ReviewFinder Wireless Headphones

Sony WH-1000XM4

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Sound quality
Noise cancellation
Comfort
Battery life
Connectivity
Durability
Additional features
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12 Verified Hands-On Reviews

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Expert reviews [12]

90
Total expert reviews: 12
  • with a score: 10
  • without a score: 2
Highest score by TechRadar
100
Average score based on 12 reviews
90
Lowest score by soundsightheadphones.com
80

Score distribution:

80-100
60-80
40-60
20-40
0-20
82
Great wasn't good enough for Sony.
The Sony WH-1000XM4 is a top-tier pair of headphones with advanced features, excellent active noise cancellation, and impressive sound quality. It is highly recommended for anyone in the market for top-notch Bluetooth headphones.
+ pros
  • Advanced features and improvements over its predecessor, such as multipoint connectivity and speak-to-chat functionality.
  • Excellent active noise canceling (ANC) capabilities, making them ideal for commuters and frequent travelers.
  • Bluetooth multipoint and the ability to pause music when the headphones are removed.
  • Good range and easy pairing with NFC-enabled devices.
  • Impressive sound quality with a more neutral-leaning frequency response.
  • Good microphone quality for phone calls and meetings.
  • Quick charge feature that provides 5 hours of playtime after just 10 minutes of charging.
- cons
  • Slightly shorter battery life compared to its predecessor.
  • Inconsistent double-tap to pause function on the touch controls.
  • Slight drop-off in low frequencies for microphone quality.
  • Over-emphasis on treble in the earbuds' sound quality.
100
Are the Sony WH-1000XM4 the best headphones ever made?
The Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless headphones are an excellent choice for those seeking top-notch noise cancellation and impressive sound quality. With their lightweight and comfortable design, along with new features like DSEE Extreme audio upscaling and multipoint pairing, they offer an exceptional listening experience.
+ pros
  • Improved noise cancellation: The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones have enhanced noise cancellation technology, allowing for a more immersive listening experience.
  • DSEE Extreme audio upscaling: This feature helps improve the clarity of lower quality audio files, enhancing the overall sound quality.
  • Multipoint pairing: The headphones can connect to two devices simultaneously, making it easy to switch between them without the need for manual pairing.
  • Auto-play/pause and conversation awareness: The headphones automatically pause music when taken off and resume playback when put back on, and they have a conversation awareness feature that allows you to hear your surroundings without taking off the headphones.
- cons
  • Imperceptible design changes: The headphones may not have a noticeable difference in design compared to their predecessors, which may disappoint those looking for a new look.
  • Not water-resistant: The lack of water resistance limits their use in certain environments, such as during workouts or in rainy conditions.
  • Call quality not perfect: The call quality on the headphones is not flawless, which may be a drawback for those who frequently use them for phone calls.
  • Singing can pause music: The headphones have a feature that automatically pauses music when you start singing, which can be frustrating for some users.
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Expert consensus

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are highly praised for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, connectivity, and durability, making them a top choice for a premium audio experience.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones have received high praise from experts for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, connectivity, and durability. The sound quality is described as balanced and controlled, with a focus on clarity and instrument separation.

The noise cancellation is highly effective, surpassing even its predecessor, and can adapt to different environments. The headphones are comfortable for extended use, with soft padding on the ear cups and headband. The battery life is impressive, offering up to 38 hours of usage with ANC off and quick charging capabilities.

The headphones have a solid Bluetooth range and support various codecs for high-resolution audio transmission. They can also connect to multiple devices simultaneously. The durability of the headphones is improved compared to previous models, with high-quality materials and a more contoured fit.

Overall, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are recommended for their premium audio experience, making them suitable for various use cases such as long flights, commutes, or work-from-home sessions.

Sound quality

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are highly regarded for their balanced and controlled bass, warm and balanced sound signature, wide soundstage, and overall clarity, making them suitable for all music genres.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are highly regarded for their sound quality by experts. The bass response is described as balanced and controlled, with a focus on clarity and instrument separation rather than heavy bass impact. The sound signature is warm and balanced, with a wide soundstage and detail that can cut through powerful bass performance.

The treble frequencies are more pronounced and detailed, providing a sense of larger soundstage and engagement with high notes. The overall clarity of the headphones is praised, with crisp, clear, and vibrant audio. The headphones are suitable for all kinds of music genres, with their fairly neutral sound characteristic.

They can handle different genres of music with excellence, thanks to their superb audio quality and built-in equalizer that allows for customization. Overall, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are highly recommended for their sound quality and versatility in playing different genres of music.

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Noise cancellation

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones receive high praise for their exceptional noise cancellation, adjustable settings, impressive sound quality, and long-lasting battery life, making them a top choice for a premium audio experience.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones have received high praise for their noise cancellation feature from multiple expert reviews. The noise cancellation is highly effective, surpassing even its predecessor, the WH-1000XM3, in regulating external noise. The headphones create a personal audio world, blocking out all but the loudest and highest-pitched annoyances.

The noise cancellation is comparable to Bose, known for its excellent noise-cancelling technology. The WH-1000XM4 employs two feedforward microphones and Sony's Dual Noise Sensor technology to analyze and filter out ambient sounds. The noise neutralization between the WH-1000XM4 and WH-1000XM3 is comparable, providing remarkable results.

The headphones also have adjustable noise cancellation settings, thanks to Sony's Adaptive Sound Control technology. The noise cancellation can adapt to different environments and situations, ensuring optimal performance. Despite the noise cancellation, the sound quality of the WH-1000XM4 remains excellent, providing a balanced and detailed audio experience.

The headphones effectively reduce mid- and high-frequency noise, making them ideal for silencing distractions in various environments. The battery life of the WH-1000XM4 when using noise cancellation is approximately 30 hours, according to multiple reviews. Overall, the Sony WH-1000XM4 offers highly effective noise cancellation, adjustable settings, impressive sound quality, and a long-lasting battery, making it a top choice for those seeking a premium audio experience.

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Comfort

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are highly praised for their comfort, featuring a comfortable fit, high-quality padding, and adjustability for extended periods of use.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are highly praised for their comfort, making them suitable for extended periods of use. The headphones feature a comfortable fit, with reviewers mentioning wearing them for up to eight hours without feeling excessive pressure. The padding on the ear cups and headband is of high quality, providing excellent comfort.

The ear cups have soft foam padding that takes in air well, ensuring a proper fit without applying excessive pressure on the head or ears. The headband also has cushioning, making the headphones comfortable even during long listening sessions. The ear cups are designed to provide a pressure-free experience, with generous padding and a slimmer design that sits closer to the head.

The adjustability features of the WH-1000XM4 headphones allow for a better fit and adjustment, accommodating a wide range of head sizes and shapes. Overall, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are designed to provide a comfortable and enjoyable listening experience, making them suitable for various use cases such as long flights, commutes, or work-from-home sessions.

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Battery life

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones have a highly regarded battery life, lasting up to 38 hours with ANC off and 30 hours with ANC on, and also feature quick charging capabilities.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones have a highly regarded battery life, offering up to 38 hours of usage with active noise cancellation (ANC) turned off and up to 30 hours with ANC enabled. In real-world testing, the headphones lasted around 19-30 hours with ANC on, depending on the volume level and usage.

The battery life is considered impressive for a high-end noise-canceling headset, especially considering the new sensors and noise cancellation features. The headphones also have quick charging capabilities, allowing for 5 hours of playtime after just 10 minutes of charging. This is particularly useful for users who need a quick boost of battery life while on the go.

Overall, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones offer a long listening experience and convenient charging options.

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Connectivity

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones offer a solid Bluetooth range, compatibility with various devices, and the ability to connect to multiple devices simultaneously, providing a seamless wireless experience.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones offer a solid Bluetooth range of about 40 feet, allowing for cord-free listening even when you're away from your audio source. They are compatible with a wide range of Bluetooth-enabled devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops. The headphones use Bluetooth 5.

0 technology, providing a strong wireless connection and stable performance for music streaming and calls. They also support various Bluetooth codecs, including AAC, SBC, and Sony's LDAC, allowing for high-resolution audio transmission on Android devices.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones support NFC pairing, making the process quick and easy. Simply tap your smartphone to the NFC logo on the left earcup, and follow the prompt that appears on your phone. However, if your smartphone doesn't have NFC, you can still pair the headphones using the traditional method through Bluetooth settings.

One standout feature of the WH-1000XM4 headphones is their ability to connect to multiple devices simultaneously. You can pair the headphones with up to two devices, such as a smartphone and a laptop, and seamlessly switch between them without the need to manually pair each time. This is made possible through Bluetooth multipoint technology and can be managed using the Sony Headphones Connect app.

Overall, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones offer strong connectivity options, allowing for a seamless wireless experience with a wide range of devices. Whether you're using them with your smartphone, tablet, or laptop, these headphones provide a reliable and convenient wireless connection for your audio needs.

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Durability

The Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless headphones are constructed with high-quality materials, including neodymium drivers and a durable rubberized finish, making them more resistant to damage and providing a premium feel.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless headphones are constructed using high-quality materials, including 40 millimeter neodymium drivers with an aluminum-coated liquid crystal polymer diaphragm. The earcup housing is made of plastic, which has been slimmed down to add additional padding to the pleather lining the inside of the cups.

The headband padding is slightly thinner, and the section connecting the headband to the earcups has been shortened, resulting in a better contoured fit. The headphones also have a soft rubberized finish on the headband, which gives them a more durable and premium feel compared to its predecessor, the WH-1000XM3.

The earcup plastics and headband materials have a rougher texture, suggesting an improvement in the quality of materials and making them more resistant to cracking or breaking. However, it's important to note that no headphones are completely immune to damage, so proper care and handling are still recommended.

Overall, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are designed to be durable and withstand regular use.

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Position in ranking

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

Rank Change Price Headphones
IGN
Tom's Guide
What Hi-Fi
Digital Trends
WIRED
CNET
Wirecutter
PCMag
T3
Rtings.com
1
- $298
Sony WH-1000XM5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones have received positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, connectivity, and durability, making them a top choice for users seeking a premium listening experience.
1
1
1
1
1
2
3
5
7
-
2
- $329
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have received positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, and connectivity, making them a recommended choice for those seeking a versatile and enjoyable listening experience.
4
3
5
2
2
1
-
3
1
1
3
- $400
Apple AirPods Max
The Apple AirPods Max receive positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, and connectivity, making them a top choice for an outstanding audio experience.
8
9
6
3
5
7
-
9
8
-
4
- $229
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.
-
-
-
-
3
11
-
2
3
-
Show all rows
Sony WH-1000XM4 did not receive any endorsements this month.

Highest recommended wireless headphones 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 headphones below are at the top of our ranking this December.

Scroll to see all options. Click on the headphones for more details.
Sony WH-1000XM5 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Apple AirPods Max Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Reviews
In comparison:
Sony WH-1000XM5 rank #1 out of 208. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
Go to rankings
8.8
Great
Reviews
In comparison:
Bose QuietComfort Ultra rank #2 out of 208.
Go to rankings
7.4
Good
Reviews
In comparison:
Apple AirPods Max rank #3 out of 208. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
Go to rankings
9.1
Great
Reviews
We don't yet have enough review information for Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Price
Price
Price
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones have received positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, connectivity, and durability, making them a top choice for users seeking a premium listening experience. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have received positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, and connectivity, making them a recommended choice for those seeking a versatile and enjoyable listening experience. The Apple AirPods Max receive positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, and connectivity, making them a top choice for an outstanding audio experience. 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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