Over-Ear
Sony WH-1000XM4
88Outstanding
$300
Full review dataSony WH-1000XM4 vs Sony WH-1000XM6: 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-1000XM6
78Great
$398
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Sony WH-1000XM4
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value8.0
Sony WH-1000XM6
Sound8.0
Noise cancelling8.5
Battery7.5
Calls7.0
Value7.5
Specifications
| Spec | Sony WH-1000XM4 | Sony WH-1000XM6 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $300 | $398 |
| HearWiki score | 88 / 100 · Outstanding | 78 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2020 | 2025 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 30 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 4 Hz - 40,000 Hz | 4 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 16 Ω | 48 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 105 dB/mW | 103 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 38 h | 28 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 30 h | - |
| Full charge time | 180 min | 210 min |
| Quick charge | 10 min = 5 h | 3 min = 3 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 | touch | buttons |
| Voice assistant | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa | supported |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 254 g | 254 g |
| Water resistance | none | none |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 2 | 12 |
| Microphone | - | Yes |
What reviewers said
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
Sony WH-1000XM6
This premium over-ear headphone delivers class-leading adaptive noise cancellation and a well-balanced sound profile, with support for high-resolution LDAC streaming. Its 30-hour battery life, multipoint Bluetooth 5.3, and intuitive button controls make it a versatile choice for both travel and daily listening. The lightweight build and 12-microphone array also ensure clear calls and effective transparency mode.
- Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:Supports LDAC for high-quality wireless audio
- Pro:Comfortable and light at 254g
- Con:No water resistance rating
- Con:Battery drops to 24 hours with ANC on
- Con:No touch controls—buttons only
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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