Best Value VERIFIED
Sony
WH-1000XM4
Sony · Headphones
The still-excellent previous-gen Sony flagship, offering top-tier ANC and smart features at a now-mid-tier price.
4.5 100% recommend$348
8.7 score verified
ComparZone Score
8.7
Very good
The XM4 is one of the best value propositions in audio: near-flagship ANC and a rich featu…
$348
best of 3 sellers
Price · trend
▼ $38
Yes
Active Noise Cancellation
Noise Cancelling
30 hr
Battery Life (ANC)
Battery
SBC, AAC, LDAC
Codec Support
Audio
Over-ear
Type
Audio
4 Hz - 40 kHz
Frequency Response
Audio
Why it stands out
Still outstanding ANC despite its age
Still outstanding ANC despite its age
Folds for travel, unlike the XM5
Folds for travel, unlike the XM5
Best bought on discount for the
Best bought on discount for the value
LDAC hi-res support on Android
LDAC hi-res support on Android
Category scores
marker = Headphones average
Performance profile
WH-1000XM4 Category avg
Decision snapshot
Best-in-class
Value
Beats avg by
+0.1 pts
Confidence
96 %
Data sources
3
0%
Data quality0%
Spec coverage0%
Recommend0Specs tracked
0Spec groups
0Class-leading
0%Avg confidence
Audio 96% verified
Driver Size96%40 mm
Codec Support96%SBC, AAC, LDAC
Type96%Over-ear
Hi-Res Audio96%Yes
Frequency Response96%4 Hz - 40 kHz
Spatial Audio96%Yes
Battery 96% verified
Battery Life (ANC)96%30 hr
Quick Charge96%10 min = 5 hours
Design 96% verified
Weight96%254 g
Water Resistance96%None
Noise Cancelling 96% verified
Active Noise Cancellation96%Yes
ANC Microphones96%5
Connectivity 96% verified
Multipoint96%Yes
Price trend
$348▼ $38
low · $348high · $387
Review sentiment
4.5OUT OF 5
8.7
Expert review score
ComparZone editorial · /10
Pros & cons
Pros
- Excellent, class-leading-for-its-era ANC
- Folds flat for compact travel
- Rich feature set with Speak-to-Chat and adaptive control
- Great value at current discounted prices
Cons
- Call quality trails the newer XM5
- No aptX support, LDAC only on Android
- Touch controls less reliable in cold weather
- Plastic build feels less premium than some rivals
When should you buy?
Good time to buy
Originally $349.99; routinely discounted to $228-$278 and occasionally lower during major sales.
T
TravelNick Verified
2 months ago
Still the best value in ANC
Got these on sale and the noise cancellation rivals headphones twice the price. Love that they fold up small for my carry-on. Speak-to-Chat is genuinely useful.
Helpful · 91
D
Dana_R Verified
4 months ago
Great except for calls
Sound and ANC are fantastic. The only weak spot is that people on calls say I sound a bit muffled outdoors. For music and travel they're superb.
Helpful · 47
From the community
QDo these come with a carrying case?
Yes, Sony includes a hard folding case along with a USB-C charging cable and a 3.5mm audio cable for wired use.
QCan I use them wired if the battery dies?
Yes, the included 3.5mm cable lets you keep listening passively, though ANC and some features require battery power.
Frequently asked
Is the XM4 still worth buying over the XM5?
Yes, if you want to save money and prefer a design that folds for travel. The XM5 improves call quality and comfort, but the XM4's ANC and sound remain excellent.
Does it support hi-res audio?
Yes, via LDAC on supported Android devices and with DSEE Extreme upscaling for compressed files. iPhone users are limited to AAC.
Can it connect to two devices at once?
Yes, it supports Bluetooth multipoint, though you cannot use multipoint and LDAC simultaneously.