The Sony WH-1000XM4 remains relevant because its combination is still useful: active noise cancellation, a frame that folds into a case and a cable connection when Bluetooth is inconvenient. It is an older premium model worth considering on the actual offer, especially for someone who travels with limited bag space.
This review covers the original WH-1000XM4. Similar names and later revisions should not be treated as interchangeable. The main compromises are the limits of its wireless features and the need to look after a lightweight folding frame.
Sound and Noise Cancellation
- 40 mm dynamic drivers
- ANC and ambient mode
- App equalizer
RTINGS found strong reduction of both steady engine noise and surrounding chatter in its original sample, alongside a warm, bass-emphasized sound.1 That combination suits travel listening, although a listener who wants less bass should explore the app equalizer. Noise cancellation reduces distraction; it does not make every nearby voice disappear.
The seal is part of the system. Position the cups consistently and check them with your usual glasses before deciding how much bass or isolation you hear. Ambient mode is useful for brief awareness of the room, while Speak-to-Chat can pause playback when speaking. Turn that automation off if humming or singing along keeps interrupting the music.
Design and Comfort
- Approximately 254 g without cable
- Folding frame
- Included case
The inward-folding design is the clearest practical distinction from the WH-1000XM5. It can be easier to fit into a packed bag, and the supplied case gives the hinges and cups a defined place to sit. Do not confuse folding convenience with permission to compress the headphones beneath heavy equipment.
Sony provides a paid US headband repair route for the XM4 and XM5 through its authorized service partner. That is useful ownership information, not a prediction that every unit will fail or a promise of free coverage. Check repair terms against the actual damage before replacing an otherwise working pair. The headphone is not waterproof, so it is a poor choice for wet exercise.
Connectivity
- Bluetooth 5.0
- SBC, AAC and LDAC
- 3.5 mm analog
Multipoint allows a phone and computer to stay connected, with one audio stream playing at a time. On this model, enabling two-device connection disables LDAC. Decide whether easy switching or that codec matters more; a codec badge is less useful than a connection that serves the daily workflow.
The analog cable provides listening with power on or off. Power is required for active processing, and the included cable does not carry the headphone microphones for calls. USB-C is for charging rather than USB audio. A computer with no analog socket needs an appropriate audio adapter for wired listening, not simply a USB cable.
Battery Life
- Up to 30 hours with ANC
- Up to 38 hours without ANC
- Approximately 3-hour charge
Sony’s 30-hour ANC and 38-hour ANC-off maxima use AAC with power-consuming processing disabled. LDAC reduces those listed limits to 24 and 30 hours. The useful comparison is therefore the mode you will use, rather than the largest number on the box.
A ten-minute charge is rated for up to five hours of playback, which can help before leaving home. Build in charging time before a long trip and keep the analog cable in the case. Passive wired playback is a useful fallback, but it does not preserve active noise cancellation when the battery is empty.
Alternatives
The WH-1000XM3 is the direct predecessor. The XM4’s two-device connection, wearing detection and Speak-to-Chat are clearer reasons to prefer it for a fresh purchase than an assumed improvement in every part of the listening experience. A working XM3 does not need replacing merely because the model number is older.
The WH-1000XM5 uses a nonfolding frame and a different driver design; its higher number alone should not decide the purchase. If carrying weight and a lower outlay matter more than a premium case, compare the lighter WH-CH720N. Judge the actual offers and the features that solve the trip or workday.
Verdict
The WH-1000XM4 is a sensible older premium option when its price leaves a meaningful saving and folding portability matters. Accept the LDAC-versus-multipoint choice, keep the case in use and treat the battery figures as mode-dependent. Its practical travel features are stronger reasons to buy than its former flagship status.