Over-Ear
KEF Nothing Headphone (1)
72Good
$299
Full review dataKEF Nothing Headphone (1) 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.
KEF Nothing Headphone (1)
Sound7.5
Noise cancelling6.5
Battery8.5
Calls7.0
Value7.0
Sony WH-1000XM4
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | KEF Nothing Headphone (1) | Sony WH-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $299 | $300 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2025 | 2020 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | 40 mm dynamic driver | dynamic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-40kHz | 4 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 16 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 105 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Codecs | AAC, SBC, LDAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 80 h | 38 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 35 h | 30 h |
| Full charge time | - | 180 min |
| Quick charge | 5 min = 5 h | 10 min = 5 h |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| ANC type | adaptive | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Wear detection | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | both | touch |
| Voice assistant | ChatGPT | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 329 g | 254 g |
| Case weight | 264 g | - |
| Water resistance | IP52 | none |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 6 | 2 |
| Call noise reduction | 4-mic ENC | - |
What reviewers said
KEF Nothing Headphone (1)
This over-ear wireless headphone blends a standout design with versatile connectivity, including Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint pairing, and high-resolution LDAC support. It offers adaptive noise cancellation, a transparency mode, and a robust 80-hour battery life without ANC (35 hours with it), making it a solid choice for everyday listening. The 40mm dynamic drivers deliver a wide frequency response, while the companion app and EQ customization add further flexibility.
- Pro:Long battery life, especially with ANC off
- Pro:LDAC support for high-res audio streaming
- Pro:Adaptive ANC and transparency modes
- Con:ANC battery life is significantly shorter than non-ANC
- Con:No official water resistance rating beyond basic IP52
- Con:Plastic build may not feel premium to all users
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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