-weight design, you'll barely notice you're wearing them.
All Day Power & Quick Charging.With a huge 30 hours of battery life, you'll have enough power even for long trips. And if you need to top up in a hurry, you can get 5 hours' worth of charge after just 10 minutes with the optional AC adapter
Be Smarter With Voice Assistant.Manage your day, just by asking your assistant. Enjoy entertainment, connect with friends, get information, listen to music and notifications, set reminders, and more.
Clearer Hands-Free Calling.Conversation flows freely with easy, hands-free calling. Leave your phone where it is, just speak with a double tap. Thanks to Precise Voice Pickup Technology, which combines five built-in microphones with advanced audio signal processing, WH-1000XM4 delivers clearer voice quality to the other person on the phone.
Control At Your Fingertips.Change the track, turn the volume up or down, and take or make calls just by tapping or swiping the panel. Sony | Headphones Connect App.With the Sony | Headphones Connect app, Ambient Sound Control lets you adjust the volume of background sound and gives you the option to allow voices alone to be heard. Meanwhile the Equalizer lets you customize sound levels to suit your music.
Swivel Foldable Structure.The ear cups swivel inwards so they pack up neatly in a compact case.
Carry Case With Cable.The supplied carrying case is durable and includes a cable for wired listening. So Immersive. So Real.Immerse yourself in sound all around you. As real as if you are there at a live concert or with the artist recording in a studio. With 360 Reality Audio, music has never been so immersive and so real. These headphones let you enjoy 360 Reality Audio
Sony's intelligent industry-leading noise cancelling headphones with premium sound elevate your listening experience with the ability to personalize and control everything you hear. Get up to 30 hours of battery life with quick charging capabilities, enjoy an enhanced Smart Listening feature set, and carry conversations hands-free with speak-to-chat.Sony WH-1000XM4 FeaturesIndustry-leading noise cancellationThe technology behind the noise cancellationOptimizing noise cancellingAmbient Sound ControlSound you can believe inWireless freedom, premium soundReal-time restoration of all your compressed filesAdaptive Sound Control automatically adjusts to your location and behaviorFor everyday convenience, just Speak-to-ChatHeadphones that react to youWear all day in total comfortQuick AttentionAll day power and quick chargingClearer hands-free callingBe smarter with Voice AssistantControl at your fingertipsMultipoint connectionSony | Headphones Connect appSwivel foldable structureCarry case with cableWarranty InformationThis product has a limited warranty of 12 months for parts and 3 months for labor.https://www.sony.com/electronics800-942-7669
CNET Editors' Rating
5 out of 5 stars.
Regular discounted, Sony's flagship ANC headphone remains hard to beat if you're looking for a premium noise-canceling headphone.
Like Excellent sound and top-notch noise cancelingSlightly more comfortableImproved voice callingPairs with two devices at the same timeSpeak-to-Chat modeUpgraded Bluetooth system-on-chipGood battery life
Don't like It's expensiveLooks virtually the same as the previous model
9.1 OVERALL The overall rating is 9.1 out of 10.
Editor's choice
Aug 2020
Product Information provided by the Manufacturer
Try Audible FreeWith the purchase of this product, you’ll unlock a 3-month complimentary trial of Audible Premium Plus, featuring unlimited streaming of thousands of titles in the entire Audible Plus Catalog.*Terms and conditions apply
Industry-leading Digital Noise CancellationHear every word, note, and tune with incredible clarity, no matter your environment. These headphones feature additional microphones that assist in isolating sound while talking on the phone, resulting in improved phone call quality and the reduction of even more high and mid frequency sounds.1
Engineering better noise cancellationDual Noise Sensor technology, featuring two microphones on each earcup, captures ambient noise and passes the data to the HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1. Using a new algorithm, the HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1 then applies noise cancelling processing in real time to a range of environments.
“Sony | Headphones Connect” App for Android /iOSControl your ambient sound settings and adjust the sound levels with the Equalizer.2
All-day power with quick chargingUp to 30-hour battery life with quick charging (10 min charge for 5 hours of playback).3
Seamless multiple-device pairingThe WH-1000XM4 headphones can be paired with two Bluetooth devices at the same time.5
Carry case with cable The supplied carry case is durable and includes a cable for wired listening.
“Sony | Headphones Connect” App for Android /iOSControl your ambient sound settings and adjust the sound levels with the Equalizer.2
All-day power with quick chargingUp to 30-hour battery life with quick charging (10 min charge for 5 hours of playback).3
Seamless multiple-device pairingThe WH-1000XM4 headphones can be paired with two Bluetooth devices at the same time.5
Carry case with cable The supplied carry case is durable and includes a cable for wired listening.
“Sony | Headphones Connect” App for Android /iOSControl your ambient sound settings and adjust the sound levels with the Equalizer.2
FootnotesAs of March 2020. Ambient noise reduction according to research by Sony Corp., measured using JEITA-compliant guidelines for headband style wireless noise cancelling headphones.Requires download of Sony | Headphones Connect app for iPhone from the App Store or for Android from Google Play. User must link compatible devices in order to control operation. Subject to app terms and conditions.Actual performance varies based on settings, environmental conditions, and usage.Voice assist function compatible with Android smartphone (Google App) or IPhone (Siri). Bluetooth® Connection RequiredInteroperability and compatibility among Bluetooth® devices vary. For optimal experience, software update recommended.
Join VIP PROEarn 2X Points + Exclusive Perks!Sell or Trade your GearGet started in 3 easy stepsKey FeaturesExperience superior sound quality with these Sony wireless headphones for immersive audio.Enjoy all-day comfort with the ergonomic, over-ear design of these noise canceling headphones.With up to 38 hours of battery life, these Bluetooth headphones are perfect for long trips.Seamlessly connect to your devices with Bluetooth 5.0 for a stable and reliable connection.Optimize your audio with DSEE Extreme, restoring details lost in digital music files.Take calls on the go with crystal-clear clarity using the built-in microphone feature.What's in the box:Sony WH-1000XM4 HeadphonesUSB Type-C Cable (20cm)Audio Cable (Color Variation / 1.2m)Carrying Case (Color Variation)In-Flight AdapterSony 1 Year Limited WarrantyArticles & VideosGive The Sound of Sony5 Best Headphones for Video EditingBest Headphones for Music in 2022
- Experience superior sound quality with these Sony wireless headphones for immersive audio.
- Enjoy all-day comfort with the ergonomic, over-ear design of these noise canceling headphones.
- With up to 38 hours of battery life, these Bluetooth headphones are perfect for long trips.
- Seamlessly connect to your devices with Bluetooth 5.0 for a stable and reliable connection.
- Optimize your audio with DSEE Extreme, restoring details lost in digital music files.
- Take calls on the go with crystal-clear clarity using the built-in microphone feature.
The 30-Second Version
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.
Overview
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).
Performance
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.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Some of the best wireless sound we've measured. 97th
- ANC that still qualifies as industry-leading even against newer flagships. 96th
- LDAC and multipoint connectivity are genuinely seamless. 94th
- Battery life hits the claimed 30 hours consistently in our real-world tests. 88th
Cons
- Comfort is average; ear pads can get warm and a bit shallow.
- The bass-forward sound signature won't thrill neutral-tuning fans.
- IPX0 rating means zero water resistance, so rain is a gamble.
- Prices vary wildly online; you'll spot absurd listings if you're not careful.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | over-ear |
| Open/Closed | closed |
| Foldable | Yes |
| Weight | 0.3 kg / 0.6 lbs |
| Ear Cushion | foamed urethane |
Audio
| Driver Type | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 40 |
| Freq Min | 4 |
| Freq Max | 40000 |
| Impedance | 47 |
| Sensitivity | 105 |
| Hi-Res Audio | Yes |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
Noise Control
| ANC | Yes |
| ANC Type | industry-leading |
| Transparency | Yes |
Connectivity
| Wireless | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 5 |
| Profiles | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP |
| Multipoint | Yes |
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm |
| Detachable Cable | Yes |
| Cable Length | 1.2 |
| Range | 9.1 |
Battery
| Battery Life | 30 |
| Charge Time | 3 |
| Fast Charging | 10 min for 5 hours playback |
| Charging | USB-C |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
| Mic Count | 5 |
| NC Mic | Yes |
| Boom Mic | No |
Features
| Voice Assistant | Siri, Google Assistant |
| Touch Controls | Yes |
| App | Sony | Headphones Connect |
| Water Resistance | IPX0 |
Value & Pricing
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.
vs Competition
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.
| Spec | Sony WH-1000XM4 | Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 M4AEBT | Technics EAH-A800 EAH-A800 | Audio-Technica ATH-S300BT ATH-S300BT | JBL Tune 770NC | Bose QuietComfort 884367-0100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear |
| Driver Type | dynamic | Dynamic | PEEK/Polyurethane 3-Layer Diaphragm | dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Driver Size (mm) | 40 | 42 | 40 | 40 | 40 | - |
| Impedance Ohms | 47 | 470 | 34 | 45 | 32 | 32 |
| Wireless | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Open Closed Back | closed | closed | closed | closed | closed | closed |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.2 | 5.2 | 5.1 | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Battery Life Hours | 30 | 60 | 50 | 90 | 70 | 24 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Anc | Mic | Build | Sound | Battery | Comfort | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony WH-1000XM4 | 87.5 | 87 | 77.1 | 96.9 | 72.7 | 50.8 | 95.5 | 93.6 |
| Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 M4AEBT Compare | 97.7 | 85.1 | 77.1 | 97.6 | 89.3 | 79.5 | 99 | 79 |
| Technics EAH-A800 EAH-A800 Compare | 92.5 | 98.3 | 77.1 | 96.9 | 83.8 | 50.8 | 93.1 | 98.8 |
| Audio-Technica ATH-S300BT ATH-S300BT Compare | 92.5 | 78.6 | 77.1 | 85.1 | 97.2 | 50.8 | 99.8 | 98.8 |
| JBL Tune 770NC Compare | 97.7 | 66.7 | 92.3 | 73.2 | 93.2 | 50.8 | 99.7 | 87.1 |
| Bose QuietComfort 884367-0100 Compare | 92.5 | 66.7 | 92.3 | 43.6 | 69.3 | 12.9 | 92.4 | 98.8 |
Common Questions
Q: Can these connect to two devices at the same time?
Yes, they support Bluetooth multipoint and handle switching between, say, your laptop and phone without manually disconnecting.
Q: Do they work with a wired connection?
Absolutely, there's a 3.5mm jack and a cable in the box. They'll work passively when powered off, but sound quality dips a bit without the active DSP.
Q: How's call quality in noisy environments?
It's good, sitting in the 87th percentile for mics. The five-microphone setup does decent noise suppression, though it can struggle with heavy wind.
Who Should Skip This
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.
Verdict
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.
