Over-Ear
Skullcandy Hesh® 540 ANC
72Good
$160
Full review dataSkullcandy Hesh® 540 ANC 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.
Skullcandy Hesh® 540 ANC
Sound7.5
Noise cancelling7.0
Battery9.0
Calls6.5
Value8.0
Sony WH-1000XM4
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | Skullcandy Hesh® 540 ANC | Sony WH-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $160 | $300 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 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 | 20Hz-20kHz | 4 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 36 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 119.4 dB/mW | 105 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.x | 5 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 65 h | 38 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 50 h | 30 h |
| Full charge time | 60 min | 180 min |
| Quick charge | 10 min = 2 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Wear detection | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | buttons | touch |
| Voice assistant | yes | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 248 g | 254 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 4 | 2 |
| Call noise reduction | Clear Voice Smart Mic | - |
What reviewers said
Skullcandy Hesh® 540 ANC
The Skullcandy Hesh 540 ANC are over-ear wireless headphones offering adaptive noise cancellation, a long-lasting battery (up to 65 hours without ANC, 50 with it), and a lightweight foldable design. They deliver very good sound and effective noise reduction for the price, though they have some sonic quirks and limited codec support. With multipoint connectivity, wear detection, and a customizable EQ via the app, they pack a strong feature set for everyday use.
- Pro:Excellent battery life, even with ANC on
- Pro:Lightweight and foldable for portability
- Pro:Multipoint Bluetooth and wear detection included
- Con:Only supports SBC codec, no AAC or aptX
- Con:Noticeable sonic quirks in certain frequencies
- Con:Physical buttons may feel limited to some 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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