When it comes to wireless headphones, few names carry as much weight as Sony’s WH-1000X series. The WH-1000XM4, the successor to the hugely popular XM3, aims to perfect the formula with class-leading active noise cancellation (ANC), smarter features, and refined sound. But with newer rivals entering the scene and a higher price tag than budget models, are they still the best choice in 2025? Let’s dive in.
Industry-leading ANC with adaptive sound control
40mm drivers tuned for high-resolution audio
30 hours of battery life (ANC on) / 38 hours (ANC off)
10-minute quick charge = 5 hours playback
Multipoint pairing for two devices at once
Custom EQ via Sony Headphones Connect app
Touch-sensitive earcup controls
Foldable design with premium travel case
At first glance, the XM4s look nearly identical to their predecessor. The matte finish, understated branding, and lightweight build keep them sleek but not flashy. The earcups swivel and fold into the included hard-shell case, making them travel-friendly. While mostly plastic, the build feels solid and well-engineered. The only drawback is the lack of sweat/water resistance, so they’re not ideal for workouts.
Sony nailed the comfort factor here. Plush memory foam ear cushions and a light clamping force mean you can wear them for hours without fatigue. The headband distributes weight evenly, and even during long flights or workdays, the XM4s remain comfortable. If you’re someone who wears glasses, the soft pads help reduce pressure points.
Out of the box, the WH-1000XM4 delivers a warm, rich sound signature with strong bass, clear mids, and smooth highs. They’re versatile enough to handle everything from hip-hop to classical with ease. Using the Sony app, you can tweak the EQ to suit your taste or activate 360 Reality Audio for spatial immersion. While not as flat as true studio headphones, they strike a great balance between accuracy and enjoyment.
This is where the XM4s dominate. Sony’s ANC remains among the best on the market, effectively silencing plane engines, busy streets, and office chatter. The adaptive sound control automatically adjusts based on your activity (walking, sitting, commuting), and you can customize profiles in the app. Compared to Bose and Apple competitors, the XM4s are consistently top-tier for blocking distractions.
Sony packed these with clever extras. Speak-to-chat pauses your music when you start talking, while wear detection auto-pauses when you remove the headphones. Multipoint Bluetooth pairing lets you connect to your laptop and phone simultaneously. Touch controls handle playback, calls, and volume, though they can be finicky in cold or damp weather.
With up to 30 hours of use with ANC on, these will easily last a few days of heavy use. Forget to charge? A 10-minute top-up gives you 5 hours of playtime – perfect for last-minute trips. USB-C charging keeps things modern and fast.
The foldable design and included hard case make them travel-ready. While not built for the gym, they’re robust enough for daily commuting and long-haul flights. The absence of an IP rating is the only real durability downside.
At around £250, the WH-1000XM4s are premium headphones. But given their outstanding ANC, sound quality, comfort, and features, they’re worth every penny for frequent travellers, remote workers, or anyone serious about high-quality audio. Even with the newer XM5 model out, the XM4s often represent better value thanks to frequent discounts.
No, they don’t carry a water- or sweat-resistant rating, so they’re best suited for travel, commuting, and home use rather than workouts.
Yes, multipoint Bluetooth pairing allows you to stay connected to, for example, your phone and laptop simultaneously.
The XM4s are generally considered superior to Bose QuietComfort 45s and competitive with Apple’s AirPods Max. They remain among the very best noise-cancelling headphones available.
If you’re looking for the perfect blend of premium sound, comfort, and unbeatable noise cancellation, the Sony WH-1000XM4s remain one of the best choices on the market. They may not reinvent the wheel over the XM3s, and they lack rugged durability, but for everyday listening, work, and travel, they’re a near-flawless package. Even in 2025, they stand as the benchmark for wireless ANC headphones.
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