The world of true wireless earphones is tough to navigate, especially with the extreme popularity of Apple’s AirPods and AirPods Pro. There are so many options out there claiming to be “AirPods killers,” it can be tough to know one when you see one. Well, if ever an “AirPods killer” existed, it’s the Sony WF-1000XM4.
We spent a week with the Sony WF-1000XM4 and continue to use it intermittently as we compare it to other products. Let’s explore what makes it one of the best sets of wireless earbuds you can buy.
Editor’s note: this Sony WF-1000XM4 review was updated on October 10, 2022, to add the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II to the Alternatives section, and to add an ANC chart for the QC Earbuds II in the Noise cancelling Section.
Deep-pocketed true wireless enthusiastswill find a trusty companion in these earphones. Gym rats will also appreciate these glamorous buds for their IPX4 water resistance. Of course, those who generally like to keep up with the bleeding edge of audio techare going to need to look at the WF-1000XM4, Sony’s feature-packed buds offer a lot and all features work on any OS.
What’s it like to use the Sony WF-1000XM4?
The Sony WF-1000XM4 is one of the best wireless earphones on the market, and the experience is as top-notch as it gets in this category. Noise attenuation, sound quality, and user experience are all top notch, as Sony has taken a keen interest in improving the things that could potentially make users’ lives better.
The addition of the copper ANC mic housings make the Sony WF-1000XM4 a bit more glam.
Included in the recycled paper packaging of the Sony WF-1000XM4 is the charging case, three sizes of polyurethane foam ear tips, your earphones, and a charging cable. Assorted documentation will help guide you, as these are a smart product like any other and there’s a fair bit to go over to link your voice assistant and other integrations. Truth be told, the setup process is fairly simple, though you’ll want the Headphones Connect app from Sony to get the most out of your earphones. The app has all sorts of goodies baked in, like changing your control scheme, updating your virtual assistant, changing the sound of your earphones, and more.
Actually using the Sony WF-1000XM4 is pretty rewarding, given that the earbuds are much smaller than their predecessors, and consequently fit a lot better. Capacitive touch controls mean you won’t struggle to command your earbuds, and sweat resistance means you probably won’t kill these when you work out.
The charging case is finally a reasonable size, so don’t worry about pocket space for this one.
Under the hood, Sony’s V1 processor helps the Sony WF-1000XM4 use less energy for its main functions, so noise cancelling and hi-res playback won’t tank your battery life as much as in the past. The case is upgraded too, now able to charge wirelessly via Qi-compatible pads. Additionally, it’s also much smaller than the Sony WF-1000XM3‘s case. If you don’t have a wireless charging pad, you can hook the case up to just about any old USB-C charging apparatus.
How to wear the Sony WF-1000XM4
The polyurethane foam ear tips of the Sony WF-1000XM4 make for an easy fit every time.
To get the best fit with the included foam tips, you’re going to have to fight the urge to just jam them in your ears. Take the time to roll the foam in your fingers first (until they halve in thickness), so that they’re easier to slip into your ears. Once inside, hold the earphones in place for about 20 seconds while the foam expands back outward to press against your ear canals. After this happens, you should have a near-ideal fit that you can check with the Headphones Connect app’s fit test. if you need larger or smaller ear tips, the app will tell you!
Open Headphones Connect, and connect to your earbuds in the app. The next screen will offer you several options to better use your earphones, and you can then navigate to the ear tip fit test from the “System” tab. The test will guide you through proper fit and a test sweep to verify that the function is working properly, then you’re good to go.
The Sony WF-1000XM4 is not waterproof, but it does have an IPX4 rating against moisture. That means these earphones will be quite at home in the gym—not the pool—if you decide to use them there. A word of caution though: do the fit test before cardio, because you don’t want an insecure fit when you’re about to really go hard.
How do you control the Sony WF-1000XM4?
The capacitive touch controls are straightforward, but somewhat customizable.
After you pop in the earphones of the Sony WF-1000XM4, there are a number of touch controls that allow you to keep that phone in your pocket. You can find a brief rundown below.
| ACTION | LEFT BUD | RIGHT BUD |
|---|---|---|
| ACTION ONE TAP | LEFT BUD Mute/ANC/Ambient sound | RIGHT BUD Play/Pause |
| ACTION TWO TAPS | LEFT BUD N/A | RIGHT BUD Track forward/answer call |
| ACTION THREE TAPS | LEFT BUD N/A | RIGHT BUD Track backward |
| ACTION TAP AND HOLD | LEFT BUD N/A | RIGHT BUD Smart assistant |
Taking an earbud out of your ear will automatically pause your music. Additionally, you can hold a finger to your earbud to activate Sony’s passthrough feature.
How does the Sony WF-1000XM4 connect to your phone?
Pairing the earphones is easy after the first time.
Unlike most earphones, the Sony WF-1000XM4 can connect to your phone using Bluetooth 5.2, which may sound a little boring—I assure you, it’s not. If you have a smartphone with a processor that supports this version of Bluetooth, you should see improved battery life, and it’s also conceivable that these earphones will support all mandatory codecs in the 5.2 stack, including LE audio. We asked Sony about this, but are currently waiting for a response.
Like the Sony WH-1000XM4, the Sony WF-1000XM4 can use the SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs. If you want the high-bitrate flavor of LDAC, you will have to enable developer options in your settings panel on Android. Scroll down to “Bluetooth Audio LDAC codec Selection: Playback quality” and pick among the list there. We believe your best results will be had with 660kbps, but your results may vary.
Without a pairing button on the case, pairing the Sony WF-1000XM4 can be a little tough to figure out on your own, but the process is pretty simple. You only need to set this up the first time you pair to a device, so don’t worry.
Remove the buds from the case, and put them in your ears. Hold your fingers to both buds for 6 seconds, and the pairing mode will start—you’ll hear a synthetic voice tell you that your Sony WF-1000XM4 is in Bluetooth pairing mode. Ensure that your source is looking for a device to connect to, and you can select the Sony WF-1000XM4 from a list of available devices.
Every time you need to pair your buds afterward, you can just take them out of the case and they’ll try to connect to a device they’ve connected to before. For most, that’ll just be your smartphone.
Is the Sony WF-1000XM4 better for the environment?
As much as I’d like to tell you that the Sony WF-1000XM4’s recycled paper packaging and reduced plastic is a game-changer for the environment, it’s a small gesture. The fact remains that all wireless earphones are ecological nightmares, no matter how eco-conscious the packaging is. Tiny batteries that lose their utility in a short period of time because of the charge cycles are still a big problem here, and I doubt we’ll see any TWS products really solve this any time soon.
...let's not kid ourselves: all wireless earphones are bad for the environment, and it's because their design is inherently flawed as a category.
To its credit, that V1 processor that the Sony WF-1000XM4 uses appears to do a great job at getting more performance out of the earphones with less power, and that’s a welcome thing for anyone using wireless earphones. The longer you can go without charging them, the longer the batteries in each earbud will last—and the longer the batteries last, the fewer times you’ll be tempted to throw out your earphones for a new model, reducing overall waste.
How good is the battery life of the Sony WF-1000XM4?
If you’re worried about battery, don’t be. The Sony WF-1000XM4 can last about 7 hours and 43 minutes per charge, and the case can charge the buds at least two more times for a total of a hair under 24 hours. You’ll likely only have to charge your case on weekends even if you’re a regular commuter. Sure, it isn’t the best battery life we’ve ever recorded for true wireless earphones, but there’s a lot going on under the hood here.
How good is the Sony WF-1000XM4 at canceling noise?
Because the foam tips guarantee a good seal, isolation and ANC are incredibly effective on the Sony WF-1000XM4.
The Sony WF-1000XM4 does an excellent job quieting the world around you. Not only are these earbuds great with active noise cancellation (ANC), but the memory foam tips seal to oddly shaped ear canals extremely well, meaning they offer quite a bit of isolation, too. Good isolation also grants you a better chance at blocking out incidental noise like coworkers chattering, and the gabble of a subway platform or city street.
Before the ANC unit of the Sony WF-1000XM4 can even try to cancel noise in your ear canal, the foam tips will have blocked at least some of the sound reaching your eardrum. That’s pretty good—it means street noise will sound about half to one-quarter as loud as it would with poor or no isolation.
To get the most out of the WF-1000XM4, you'll want to download the Headphones Connect app.
When you turn the ANC on, droning sounds from 50Hz and higher will sound roughly one-quarter to one-sixteenth as loud as they would without anything in your ears. That’s seriously impressive, and while it’s not the best ANC performance we’ve ever seen, it’s among the greats. Good isolation is the best way to protect your hearing and prevent noise from damaging your music’s perceived quality, so the result above is an uncommonly good one.
If the idea of not being able to hear the world around you freaks you out, you can toggle the ANC function of the earphones to allow some sound through. Tapping the left earbud will cycle through these modes: do so, and keep tapping until you hear “ambient sound” spoken in your ear. Once there, you should notice environmental sounds a lot better. Additionally, the Sony WF-1000XM4 comes with a “speak to chat” feature that will automatically enable audio passthrough if you start speaking with someone so you can chat with them. It’s a nice quality of life feature that allows you to keep your earbuds in for a quick conversation, which should be useful for in-flight service or brief interactions in the world once that starts opening up more.
How does the Sony WF-1000XM4 sound?
The Sony WF-1000XM4 sounds right about what it should for its price point, though there are some quirks that you might need to tinker a bit with to get the sound you want. In general, the foam ear tips guaranteeing a good seal means that not only are you able to prevent a lot of outside noise affecting your tunes, but it’s easier to get the best performance possible.
Boosting bass and cutting highs, you’re going to want to tinker a bit with the Headphones Connect app a bit to find your best sound.
If you decide to keep the default equalization (or don’t want to install the app), your music will sound pretty much like it’s supposed to, minus the fact that there’s a bit of an aggressive bass bump relative to the rest of your music. This is a very consumer-oriented sound, and it shows with the low-end emphasis. That’s not a bad thing, though, and it’s often something in-ear manufacturers do when they expect their product will need to drown out low-end noise from people wearing their buds in noisy situations.
Lows, mids, and highs
In general, we found that the Sony WF-1000XM4 gives most notes up to middle-C a good bump, while cutting the higher notes and harmonics after 2kHz a bit. What does that mean for you? Mostly, just that you should try fiddling with lowering the bass and mids in the equalizer of the Headphones Connect app a bit. If you leave your earphones un-tinkered-with, you might find that you lose a few details, and things like guitar attack or super high notes sound about half as loud as they should. Of course, you can change that by equalizing, so it’s not as big of a deal as it sounds. It’s also possible your head will be a bit different than ours, so we publish our data so you can make an informed comparison to other models.
Looking at the above chart another way, the Sony WF-1000XM4 has a relative under-emphasis in the highs, and a robust bass/low-mid emphasis.
This kind of sound is really good for older recordings that tend to under-emphasize bass, and vocal-heavy mixes. However, you may note that higher-pitched voices sound atiny bit off, like in Fleetwood Mac’s Dreams. In this track, Stevie Nicks’ voice sounds a little “hollow” compared to what it might sound like over a stereo system, some of the hi-hats are almost muted, and cymbal crashes sound a bit quiet.
Speaking of older music, the Sony WF-1000XM4 also brings the latest version of Sony’s digital sound enhancement engine (DSEE) to market, called DSEE Extreme. While upsampling music generally doesn’t have the Earth-shattering results promised by manufacturers, this feature is good to have in your back pocket if you listen to a lot of lossy files on your phone. Otherwise, you’ll not notice much of a benefit with higher-bitrate tracks because it doesn’t need to upsample those files.
If you’re hoping to take advantage of spatial audio in music, the Sony WF-1000XM4 supports Sony’s proprietary 360 Reality Audio, which is supported on the Tidal, Deezer, and Amazon Music HD streaming services.
You can watch our Sony 360 Reality Audio breakdown video here.
Is the Sony WF-1000XM4 microphone any good?
The Sony WF-1000XM4 has a decent mic, but it suffers a little bit over AAC. It’s perfectly fine for phone calls, though. There’s also a feature that will detect when you speak to help the mic determine what sounds you want it to boost and what’s just noise. It’s a useful feature, albeit one you may not notice as much. But that’s really the point: Sony doesn’t want you to think about this sort of thing, it just wants your audio to be decent.
When there’s background noise such as wind or the office sounds in the second sample below, then the microphones really struggle to transmit voices clearly.
Sony WF-1000XM4 microphone demo (Ideal):
Sony WF-1000XM4 microphone demo (Office):
Sony WF-1000XM4 microphone demo (Wind):
How does the microphone sound to you?
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Should you buy the Sony WF-1000XM4?
The new Sony WF-1000XM4 (right) has a much smaller case than that of the Sony WF-1000XM3 (left).
If you have the money, the Sony WF-1000XM4 is a good buy, not just because it’s one of the best wireless earphones around, but also because it has the hardware to last a bit longer than most other models when it comes to battery life. $279 USD is a lot of money to part with over a product like wireless earphones, but if you want the best, these are currently it.
Surprisingly, the Sony WF-1000XM4 isnot replacing the Sony WF-1000XM3. Instead, it’s driving the price of the older model down to compete with earbuds under $199 USD. It may not be as exciting, but those with a little less cash to burn will find the older model a trusty—if clunky—companion. However, the Sony WF-1000XM4 is a better performer in just about every way. You can read how the two compare here.
Sony WF-1000XM4
Great ANC • IPX4 rating • 360 Reality Audio
Powerful active noise canceling earbuds.
The Sony WF-1000XM4 wireless earbuds are some of the best on the market. High-quality sound is matched by top-notch ANC. Well designed ear tips provide an excellent seal, improving noise isolation, and call quality.
$178.00 at Amazon
Save $101.99
How does the Sony WF-1000XM4 compare to the Sony LinkBuds S noise cancelling earbuds?
Each earbud features a big mic grille on the side, no doubt to visually remind you that transparency mode will turn on every time you start using them.
The Sony LinkBuds S features ANC and a closed design like the WF-1000XM4 earbuds, but the LinkBuds S costs $80 USD less. The tradeoff is that the LinkBuds S has an anonymous design that lacks pizzaz and its housings and case pick up dirt and fuzz, meaning you have to clean everything more often. You get many of the same software features on the LinkBuds S as you do on the WF-1000XM4, including 360 Reality Audio optimization and speak-to-chat functionality. Battery life is a bit shorter with the LinkBuds S and lasts 5 hours, 41 minutes according to our tests but you can use the case to fast charge the earbuds. Five minutes of charging provides 60 minutes of listening.
The LinkBuds S does a better job of blocking out 100-300Hz frequencies, but the passive isolation helps the WF-1000XM4 pull ahead overall.
If you don’t need the absolute best attenuation, you’ll find that there’s a lot to love about the LinkBuds S. Even though the WF-1000XM4 has better overall attenuation, the LinkBuds S is no slouch and actually does more to attenuate certain low/midrange frequencies as the chart depicts.
Sony LinkBuds S
Noise canceling • Effective isolation • Good sound quality
These earbuds pack high-quality sound with great ANC.
The Sony LinkBuds S earbuds bring solid noise canceling, a secure fit, and solid but not fantastic battery life.
$148.00 at Amazon
Save $51.99
$178.00 at Crutchfield
Save $21.00
$199.00 at Best Buy
Is the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) better than the Sony WF-1000XM4?
But what about AirPods? This is where things get a little stickier. Coming in at $30 more than the AirPods Pro (2nd generation), Apple users have a bit to ponder before pulling the trigger on a new set of earphones.
Lily Katz / SoundGuys
These are the newer AirPods Pro earbuds, we swear.
The Sony WF-1000XM4 blocks out more noise in total compared to the AirPods Pro (2nd gen), but Apple’s ANC cancels midrange frequencies more than Sony’s. Passive isolation, when you disable ANC, is assuredly better on the WF-1000XM4 than the AirPods Pro (2nd gen) though.
Thanks to the memory foam ear tips, most people will find the Sony earbuds fit more securely than the new AirPods Pro too. Both sets of buds are very comfortable though. You get the same IPX4 rating with either pair of earphones, but only Apple’s case has an IPX4 rating too.
While the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) is the best option for iPhone owners when it comes to ease of use, the Sony WF-1000XM4 is still a more versatile product. With Sony’s earbuds you get a built-in custom EQ, the option to prioritize connection stability over sound quality, and more. Sony’s earbuds are the smarter pick for listeners who alternate between Android and iOS regularly.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
Impressive ANC • Comfortable fit • Wireless charging
One of the best true wireless earbuds for iOS users
The second generation of AirPods Pro features top-quality active noise cancellation in a water-resistant package.
What should you get instead of the Sony WF-1000XM4?
Jasper Lastoria / SoundGuys
You control the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro with a series of taps, presses, and holds.
Aside from the AirPods Pro, which directly competes against the Sony WF-1000XM4, you may want to consider the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and Galaxy Buds 2. The latter actually has slightly better ANC than the former, though it’s more affordable. Unlike the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2, the Galaxy Buds Pro has Samsung 360 Audio. If 3D sound is more important to you than ANC, you may want to get the Buds Pro over the Buds 2. The newer Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro has excellent ANC, especially in the low-end. It performs even better than the Sony WF-1000XM4 in this range. If you want to read more about how the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro compares to the Sony WF-1000XM4, check out our comparison here.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II make the Sony WF-1000XM4 sweat. Both sets of buds does more to affect low and midrange frequencies, quieting them more than Sony’s, but the WF-1000XM4 has more consistent ANC performance. Plus Sony’s ear tips do a better job of blocking out sounds above 1kHz.
Jasper Lastoria / SoundGuys
The case lid props up the buds for easy access.
Google Pixel phone owners should get the Pixel Buds Pro. This pair of earbuds has excellent ANC and plenty of smart features baked in. When you connect it to your phone and download Google Translate, you can even experience live translation right in your ears. The main downside to the Pixel Buds Pro: its heavy bass response. Still, compared to the Sony WF-1000XM4, the Pixel Buds Pro is a great pair of noise cancelling earphones.
If you want great sound quality and noise cancelling for less than the top dogs, the Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless is a great set of earphones. Like Bose and Sony, the CX Plus True Wireless app works on Android and iOS. You can also EQ the sound and receive firmware updates through the app. The earbuds have an IPX4 rating, and the case is a bit more compact than the Bose QC Earbuds.
The Sony WF-C500 doesn’t support Bluetooth multipoint, so it’s easiest to keep it synced to your phone at all times.
For those who realize they don’t need ANC earbuds but just want a feature-packed headset that works well and is durable enough for daily use, the Sony WF-C500 and Google Pixel Buds A-Series are solid choices. The WF-C500 isn’t a particularly special headset, but it performs well as a generalist and you get Sony 360 Reality Audio support.
The Pixel Buds A-Series isn’t as OS-friendly as the WF-C500 because the Pixel Buds app is only available on Android. Still, you get great hardware and responsive touch controls with the A-Series. While the A-Series doesn’t have ANC, it does automatically adjust the volume based on how loud your surroundings are. We like both of these earbuds because they offer a lot for less than $100 USD.
Frequently asked questions about the Sony WF-1000XM4
The silicone loop fins are really important for getting a secure fit.
The Sony LinkBuds WF-L900 is drastically different from the WF-1000XM4 because rather than cancel noise, the LinkBuds lets external noise in. The point of the LinkBuds is to allow you to engage with your surroundings and music simultaneously, it’s a fine solution for those who are tired of using their earbuds in mono mode. The LinkBuds is the first open-type earbud to leave the ear canals completely unoccluded, whereas the AirPods (3rd generation) and Samsung Galaxy Buds Live still cover the ear canals the buds just don’t create a seal to it. We like the LinkBuds as an unsealed option for athletes since it merits an IPX4 rating and actually stays comfortably in place thanks to the flexible ear wings.
It’s pretty pricey at $169 USD, but the price almost makes sense given just how niche this product is and how well it works relative to the other few competitors.
You’ll need to download the Sony | Headphones Connect app and assign it in the app. The factory default setting does not allow you to adjust volume with the buds. Check out this help guide from Sony.
Yes, they support independent listening. This means you can charge one while listening to the other.
Noise Cancelling Headphone Reviews
FAQs
Is the Sony WF-1000XM4 worth it? ›
The Sony WF-1000XM4 is a stellar pair of earbuds that sit near the top of our ratings largely because of sound quality that's not only exceptional but also truly delightful. Like all true wireless earbuds, the WF-1000XM4 earbuds do away with the cable attaching them to each other.
Is Sony WF-1000XM4 noise cancelling good? ›But Sony has absolutely nailed it. The headphones deliver a satisfying user experience, class-leading battery life, some of the best noise-cancelling we've heard in this category, and absolutely stunning sound quality.
Is AirPods Pro better than 1000XM4? ›The Sony WF-1000XM4 has better battery life
When connected to an iOS device, the AirPods Pro lasts 5 hours, 6 minutes on a single charge with ANC enabled. This is quite good considering how the case provides an extra 19 hours, 30 minutes of playtime before it needs a recharge via Lightning cable or wireless mat.
The Sonys are comfortable enough for a marathon, with touch-sensitive controls and ear tips that provide excellent noise isolation. Combine this with brilliant noise cancelling courtesy of Sony's Integrated Processor V1 and the WF-1000XM4 are difficult to fault.
Can I shower with my Sony WF-1000XM4? ›Do not place the headset in water or use it in a humid place such as a bathroom. Do not drop the headset or expose it to mechanical shock. Doing so may deform or damage the headset, resulting in deterioration of water resistance performance.
Are Sony WF-1000XM4 good for calls? ›Sony's WF-1000XM4 true wireless headphones deliver excellent performance during phone calls.
Which is better noise-cancelling Sony or Bose? ›Midrange and High-Frequency Noise Cancellation
So for mids and highs, Bose offers stronger performance.
The Sony WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless are the next generation of the Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless. The XM4's ANC can block out more ambient noise, and their battery performance is significantly better. However, the XM3 support NFC pairing, and have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer.
Are Sony wh1000xm4 audiophile? ›In noisy environments, using the XM4 with its noise cancelling turned on is bound to give you a better sense of clarity for your music, but that's really just because of how well it eliminates the noise floor. Make no mistake, this is by no means an audiophile headphone when it comes to detail and technicalities.
Is Sony noise cancelling better than Apple? ›When it comes to noise cancelling prowess, the Sony WH-1000XM5 boasts some of the best ANC around. The younger sibling of the WH-1000XM4, it is still cheaper than the AirPods max $398 at Amazon. It isolates quite well, too, thanks to a redesign of its ear cups and headband.
Should I get AirPods or Sony headphones? ›
On the whole, vocals sound really good with either headset. If you want a bassier sound, get the Sony earbuds and if you want more accurate vocals and to be able to perceive more detail from high notes, get the AirPods Pro.
Are Sony earbuds better than Apple? ›Our Verdict. The Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless are better in-ears than the Sony WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless. While both headphones are well-built, the Apple have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer, are more comfortable, and their ANC can block out more ambient noise.
Can I wear Sony WF-1000XM4 in the rain? ›The headset is not waterproof. If water or foreign matter enters the headset, it may result in fire or electric shock. If water or foreign matter enters the headset, stop use immediately and consult your nearest Sony dealer.
Are Sony WF-1000XM4 good for gym? ›You can save $31.99 on these top of the range Sony WF-1000XM4 wireless earbuds this Prime Day. These great headphones are sweat proof, noise cancelling and come in white or black, making them perfect for working out indoors or out.
Does Sony WF-1000XM4 have bass? ›The Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless are better for most uses than the Sony WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless. The WH-1000XM4 are over-ear headphones that are more comfortable, have a more bass-heavy sound profile, which some users may prefer, and their ANC can significantly block out more noise around you.
How do I remove ear wax from my Sony WF-1000XM4? ›Clean the sound outlet holes with a slightly dampened cloth to remove to remove dirt, earwax, or any other foreign matter that may have accumulated. Be extra careful not to accidentally push dirt or debris into the earbud tips. Drain the sound outlet holes.
How long do Sony WF-1000XM4 last? ›The WF-1000XM4 provide up to eight hours per charge, outlasting rivals such as the Bose QC Earbuds, Apple AirPods Pro and Bowers & Wilkins PI7, while the case holds a further 16 hours of juice (that's two extra charges).
How long do Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds last? ›The case charges the buds very quickly via the USB-C port, or you can also use a wireless charging mat. The WF-1000XM4 lasted all of their 8-hours of battery runtime with ANC engaged (including a 20-minute phone call) and that's by far the best I've tested in a noise-canceller of this caliber.
Is Sony WF-1000XM4 sweat proof? ›The IPX4 rating on the WF-1000XM4 is an improvement on no rating, but it's still just sweat-resistant—you can't submerge any of these earbuds in water.
Does Sony WF-1000XM4 have surround sound? ›While the Sony WF-1000XM4 has its own 3D surround trickery, Sony 360 Reality Audio, it only works on sources specifically mastered for it. In this way, it's pretty similar to how Apple Spatial Audio works, only it doesn't use Dolby Atmos.
Can I sleep with Sony WF-1000XM4? ›
Sony WF-1000XM4: The Sony WF-1000XM4 has great noise cancelling and comfortable memory foam ear tips, making these great for back sleepers or sleeping on commutes.
What are the number one noise cancelling headphones? ›With the best noise cancellation we've heard from a pair of earbuds, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 are our choice for discreetly shutting out airplane cabin noise or office chatter. If you'd rather have longer battery life, wireless charging and more advanced audio, go for the Sony WF-1000XM4 or the new AirPods Pro.
Why Bose is better than Sony? ›Battery Life - 30 hours for the Sony and 20 Hours for the Bose. Bluetooth- The Bose headsets can pair two devices simultaneously. The Sony lacks this unique feature. Functions- Sony 1000xm3 and Bose 700 have touch functions where as the QC35 still comes with the solid analog buttons.
Is Noise Cancelling better or worse for ears? ›Overall, noise cancellation in headphones doesn't affect your hearing negatively. You may hear a slight hissing sound when you the ANC is turned on, but that's about it. However, for some people this can be irritating and even result in dizziness.
Is it worth upgrading to 1000XM4? ›If you have the cash to splurge on a top-tier pair of headphones these are a no-brainer. Anyone who wants the best active noise cancelling should also check these out. The WH-1000XM3 was already a great pair of active noise cancelling (ANC) headphones, and now the WH-1000XM4 is even better.
What earphones are better than Sony WF-1000XM4? ›In a direct comparison the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is more effective than the Sony WF-1000XM4 at attenuating outside noise using ANC, especially in the low end.
Should I get the XM3 or XM4? ›The XM3 has better battery life, a more consumer-friendly sound, and also comes with excellent ANC at a lower price. To me, there isn't enough change to justify the XM4.
Is Sony WH-1000XM4 bass heavy? ›The Sony WH-1000XM4 are decent for neutral sound. They have a bass-heavy sound that delivers intense thump, punch, and boom to mixes, making them a great choice for genres like EDM and hip-hop. However, this extra bass also bloats vocals and instruments.
Is Sony WF-1000XM4 loud enough? ›I have them, and they can be very loud. Are you sure your phone doesn't have a volume limiter enabled? Are you sure your music player doesn't have its volume set to lower? If you use Android phone, note that the equalizer of the OS lowers the volume.
Is Sony 1000XM4 a Dolby Atmos? ›Enjoy a thrilling Dolby Atmos® experience and 360 Spatial Sound that adapts to your ears with BRAVIA XR and these headphones using wireless transmitter WLA-NS7.
Why did Apple remove noise cancellation? ›
Apple confirms that the lack of noise cancellation feature in the iPhone 13 is by design and not a bug. Apple has confirmed that the lack of noise cancellation feature on the iPhone 13 is not a bug. The company has intentionally disabled the setting for the 5G devices, and currently have no plans for changing it.
What are the pros and cons of noise cancelling headphones? ›They can help improve focus and concentration, reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep quality, and more. However, there are also some potential downsides to using noise-canceling headphones, including the cost, difficulty of use, and potential for distractions.
Does Sony have the best noise cancelling? ›If you're looking for active noise cancelling, Sony is the undisputed king and the WH-1000XM5 features best in class ANC. Read full review... The Bottom Line. The WH-CH710N is a lightweight, portable set of headphones with a fine microphone for those who frequently telecommute to work.
Can Sony WF-1000XM4 connect to iPhone? ›Touch [WF-1000XM4]. If Passkey (*) input is required, input “0000”. The headset and iPhone are paired and connected with each other. You will hear the voice guidance say, “Bluetooth connected”, from both headset units.
How can I make my Sony WF-1000XM4 fit better? ›Note: The Noise Isolation Earbud Tips (for the WF-1000XM4 headphones) will adjust their shape to fit in your ears. Wait for about 10 seconds for the earbud tip shape to stabilize, and then check that they fit firmly in your ears and if the noise canceling effect is sufficient.
Which brand is better for earbuds? ›Apple undoubtedly takes the number one spot as the best “premium” earbuds brand in India.
What wireless earbuds are just as good as Apple? ›Best AirPods Alternative
The best alternative to AirPods we've tested are the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Truly Wireless. These in-ears rival the premium Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless, with better active noise cancellation (ANC) to block out more background noise across the entire range.
If you use the headset at a place where it is restricted to use Bluetooth devices such as on an airplane, you can use the headset as noise canceling headphones while the headset is connected to a device via the supplied headphone cable and the headset is turned on.
How do I answer a call on my Sony WF-1000XM4? ›Tap the touch sensor twice quickly to answer a call. Hold your finger to the touch sensor for about 2 seconds to reject a call.
Does Sony WF-1000XM4 have wireless charging? ›Wireless charging is available using a commercially available wireless charging pad that meets the Qi standard. Close the lid of the charging case and place it on the wireless charging pad with the SONY logo of the charging case facing upward to charge.
Are the Sony 1000XM4 comfortable with glasses? ›
Wearing glasses while using the WH-1000XM4 won't be a problem, as the ear cups are softly padded, and incredibly comfortable. The headband is also wide and adjustable, but still a little rigid.
Why is Sony WF-1000XM4 waterproof? ›The Sony WF-1000XM4 is not waterproof, but it does have an IPX4 rating against moisture. That means these earphones will be quite at home in the gym—not the pool—if you decide to use them there.
What is the lowest price WF-1000XM4? ›Product information. Lowest price for Sony WF-1000XM4 is $183. This is currently the cheapest offer among 23 stores.
Is Sony WF-1000XM4 good for calls? ›Sony's WF-1000XM4 true wireless headphones deliver excellent performance during phone calls.
Does WF-1000XM4 high res audio? ›The WF-1000XM4 now supports High-Resolution Audio Wireless. Thanks to specially designed 6mm drivers, they reproduce a dynamic sound despite their small size, and the high compliance diaphragm reproduces a rich bass range.
Why are my Sony WF-1000XM4 not loud? ›To sum up, if you're experiencing difficulty with the volume of your earbuds on an Android device, it's worth checking your equalizer settings and disabling the built-in equalizer of the OS. Instead, you can use the Sony app equalizer for better sound quality.
How long will WF-1000XM4 last? ›Next-gen battery life
The case charges the buds very quickly via the USB-C port, or you can also use a wireless charging mat. The WF-1000XM4 lasted all of their 8-hours of battery runtime with ANC engaged (including a 20-minute phone call) and that's by far the best I've tested in a noise-canceller of this caliber.
The Sony WF-1000XM4 can be considered as the wireless version of its classic in-ear headphones. This means the earbuds are held in your ears via earplugs without a retaining clip of any sort.
Why is my WF-1000XM4 noisy in one ear? ›This happens because air bubbles inside the earbuds get crushed and restored in response to movement that changes their shape. This is normal, and not a malfunction. This temporary noise can happen because of the Noise Canceling or Ambient Sound Control function and air-tightness of the headphones.
What if I lost my Sony WF-1000XM4? ›Use the Google™ Find My Device app* to find the location of your WF-1000XM4 earbud headphones. * Download the app at Google Play™ Store.
Is Sony WF-1000XM4 too big? ›
The WF-1000XM4 earbuds are more bud-like, rounder, and less bulky. The result of this new design is that they fit better than their predecessor. In the ears, they feel more snug and secure. Even when I'm running, they stay put.
How can I make my WF-1000XM4 more comfortable? ›Adjust the fit of the headset to your ears. Twist the headset unit to fit it snugly into the ear canal, and adjust the positioning of the headset unit until it fits comfortably. Wait for about 10 seconds for the earbud tip shape to stabilize.
Why are my XM4 so quiet? ›Open the Sony | Headphones Connect app, and move the slide bar next to the speaker icon in the Status tab to increase or decrease the volume. The volume level in the app may have been too high or too low. You may need to adjust the volume through the app in some situations. Go to the next troubleshooting step.
Are Sony WH-1000XM4 audiophile? ›In noisy environments, using the XM4 with its noise cancelling turned on is bound to give you a better sense of clarity for your music, but that's really just because of how well it eliminates the noise floor. Make no mistake, this is by no means an audiophile headphone when it comes to detail and technicalities.
Why do my Sony XM4 sound muffled? ›This is due to the computer specifications (priority on stable connection at the start of transmission and then switches to priority on sound quality several seconds later) and is not a headset malfunction. If the sound quality does not improve after a few seconds, use the computer to establish an A2DP connection.