WH-1000XM4
Model timeline
Wireless noise-cancelling over-ear headphones
Premium · top third of headphones
Should you buy it??
Trust it — mostly
based on 3 of 5 signals
Quick take
In short: what each side says
AI · critics · buyers · brand claims — each opened up in full further down ↓
Reviewers agree these headphones deliver exceptional noise cancellation and comfort, with meaningful improvements over the predecessor despite minimal design changes.
Owners rave about industry-leading noise cancellation and solid battery life, but comfort during extended wear and thermal management divide them, with some finding the headphones too warm and heavy.
All sides land high — a confident buy, with the caveats below.
The verdict
What the panel makes of it.
Sony makes the WH-1000XM4 wireless headphones. Released in 2020, engineered in Japan. They cancel noise through active electronic systems. Travelers and commuters buy them to escape sound. The headphones deliver thirty hours of battery life. AI assistants rank them fourth among noise-canceling models. They cost around three hundred fifty dollars. The ear cups fold flat for transport. Most users praise their comfort during long wear.
Act one
What the machines think.
Several AI models read the category and place this product — model by model, list by list, over time.
Rank trajectory?
Weeks of movement.
Act two · ★ new
What the people say.
The same product, judged by the owners who bought and filmed it — what they praise, what they knock, who it's for.
Video reviews?
What reviewers actually say.
AI summary of 5 reviews · as of May 2026
Reviewers agree these headphones deliver exceptional noise cancellation and comfort, with meaningful improvements over the predecessor despite minimal design changes.
Where reviewers disagree: One reviewer found multi-device switching unreliable at launch but improving with updates, while others reported smooth operation; Reviewers split on whether passive isolation improved, with one noting better seal and another seeing no difference
What they praise
- Multi-device pairing lets two devices connect simultaneously and switch automatically between them
- Noise cancellation cancels more high-frequency sound than the predecessor and remains among the best available
- Comfort allows extended wear without hot spots, with larger ear pads distributing clamping force better
- Wear detection pauses playback when removed and powers off after inactivity to save battery
- Thirty-hour battery life with noise cancellation on lasts days between charges
What they knock
- Touch controls on the right cup respond unreliably, with swipes and double-taps frequently failing to register
- Sound quality stays balanced and pleasing but lacks the crispness and detail audiophiles expect
- Included USB-C charging cable is too short for convenient wall-outlet use
- Physical design looks nearly identical to the predecessor, making the models hard to distinguish
Who reviewers think this product is — and isn’t — for
For you if
Look elsewhere if
Synthesised from: Marques Brownlee · iJustine · Digital Trends · Tech Spurt · Painfully Honest with Jason T. Lewis
Sony WH-1000XM4 Review: The Final Form!
Marques Brownlee
The BEST Noise Canceling Headphones! Sony WH-1000XM4
iJustine
Sony WH-1000XM4 Review | The Best Headphones Got Better
Digital Trends
Sony WH-1000XM4 Review (2021) | Still The Best ANC Headphones?
Tech Spurt
Sony WH1000XM4: Painfully Honest Review
Painfully Honest with Jason T. Lewis
Critics digest
What the critics keep repeating.
Connectivity· 50% positive
“They are Sony's first 1000X set to support the popular multipoint connection feature, which means you can have two devices”— The Guardian
Features (Microphone, EQ)· 67% positive
“While they don't look significantly different from their predecessors, several new features, including multipoint pairing”— TechRadar
Noise Cancellation· 75% positive
“The noise cancelling alone on this headphone is some of the best I've yet heard, and in some environments this may give you a”— Headphones.com
Comfort (Fit, Ear Cups)· 50% positive
“I did find them slightly more comfortable to wear over longer listening sessions.”— CNET
Other highlights· 79% positive
“The headphones are comfortable and light, and easy to wear for long listening sessions.”— TechGadgetsCanada.com
From 15 published reviews · written + video
What buyers say?
What Google knows about it.
Beyond the video critics, Google pools 19,662 buyer ratings of the WH-1000XM4 from across retailers — a far wider, if blunter, jury. Here’s the shape of that opinion.
19,662 ratings · 7 written
across 5 retailers
What owners single out
Buyers' weakest aspect—comfort & fit—aligns with video reviewers' observation that the design remains nearly identical to the predecessor, suggesting limited ergonomic refinement.
In their words
“Sound Quality:really good! Noise Cancellation:the best in the market! i finally got to try dream headphones! i ordered silver but unfortunately the seller told me it was sold out so i opted for black instead. i’m so glad i did! i heard the lighter color makes scratches look very visible. tho this black one may leave some fingerprint/greasy looking marks but they can be wiped off easily. the langua”
verified purchase · shopee.ph
“I bought this headset on a recommendation from a colleague, but so far it's been a very poor purchase for me. I use this mostly for videoconferencing while at home, so the main selling points (noise cancellation, great audio quality) aren't really what I need. The things that really make me give this a bad review is the fact that the headset becomes uncomfortable to wear for prolonged periods (to ”
verified purchase · galaxus.ch
as of June 16 · 19662 buyer ratings?
Alternatives by price · Same field?
Same money, different answer.
Frequently asked
What buyers want to know.
Are Sony WH-1000XM4 still worth buying?
Yes, if you switch between devices often and want strong noise cancellation and comfort for long wear. Reviewers say the noise cancellation is among the best available and the headphones are comfortable enough for extended use without hot spots. They're not the choice if you need crisp, detailed sound or if unreliable…
What is the battery life on Sony WH-1000XM4?
They deliver thirty hours of battery life with noise cancellation on, which lasts several days between charges.
Do Sony WH-1000XM4 work with multiple devices at once?
Yes. Multi-device pairing lets two devices connect simultaneously and switch automatically between them. Reviewers mostly report smooth operation, though one reviewer found switching unreliable at launch but improving with updates.
What are the main weaknesses of Sony WH-1000XM4?
Touch controls on the right cup respond unreliably, with swipes and double-taps frequently failing to register. Sound quality is balanced but lacks the crispness and detail audiophiles expect. The included USB-C charging cable is too short for convenient wall-outlet use.
The recap
Where it stands today.
- Reviewer verdict★Trust it — 4.2 / 5 across 5 videos, positive sentiment. Reviewers confirm the AI placement.
- MakerBy Sony — see how it ranks across other intents on its brand profile.