The Sony WH-1000XM4 are the next generation of the Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless, coming with a longer continuous battery life, additional touch-sensitive control features, and multi-device pairing. They have an outstanding noise isolation performance thanks to their ANC feature and a comfortable, premium-looking design. Their bass-heavy sound profile may not be preferred by all listeners, but you can customize the sound using the graphic EQ and presets. Overall, these decently headphones are a solid choice for many different listeners.
The WH-1000XM2 is still the most premium offering in the series, but the WH-1000XM4 receives a few aesthetic changes that enhance its presence. The cushioning on the headband is slimmer, while the ear pads are redesigned to provide 10 percent greater surface area for more contact with your head. A motion sensor has been integrated into the left ear cup as well for smart control capabilities. One major difference is the texture, as the WH-1000XM4 has a soft rubberized finish that gives the headphones a more durable and premium feel than the plastic chassis of its predecessor.
The copper accents, colorways, embossed Sony logos, ports, silhouette, and swivel mechanisms to turn the ear pads sideways for convenient storage. The number of buttons and their placement on the left earcup, along with NFC chip on the right ear cup, remain the same too.
In the box comes a Sony-branded aux cable, an in-flight adapter, a USB-C charging cable, and a carry case.
Sony knew not to mess up a great thing, so it kept the same touch panels and gestures intact. The control scheme remains simple to operate: play/pause (single tap), skip track (swipe left), previous track (swipe right), volume up (swipe up), volume down (swipe down), answer/end call (double tap), and digital assistant (tap and hold). All you need to know is that each gesture operates smoothly.
There is the ability to fast-forward or play a song backward by performing the respective swipe gesture and leaving your finger on the touch panel at the same time. It’s a testament to how intuitive and responsive the touch controls are on these cans.
Sound quality for the Sony WH-1000XM4 is one of those subtle things Sony also improved over the last model. That’s not to say that the XM3 headphones sounded bad—they sound great—but the older model definitely has more of a consumer-friendly bump in the low end.
How is the battery on the Sony WH-1000XM4? Battery life stays at 30 hours with ANC on, 38 hours with ANC off. The Sony WH-1000XM4 charge via USB-C, and the quick charge feature will get you five hours of playtime after only 10 minutes of charging, which is fantastic if you’re already late to catch the bus or train.
