Since there are a lot of headphone options available these days, finding a model that balances comfort, sound quality, and noise cancellation can be a challenge. The Sony WH-1000XM4, originally released in 2020, quickly became a benchmark for premium over-ear ANC headphones.
Five years later, it remains a popular choice for commuters, travelers, and audiophiles alike.
Our team tested the WH-1000XM4 extensively, and in this review, we’ll share our findings on its design, features, and audio performance. It will help you decide if it’s still worth buying.
Key Takeaways:
- The Sony WH-1000XM4 offers excellent noise cancellation, making it ideal for commuting and travel.
- Audio quality is balanced with rich bass, clear mids, and smooth highs.
- Comfortable over-ear design supports long listening sessions, though ear cups can get warm.
- Battery life lasts up to 30 hours with fast-charging capability for convenience.
- Smart features like multipoint Bluetooth and the companion app add flexibility and customization.
- It’s a great headphone to pick if you can get it at a reasonable price.
An Overview of Sony WH-1000XM4:
The Sony WH-1000XM4 is a feature-packed, over-ear wireless headphone that set new standards for noise-cancelling performance when it launched in 2020. It combines high-resolution audio support, advanced active noise cancellation (ANC), and long-lasting comfort in a sleek, foldable design.
Key highlights include multipoint Bluetooth connectivity, touch-sensitive controls, adaptive sound modes, and smart features like Speak-to-Chat, which pauses playback when you start speaking.
With a battery life of up to 30 hours with ANC on, the WH-1000XM4 is ideal for long flights, daily commutes, or extended listening sessions.
Technical Specifications:
| Specification | Details |
| Type | Over-ear, wireless headphones |
| Drivers | 40 mm dynamic drivers |
| Frequency Response | 4 Hz – 40,000 Hz (wired, LDAC) / 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz (Bluetooth) |
| Noise Cancellation | Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Supported Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint Connectivity | Yes, connect to 2 devices simultaneously |
| Battery Life | Up to 30 hours with ANC on |
| Charging | Fast charge: 10 min = ~5 hours playback |
| Controls | Touch-sensitive ear cup controls |
| Smart Features | Speak-to-Chat, Adaptive Sound Control, App EQ |
| Foldable Design | Yes |
A Detailed Review of the Features of Sony WH-1000XM4:
Our detailed review of the features of the Sony WH-1000XM4 is discussed below:
Design and Build
The WH-1000XM4 sports a sleek, minimalistic design with matte finishes and a foldable frame for portability. During our testing, the headphones felt solid yet lightweight, making them comfortable for long listening sessions.
The ear cups are plush and provide good passive noise isolation, though we noticed they can get slightly warm after extended use.
The touch-sensitive controls on the ear cup work reliably, but occasionally, quick gestures can be misread, requiring a repeat tap.
Audio Quality and Noise Cancellation
Sony’s WH-1000XM4 delivers a well-balanced sound profile with rich bass, clear mids, and smooth highs. In our listening tests, music, podcasts, and movies all sounded immersive, though audiophiles might find the soundstage a bit narrow compared to high-end alternatives.
The active noise cancellation is still impressive in 2025, effectively reducing city noise, office chatter, and airplane hum.
Adaptive Sound Control adjusts intelligently to your environment, though it occasionally misjudges ambient noise in quieter settings. The overall audio quality is pretty decent for enjoying games, listening to music, and watching movies.
Battery Life and Charging
The WH-1000XM4 offers up to 30 hours of playback with active noise cancellation enabled, and slightly more when ANC is turned off. Fast charging provides around 5 hours of playback with just 10 minutes of charging.
While the battery performance remains solid for daily use, it may not match the charging speed or overall longevity of some newer headphone models released in 2025.
Smart Features and Connectivity
The headphones support multipoint Bluetooth pairing, allowing connection to two devices simultaneously for seamless switching. For example, you can connect it to both a computer and a smartphone at the same time to listen to music on one device and take calls from the other without needing to reconnect.
Touch-sensitive ear cup controls manage play/pause, volume, and calls, though gestures can occasionally require repetition.
Speak-to-Chat automatically pauses playback when detecting speech, although it may sometimes misinterpret other sounds.
The Sony Headphones Connect app enables EQ adjustments, ANC customization, and adaptive sound settings, providing users with extensive control over their listening experience.
Pricing & Availability:
In Finland, the Sony headphone WH-1000XM4 is typically priced around €229 for the most affordable new units, while most retailers list it between €245 and €300. Availability is generally good across Finnish electronics stores, though color options and bundle offers, such as including extra cables or a carrying case, may vary.
Since this model is no longer the latest release from Sony, stock levels and promotional pricing can change quickly. Buyers should also check warranty coverage and the reputation of the seller before making a purchase.
Sony WH-1000XM4 pros and cons
Pros:
- Excellent active noise cancellation, among the best in its class.
- Clear, balanced audio with rich bass and smooth mids.
- Comfortable over-ear design suitable for long listening sessions.
- Multipoint Bluetooth connectivity for seamless switching between devices.
- Smart features like Speak-to-Chat and app-based EQ customization.
- Long battery life with fast-charging capability.
Cons:
- Design feels slightly dated compared to newer models.
- Ear cups can become warm during extended use.
- Touch controls occasionally require repeated gestures.
- Soundstage may be narrower than some high-end alternatives.
- ANC and battery performance are slightly surpassed by newer 2025 headphones.
Is the Sony WH-1000XM4 Worth Buying?
The Sony WH-1000XM4 remains a strong contender in 2025 for anyone seeking premium over-ear noise-cancelling headphones. It offers excellent ANC, long battery life of up to 30 hours, high-quality audio, and versatile features like multipoint Bluetooth and app-based EQ customization.
That said, there are a few caveats. The design is slightly dated compared to newer models, touch controls and device switching can occasionally be tricky, and some competitors now offer improved ANC or call quality.
So, if you find the WH-1000XM4 at a reasonable price, it is still a very worthwhile purchase.
Sony WH 1000XM5 vs WH 1000XM4
When comparing the Sony WH 1000XM5 to the WH 1000XM4, the XM5 brings some meaningful upgrades but also a few trade-offs:
Design & Comfort:
The XM5 has a refreshed, modern look, is slightly lighter, and offers improved comfort with redesigned ear cups and headband. However, it doesn’t fold like the XM4, making the case larger and less portable.
Noise Cancellation & Audio:
The XM5 uses more microphones and advanced processing, resulting in better noise cancellation and slightly more refined sound overall.
Battery & Features:
Both models offer around 30 hours of ANC playback, but the XM5 can last a bit longer with ANC off and supports faster charging via USB-C. It also uses Bluetooth 5.2 and adds features like voice assistant wake words.
Value & Portability:
The XM4 often costs less, especially on sale or refurbished, and its folding design makes it easier to carry. The XM5 provides small performance and feature improvements but usually comes at a higher price.
Sony Best Headphones 2026 as WH-1000XM4 Alternatives:
If you’re looking for alternatives to the Sony WH-1000XM4 in 2026, Sony has released several impressive models that offer updated features, improved noise cancellation, and modern designs. Here are some noteworthy options:
- Sony WH-1000XM5: The direct successor to the WH-1000XM4, featuring enhanced noise cancellation, a lighter design, and refined audio clarity for a more immersive listening experience.
- Sony WH-1000XM5 Mini: A compact version of the flagship model, designed for users who prefer lighter, portable headphones without compromising sound quality.
- Sony LinkBuds S: True wireless, open-ear design headphones with adaptive sound control, ideal for everyday use and on-the-go convenience.
- Sony MDR-Z1R: High-end audiophile headphones with expansive soundstage and premium build quality for those seeking top-tier audio performance.Â
Sony Upcoming Headphones 2026
Sony is continuing to expand its headphone lineup in 2026 with both true wireless earbuds and over-ear models.
WF 1000XM6 (True Wireless Earbuds):
Sony is set to launch the next-generation WF 1000XM6 earbuds early in 2026. They are expected to feature improved noise cancellation with more microphones, a faster processing chip for smarter ANC, and a redesigned, more comfortable fit compared to the WF 1000XM5.
WH 1000XM6 (Over-Ear Headphones):
The WH 1000XM6 is the latest over-ear flagship from Sony. It builds on the XM5 with enhanced noise cancellation, slightly refined audio quality, and improved comfort for long listening sessions.
Conclusion:
The Sony WH-1000XM4 continues to hold its place as one of the most capable over-ear noise-cancelling headphones in 2025. Its combination of excellent ANC, balanced audio, long battery life, and versatile smart features makes it suitable for a wide range of users, from commuters to audiophiles.
While the design is slightly dated and some newer models offer incremental improvements, the WH-1000XM4 still delivers strong performance and value. For those who can find it at a fair price, it remains a solid, worthwhile choice for premium wireless listening.
