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Sony WH1000XM4/B Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones Black — main product image
Sony WH1000XM4/B Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones Black
Sony WH1000XM4/B Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones Black
Sony WH1000XM4/B Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones Black
Sony WH1000XM4/B Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones Black
Sony WH1000XM4/B Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones Black
Sony WH1000XM4/B Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones Black
Sony

Sony WH1000XM4/B Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones Black

★★★★★4.6 (59076 reviews)

Experience Unrivaled Sound with Sony WH-1000XM4 Headphones Immerse yourself in exceptional audio with the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones. Featuring industry-leading noise cancellation, long battery life, and smart listening features, these headphones deliver a personalized a...

$254.99*$348.00Save 26%
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jun 19, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

Experience Unrivaled Sound with Sony WH-1000XM4 Headphones

Immerse yourself in exceptional audio with the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones. Featuring industry-leading noise cancellation, long battery life, and smart listening features, these headphones deliver a personalized and comfortable listening experience. Enjoy superior call quality and seamless device pairing.

Specifications:

  • Noise Control: Active Noise Cancellation
  • Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth, Bluetooth 5.0
  • Wireless Communication Technology: Bluetooth
  • Headphones Jack: 3.5 mm Jack
  • Battery Life: 30 Hours
  • Microphones: Five built-in microphones
  • Frequency Response: 2.4 GHz
  • Sensitivity: 105 dB

Key Features

ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION: Premium noise canceling with Dual Noise Sensor technology

LONG BATTERY LIFE: Up to 30-hour battery life with quick charging (10 min charge for 5 hours of playback)(USB Type-C Cable included)

TOUCH SENSOR CONTROLS: Pause play skip tracks, control volume, activate your voice assistant, and answer phone calls.

SPEAK-TO-CHAT: Automatically reduces volume during conversations

SUPERIOR CALL QUALITY: Precise voice pick up combines five built-in microphones with advanced audio signal for clear calls

WEARING DETECTION: Pauses playback when headphones are removed

MULTIPOINT CONNECTION: Seamless multiple-device pairing

ADAPTIVE SOUND CONTROL: Provides a personalized listening experience

COMFORT: Updated design relieves pressure for long-lasting comfort

EDGE AI: Co-developed with Sony Music Studios Tokyo, DSEE Extreme (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) upscales compressed digital music files in real time.

Specifications

Noise Cancellation
Active (Dual Noise Sensor technology)
Battery Life
Up to 30 hours
Quick Charge
10 min charge for 5 hours playback
Charging Port
USB Type-C
Controls
Touch Sensor
Call Quality
Superior (5 built-in microphones)
Connectivity
Multipoint Connection
Smart Features
Speak-to-Chat, Wearing Detection, Adaptive Sound Control, DSEE Extreme (EDGE AI)
Color
Black

Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones — Editorial Review & Use Cases

The Sony WH-1000XM4 (WH1000XM4/B Black, WH1000XM4/S Silver, WH1000XM4/L Midnight Blue) is Sony's 2020-generation flagship over-ear ANC headphone — the model that for several years topped most "best noise-cancelling headphones" rankings. Per Sony's official WH-1000XM4 product page, the XM4 delivers up to 30 hours wireless battery with ANC, the HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1 + Dual Noise Sensor, LDAC high-resolution Bluetooth codec, multipoint pairing (2 devices), Speak-to-Chat auto-pause, wear detection, and Adaptive Sound Control that adjusts ANC to your activity / location.

What the WH-1000XM4 Specifically Wins

  • Class-leading ANC (for its generation) — the QN1 processor + Dual Noise Sensor cancels low-frequency rumble + a meaningful portion of mid-frequency noise (voices). Competes directly with Bose QuietComfort for the ANC crown
  • 30-hour battery with ANC — markedly longer than Bose QC 35 II (20 hr). Quick charge: 5 hr playback from 10-min charge
  • LDAC high-resolution codec — for Android + LDAC-source devices, transmits up to 990 kbps (vs standard SBC/AAC ~328 kbps). Audiophile-grade wireless on supported sources
  • Speak-to-Chat — automatically pauses music + lets ambient in when you start talking, resumes when you stop
  • Wear detection — auto-pauses when removed, resumes when worn
  • Adaptive Sound Control — adjusts ANC based on detected activity (walking / sitting / traveling) + location
  • Multipoint pairing (2 devices) — phone + laptop simultaneously (added in firmware)
  • Touch controls on earcup — swipe volume, tap play/pause, cup hand over right cup for instant ambient
  • Comfortable over-ear fit for long sessions
  • 3.5mm wired backup — passive audio when battery dies
  • Sony Headphones Connect app — full EQ, ANC tuning, firmware updates
  • Foldable design + carry case — travel-friendly (XM5 dropped folding; XM4 retains it)

Where the WH-1000XM4 Specifically Fits

  • Frequent flyers / business travelers — best-in-class ANC + 30-hr battery + folding for travel
  • Daily commuters — train / bus / subway noise rejection
  • Open-office / WFH focus — cancel ambient + Speak-to-Chat for quick conversations
  • Android users with LDAC source — high-resolution wireless audio
  • Music listening + casual critical listening — strong sound quality with app EQ
  • Multi-device users — multipoint phone + laptop
  • Library / cafe / coworking focus sessions
  • Audiobook / podcast long sessions
  • Video conferencing — good mic for calls
  • Refurbished value buyers — XM4 (2020) refurbished ~$180-250 vs new XM5 $399

Honest Limits Buyers Should Know

  • 2020 generation — Sony WH-1000XM5 (2022) + XM6 supersede on ANC + call quality. XM5 has 8 mics (vs XM4's 5), improved ANC processor, better call clarity. XM4 still excellent but not the newest
  • XM5 dropped folding; XM4 keeps it. For travel-folding, XM4 is actually preferred by some over XM5
  • LDAC only benefits LDAC-source devices. iPhones don't support LDAC (use AAC); LDAC's high-res advantage is Android / Sony Walkman / LDAC-DAP only
  • Touch controls can misfire. Accidental taps from hair / hats / adjusting fit; some users prefer physical buttons (Bose)
  • Multipoint + LDAC are mutually exclusive. Can't use both simultaneously — choose multipoint (2 devices, SBC/AAC) OR LDAC (1 device, hi-res)
  • Battery degradation on 2020 hardware. Refurbished units may have reduced battery capacity. Verify before purchase; battery is not user-replaceable (Sony service or third-party)
  • Plastic build vs metal-frame competitors. Lightweight but feels less premium than Apple AirPods Max (aluminum) or some metal-frame headphones
  • Call quality is good but not class-leading. XM5 + AirPods Max + dedicated call headsets do better in windy / noisy call environments
  • USB-C charging but no audio-over-USB-C. USB-C is charge-only; audio is Bluetooth or 3.5mm wired
  • Ear pad wear over years. Protein-leather ear pads crack / peel after 2-3 years heavy use; replaceable (~$20-30 pads)
  • Discontinued / superseded. New stock thinning; mostly refurbished / open-box. New XM5 is the current model

Where Buyers Should Look Elsewhere

  • Newest Sony flagship → Sony WH-1000XM5 (improved ANC, 8 mics, better calls — but no folding) or WH-1000XM6
  • Bose ANC alternative → Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, Bose QC 35 II (older, see [[pdp-bose-quietcomfort-35-ii-anc-headphones-review]])
  • Apple ecosystem → Apple AirPods Max (H1 chip, spatial audio, aluminum build)
  • Audiophile-tuned wireless → Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
  • Wired studio monitoring → Sennheiser HD 280 Pro, Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
  • Budget ANC under $100 → Soundcore Q30 / Q35, Anker Life Q35
  • Gaming with mic → SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, HyperX Cloud III Wireless
  • Sport / running → Beats Studio Pro, in-ear ANC (Sony WF-1000XM5)

Sources & Citations

  1. Sony, "WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones product page," electronics.sony.com (accessed 2026-05-20)
  2. RTINGS.com, "Sony WH-1000XM4 review and ANC headphone comparison," rtings.com (accessed 2026-05-20)
  3. The Verge, "Sony WH-1000XM4 review," theverge.com (accessed 2026-05-20)
  4. SoundGuys, "Sony WH-1000XM4 in-depth review and measurements," soundguys.com (accessed 2026-05-20)

Last verified: 2026-05-20

Now that you've seen the details — ready to take a closer look?

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Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Features premium active noise cancellation with Dual Noise Sensor technology, effectively blocking out distractions.
  • Offers an impressive battery life of up to 30 hours, ensuring long listening sessions without frequent recharges.
  • Supports quick charging, providing 5 hours of playback with just a 10-minute charge via the included USB Type-C cable.
  • Equipped with intuitive touch sensor controls for easy management of playback, volume, voice assistant, and calls.
  • Includes a Speak-to-Chat feature that automatically reduces volume during conversations, enhancing convenience in social settings.
  • Provides superior call quality, combining five built-in microphones with advanced audio signal processing for clear communication.
  • Features wearing detection, which automatically pauses playback when the headphones are removed and resumes when put back on.
  • Allows for multipoint connection, enabling seamless pairing with multiple devices for flexible usage.
  • Incorporates Adaptive Sound Control to provide a personalized listening experience by adjusting to your environment.
  • The updated design relieves pressure, ensuring long-lasting comfort during extended periods of wear.

👎 Cons

  • While offering multipoint connection, it may require some initial setup to seamlessly switch between multiple paired devices.
  • The comprehensive feature set might have a learning curve for users new to advanced wireless headphones.
  • The reliance on advanced features like Adaptive Sound Control and Speak-to-Chat might impact battery life under continuous, heavy usage, despite the overall long duration.
  • The premium price point could be a significant investment compared to more basic wireless headphones without active noise cancellation.
  • Users who prefer physical buttons over touch controls might find the touch sensor interface less intuitive initially.

Frequently Asked Questions

These Sony headphones feature premium active noise cancellation powered by Dual Noise Sensor technology, designed to effectively minimize external distractions for an immersive listening experience.
The Sony WH1000XM4/B offers an impressive battery life of up to 30 hours, and it also supports quick charging, giving you 5 hours of playback from just a 10-minute charge.
The headphones are equipped with intuitive touch sensor controls, allowing you to easily pause, play, skip tracks, control volume, activate your voice assistant, and answer phone calls.
Speak-to-Chat automatically reduces the volume of your audio when you start speaking, allowing you to have quick conversations without needing to remove your headphones.
Yes, these Sony headphones feature multipoint connection, enabling seamless pairing and switching between multiple devices simultaneously.
Yes, they include wearing detection technology that automatically pauses playback when you remove the headphones and resumes when you put them back on.

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