Over-Ear
Nothing Headphone (a)
78Great
$293
Full review dataNothing Headphone (a) 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 (a)
Sound8.0
Noise cancelling7.5
Battery9.5
Calls7.0
Value8.5
Sony WH-1000XM4
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | Nothing Headphone (a) | Sony WH-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $293 | $300 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2026 | 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 |
| Sensitivity | - | 105 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.4 | 5.0 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 135 h | 38 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 75 h | 30 h |
| Full charge time | - | 180 min |
| Quick charge | 5 min = 8 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 | No | Yes |
| Controls | buttons | touch |
| Voice assistant | virtual assistants like ChatGPT | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 310 g | 254 g |
| Water resistance | IP52 | none |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 4 | 2 |
| Call noise reduction | AI call noise reduction | - |
What reviewers said
Nothing Headphone (a)
The Nothing Headphone (a) is a budget-friendly wireless over-ear option that brings strong core features like adaptive ANC, LDAC support, and excellent battery life for the price. It delivers solid sound quality and everyday usability, though it makes some sacrifices in comfort and premium refinement compared to pricier rivals.
- Pro:Outstanding battery life of up to 137 hours without ANC
- Pro:Supports high-res audio codecs like LDAC and LDHC
- Pro:Adaptive noise cancellation and transparency mode included
- Con:Slightly heavy at 310 grams, affecting comfort over long sessions
- Con:Sound detail is not as refined as top competitors
- Con:No wear detection feature
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.
Compare something else
Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.