Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Premium Noise Canceling Overhead Headphones with Mic for Phone-Call and Alexa Voice Control, Black WH1000XM4

**Disclaimer: I bought mine used like new through Amazon I originally purchased the Sony XM5 because they were soooo highly rated in every article I read. I returned the XM5, got the XM4 and am so much happier. I'll compare the XM4 to the XM5, Apple AirPods Max, and Bose QuietComfort 45 - just to help anyone choosing between them. **Noise Cancellation (4.5/5): the noise cancellation on the XM4 is crazy, almost comparable to the Apple AirPods Max. I gave the XM4 a 4.5 because I still think the Apple AirPods Max have the best noise cancellation, but the Sony XM4 is very close. I also like the fact that you can turn noise cancelling on/off with a button - which is a feature not available with the Bose QuietComfort 45. The noise cancellation is much better than the XM5 and less finicky. An issue with the XM5 is that the noise cancelling would just randomly turn on/off. Like if I paused a video for a little too long, the noise cancellation would just turn off. Overall, I wouldn't say I it blocks out all sound, but it's close. I can hear the sound of people talking and music, but it's quieter and I can't make out the words. I definitely can't have a conversation with them on. Also, the XM4 will pick up on when you're talking to people and turn the noise cancelling off for you - but it does make a little announcement when it does that may be annoying or disruptive. ****Edit Nov. 2025 (re Noise Cancellation): Sooo, when I first wrote the review, I didn't mention there is an app ("Sound Connect") where you pair your XM4 (and XM5) headphones and can adjust some settings. I wrote my review based on how the headphones performed without the app (with their default settings). But, with the app, you can adjust the noise cancellation, ambient sound control, adaptive sound control, noise cancelling optimizer, speak-to-chat, 360 audio, etc. After adjusting the settings on my XM4s, I was able to fix some of the issues I mentioned in my original review - like, I turned off the the adaptive sound control and announcements for noise cancelling. I did use the app with the XM5s but it never fixed a lot of the issues I had. The app is kind of... meh. It's user friendly in the way it looks (like I think everything is pretty easy to find), but it doesn't really explain what anything means/does. Also, sometimes the noise cancelling setting just randomly changes anyways, which is a little annoying (like the app really wants noise cancelling ON, even if you don't). **Sound Quality (4/5): the sound quality is great. Way better than the XM5, not as great as the Apple AirPods Max. I think the Apple headphones are just a little crisper. I think it's cool that you can turn 360 sound on, but tbh I never really use it (XM5 also has this feature). The sound is clear, and I haven't experienced any malfunctions/issues with the noise. When I had the XM5, they would just randomly sound muffled (like I was underwater) and, when that wasn't happening, the sound quality was mediocre. **Comfort (5/5): the XM4s are REALLY comfy. I wear glasses with plastic frames and a lot of headphones just don't work and are really uncomfy. The Apple AirPods Max were really uncomfortable with my glasses. Obviously, an easy solution is to just wear contacts, but I hate wearing my contacts for long periods of time - especially, when I study/do work. The XM5 were also pretty comfortable, but wouldn't stay fixed when I adjusted them - they would slip and I would need to readjust them a lot. The XM4 completely cover my ear and the ear pads are soft. They don't squeeze my head the way other headphones do and they don't hurt any part of my ear. I will say that the headband part that rests on top of my head does kind of hurt my head after wearing them for almost 10 hours. Also, I have TMJ so sometimes wearing the headphones does cause my TMJ to flare up and I'll switch to earbuds. But, I think overall these are the most comfortable headphones I have tried. **Product Quality (3.5/5): let's be honest, they're plastic and they feel plastic. They don't feel like super high quality, but let me tell you that they feel way better quality than the XM5 - those felt like a barbie toy. I think the XM4 are sturdy and pretty durable. The Apple AirPods Max are also plastic, but do feel a little more high quality - but also, nothing spectacular. **Aesthetic (3.5/5): If the aesthetic is important to you, I would say they look fine. They're a little bulky, but not terrible. Not as sleek as some others, but they don't look ridiculous. If you're really against a bulky look, then they may not be a great aesthetic match for you. I was worried they would be really clunky, but after getting them and wearing them for a bit, I really don't think they look bad. **Connectivity (4/5): I only have Apple devices (iPhone, MacBook, etc.) and I think the connectivity is great with these products! When I got the XM5, they had so many connection issues. I wasn't able to connect them to my laptop, they wouldn't stay connected to my devices - it was a mess. I was really worried I would have the same issues with the XM4, but I have had no problems so far. I will say it was a little odd to have have to download the Sony Connect app and manage the headphone through that platform, but it's user friendly and it's kind of nice to have a control for them (it's almost like a remote). **Battery Life (5/5): The battery life is insane. I've had them for 8 days and have not charged them yet - they still have about 40% charge left. They will turn off automatically to save battery life if you don't use them for a certain amount of time, which I personally like. OVERALL (4.5/5): I think the XM4 are great headphones for a better price than the Apple AirPods Max. The Bose are apparently really similar, but I've never personally tried them. The XM4 is MUCH better than the XM5 in terms of quality and price. They're comfy, great noise cancellation and sound quality, and have great battery life. EDIT 11/6/25: I have these headphones over 2 years later and still use them almost everyday. They are still in great condition (almost the same as when I bought them) - they still look, sound, and operate great. I only really use them at work, when I'm doing chores, or going on a walk (not working out or anything) and I store them in their case - but STILL, some headphones die before they even hit a year. The only thing I've noticed is that the part where you can adjust the headband size has gotten a little weaker, but not by much - so I have to readjust them every so often, but this isn't that big of an issue for me.

I purchased these recently while they were on sale intending to use them while I work from home and listen to music, podcasts, or take a work call. They can dually connect to both my computer and phone as I often switch between the two as I'm working. But the switch is not as great or seamless as it could be, sometimes it struggles, causing me to miss something being said at the beginning of the meeting when crossing over from one Bluetooth connection to the other. Pausing whatever device is actively playing media, then switching starting a call, or playing a video on that second device is a lot more seamless this way. Upon first use I was actually surprised by how light the headphones were and how comfortable the padding on these were, but I will say after wearing them for nearly 8 hours, I did notice a little bit of soreness around the tops of my ears but it's nothing compared to what ear buds feel like and what other headphones feel like only 2-3 hours. I cannot really speak on the audio quality as I'm not necessarily a huge expert in that area and I'm largely deaf in one of my ears so half of this pair of headphones is pretty much usless to me... none the less, it sounds great to me, great clear, crisp audio. And I will make note that coworkers that I had to speak on the phone with many times previously and always struggled to understand, regardless of if I have the call on private mode and turned all the way up, speakerphone, or earbuds. But with taking phone calls with these headphones I do not notice this same issue. To mention being largely deaf in one of my ears, these headphones do have a noise canceling features, and although I don't need too much help in the noise canceling area... I can attest that I feel almost completely deaf with these headphones on. Even with other noise canceling headphones, I can hear myself typing on my keyboard, or the sound of resonance of my feet hitting the ground while walking with headphones on, but I do not experience those things with these headphones at all. And so far from about a week and a half of use, the battery life has been great so far, and I am seeming to get about a day and a half (~12 to 14 hours give or take) of battery life from one charge before I get the battery low message, that is when decide to charge mine, but I'm sure you'd still have a good amount of charge left. Also, the case that these headphones come in, and are stored in, is so amazing and such good quality. I always return them to their case after I'm done using them for the day, as the case is strong is really helps keep your headphones safe and protected. I have a habit of throwing my headphones into a bag if I feel like I may want them, but in that bag is also so many other things, and I never worry about my headphones because of how sturdy and strong the case for these are.

Simplesmente o melhor fone que eu comprei na minha vida. Se você tá procurando por um fone anti ruído, eu super recomendo! Comprei faz 5 anos e ele ainda está ótimo. A bateria dura por uns 2 meses, as funções de toque do lado direito do fone e o sistema anti ruído automático são muito diferentes de outros produtos do mercado.

Clear crisp sound

Sound Quality (5/5) These are the first headphones I've owned that when first listening to them I didn't immediately flinch and look for the nearest EQ. I'm no sound engineer, but definitely it has great bass and great quality for mids & highs. Noise cancelation (5/5) Although this is my first set of headphones that support this feature. I'm really blown away by it. I have an air purifier in my office, and even at medium setting. The fan is pretty noisy. But with these things on, I can barely hear it, and that's with no music/movie playing. But as soon as I turn on a movie or song, I seriously can't tell it's on. I read some people say they could hear a waterfall or something in the background. I can't hear anything other than silence, or what I'm listening to. Wireless/Wired (4/5) Being able to use the headphones with them powereoff with a wire, or have them connect wireless via bluetooth is an amazing feature. And it works really well! I was really surprised however that I don't seem to be able to use this headset with the bluetooth of my main PC. It has a really think glass panel, so I'm wondering if it's not because of that. If you own a case with a glass panel, maybe double check with another set of bluetooth headse/earbuds to see how the conenction goes. Audio Delay/lag on Bluetooth (5/5) I own a mini laptop and it only has bluetooth 4.1. But for some reason when I watch videos or movies, I'm virtually unable to tell whether there is lag. Unlike any other bluetooth earbuds I've owned. The delay is amazing. Obviously your mileage may vary, but it's something that drove me insane with my previous wireless earbuds. Don't have this problem here! Gestures (4/5) I wasn't really looking forward to the gestures pad. But it turns out to be working really well. Once in a while an action won't register. But it's really rare for me. Play/Pause on a PC can be a little weird though. One day I was listening to spotify while working, and then with the tab still opened I started watching youtube after work. And after pausing said video and unpausing it, using the headset. It ended up starting the playback of both my spotify tab, and my youtube tab. Comfort (4/5) First day I wore them I was a little concerned since, even though I have a small head. I felt like the headphones were pretty tight on my head. But after even just 2 days of use. It's already leagues better. Either I got used to it, or it's 'breaking in'. The cups are pretty comfortable. Wish they would be just a tad larger, not sure if I have big ears. But I can tell that part of my right ear touches the pad. And I'm wondering if I ever end up pulling a really long work, or gaming session if it'll end making my ear feel pinched. One of my older headsets did that. One thing that I was happily surprised was the weight of the headset. With such an impressive battery life and suite of features. I was expecting this thing to be rather heavy. Compared to a Corsair Void (probably a bad example) it's light as a feather. Pairing Headphones with 2 Devices (3/5) First thing, this feature is only possible via the headphone's native app. Meaning you can't perform this type of sync with the physical sync button. Once you have the devices regisered on the app, then you can enable a setting and select which 2 devices you want. On the topic of "2 devices", I guess Is should have read more on this feature. But I use 2 PCs at home, a media and a work/gaming PC. And I really would have liked to be able to on the fly, switch between audio of both. But it turns out that you can only connect to 1 phone, and something else. It can be 2 phones, but not 2 PCs. Included Accessories (3/5) The case it comes with is great. Hard-shell clam design, with some neat nook where you can shove the USB C charging cable, audio cable and airplane adapter thing. But as much as I like the quality and how it snuggly holds on to and protects the headphones. Not sure if mine is a fluike, but whoever decided to sew the elastic mesh bag on the 'bottom' part of the clam. Kind of silly. The audio cable is 'OK' if you use it for your phone. But if you want to use it for a PC you'll for sure either need an extension or a longer cable period. But at least it's a usesable lenght albeit a little conservative. But the USB type c charging cable. I hope you have a USB hub available. Depending on the case/setup you have. I'm pretty sure a lot of people wouldn't be able to use that cable to connect the headphones to their PC's back USB ports. Well you could do it, but depending on your case or setup. The headphones won't be able to rest on either the top of your case, or the desk/floor it's own. They'll end up dangling. (Which I think would be a bad idea.)

I know there is no point comparing TWS like AirPods pro to these headphones as they both are very different but most buyers might have a fixed budget like me in which they could either go for some good TWS or Headphones. I was first leaning towards AirPods pro 2 but later on changed my mind because - 1. AirPods have a fixed battery life (not taking about discharge timing), your Airpods might only last for couple of years when you will start noticing a significant degradation in battery health. Moreover, it will end up in landfill as you can’t get its battery replaced. On the other hand, In headphones like these you can get the battery replaced and moreover you can use them in ‘wired mode’ (AUX cable included) without a battery! 2. Bigger drivers = more vivid sound, I am not an Audiophile but in my experience and usage I have felt that the headphones generally produce a more pleasing sound. (it could be a personal preference) Pros about XM4 - 1. Good built quality, soft to touch but still rigid at the same time. 2. Very comfortable for long listening sessions. 3. Multi device connectivity, you can simultaneously connect it to two devices! That in my opinion is a must feature in a premium headphone. You would just need to install the proprietary application in one device and connect the headphones to any secondary device using the app, after that you can control the volume, eq and much more from your primary device (using the app). Device switching is also very smooth. 4. Noise cancellation and transparency mode is also very good, keeping in mind the various modes you could choose from the app according to your liking. 5. Battery life, I have to never worry about the battery life as it could last for days with heavy use and above that you can put it on charging for short intervals of time whenever you are not using it as it supports fast charging. 6. Proprietary Application, the Sony app for these headphones comes with so many little tweaks and settings that could provide you with very personal experience according to your liking. Cons about XM4 - 1. Can get hot, as they are closed back headphone so you could feel your ears warming up during long listening sessions. 2. Might be a little big for you, as they are over the ear headphones so they may look a little big on ur head but you will get used to it eventually. 3. No water resistance, so you may not be very suitable for gym during sweaty workout sessions. Overall I would highly recommend these headphones if you have the budget and you are looking for something which would last for years to come. Sound quality is amazing, fit and finish is on point, very comfortable for long sessions. I myself was using TWS in past and switching to wireless headphones was a great decision.

La réduction de bruit ne fonctionne que dans une seule oreille