Over-Ear
Sony WH-1000XM4
88Outstanding
$300
Full review dataSony WH-1000XM4 vs SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite: 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
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite
68Good
$600
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
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite
Sound7.0
Noise cancelling7.0
Battery7.5
Calls6.5
Value6.0
Specifications
| Spec | Sony WH-1000XM4 | SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $300 | $600 |
| HearWiki score | 88 / 100 · Outstanding | 68 / 100 · Good |
| Released | 2020 | 2025 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver type | - | Carbon fiber speaker drivers |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 4 Hz - 40,000 Hz | 10-40000 Hz |
| Impedance | 16 Ω | 38 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 105 dB/mW | 101 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless range | - | 10 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 38 h | 30 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 30 h | - |
| Battery incl. case | - | 60 h |
| Full charge time | 180 min | 180 min |
| Quick charge | 10 min = 5 h | 15 min = 4 h |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | - |
| ANC type | adaptive | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Wear detection | Yes | No |
| Controls | touch | both |
| Voice assistant | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 254 g | 380 g |
| Case weight | - | 143 g |
| Water resistance | none | none |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 2 | 2 |
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
SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite is a high-end wireless gaming headset that pairs active noise cancellation with a 40mm dynamic driver for immersive sound. It offers a long 30-hour battery life, Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint, and an extended frequency response up to 40kHz, making it a versatile choice for both gaming and music. The included carrying case adds extra charge, bringing total playtime to 60 hours.
- Pro:Hybrid ANC with transparency mode
- Pro:Long battery life with charging case
- Pro:Supports high-res codecs like LDAC and LC3
- Con:Premium price point may be steep
- Con:Heavier than some competitors at 380g
- Con:No wired connection option mentioned
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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