Over-Ear
Apple Airpods Max
78Great
$515
Full review dataApple Airpods Max vs Sony WH-1000XM4: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sony WH-1000XM4 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Sony WH-1000XM4 - Outstanding overall at around $300.
Over-Ear
Sony WH-1000XM4
88Outstanding
$300
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Apple Airpods Max
Sound8.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery7.0
Calls8.0
Value5.0
Sony WH-1000XM4
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | Apple Airpods Max | Sony WH-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $515 | $300 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2020 | 2020 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | Dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 48 Hz - 20,000 Hz | 4 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | - | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 105 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5 | 5 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 20 h | 38 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 20 h | 30 h |
| Full charge time | - | 180 min |
| Quick charge | 5 minutes = around 1.5 hours | 10 min = 5 h |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | Yes |
| ANC type | hybrid | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | - | Yes |
| Wear detection | - | Yes |
| Controls | both | touch |
| Voice assistant | Siri | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 384.8 g | 254 g |
| Case weight | 134.5 g | - |
| Water resistance | none | none |
| USB-C | No | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 9 | 2 |
What reviewers said
Apple Airpods Max
Apple's premium over-ear wireless headphones deliver robust active noise cancellation and a balanced, detailed sound signature driven by a 40mm dynamic driver. They offer seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem, a comfortable if somewhat heavy build, and solid 20-hour battery life with quick charging. While their performance is impressive, the steep price and lack of modern connectivity options like USB-C may give some buyers pause.
- Pro:Excellent active noise cancellation with adaptive features
- Pro:Clear, well-balanced audio quality
- Pro:Seamless pairing and switching across Apple devices
- Con:Heavier than many competitors, which may cause fatigue
- Con:Premium price tag is hard to justify for all budgets
- Con:No USB-C port for charging or wired use
Sony WH-1000XM4
The Sony WH-1000XM4 are premium wireless over-ears that blend top-tier adaptive noise cancellation with a well-balanced, detailed sound signature. They offer a lengthy 30-hour battery, LDAC support, and a comfortable, lightweight build that still holds up well against newer competitors. With handy features like multipoint pairing, touch controls, and a quick charge function, they remain a versatile choice for daily use and travel.
- Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:Detailed, accurate audio with LDAC support
- Pro:Comfortable and lightweight for long sessions
- Con:No dedicated aptX codec support
- Con:Touch controls can be finicky for some users
- Con:Plastic build feels less premium than price suggests
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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