Over-Ear Headphones
Sony WH-1000XM5
8.6/10SoundGuys scoreRead our review ›
$239.99at Amazon
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Sony
Sony WH-1000XM4C
Sometimes, older is better.
noise cancelling
8.7/ 10
ANCNoise cancelling8.7
0.010.0
At 8.7, its noise cancelling beats 87% of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 61 of the 238 we've cataloged.
See the lab data ↓Frequency response · Isolation · Noise cancelling
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Key specs
Battery Life Wireless
34 hBelow average34 h
11 h100 h
below average for over-ear headphones — based on 156 of 238 we've cataloged.
Bluetooth Version
6.05.028%5.325%5.216%6.06%
6.0 appears on 6% of the 147 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 238).
Connection Type
Most commonWired-3.5mm48%Bluetooth44%Wired-usb-c7%Others2%
Bluetooth is the most common — on 44% of the 239 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 238).
Weight
253 gBelow average253 g
120 g427 g
below average for over-ear headphones — based on 198 of 238 we've cataloged.
Battery
- Battery Life Wireless
- 34 h
- Battery Life Anc On
- 27 h
- Battery
- Yes
- Fast Charging
- Yes
Connectivity
- Bluetooth Version
- 6.0
- Connection Type
- Bluetooth, wired-3.5mm
- Bluetooth Codec
- AAC, LDAC, SBC
- Multipoint Devices
- 2 devices
- Headphone Jack
- Yes
Design
- Weight
- 253 g
- Color Options
- Black, lavender, silver
- Foldable
- Yes
Features
- Spatial Audio
- 360-reality-audio
- Companion App
- IOS + Android
- Control Type
- Physical buttons, touch controls
- Eq Customization
- Presets only
Sound
- Acoustic Design
- Closed-back
- Ambient Mode
- Standard
- Anc Modes
- Off,anc,transparency
- Driver Size
- 40 mm
- Noise Cancellation Type
- Active
Build
- Water Resistance
- No
- Material Ear Cups
- Faux-leather
Identity
- Model Number
- WH-1000XM4C
Microphone
- Microphone
- Yes
Release
- Date
- 2026-09-07
- Msrp Usd
- 299.99 USD
- Year
- 2026
Lab data
How we test ›Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
Sony WH-1000XM4CSoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve
Measured frequency response (dB relative) against the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve. When the measurement goes above the dashed line, that frequency is louder than our preference curve, and when it goes below: it's quieter. Use the curve for comparison purposes only, as your taste may vary.
| Frequency (Hz) | Response (dB) |
|---|---|
| 20 | 7.6 |
| 25 | 7.8 |
| 32 | 7.5 |
| 40 | 6.8 |
| 50 | 5.9 |
| 63 | 4.8 |
| 80 | 4.0 |
| 100 | 3.8 |
| 125 | 3.2 |
| 160 | 1.3 |
| 200 | 0.5 |
| 250 | -0.2 |
| 315 | -1.0 |
| 400 | -2.3 |
| 500 | -1.7 |
| 630 | -2.1 |
| 800 | -2.3 |
| 1000 | -0.1 |
| 1250 | 0.1 |
| 1600 | 0.7 |
| 2000 | 1.3 |
| 2500 | 3.3 |
| 3150 | 7.4 |
| 4000 | 9.5 |
| 5000 | 7.8 |
| 6300 | 3.3 |
| 8000 | 5.0 |
| 10000 | 7.3 |
| 12500 | 0.2 |
| 16000 | -0.5 |
| 20000 | -9.5 |
Sony WH-1000XM4C
Passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 3.4 |
| 26 | 0.5 |
| 33 | 0.4 |
| 41 | 0.7 |
| 52 | 0.5 |
| 65 | 1.1 |
| 82 | 0.1 |
| 103 | -1.6 |
| 130 | -1.0 |
| 163 | -1.4 |
| 205 | 0.8 |
| 259 | 3.1 |
| 325 | 7.9 |
| 410 | 8.3 |
| 516 | 12.3 |
| 613 | 19.1 |
| 772 | 21.1 |
| 972 | 24.3 |
| 1220 | 30.2 |
| 1540 | 31.4 |
| 1940 | 26.9 |
| 2440 | 29.6 |
| 3070 | 27.5 |
| 3870 | 36.4 |
| 4870 | 43.5 |
| 6130 | 38.8 |
| 7720 | 42.4 |
| 9720 | 40.8 |
| 12200 | 43.1 |
| 15400 | 44.6 |
| 19400 | 37.3 |
Sony WH-1000XM4C
Total attenuation (dB) with ANC on — passive isolation plus active noise cancelling. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Total attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 5.8 |
| 26 | 8.2 |
| 33 | 17.4 |
| 41 | 22.0 |
| 52 | 27.2 |
| 65 | 29.0 |
| 82 | 27.6 |
| 103 | 26.7 |
| 130 | 29.9 |
| 163 | 29.9 |
| 205 | 25.5 |
| 259 | 30.7 |
| 325 | 28.4 |
| 410 | 27.0 |
| 516 | 30.4 |
| 613 | 29.5 |
| 772 | 21.8 |
| 972 | 23.1 |
| 1220 | 25.0 |
| 1540 | 33.8 |
| 1940 | 27.5 |
| 2440 | 29.2 |
| 3070 | 24.8 |
| 3870 | 34.8 |
| 4870 | 46.5 |
| 6130 | 38.6 |
| 7720 | 40.5 |
| 9720 | 42.5 |
| 12200 | 44.5 |
| 15400 | 44.1 |
| 19400 | 37.0 |
SoundGuys review
Noise cancelling8.7
Isolation7.3
Battery life9.5
Comfort & fit8.5
Connectivity9.0
Design8.0
The verdict
The Sony WH-1000XM4C is a solid refresh of a classic set of wireless headphones, with updated hardware and performance for 2026.
✓Liked: Price, Effective ANC, Bluetooth 6.0
✕Could be better: No battery care feature, No Auracast
Owners
How we verify ownersNobody who owns the Sony WH-1000XM4C has written in yet.
Owner notes are not paid for, not solicited from specific owners, and not edited by us. The commission SoundGuys may earn on this page comes from retail links, never from notes.
Own the Sony WH-1000XM4C?
Three answers, four quick reads, one sentence nobody tells you before buying. Shown under a pseudonym.
Video reviews and comparisons for this product.
Features & Opinions
More from the team ›Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.
The Sony XM4C prove we don't need a new headphone model every yearSony's newest headphones aren't new at all, and that's kind of the point.
Adam BirneyManaging EditorI didn’t love the Sony 1000X The Collexion until I tried this settingSometimes the best upgrade is already hiding in the app.
Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterClip-on earbuds fixed my biggest issue with open-earsClip-on earbuds offer a secure fit, better sound, and zero pressure.
Brady SnyderContributorI ditched my AirPods Pro 3 for Sony's WF-1000XM6 and only lasted a weekI thought the more expensive earbuds would win. I was wrong.Dave CarrVideo Producer/Writer3 headphones I would buy instead of the AirPods Max 2These premium headphones deliver class-leading ANC, longer battery life, and more flexibility for less money.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterSony somehow made the name of its new headphones even worseNobody knows what it means, but it's provocative.Adam BirneyManaging EditorWired headphones are making a comeback: Here's whyIt's about time wired earbuds and headphones had their redemption moment.
Lil KatzContributorI've reviewed headphones for over a decade: Here are 5 things I wish they did differentlyHeadphone companies: help me help you
Christian ThomasEditor-at-large5 ways headphones are going to change in 2027Here's where things are headed.Christian ThomasEditor-at-large
Adam BirneyManaging EditorI didn’t love the Sony 1000X The Collexion until I tried this settingSometimes the best upgrade is already hiding in the app.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterClip-on earbuds fixed my biggest issue with open-earsClip-on earbuds offer a secure fit, better sound, and zero pressure.Brady SnyderContributorI ditched my AirPods Pro 3 for Sony's WF-1000XM6 and only lasted a weekI thought the more expensive earbuds would win. I was wrong.Dave CarrVideo Producer/Writer3 headphones I would buy instead of the AirPods Max 2These premium headphones deliver class-leading ANC, longer battery life, and more flexibility for less money.Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterSony somehow made the name of its new headphones even worseNobody knows what it means, but it's provocative.Adam BirneyManaging EditorWired headphones are making a comeback: Here's whyIt's about time wired earbuds and headphones had their redemption moment.Lil KatzContributorI've reviewed headphones for over a decade: Here are 5 things I wish they did differentlyHeadphone companies: help me help youChristian ThomasEditor-at-large5 ways headphones are going to change in 2027Here's where things are headed.Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeMore Over-Ear Headphones
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