Over-Ear
Beats Executive
62Average
$159
Full review dataBeats Executive 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.
Beats Executive
Sound5.5
Noise cancelling5.5
Battery7.0
Calls4.0
Value5.0
Sony WH-1000XM4
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | Beats Executive | Sony WH-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $159 | $300 |
| HearWiki score | 62 / 100 · Average | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2012 | 2020 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | - | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 4 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 105 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | none | 5 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 5.0 |
| Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 25 h | 38 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 30 h |
| Full charge time | - | 180 min |
| Quick charge | - | 10 min = 5 h |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| ANC type | feedback | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | No | Yes |
| Companion app | - | Yes |
| Custom EQ | - | Yes |
| Wear detection | - | Yes |
| Controls | buttons | touch |
| Voice assistant | - | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 340 g | 254 g |
| Water resistance | none | none |
| USB-C | No | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 1 | 2 |
What reviewers said
Beats Executive
The Beats Executive are over-ear wireless headphones with active noise cancellation, offering a comfortable fit and a stylish build. Their sound leans heavily on bass, which some may enjoy, but it comes with a noticeable hiss from the ANC system and lacks overall clarity and dynamics. While they provide decent battery life and effective noise reduction for the price, their performance is inconsistent, making them a mixed pick for most listeners. They also rely entirely on their battery, as they cannot be used passively once drained.
- Pro:Effective noise cancellation for the price
- Pro:Comfortable over-ear fit for extended use
- Pro:Strong bass response for bass-heavy genres
- Con:Audible hiss from the noise-cancelling circuitry
- Con:Bass can be bloated and distort at high volumes
- Con:No passive playback when battery is dead
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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