The Sony WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless are the next generation of the Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless. They come with many of the same features as their predecessor, including active noise cancelling (ANC), support for Sony's 360 Reality Audio feature for virtual surround sound, and an in-app graphic EQ and presets for sound customization. They also support Google Fast Pair and Windows 10 Swift Pair for quick pairing with compatible devices. As of firmware 2.0.0, they even have multi-device pairing. Unlike the previous generation, they support LDAC codec for high-resolution audio too. However, some users have reported battery-draining issues. You can read more about it in our Battery test.
Our Verdict
The Sony WF-1000XM4 are okay for neutral sound. Out of the box, they don't sound very neutral or flat. They have a warm sound profile with cozy vocals and instruments but veiled detail with dull sibilants. This sound is suitable for genres like jazz or classical but can sound lacking if you like bass-heavy genres like EDM and hip-hop. On the upside, their companion app has a graphic EQ and presets to help you find an ideal sound. Once you get a good fit, the buds have consistent audio delivery too.
- Graphic EQ and presets.
- Bad passive soundstage performance.
The Sony WF1000XM4 are very good for commute and travel. These decently comfortable and lightweight in-ears can easily fit into most pockets or bags without a problem. They also have over 10 hours of continuous playback time, and there are two additional charges in their carrying case if you need them. While they have an ANC system, it does a sub-par job of blocking bus and plane engine rumbles. It does a much better job of reducing commuter chit-chat, though.
- ANC can block out ambient chatter.
- Stable and breathable fit.
- Low audio leakage at high volumes.
- Touch controls can be very sensitive.
- ANC struggles with bass-range noise.
The Sony WF1000XM4 are great for sports and fitness. Their small, wireless design makes it easy to take them to the gym or park. Although they don't have stability fins, they do a good job staying in your ear and have a decently comfortable, breathable fit. Unlike their predecessor, they're rated IPX4 for resistance against minor water exposure like very light rain.
- IPX4 rating for water resistance.
- Stable and breathable fit.
- Touch controls can be very sensitive.
The Sony WF-1000XM4 are decent for office use. They have a decently comfortable fit and over 10 hours of continuous battery life, which lasts through long days at the office. Their ANC can also block out office chatter around you, and even if you like to listen to your audio at high volumes, others around you won't hear it. They support multi-device pairing, so you can stay connected to two devices simultaneously. If you need to take calls at the office, the mic has a disappointing recording quality, and your voice sounds muffled.
- ANC can block out ambient chatter.
- Supports multi-device pairing.
- Disappointing recording quality.
- Touch controls can be very sensitive.
The Sony WF1000XM4 aren't suitable for wireless gaming due to their incompatibility with PlayStation and Xbox consoles. They can connect via Βluetooth to PCs but have high latency, meaning you'll notice a delay between your game audio and visuals.
The Sony WF1000XM4 are truly wireless headphones, and you can't use them with a wired connection.
The Sony WF-1000XM4 are acceptable for phone calls. Their integrated mic has a disappointing recording quality, so your voice sounds thin and muffled. It does an okay job of separating it from ambient noise around you too, but your voice can be easily drowned out by background noise. Luckily, these headphones have ANC that can help block out ambient noise around you. While the feature turns off as soon as you start a call and the buds enter 'Talk-Through', allowing you to better hear your surroundings, you can cycle through ANC modes and return to 'ANC On' if you prefer.
- Stable and breathable fit.
- Disappointing recording quality.
Changelog
- Updated Nov 16, 2023: We've added a comparison between these headphones and the Sony WF-1000XM5 in Comfort.
- Updated Nov 02, 2023: The following test groups have been updated following TB 1.6: Wired Connection, Bluetooth Connection, and Wireless Connection (Dongle). There have also been text changes made throughout the review, including to the usages and product comparisons to match these results.
- Updated Nov 02, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.6 , which updates how we measure latency. We've updated and renamed the following test groups: Wired Connection, Bluetooth Connection, and Wireless Connection (Dongle). We've also added new codec latency measurements and provided an audio sample of recorded latency.
- Updated Jun 09, 2023: We've updated this review's text to ensure its accuracy and clarity. There hasn't been a change in results, though.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Sony WF-1000XM4 come in two color variants: 'Black' and 'Silver'. We tested the Black variant; you can see our model's label here. If you encounter another variant of these headphones, please let us know in the forums, and we'll update our review.
Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Sony WF-1000XM4 are the next generation of the Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless. Their ANC does a better job of blocking background noise than their predecessor. However, compared to other premium ANC in-ears like the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless and the Apple AirPods Pro 2, they deliver a sub-par performance when cutting down the low rumble of bus and plane engines. While some users may find their warm, smooth sound profile too dark, their companion app has a graphic EQ and presets to help adjust their sound. They support Google Fast Pair, Windows 10 Swift Pair, and multi-device pairing.
Check out our recommendations for the best noise cancelling earbuds and in-ear headphones, the best noise cancelling headphones, and the best wireless Bluetooth earbuds.
The Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless are the next generation of the Sony WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless. Some upgrades have been added to the XM5, like a new design that makes them more comfortable in-ear and a tweak to their sound profile to rebalance their treble. Their noise isolation performance is significantly better, too, but a large part is due to their memory foam ear tip design, which forms a tight seal in your ear and passively blocks a lot of sound. Overall, they're an improvement from their predecessor and are worth considering if you liked the XM4.
The Sony WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless are the next generation of the Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless. The XM4's ANC can block out more ambient noise, and their battery performance is significantly better. However, the XM3 support NFC pairing and have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer.
The Jabra Elite 85t Truly Wireless are better overall headphones than the Sony WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless. While both in-ears are well-built, the Sony have a significantly better noise isolation and battery performance. However, the Jabra have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer, and more comfortable.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless are slightly better headphones than the Sony WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless. While both headphones are well-built, the Bose have a more stable in-ear fit, a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer, and their ANC can block out more ambient noise around you. However, the Sony have a better battery performance.
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