Sony WH-1000XM4

Sony's WH-1000XM4 remains a noise-cancelling beast that still beats most newer headphones at silencing the world. Sound quality with LDAC is excellent, and at the low end of its price range ($224), it's an absolute steal. Comfort is where it stumbles, so long stretches might hurt. If you want the best ANC for the least cash, buy these, but if you wear headphones all day, consider a Bose instead.

Sony's WH-1000XM4 are the kind of headphones that somehow refuse to get old. They first dropped in 2020, and yet here we are, still talking about them like they're fresh competition. The reason is simple: the noise cancellation is still among the absolute best you can buy, and the sound quality is right up there with it. These are the headphones you grab when you want the world to disappear, whether you're crammed into a middle seat or just trying to focus in a noisy open office. They fold up small, last 30 hours with ANC on, and support LDAC for high-res Bluetooth streaming, a combo that few competitors nail even today.

But not everything has aged so gracefully. The build, while functional, feels a bit plasticky next to newer flagships like the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3, and comfort is a noticeable step back from Bose's plush offerings. We're talking 254 grams of clamping force that some ears simply don't get along with after an hour or two. This split personality, top-shelf tech in a so-so physical package, is exactly why the XM4 remains both incredibly popular and occasionally controversial. In our database, comfort lands at a middling 51st percentile, meaning it's fine for many but a dealbreaker for others.

Given that prices swing wildly from $224 to $430 across vendors, the XM4 occupies a weird, wonderful niche. At full MSRP, you'd probably look elsewhere. But at that low end, you're getting class-leading ANC and excellent wireless audio for less than half the cost of some rivals. For travelers, commuters, and anyone who values silence above all, these still make a ton of sense. Just be honest about how much you value long-wearing comfort before clicking buy.

The noise cancellation is what put the XM4 on the map, and it remains a standout. We've measured ANC performance against dozens of over-ear headphones, and this thing sits at the 98th percentile. That's not just good; it's best-in-class stuff, silencing everything from subway rumble to office chatter with an ease that still makes Bose a little envious. The adaptive mode adjusts automatically based on your activity, which works well enough, though the constant switching can be annoying if you're pacing around while on a call. The transparency mode is decent but not as natural-sounding as what you get with the AirPods Max or Bose QC Ultra; it's serviceable, not life-changing.

Sound quality on the XM4 is another bright spot. With LDAC support and a pair of 40mm drivers that Sony tunes to perfection, music comes through detailed, punchy, and full of life. Our sound tests put these at the 97th percentile, right near the top of the wireless heap. Bass is deep without bleeding into the mids, and the overall clarity can surprise you, especially with high-res tracks. Now, out of the box, the default tuning leans a bit bass-heavy, which some find exciting and others feel is unnatural. The companion app's EQ fixes that well, so it's not a true flaw, just a preference. The only real caveat is that you won't get LDAC on an iPhone (it's AAC only), so Apple users are leaving some performance on the table, even if they'll still enjoy very good sound.

Pricing for the XM4 is chaotic, but in a good way if you shop smart. The spread across vendors runs from $224 to $430, which means patient buyers can grab these at a steep discount. At that bottom end, they're an obscene value. You're paying half the price of a brand new Bose QC Ultra or B&W Px7 S3 for ANC and sound that, in many ways, still matches or beats them. Even at the typical sale price around $280-$300, it's hard to argue with the package you're getting.

If you're comparing to the Sennheiser Momentum 4, which often hovers around $350, the Sony holds its own on ANC while handing you an extra $70-$130 in your pocket. The trade-off is comfort and battery life, where the Sennheiser pulls ahead. For anyone who prioritizes silence and sound over all-day plushness, the XM4's value proposition is tough to beat, especially if you find one of those sub-$250 deals. Just check which store has the best price before you hit checkout; the $206 gap between vendors is real, and the cheapest option sometimes comes from a seller you might not expect.

Stack the XM4 against the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, and you're choosing between comfort and ANC purity. Bose finally closed the noise-cancelling gap with their latest model, but the Sony still edges ahead at canceling out low-end hums like engine drone. The QC Ultra is lighter, far more comfortable for long sessions, and adds spatial audio gimmicks, but lacks LDAC and costs a good bit more. If you're on back-to-back Zoom calls all day, go Bose. If you want the quietest flight possible, Sony wins.

Against the Sennheiser Momentum 4, the Sony shows its age in battery life and call quality. The Momentum 4 delivers a ridiculous 60 hours of playback, while the XM4 gives you half that, still plenty but not show-off territory. Sennheiser's mic array also outshines Sony's, making it better for phone calls. But here's the kicker: the XM4's ANC is still more effective, and its sound, while not objectively better, has a more universally pleasing warm signature. The B&W Px7 S3 is another contender with a stunning build and a more refined soundstage, but its ANC can't compete, and you'll pay a premium for that luxury feel. The Technics EAH-A800 is a closer match on ANC but is bulkier and less pocket-friendly, while the JBL Live 770NC is a fine budget option that simply can't touch the Sony's overall polish.

Skip the XM4 if comfort is your number one priority. The 51st percentile score in our database reflects a real split: some people find these wearable for hours, but many don't. If you're at a desk all day or you have a larger head, the clamping force and slightly shallow ear cups can turn into a headache. Instead, grab the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, which is significantly more plush and forgettable on your head, or the Sennheiser Momentum 4, which is roomier and has better padding.

Also look elsewhere if you take tons of calls in noisy environments. The microphone array here is adequate, but it's not exceptional; the Momentum 4 and even the Technics EAH-A800 deliver clearer voice pickup. And if you're rough on gear, the lack of any water resistance means sweat and a drizzle are real concerns, so check out sports-focused options like the JBL Live 770NC, which, while not premium, can handle a bit more life.

If you spend more time in airports and train stations than at a desk, the WH-1000XM4 remains a near-perfect travel companion. The ANC is still the real deal, sound quality is rich enough to make you forget you're listening wirelessly, and the folding design means they vanish into a carry-on. At the discounted prices they often sit at, there's no better noise-cancelling headphone for the money. Snatch one up, and you'll be shocked how much joy a 2020 headphone can still bring on a 2024 flight.

But if your daily grind involves wearing headphones for six straight hours while jumping between calls, the comfort equation changes things. That clamping pressure and the ear pads' tendency to heat up after a while are genuine issues for all-day users. In that case, we'd steer you toward the Bose QC Ultra, which cossets your ears like a pillow, or the Sennheiser Momentum 4, which adds superior voice call quality and battery life. The XM4 is still a legend, but legends aren't always the most comfortable seat in the house.