ReviewFinder Wireless Earbuds

Sony WF-1000XM4

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16 Verified Hands-On Reviews

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Expert reviews [16]

91
Total expert reviews: 16
  • with a score: 12
  • without a score: 4
Highest score by What Hi-Fi
100
Average score based on 16 reviews
91
Lowest score by Rtings.com
79

Score distribution:

80-100
60-80
40-60
20-40
0-20
ReviewFinder: authentic product reviews summarized by a powerful AI engine.

Expert consensus

The Sony WF-1000XM4 true wireless earbuds have received positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, connectivity, and additional features, making them a reliable choice for users who prioritize these aspects in their earbuds.

The Sony WF-1000XM4 true wireless earbuds have received positive reviews from experts for their sound quality, noise cancellation capabilities, comfort, battery life, connectivity, and additional features. The sound quality is highly regarded, with clean and well-controlled bass, balanced mid-range frequencies, and smooth and warm overall sound.

The noise cancellation is exceptional, effectively blocking out unwanted ambient noise. The earbuds are comfortable and stable, making them suitable for activities like running and working out. The battery life is impressive, lasting up to 7 to 8 hours with noise cancellation activated. The connectivity features are strong, with a Bluetooth range of up to 90 feet and support for multipoint connections.

The earbuds also offer a range of additional features, including touch controls, compatibility with voice assistants, a companion app for customization and control, and unique features like advanced noise cancellation and speak-to-chat. Overall, the Sony WF-1000XM4 provides a versatile and immersive listening experience, making them a reliable choice for users who prioritize sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, and battery life in their true wireless earbuds.

Sound quality

The Sony WF-1000XM4 headphones are highly regarded for their clean and well-controlled bass, balanced mid-range, and customizable sound profiles, providing a smooth and immersive listening experience.

The Sony WF-1000XM4 headphones are highly regarded for their sound quality, particularly their bass response. Experts praise the headphones for delivering clean, tight, and well-controlled bass that doesn't overpower the rest of the sound. The bass is described as full-bodied and punchy, with an impressive level of detail.

The mid-range frequencies are also well-balanced, making vocals and lead instruments present and clear. However, the treble frequencies are underemphasized, resulting in dull and lispy sibilants. Despite this, the overall sound is smooth and warm, enhancing the listening experience. The headphones offer a high level of clarity and detail, with refined sound profiles.

The companion app allows users to customize the sound with a graphic EQ and presets. The WF-1000XM4 headphones excel in communicating dynamics and presenting music in an enthralling fashion. They provide a strong, dimensional soundstage, creating an immersive audio experience. Overall, the Sony WF-1000XM4 headphones are praised for their sound quality, particularly for genres like jazz or classical, but may lack impact for bass-heavy genres like EDM and hip-hop.

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Noise cancellation

The Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds are highly praised for their exceptional noise cancellation capabilities, effectively blocking out unwanted ambient noise and providing an immersive and uninterrupted experience for various activities.

The Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds are highly praised for their exceptional noise cancellation capabilities. They are said to effectively block out most unwanted ambient noise, including office chatter, AC unit hums, and noise in crowded places like coffee shops and highways.

The noise cancellation performance of the WF-1000XM4 is compared favorably to other top contenders in the market, such as the Apple AirPods Pro and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds. The earbuds use Sony's Integrated Processor V1 technology, which improves noise-canceling performance while consuming less power.

They also have adjustable levels of noise cancellation, allowing users to customize the level based on their preferences and environment. The noise cancellation feature is highly effective during phone calls and music playback, providing an immersive and uninterrupted experience. The WF-1000XM4 earbuds are recommended for various activities, including commuting, listening to music, making phone calls, and watching movies.

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Comfort

The Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds have a more ergonomic design that provides a comfortable and stable fit, making them suitable for active lifestyles.

The Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds have undergone significant design changes compared to their predecessor, resulting in a more ergonomic shape that fits the contours of the ear better. They are described as being more bud-like, circular, and less bulky, providing a stable and comfortable fit.

The earbuds come with three differently-sized pairs of foam ear tips that help conform to the ear canal and provide a better seal. However, some users have reported discomfort or irritation after prolonged use, suggesting that Sony could have offered more sizes for the foam tips or included silicone tips as an alternative.

The earbuds are designed to stay securely in place during physical activity or movement, thanks to their compact and ergonomic design, twist-and-lock technique, and lightweight construction. They come with three different sizes of ear tips to cater to different ear sizes and shapes.

Overall, the Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds prioritize comfort and stability, making them suitable for activities such as running, working out, and an active lifestyle.

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Battery life

The Sony WF-1000XM4 true wireless earbuds have received positive reviews for their impressive battery life, lasting up to 7 to 8 hours with noise cancelling activated and up to 12 hours with noise cancelling turned off.

The Sony WF-1000XM4 true wireless earbuds have received positive reviews regarding their battery life. With noise cancelling activated, the earbuds can last approximately 7 to 8 hours on a single charge. However, if noise cancelling is turned off, the battery life can extend to around 12 hours.

These estimates may vary slightly depending on the volume level and usage patterns.

The charging time for the earbuds' case is approximately three hours, whether using wired charging via a USB Type-C cable or wireless charging using Qi wireless charging technology. Additionally, the WF-1000XM4 headphones have quick charging capabilities, providing up to three hours of playtime from just a 15-minute charge.

When using noise-cancelling features, the battery life of the WF-1000XM4 is generally praised by experts. The earbuds themselves can provide 6 to 8 hours of battery life per charge, with the case offering additional charges for a total battery life of up to 36 hours.

Some experts mention a total battery life of 24 hours with noise cancelling enabled, while others mention up to 8 hours of continuous playback with noise cancelling on.

Compared to other wireless earbuds on the market, the battery life of the Sony WF-1000XM4 is considered impressive. It outperforms competitors such as the AirPods Pro, Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3, and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II in terms of battery life with noise cancelling activated.

Overall, the Sony WF-1000XM4 offers above-average battery life, making it a reliable choice for users who prioritize long-lasting battery performance in their true wireless earbuds.

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Connectivity

The Sony WF-1000XM4 headphones have received positive reviews for their strong Bluetooth connectivity, multipoint pairing capabilities, and compatibility with both iOS and Android devices.

The Sony WF-1000XM4 headphones have received positive reviews for their connectivity features. The Bluetooth range is strong, with a connectivity range of up to 90 feet in line-of-sight situations. Users have reported being able to confidently move between floors without any issues in music or call quality.

The headphones are compatible with both iOS and Android devices, and can be paired with any Bluetooth-compatible device without using the Sony mobile app. However, to make the most of the WF-1000XM4, it is recommended to download Sony's companion Headphones Connect app, which allows for control of the earbuds, customization of sound settings, and access to features like the 'Find My' feature.

The WF-1000XM4 also supports multipoint connections, allowing for simultaneous pairing with two audio sources such as a smartphone and a laptop. This feature was added through a firmware update and is particularly useful for those who need to work on a laptop while staying connected to their phone.

The headphones support Bluetooth 5. 2, Google Fast Pair, and Windows 10 Swift Pair, providing a strong and convenient wireless connection. Overall, the connectivity features of the Sony WF-1000XM4 headphones are well-regarded and offer a seamless and convenient pairing experience.

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Additional features

The Sony WF-1000XM4 true wireless earbuds offer a range of additional features including touch controls, compatibility with voice assistants, a companion app for customization and control, and unique features like advanced noise cancellation, making them a versatile and immersive listening experience.

The Sony WF-1000XM4 true wireless earbuds offer a range of additional features that enhance the overall user experience. These features include touch controls, compatibility with voice assistants, a companion app for customization and control, and unique features not found in other wireless earbuds.

The touch controls on the WF-1000XM4 are responsive and easy to use, allowing for easy navigation and control of various functions such as track controls, activating the virtual assistant, and toggling between ANC modes or the quick attention feature. The earbuds are also compatible with popular voice assistants like Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple Siri, allowing for easy access and control.

The Sony Headphones Connect app is an essential companion for the WF-1000XM4, providing a range of customization and control options. Users can update the earbuds' software, tweak EQ settings, set ambient sound levels, and optimize the 360 Reality Audio setup. The app also allows for configuring touch controls, managing noise cancellation intensity, activating/deactivating the Speech-to-Chat function, and updating firmware.

In terms of unique additional features, the WF-1000XM4 stands out with its astounding sound quality, advanced noise cancellation, extensive feature set, improved comfort and fit, IPX4 weather resistance, wireless charging case, and multi-device pairing. The earbuds deliver premium audio with rich bass, clear mids, and detailed highs.

The noise cancellation effectively blocks out unwanted background noise, allowing for an immersive listening experience. The extensive feature set includes touch controls, customizable EQ settings, and support for Sony's 360 Reality Audio. The improved comfort and fit ensure a secure and comfortable fit, even during extended listening sessions.

The IPX4 weather resistance makes the earbuds suitable for workouts or outdoor activities. The wireless charging case adds convenience and flexibility to the charging process, and multi-device pairing allows for seamless switching between devices.

Overall, the Sony WF-1000XM4 offers a comprehensive suite of additional features that enhance the user experience. Whether it's enjoying high-quality sound, controlling the earbuds with touch controls or voice assistants, customizing settings with the companion app, or benefiting from unique features like advanced noise cancellation and speak-to-chat, the WF-1000XM4 provides a versatile and immersive listening experience.

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Position in ranking

We maintain a monthly ranking that sums up expert recommendations for all wireless earbuds.

Rank Change Price Earbuds
Wirecutter
What Hi-Fi
Android Central
The Verge
Tom's Guide
Laptop Mag
Rtings.com
SoundGuys
TechRadar
Forbes
1
- $298
Sony WF-1000XM5
The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds have received highly positive expert reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation capabilities, comfort, battery life, connectivity features, and additional features, making them a top choice for premium true wireless earbuds.
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1
2
1
1
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1
1
-
3
2
- Check price
Apple AirPods Pro 2
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are highly praised for their exceptional sound quality, advanced noise cancellation, comfortable design, and convenient features, making them a top choice for everyday use.
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6
-
5
3
2
2
2
6
8
3
- $299
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are highly praised for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, connectivity, and durability, making them a recommended choice for music enthusiasts who value strong bass and treble, effective noise cancellation, comfort for extended use, and durability for various activities.
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5
4
3
4
-
-
-
-
4
4
- $289
Technics EAH-AZ80
-
-
8
-
-
-
-
-
1
1
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Sony WF-1000XM4 did not receive any endorsements this month.

Highest recommended wireless earbuds this month

ReviewFinder ranks based on a combination of customer reviews, expert reviews / mentions and popularity. Expert recommendations carry the highest weight in the ranking. We do not rank based on price, our commission or brand. wireless earbuds below are at the top of our ranking this July.

Scroll to see all options. Click on the earbuds for more details.
Sony WF-1000XM5 Apple AirPods Pro 2 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Technics EAH-AZ80
Reviews
We don't yet have enough review information for Sony WF-1000XM5
Reviews
In comparison:
Apple AirPods Pro 2 rank #2 out of 88. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
Go to rankings
9.6
Amazing
Reviews
We don't yet have enough review information for Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Reviews
We don't yet have enough review information for Technics EAH-AZ80
Price
Price
Price
The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds have received highly positive expert reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation capabilities, comfort, battery life, connectivity features, and additional features, making them a top choice for premium true wireless earbuds. The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are highly praised for their exceptional sound quality, advanced noise cancellation, comfortable design, and convenient features, making them a top choice for everyday use. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are highly praised for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, connectivity, and durability, making them a recommended choice for music enthusiasts who value strong bass and treble, effective noise cancellation, comfort for extended use, and durability for various activities.
Expert consensus not yet generated.
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