Sony WH-1000XM4 Black
Score: 90/100
Sonos Ace
Score: 88/100Rankings
The Sony WH-1000XM4 are premium over-ear headphones featuring industry-leading active noise cancellation and high-resolution audio via LDAC. Their bulk and premium price may deter some users. Perfect for travelers and audiophiles who value top-tier ANC and sound quality.
The Sonos Ace are premium over-ear headphones featuring adaptive ANC, Dolby Atmos head-tracking, and a 30-hour battery life. Their ANC can be less consistent on subtle noises and the wired option is limited to analog audio only. Best for Sonos ecosystem owners and travelers who value immersive sound and strong low-frequency noise cancellation.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
30 hoursbest | 30 hoursbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 254 gbest | 312 g |
| ↓ lower better | 10 minutesbest | 180 minutes |
40,000 Hzbest | — | |
40 mmbest | 40 mmbest | |
10 mbest | — | |
16 Ωbest | — | |
105 dBbest | — |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Battery & Power(1) | ||
Quick Charge Time (minutes) | 10 minutes | 180 minutes |
Features(1) | ||
Noise Cancellation Type | Active | Adaptive |
Connectivity(1) | ||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.4 |
Build & Design(1) | ||
Weight (g) | 254 g | 312 g |
Audio(1) | ||
Supported Audio Codecs | LDAC, AAC, SBC | AptX Lossless, Apple Lossless |
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 Sonos Ace for its industry-leading ANC, especially against low-frequency noise, its immersive Dolby Atmos head-tracking, and the convenience of TV Audio Swap within the Sonos ecosystem. They also highlight the clear call performance and comfortable design, while noting that the ANC is less consistent on very quiet sounds and that the wired option is limited to analog audio without digital support.
Everyday users largely praise the comfort of the memory-foam cushions, the impressive 30-hour battery life, and the strong isolation of engine rumble. Recurring criticisms focus on the ANC's occasional inconsistency with subtle noises and the lack of a digital wired audio path, which some audiophiles find limiting.
“"solid acoustic seal, wide adjustments, and feature-packed controls like TV Swap"”
