Tech deals scavengers are going nuts over the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones, which can be found for $198 to $228 at Amazon on any given day.
Sony’s fourth-gen flagship cans were a class leader when they launched, but how do they hold up in today’s wireless audio landscape? For starters, as we've noted before, new flagship headphones now cost a minimum of $450. The new flagship Bowers & Wilkins Px8 just dropped for $799. This economy — and those nosebleed-inducing prices — can make previous-gen tech like this awfully attractive.
If you’re reading this, then you’re debating whether to drop two Benjamins on these beloved headphones or spend the difference on their advanced siblings. The upgraded specs on the WH-1000XM5 and WH-1000XM6 might make the Mark Four model look outdated. Don’t buy into that malarkey. All Sony wireless headphones share many of the company’s proprietary features and technologies, including the classic WH-1000XM4.
So, I dug into my closet and pulled out the noise-cancelling headphones to see if they’re still worth buying five years later. Spoiler alert: They hold up better than I expected.
Why should you consider buying the WH-1000XM4 headphones?
About 85 percent of what’s available on the WH-1000XM5 and WH-1000XM6 can be experienced on the WH-1000XM4. There's a reason each of these products has dominated Mashable's guide to the best wireless headphones year after year.
The WH-1000XM4 still sound better than most luxury rivals. Frequency range leans heavily towards the low end, resulting in deep bass that blends nicely with crisp mids and highs. Instruments, vocals, and subtle nuances are transparent on boom-heavy tracks.
Most of Sony’s mobile feature suite is accessible via the Sound Connect app to personalize the headphones. There’s the customizable EQ with well-engineered presets, LDAC audio codec for hi-res streaming with minimal latency, and voice activation. The WF-1000XM4 also have 360 Reality Audio, which creates convincing 360-degree sound, as well as my favorite feature to upscale sound on Sony headphones: DSEE. Everything works well.
Noise cancellation on the WH-1000XM4 eliminates a vast amount of ambient noise. I’ve worn them around the house for two weeks to silence common disruptions (e.g., kitchen appliances, laundry room fracas, a wildly cheerful toddler) during work hours. Most noises were muted, except for certain high-frequency sounds, and even those weren’t too distracting. Sony’s 20-level Ambient Mode was dependable for eavesdropping on conversations and raising situational awareness. The mics demonstrated superb noise and vocal capture.
Battery life with ANC on is no different than the current releases (30 hours). Connectivity perks like Google Fast Pair and multipoint technology to pair to two devices simultaneously come part of the package. This is the last pair of Mark Series headphones to come with NFC. Lastly, the touch and voice controls are responsive and operate smoothly.
Why should you consider not buying the WH-1000xM4 headphones?
The new Adaptive NC Optimizer on the WH-1000xM6 is better at noise reduction and auto-adjusts performance for optimal sound delivery. Call quality on the WH-1000xM4 is a failure that has been greatly improved on the latest models. Audiophiles will also gravitate towards the WH-1000xM5’s and WH-1000xM6’s more tonally balanced sound.
Another factor that deserves serious attention is the product’s shelf life. The AirPods are fantastic because Apple designed them to function for years to come, thanks to its frequently updated and intelligible ecosystem. Sony has done a tremendous job of distributing its high-end mobile features across all wireless headphones and earbuds. At some point, older models have their plug pulled and stop receiving firmware updates. The WH-1000xM4 are still getting them. It is unknown how much longer that will continue.
So, are the Sony XM4 headphones still worth it in 2025?
The verdict: For deal hunters, the Sony XM4 headphones are still worth it
It’s easy to be coerced into buying the newer Mark Series releases based on their stronger ANC and audio. That doesn’t mean you should overlook the WH-1000xM4. They have effective noise cancellation, longer playtimes than any Apple or Bose headphones, and vibrant sound. Not to mention they support Sony’s big three audio hallmarks: 360 Reality Audio, DSEE, and LDAC.
Pricing is the biggest factor when comparing the last three Mark Series models. You’ll be lucky to find the WH-1000xM5 on sale for no less than $285, and even luckier to stumble upon the WH-1000xM6 at under $400.
That being said, there is no better audio deal right now than the WH-1000xM4, and it’s well worth the pickup for anyone seeking terrific noise-canceling headphones at a reasonable price.
