Over-Ear
Sennheiser PXC 550 WIRELESS
72Good
$344
Full review dataSennheiser PXC 550 WIRELESS 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.
Sennheiser PXC 550 WIRELESS
Sound7.5
Noise cancelling6.5
Battery7.0
Calls6.0
Value6.5
Sony WH-1000XM4
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | Sennheiser PXC 550 WIRELESS | Sony WH-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $344 | $300 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2016 | 2020 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | - | 2 |
| Frequency response | 17Hz-23kHz | 4 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 46 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 105 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Wireless | Yes | - |
| Bluetooth | 4.2 | 5 |
| Bluetooth version | 4.2 | 5.0 |
| Codecs | SBC, aptX, aptX LL, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | - | 38 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 20 h | 30 h |
| Full charge time | 180 min | 180 min |
| Quick charge | - | 10 min = 5 h |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| ANC type | adaptive | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | - | Yes |
| Companion app | - | Yes |
| Custom EQ | - | Yes |
| Wear detection | - | Yes |
| Controls | touch | touch |
| Voice assistant | - | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 227 g | 254 g |
| Water resistance | none | none |
| USB-C | No | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 3 | 2 |
| Call noise reduction | 3-mic beamforming array | - |
What reviewers said
Sennheiser PXC 550 WIRELESS
The Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless is a travel-oriented over-ear headphone that pairs a warm, full-bodied sound signature with hybrid active noise cancellation and aptX support. Its lightweight build, long battery life (up to 30 hours without ANC), and quick charging make it a solid choice for frequent flyers, though its noise isolation and touch controls receive mixed feedback. Overall, it's a versatile performer that shines in comfort and sound quality but falls short of top-tier ANC rivals.
- Pro:Comfortable and lightweight for long listening sessions
- Pro:Rich, classic Sennheiser sound with aptX support
- Pro:Excellent battery life (up to 30 hours without ANC)
- Con:Noise cancellation is decent but not class-leading
- Con:Touch controls can be finicky or unresponsive
- Con:No USB-C charging or multipoint connection
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.