Over-Ear
Dyson OnTrac
68Good
$500
Full review dataDyson OnTrac 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.
Dyson OnTrac
Sound7.0
Noise cancelling7.5
Battery9.0
Calls6.5
Value5.0
Sony WH-1000XM4
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | Dyson OnTrac | Sony WH-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $500 | $300 |
| HearWiki score | 68 / 100 · Good | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2024 | 2020 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 6-21000 Hz | 4 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 16 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 94 dB/mW | 105 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5 | 5 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LHDC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 55 h | 38 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 55 h | 30 h |
| Full charge time | - | 180 min |
| Quick charge | 10 min = 2.5 h | 10 min = 5 h |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| ANC type | hybrid | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | No | Yes |
| Wear detection | No | Yes |
| Controls | touch | touch |
| Voice assistant | - | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 451 g | 254 g |
| Water resistance | none | none |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 9 | 2 |
What reviewers said
Dyson OnTrac
The Dyson OnTrac is a premium wireless over-ear headphone that emphasizes long-lasting endurance and customizable aesthetics, delivering solid active noise cancellation and a generally balanced sound profile. While its build and battery life are standout features, its audio performance and overall value don't quite reach the top tier of the category, making it a good but not class-leading choice.
- Pro:Exceptional 55-hour battery life
- Pro:Strong hybrid noise cancellation
- Pro:Comfortable and customizable design
- Con:Lacks multipoint connectivity
- Con:No custom EQ in the app
- Con:Sound lacks excitement for some
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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