100
What Hi-Fi?Specialist
“What Hi-Fi? Awards 2022 winner. No longer the latest and greatest Sony wireless earbuds, but still stunners”
Publisher score: 5/5
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EarbudsEarbudsBest value
Sony WF-1000XM4
$199 · ANC / LDAC · 5y 1m old
90
Review
Radar
8.7
User score
Image credit: Official product image
Spec sheet
Key features
We only show details we can tie to a product-specific source.
Build and fit
- Weight
- Approx. 1.45 oz
- Wearing style
- Truly wireless earbuds
- Water resistance
- IPX4
- Driver size
- 6 mm
- Driver type
- Truly wireless
- Driver material
- High-power neodymium magnets
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz Bluetooth; 20 Hz - 40,000 Hz LDAC
Wireless and connections
- Noise control
- Noise cancelling with ambient sound and Quick Attention
- Charging
- Approx. 1.5 hrs earbud charge time
- Battery
- Max. 8 hrs NC on / 12 hrs NC off
- Connections
- Bluetooth, USB-C charging
- BT codecs
- SBC, AAC, LDAC
- Bluetooth
- Bluetooth 5.2
Review evidence
Audio specialist reviews
77
“The market for wireless earphones is a fast-evolving one, and the Sony WF-1000XM4 pushes the category further.”
Publisher score: 7.7/10
Review evidence
Tech publication reviews
100
Pocket-lintRead review ↗
“Sony has done it again. It's taken an already excellent pair of noise-cancelling 'buds and improved almost every aspect, resulting in a class-leader.”
Publisher score: 5/5
100
TechRadar
“Meet the new boss”
Publisher score: 5/5
100
Expert ReviewsRead review ↗
“The Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds are the complete package, offering first-rate sound quality, effective ANC and numerous useful features”
Publisher score: 5/5
90
TechHiveRead review ↗
“These true-wireless headphones knocked our socks off with their music, phone-call, and noise-cancelling abilities.”
Publisher score: 4.5/5
90
Digital TrendsRead review ↗
“Sony's flagship earbuds get a slew of awesome upgrades in a much smaller design.”
Publisher score: 9/10
88
CNETRead review ↗
“While they cost more than their predecessor, Sony's new WF-1000XM4 may just be the best all-around true-wireless earbuds available today.”
Publisher score: 8.8/10
85
The VergeRead review ↗
“With its new WF-1000XM4 noise-canceling earbuds, Sony is looking to topple the Apple AirPods Pro, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro, and other competitors. Thanks to superb sound and battery life, Son...”
Publisher score: 8.5/10 · 62mo ago
85
Tom's Guide
“A new design, more features, and enhanced hallmarks give the Sony WF-1000XM4 mass appeal”
Publisher score: 4.25/5 · 36mo ago
80
“The Sony WF-1000XM4 are expensive but promise industry-leading ANC and sound quality. Do they deliver? Find out in our review.”
Publisher score: 8/10
Best for
pocket carrycallsgym bagsAndroid hi-res listeners
Buying notes
Value todayExcellent buy
Top-tier review score at a mainstream price. 90/100 at $199. Uses the lowest in-stock retailer price we can see.
Worth checking
Verify ANC pressure, voice pickup, and transparency handling in train, street, and office noise.
Score distribution
90–100
6
80–89
4
70–79
1
60–69
0
0–59
0
Quick stats
Highest100
Median90
Lowest77
Reviews11
Your take
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Further reading
More review reading
RTINGSCoverage
Sony WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless Review
Worth reading
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, ...
Review article
Alternatives
