Sony WH-1000XM4 Black
Score: 84/100
Apple AirPods Pro 2 Lightning
Score: 81/100Rankings
The Sony WH-1000XM4 are flagship over-ear wireless headphones delivering industry-leading ANC and up to 30 hours of battery life with quick charging. Their bulkier build and higher latency may deter gamers and gym-goers. They excel for frequent travelers and users seeking high-resolution audio with a robust feature set.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) provide pro-level ANC, a H2 chip for richer sound, and up to 30 hours of total battery life with a MagSafe USB-C case. The case's weight and occasional connectivity drops are drawbacks. Perfect for Apple users wanting long-lasting, feature-rich earbuds.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
30 hoursbest | 6 hours | |
38 hoursbest | — | |
| ↓ lower better | 254 g | 240 gbest |
| ↓ lower better | 10 minutes | 5 minutesbest |
40 mmbest | — | |
16 Ωbest | — | |
10 mbest | — | |
5best | 2 |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Battery & Power(2) | ||
Battery Life (ANC On) (hours) | 30 hours | 6 hours |
Quick Charge Time (minutes) | 10 minutes | 5 minutes |
Connectivity(1) | ||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 |
Controls(1) | ||
Touch Controls | true | false |
Audio(2) | ||
Noise Cancellation Type | Active | Active Noise Cancelling |
Microphone Count | 5 | 2 |
Build & Design(1) | ||
Weight (g) | 254 g | 240 g |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers commend the WH-1000XM4 for its industry-leading ANC, long battery life, and warm, low-distortion sound enabled by the QN1 processor, while noting the bulkier chassis and higher latency make it less suitable for gaming or ultra-portable scenarios.
Everyday users consistently praise the headphones for blocking airplane and commuter noise, lasting battery life, and comfortable all-day wear, but they frequently mention the bulkiness, occasional app connectivity issues, and a bass-heavy default sound that may need EQ tweaking.
Professional reviewers commend the AirPods Pro 2 for delivering the best-in-class noise cancellation, richer sound thanks to the H2 chip, and practical upgrades such as swipe volume control and a USB-C MagSafe case. They also highlight the extended 30-hour battery life, Vision Pro lossless audio support, and IP54 rating as significant improvements over the previous generation, positioning the earbuds as the premium option in Apple's lineup.
Everyday users repeatedly praise the effortless pairing, strong ANC for travel and commuting, and the secure fit provided by the extra-small ear tips, calling the experience transformative for Apple owners. Common complaints revolve around occasional Bluetooth drop-outs in crowded places, the case attracting fingerprints, and the bulkier feel compared with non-Pro AirPods, while Android users often deem the product overkill.
