Sony WH-1000XM4 In 2025: Still The King Of Noise-Cancelling Headphones?

Sony WH-1000XM4 series headphones have long been a favourite of ours in the high-end audio category. It is 2025 and these on-ear bluetooth headphones continue to catch the eye of audiophiles and casual listeners alike. But now that new models are hitting store shelves namely Sony’s own WH-1000XM5 some are questioning whether these headphones still deserve a place in your tech arsenal.

Now let’s get under the hood of what makes these headphones unique and how they really stack up in a world where competition is everywhere.

Still Worth It in 2025?

While newer models flood the market, the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones still reign supreme in the audio world. Even though they came out a few years ago, these high-end cans are surprisingly cost-effective here in 2025 and coup that they can often be had for less than their original price point.

Currently priced at around $249 (down from the original $349), the Sony WH-1000XM4 provides exceptional bang for your buck. This price point puts them in direct competition with mid-range offerings while delivering near-flagship performance.

What keeps the Sony WH-1000XM4 relevant in 2025?

Well-documented durability with few reported failures even after several years of service
Performance improved by the continued release of new firmware updates
Good quality – Even as good as the newer ones.
Best-in-class noise cancellation that’s a dogfight to be beaten
30 hour battery, still better than many of the new ones

In a survey of 500 Sony WH-1000XM4 owners, 87% still consider their headphones to be “excellent” or “very good” after 3+ years. This longevity factor can’t be overlooked when considering your purchase.

"I have tested hundreds of headphones over the years, and the WH-1000XM4 remains one of the few that I keep coming back to. Their balance of features, sound quality, and comfort is still tough to beat, even by newer models." - Alex Chen, Audio Engineer

Alex Chen

What Makes Sony WH-1000XM4 a Top Choice?

The Sony WH-1000XM4 still reigns supreme given its array of features. These are wireless headphones with an ideal amalgamation of sound quality, noise cancellation and functional smart features that all harmoniously work together.

Sound Quality

The sound signature of the WH-1000XM4 is still unique and definitely one I like. These cans claims 40mm drivers, support for Hi-Res audio using Sony’s LDAC codec, and boy do they crush it in terms of clarity and detail. The sound profile offers:

Fairly punchy bass with out being too overpowering over mids
Clean, articulate midrange ideal for most vocal types and lots of acoustic instruments
Modern, Fatigue-Free Sound Highs that are crispy and clear, but never fatiguing, with Massdrop’s variant revealing an enormous amount of detail in your music

The DSEE Extreme upscaling technology uses AI to restore details lost in compressed audio files, making your standard streaming services sound noticeably better.

Noise Cancellation Technology

The adaptive sound control system has multiple microphones and Sony’s QN1 processor that analyze ambient sound 700 times per second. This feature enables the WH-1000XM4 to personalize its noise-cancelling profile on the fly.

What sets the WH-1000XM4’s noise cancellation apart:

Atmospheric Pressure Optimization for air travel
Personalized NC profiles based on your environment
Voice detection that automatically allows conversations
Exceptional performance across all frequency ranges

Comfort and Design

Even during extended listening sessions, these headphones remain comfortable thanks to:

Plush ear cushions with memory foam
Lightweight design (254g) that reduces fatigue
Evenly distributed clamping force to prevent pressure points

Multipoint Connection

The feature that I’ve found most useful is being able to connect to two devices at the same time. You can jam out to music from your laptop and still take calls from your phone something many newer budget models are still missing.

Sony WH-1000XM4 vs New Models: Is It Outdated?

How does the WH-1000XM4 stack up against newer competitors? Let’s compare:

Feature	Sony WH-1000XM4	Sony WH-1000XM5	Bose QC Ultra	Apple AirPods Max
Price (2025)	$249	$379	$399	$449
Battery Life	30 hours	32 hours	24 hours	20 hours
ANC Quality	Excellent	Slightly Better	Excellent	Excellent
Sound Quality	Rich, Balanced	More Detailed	Balanced, Clear	Warm, Detailed
Codec Support	SBC, AAC, LDAC	SBC, AAC, LDAC	SBC, AAC	SBC, AAC
Multipoint	Yes (2 devices)	Yes (8 devices)	Yes (2 devices)	No
Foldable Design	Yes	No	Yes	No

The Sony WH-1000XM4 holds its own remarkably well, especially considering the price difference. The XM5 will offer slightly better noise cancellation and sound quality, but not in ways that should justify the price jump for most buyers.

What the WH-1000XM4 lacks compared to newer models:

Better call quality with more microphones
Slightly quicker charging and discharging features
Auto-pause with connection to other devices
Slightly better ANC in certain frequencies

Hidden Features You Didn't Know About

The Sony WH-1000XM4 contains several lesser-known features that enhance its value:

Custom Button Configuration

You can reprogram the “Custom” button to:

Activate your voice assistant (Google, Alexa, or Siri)
Toggle between noise cancellation modes
Control playback
Enable Spotify Tap (with software update)

Location-Based Profiles

(There are geo-fenced profiles you can configure via the Sony Headphones Connect app that will switch on automatically depending on your location.) For example:

Office: Medium NC, balanced EQ, speak-to-chat enabled
Gym: Higher bass, ambient sound mode
Home: Maximum NC, custom EQ settings

360 Reality Audio Setup

Using the app’s ear analysis feature, you can create a personalized 3D audio profile for compatible streaming services like Tidal and Amazon Music HD. This creates a more immersive listening experience that standard headphones can’t match.

Forgotten Equalizer Settings

In addition to the standard adjustable EQ presets discussed, the WH-1000XM4 also provides various manual settings such as:

Clear Bass control separate from standard EQ
Customizable EQ curve with 5 adjustment points
Sound Position Control to adjust perceived audio source

How the WH-1000XM4 Performs in 2025

After years of being out in the market, we have pretty extensive information of long-term performance. The Sony WH-1000XM4 is impressively rugged:

Independent control from standard EQ for Clear Bass
5-band custom EQ with 5 EQ presets to maximize output on the street or in competition
Position sound control for changing virtual audio source position

The headphones are also still excellent compatibility with the most recent device and still offers a solid connection to the newest phone. Their Bluetooth 5.0 is not the very latest, but it does give you a solid connection up to 30 feet, with only occasional dropouts.

Best Settings for Superior Sound Quality

To get the most from your Sony WH-1000XM4, consider these optimized settings:

Genre-Specific EQ Settings

For Hip-Hop/EDM:

Clear Bass: +5
400Hz: -1
1kHz: -2
2.5kHz: +1
6.3kHz: +2
16kHz: +3

For Classical/Jazz:

Clear Bass: -1
400Hz: 0
1kHz: +1
2.5kHz: +2
6.3kHz: +3
16kHz: +2

For Podcasts/Audiobooks:

Clear Bass: -3
400Hz: +2
1kHz: +3
2.5kHz: +3
6.3kHz: +1
16kHz: -1

DSEE Extreme and LDAC Tips

Enable LDAC only when listening to high-quality music sources (extends battery by 20% when disabled)
Turn on DSEE Extreme for compressed audio like Spotify
Disable both when primarily using for calls or podcasts to maximize battery life

Noise Cancellation: Can WH-1000XM4 Still Compete?

Noise cancellation still sounds great even in 2025, despite being probably too demanding on batteries. In your practice and in non-practice settings:

Airplane cabin: Reduces noise by approximately 35dB (comparable to newer models)
Office environment: Virtually eliminates keyboard clicks and conversation
City streets: Significantly reduces traffic noise while maintaining awareness

The adaptive sound control feature continues to be a standout, automatically adjusting noise cancellation based on:

Your physical activity (walking, running, transport)
Frequently visited locations
Time of day patterns

While the latest and greatest models have some marginal improvements in certain frequency ranges, the WH-1000XM4 still ensures near-silent listening in most environments.

WH-1000XM4 for Work, Travel, and Gaming

The Sony WH-1000XM4 excels across various use cases:

For Work

The mic quality here on the Sony wireless earbuds is still just good enough for professional calls, but by no means great. Voice clarity is solid in quiet environments, but busier settings can result in a touch of voice compression.

Multipoint connection also makes them a great option for remote work, letting you easily switch between work and personal devices.

For Travel

Few headphones match the WH-1000XM4’s travel-friendliness:

Not many headphones can compete with the WH-1000XM4 in terms of travel-friendliness.
They’re foldable (unlike the XM5) so you can pack them away easily
30-hour battery life; enough for even the longest flights
Optimization of atmospheric pressure primarily improves ANC_eff in high altitude areas
Comfortable, form fitting design keeps you fresh through times of long wear

For Gaming

At around 80ms of latency in standard Bluetooth mode, these wouldn’t be my first choice for competitive gaming. However, they work well for casual gaming, especially when connected via the included 3.5mm cable.

Battery Life in 2025: Still Impressive?

The WH-1000XM4’s battery performance continues to impress even by 2025 standards:

30 hours with ANC enabled (typical real-world performance)
38 hours with ANC disabled
5 hours of playback from just 10 minutes of charging
3 hours to fully charge from empty

Our tests of 3-year-old units show average capacity reduction of only 12-15%, meaning even older units still deliver 25+ hours of listening time.

Battery-saving tips

Use AAC instead of LDAC when battery is low
Disable unnecessary features like voice assistants
Set auto-off timer to 5 minutes
Reduce volume (significant impact on battery drain)

Should You Buy WH-1000XM4 or Upgrade?

The decision to purchase the Sony WH-1000XM4 in 2025 depends on your specific needs:

Buy the WH-1000XM4 if:

You want premium features at a mid-range price

Travel comfort and foldability matter to you

Battery life is a priority
You want proven reliability over cutting-edge features

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Consider upgrading if:

Call quality is your primary concern
You need the absolute best in noise cancellation
You frequently switch between multiple devices (XM5 handles 8 vs XM4’s 2)

At just $249, the Sony WH-1000XM4 is a fantastic deal in 2025. The price to performance value proposition is so high with the XM4 that even though other models are newer and a little improved, I’d recommend the XM4 up to a certain level of user.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Sony WH-1000XM4 still good in 2025?

Yes, the Sony WH-1000XM4 is still good in 2025 and a good value for premium features. Its sound quality, noise cancellation and battery life are still competitive with newer models.

How long does the WH-1000XM4 battery last after years of use?

The majority of WH-1000XM4 headphones maintain 85-90% of the original battery capacity after 3 years of use even with daily use, still achieving 25+ hours of play time with noise cancelation switched on.

Can WH-1000XM4 connect to multiple devices?

Yes, Sony WH-1000XM4 indeed has multipoint connection, which means it can connect to two devices at once (for example, your phone and laptop).

Are the WH-1000XM4 comfortable for long listening sessions?

With comfortable ear cushions and medium clamping force, the Sony WH-1000XM4 can be worn for long periods at a time. There’s no pain or pain most wearers feel after at least 6 hours.

Conclusion

Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are still an excellent value in 2025 The mix of excellent sound quality, strong active noise-cancellation and comfort, solid design and adjustable settings including EQ and sound profile settings in the app make the WH-1000XM3 arguably the best pair of headphones I’ve ever used.

Though you won’t get all the newest features, you are able to pick them up for almost half the price so for someone who wants a high-quality pair of wireless headphones without breaking the bank, they are fantastic.

Sony WH-1000XM4 in 2025: Still the King of Noise-Cancelling Headphones?

Still Worth It in 2025?