This post may contain affiliate links so I earn a commission. Prices are exactly the same for you if your purchase is through an affiliate link or a non-affiliate link. You will not pay more by clicking through to the link.
Sony WH-1000XM3 is a legendary headset that was launched back in 2018, and it was indeed the best Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphone at that time. Now, Sony has released the new version that comes with better features. So, if you are thinking of getting Sony WH-1000XM4 or Upgrading the previous generation, then this guide is for you. In this comprehensive Sony WH-1000XM4 review, we will tell you everything you need to know about it. We will also tell if it’s worth upgrading to the newer generation from the Sony-WH1000XM3. Let’s dive right into it.
As always, we will evaluate Sony-WH1000XM4 on the following factors, which will help you understand if this headset worth your money or not.
- Design & Build Quality
- Comfort
- Features
- Audio Performance
- Battery Performance
- Pros & Cons of Sony-WH1000XM4
Sony-WH1000XM4 Review: Design & Build Quality
Let’s start the review by reviewing the design. Sony-WH1000XM4 comes with a very similar design to Sony-WH1000XM3, and there’s no major difference in the design of both headsets. Both headsets are so similar that if we put them side by side, you won’t be able to tell the difference between Sony-WH1000XM4 and Sony-WH1000XM3.
The design of Sony-WH1000XM4 is really premium and good looking. There’s nothing fancy in the design, and the whole look is very minimalistic. The headset comes with the plastic build, but it doesn’t mean that Sony-WH1000XM4 looks cheaper or anything. The Sony Logo and USB ports have the copper outline, which adds a unique flair to the headset. The overall look and feel of the headset are very premium and solid.
On the outer side, there are no significant changes, but on the inside, Sony has changed a lot. For starter, the new Sony-WH1000XM4 comes with a new System-on-a-chip (SoC), which mainly improves the Noise Cancellation. It’s also interesting to note that the Noise cancellation on Sony-WH1000XM3 is already the best, and Sony-WH1000XM4 takes it one step further with its new Chip. So, if you want the best Noise Cancellation, then Sony-WH1000XM4 is undoubtedly the best option for you.
The biggest flaw in Sony-WH1000XM4 is that it doesn’t come with any protection against water or sweat. The headset is not water-proof, splash-proof, or water-resistant, which is a bit disappointing. So, if you want to use it for a workout or running, we wouldn’t recommend it. The overall design and build quality of Sony-WH1000XM4 is top-notch, and apart from water-resistance, there is nothing else to complain about.
Sony-WH1000XM4 Review: Comfort
Sony-WH1000XM4 is a premium headset, so it should be comfortable, and it’s pretty comfortable. The headset comes with the padding on the headband, which ensures that you don’t feel uncomfortable wearing the headset for an extended period.
The ear cups are also very comfortable. They come with leather material on the top and dense foam on the inside, which provides great comfort. The overall comfort level of Sony-WH1000XM4 is really good, and we don’t have any complaints here.
Sony-WH1000XM4 Review: Features
Let’s start with the most defining feature of Sony-WH1000XM4, which is its “Noise Cancellation.” The Noise Cancellation in Sony-WH1000XM3 was already good, but Sony has taken the Noise Cancellation in Sony-WH1000XM4 one-notch further with its improved Chip and tricks. The Noise cancellation in Sony-WH1000XM4 works really well. It can easily block the mid-level and low-level ambient sound without any problem. It can also reduce to high-level ambient sound to a great extent so that it irritates you. It won’t be fully silenced, but it’s remarkably quiet, and we assure you that you won’t get better Noise Cancellation in any other headset out there.
Sony has also made the Sony-WH1000XM4 bit intelligent, and it uses your location to customize the level of Noise cancellation. For example, if you are at the office, you may prefer to let some ambient sound pass through so that if someone is calling you, you will get that sound. Similarly, it has customized levels for other instances as well, which is pretty impressive.
Another very remarkable feature is the “Speak-to-Chat” feature. Using the Speak-to-Chat feature, the headset recognizes when you start speaking, and it automatically stops the music and allows the ambient sound to pass through the headsets. This feature is not at its best, but still, it works pretty well.
Sony-WH1000XM4 Review: Audio Performance
The new Sony-WH1000XM4 comes with 40mm drivers, which are the same drivers used in Sony-WH1000XM3, so in terms of sound, there are not any changes. The headset comes with a very well-balanced sound profile with great bass performance.
It doesn’t come with aptX or aptX HD support, but it does come with Sony’s very own LDAC codec, which does a good job. The headset also comes with Sony’s 360 Reality Audio, which provides an immersive audio experience. The overall audio performance of Sony-WH1000XM4 is really good.
Sony-WH1000XM4 Review: Battery Performance
The new Sony-WH1000XM4 doesn’t come with any improvement in battery life. So, you get the old 30 hours of battery life with Noise cancellation on, and if you turn it off, you can extend it to 38 hours. The battery life of Sony-WH1000XM4 is very good, and it’s much better than many headsets out there.
Also, it comes with Quick-charge capability, which gets you 5 hours of listening time with just 10 minutes of charge. So, if you get this headset, you won’t have to worry about the Battery.
Pros and Cons of Sony-WH1000XM4
Now that you know about the overall performance of Sony-WH1000XM4 Let’s take a look at the pros and cons.
Pros
- Best in class Noise Cancellation
- Perfect Design
- Comfortable Fit
- Premium Sound
- Tons of Useful features
- Great Battery Life
Cons
- No Official IP Rating
- No aptX or aptX HD Support
- Expensive
Should I upgrade to Sony-WH1000XM4 from Sony-WH1000XM3?
If you have read-down to this section, you already know that there are no major differences in the design of Sony-WH1000XM4 and Sony-WH1000XM3. However, Sony-WH1000XM4 comes with better Noise Cancellation and some new features, making it a better option. So, if you want the cutting-edge features, then we would recommend you to upgrade to Sony-WH1000XM4.
Conclusion
That’s all, folks. Now you know everything you need to know about Sony-WH1000XM4, and you can make an informed decision. In our opinion, Sony-WH1000XM4 is arguably the best Noise Cancelling headphones out there, and it completely outshines its competition with its class-leading Noise cancellation. So, if you are looking for capable headphones with excellent sound and the best Noise cancellation, we recommend Sony-WH1000XM4. Let us know your thoughts on Sony-WH1000XM4 in the comment section below. Also, visit our website for more useful reviews of your favorite Headphones.
