Over-Ear
Nothing Headphone 1
78Great
$324
Full review dataNothing 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.
Nothing Headphone 1
Sound8.0
Noise cancelling8.0
Battery9.0
Calls7.0
Value8.0
Sony WH-1000XM4
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | Nothing Headphone 1 | Sony WH-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $324 | $300 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2025 | 2020 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 40,000 Hz | 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 = 2.4 h playback | 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Wear detection | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | both | touch |
| Voice assistant | Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair | 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 |
What reviewers said
Nothing Headphone 1
The Nothing Headphone 1 is a stylish over-ear wireless headphone that pairs a distinctive design with a robust feature set, including adaptive ANC, LDAC support, and up to 80 hours of battery life. It delivers solid performance and convenience through multipoint connectivity and quick charging, though its sound quality may not fully justify the premium price for audiophiles. Overall, it's a competitive option that stands out more for its aesthetics and features than for class-leading audio.
- Pro:Distinctive, eye-catching design
- Pro:Excellent battery life without ANC
- Pro:Good codec support including LDAC
- Con:Sound quality doesn't match top-tier rivals
- Con:ANC battery life is notably shorter
- Con:Build feels less premium than expected
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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