Sony WH-1000XM4 Silver
Score: 88/100
Beats Studio Buds Black
Score: 79/100Rankings
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.
Beats Studio Buds are compact true-wireless earbuds that provide a bass-forward sound signature, effective ANC and a respectable 8-hour battery life per earbud. They pair easily across iOS and Android, though they lack wireless charging and in-ear detection.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
30 hoursbest | 8 hours | |
| ↓ lower better | 254 g | 5 gbest |
40 mmbest | — | |
38 hoursbest | — | |
| ↓ lower better | 10 minutes | 5 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 | 5.0 g |
Battery & Power(2) | ||
Battery Life (ANC On) (hours) | 30 hours | 8 hours |
Fast Charge Time (minutes) | 10 minutes | 5 minutes |
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 highlight the Studio Buds as a strong mid-tier contender, noting the dynamic, bass-enhanced sound profile and impressive ANC for the earbud size, while noting the absence of wireless charging and in-ear detection as cost-cutting compromises.
Users consistently praise the earbuds for their rich audio, solid battery life, and effortless pairing across devices. Common complaints focus on fit security, the less natural transparency mode, and the slippery case design.
