Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Headphones
The Sony WH-1000XM4 is a wireless over-ear headphone with excellent active noise cancellation, comfortable earcups, and strong battery life. It is designed for everyday listening, travel, and long listening sessions.
What Are the Pros of the Sony WH-1000XM4?
- Excellent ANC performance
- Comfortable for long listening sessions
- Excellent battery life
- Good sound quality
What Are the Cons of the Sony WH-1000XM4?
- Bulky design
- Limited stability during strong movement
Comfortable Headphones
The Sony WH-1000XM4 is a comfortable headphone for long listening sessions. Its earpads do not put excessive pressure on the ears or head, which makes the headphones comfortable to wear for extended periods.
The lightweight design also helps reduce fatigue during long listening sessions. However, comfort can vary from person to person depending on head size and fit.
Availability of Colors
The Sony WH-1000XM4 is available in different colors, including:
- Silver
- Black
Other colors, such as Silent White and Midnight Blue, have also been available. We tested the Silent White version, which has a clean and attractive appearance.
Build Quality
The build quality of the Sony WH-1000XM4 is excellent. The headphones use durable plastic construction that feels solid while remaining relatively lightweight.
The overall build quality is similar to its predecessor, the Sony WH-1000XM3. Although the WH-1000XM4 does not use a completely metal construction, it still feels well-built and suitable for everyday use.
Portability
The Sony WH-1000XM4 is an over-ear headphone, so it has a larger design than earbuds and on-ear headphones. However, the earcups can be folded, making the headphones easier to carry when traveling.
The folding design also helps reduce the amount of space they take up in a bag.
Comparison With Other Headphones
The Sony WH-1000XM4 offers improved comfort and noise isolation compared with its predecessor, the Sony WH-1000XM3. It also has a practical folding design that makes it convenient for travel.
The sound quality, overall design, and build quality are also strong points of the WH-1000XM4.
Compared with the newer Sony WH-1000XM5, the WH-1000XM4 still has advantages in some areas, particularly its folding design and overall value depending on the price.
Stability
The stability of the Sony WH-1000XM4 is fair rather than excellent. The headphones can stay securely on the head during normal activities, but they are not designed for running, gym workouts, or activities involving intense head movement.
For listening while sitting, traveling, working, or relaxing, the stability is generally sufficient.
Style and Design
The design of the Sony WH-1000XM4 is similar to the previous Sony WH-1000XM3. Both are over-ear headphones with a simple and modern appearance.
The Sony logo on the earcups has a gold finish, adding a small premium detail to the overall design. The different color options also give users some flexibility when choosing the appearance they prefer.
Sound Quality
The Sony WH-1000XM4 has a bass-heavy sound profile. This makes it a good option for listeners who enjoy genres such as hip-hop and EDM.
The bass provides more thump and punch, but listeners who prefer a neutral sound may find the sound somewhat muddy or cluttered.
The Sony companion app also provides a graphic equalizer and presets, allowing you to adjust the sound according to your preference. However, the available adjustment bands do not provide complete control over every part of the bass range.
Noise Isolation
The Sony WH-1000XM4 has excellent noise isolation and active noise cancellation. Its ANC can reduce low-frequency sounds such as the rumble of bus and airplane engines.
It can also reduce mid-range sounds, including office chatter, as well as some higher-frequency background noise such as the sound of an air conditioner.
The headphones include a mode that allows you to hear your surroundings when necessary. This is useful when you need to listen to someone or remain aware of what is happening around you.
The WH-1000XM4’s ANC performance is one of its strongest features and makes the headphones particularly useful for travel and noisy environments.
Some users have also reported experiencing a high-pitched noise from one side of the headphones when ANC is enabled. We did not experience this issue with our unit, but it is worth keeping in mind when considering the headphones.
Recording Quality
The Sony WH-1000XM4’s microphone provides acceptable recording quality for calls and everyday communication.
Voices can sound somewhat thin, muffled, and lacking in detail compared with headphones that place more emphasis on microphone quality.
For regular phone calls and conversations, the microphone is usable, but it is not the strongest feature of the WH-1000XM4.
Battery Life
The Sony WH-1000XM4 has excellent battery life. Sony advertises up to 30 hours of continuous playback with ANC enabled, while our testing measured more than 37 hours.
Actual battery life can vary depending on how you use the headphones and which features are active. ANC and microphone use can consume more battery.
The headphones also include an auto-off timer that can help conserve battery if you forget to turn them off.
Another useful feature is smart pause, which automatically pauses your audio when you remove the headphones from your head.
The WH-1000XM4 can also be used passively through a 3.5mm cable, although the microphone cannot be used in this mode.
Key Specifications
- Wireless over-ear headphones with active noise cancellation
- Up to 30 hours of battery life with ANC on (Sony advertised)
- Available in Silver, Black, Silent White, and Midnight Blue
- Folding design for portability
- 3.5mm cable for passive listening
- Companion app with graphic equalizer and presets
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Sony WH-1000XM4 comfortable?
Yes. The Sony WH-1000XM4 is generally comfortable for long listening sessions. The padded earcups and low pressure around the ears make it suitable for extended use.
How good is the ANC on the Sony WH-1000XM4?
The ANC performance is excellent. It is particularly effective at reducing low-frequency sounds such as airplane and bus engine noise, while also reducing office chatter and other surrounding sounds.
How long does the Sony WH-1000XM4 battery last?
Sony advertises up to 30 hours of battery life with ANC enabled. In our testing, the headphones lasted more than 37 hours. Actual battery life depends on usage and active features.
Is the Sony WH-1000XM4 good for running?
No. The WH-1000XM4 is not the best choice for running or intense workouts because its stability is only fair. Strong head movement can cause the headphones to move or fall off.
Is the Sony WH-1000XM4 good for travel?
Yes. Its excellent ANC, comfortable over-ear design, long battery life, and folding earcups make it a good option for travel.
Does the Sony WH-1000XM4 have a bass-heavy sound?
Yes. The WH-1000XM4 has a bass-heavy sound profile that works particularly well with genres such as hip-hop and EDM. Listeners who prefer a neutral sound may prefer a different headphone.
Can you adjust the sound on the Sony WH-1000XM4?
Yes. The companion app provides a graphic equalizer and sound presets that allow you to adjust the sound according to your preference.
Is the Sony WH-1000XM4 better than the WH-1000XM3?
The WH-1000XM4 improves on the WH-1000XM3 in areas such as comfort and noise isolation while maintaining a similar overall design. The better choice depends on the price difference and the features you need.
Is the Sony WH-1000XM4 better than the WH-1000XM5?
The WH-1000XM5 is the newer model, but the WH-1000XM4 still has some practical advantages, including its folding design. If you find the WH-1000XM4 at a significantly lower price, it can still be a worthwhile option.
Is the Sony WH-1000XM4 good for phone calls?
The microphone is suitable for regular phone calls and everyday communication, but voice quality is not one of the strongest features of these headphones. Voices can sound thin and somewhat muffled.
Who Should Choose the Sony WH-1000XM4?
The Sony WH-1000XM4 is a good choice for people who want comfortable over-ear headphones with excellent ANC, long battery life, and a bass-heavy sound profile.
It is particularly suitable for travelers, office users, and people who spend several hours listening to music. The strong noise isolation can help in noisy environments, while the comfortable earcups make longer listening sessions easier.
If you mainly want headphones for running, gym workouts, or other activities involving strong movement, the WH-1000XM4 may not be the right choice because its stability is only fair.
Our recommendation: Choose the Sony WH-1000XM4 if your priorities are excellent ANC, comfort, long battery life, travel use, and bass-heavy sound. If you find it at a good price, it remains a strong choice for everyday listening even though newer Sony models are available.