Sony WH-1000XM4
Score: 92/100
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2
Score: 91/100Rankings
The Sony WH-1000XM4 remains a benchmark for premium wireless noise-cancelling headphones, offering top-tier ANC, high-resolution audio support, and a suite of smart features with excellent battery life. It is ideal for travelers, remote workers, and audiophiles seeking premium sound and comfort.
The Px8 S2 delivers audiophile-grade sound, luxurious materials, and a versatile feature set, including hybrid ANC and a 30-hour battery. While its ANC and transparency mode lag behind market leaders, the headphone excels in build quality and high-resolution wireless playback.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
30 hoursbest | 30 hoursbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 453.6 g | 310 gbest |
40 mmbest | 40 mmbest | |
38 hoursbest | — | |
| ↓ lower better | 10 minutesbest | 15 minutes |
105 dB SPLbest | — | |
10 mbest | — | |
1 years | 2 yearsbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Audio(1) | ||
Noise Cancellation Type | Active | Hybrid |
Connectivity(2) | ||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 |
Supported Audio Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX Classic, AAC, SBC |
Build & Design(1) | ||
Weight (g) | 453.6 g | 310 g |
Battery & Power(1) | ||
Fast Charge Time (minutes) | 10 minutes | 15 minutes |
Warranty(1) | ||
Warranty Period (years) | 1 years | 2 years |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers hailed the WH-1000XM4 as the benchmark for noise-cancelling headphones at launch, praising its ANC, sound fidelity, comfort, battery endurance, and intelligent features.
Everyday users overwhelmingly praise the XM4's noise cancellation, sound quality, comfort, and quick-charge convenience, while noting occasional sensitivity of Speak-to-Chat and lack of water resistance.
“The noise cancellation is incredible-blocks out airplane engines and office chatter completely.”
“Sound is rich and balanced, especially with LDAC enabled.”
“So comfortable I forget I'm wearing them during long flights.”
Professional reviewers praise the Px8 S2 for its audiophile-grade sound signature, luxurious materials, and versatile connectivity, noting that ANC falls short of market leaders but overall sound quality and build are outstanding.
Everyday users rave about the sound clarity, comfort, and comprehensive package, especially the inclusion of both digital and analog cables. Complaints focus on ANC not matching top competitors, echoey transparency mode, small tactile buttons, and the unconventional folding design.
