Sony WH-1000XM4 Silver
Score: 88/100
Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen
Score: 85/100Rankings
The Sony WH-1000XM4 (Silver) is a premium wireless over-ear headphone delivering industry-leading ANC, LDAC high-resolution streaming, and a suite of smart features. It offers long battery life, multipoint pairing, and app-based customization, though it lacks aptX support and water resistance.
Second-generation AirPods Pro deliver top-tier ANC, adaptive transparency and spatial audio in an ultra-light package with modern USB-C charging, though they lack hi-res codec support and extensive customization.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
30 hoursbest | 6 hours | |
| ↓ lower better | 254 g | 5 gbest |
40 mmbest | — | |
38 hoursbest | — | |
| ↓ lower better | 10 minutesbest | — |
105 dB SPLbest | — | |
1 yearsbest | 1 yearsbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Build & Design(1) | ||
Weight (g) | 254 g | 5 g |
Battery & Power(1) | ||
Battery Life (ANC On) (hours) | 30 hours | 6 hours |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers universally rank the WH-1000XM4 among the best noise-cancelling headphones, highlighting its superior ANC, long battery life, LDAC high-resolution streaming, and comfortable design.
Everyday users overwhelmingly praise the WH-1000XM4 for its powerful ANC, impressive battery endurance, and convenient Speak-to-Chat, while noting issues with call quality in windy settings and touch-control sensitivity.
“ANC is incredible-blocks out airplane engines completely.”
“Battery lasts for days, even with heavy use.”
“Speak-to-Chat is a game-changer for quick conversations.”
Professional reviewers, notably PCMag, commend the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) for their rich, balanced sound and industry-leading active noise cancellation, highlighting Conversation Aware and the case's built-in speaker, while noting the absence of hi-res codec support and a fixed EQ as drawbacks.
Everyday users rave about the superior noise cancellation, immersive spatial audio, and convenience of stem-swipe volume control, while also noting fit issues for certain ear shapes and limited Android functionality.
