Explore the Sony WH-1000XM4, a leading choice for premium ANC headphones under ₹20,000, known for its excellent noise-canceling capabilities and enhanced comfort.

Variants and Pricing

The Sony WH-1000XM4 is available in three color variants: black, silver, and a limited edition blue. The list price in India is ₹29,990 on the Sony official website, though you can get it for ₹20,989 at Amazon, making it a competitive option in the premium ANC headphone market.

Buy Sony WH-1000XM4 at Amazon

Design and Comfort

The WH-1000XM4 maintains the same sleek design as its predecessor, blending sophisticated styling with exceptional comfort. However, Sony has made minor tweaks to enhance comfort. Super-soft, pressure-relieving earpads in foamed urethane evenly distribute pressure and increase ear/pad contact for a stable fit. Weighing in at 254 grams, they are one gram lighter than the WH-1000XM3, making them comfortable for extended use.

Controls and Customization

The button layout remains mostly unchanged, with the NC/Ambient button now labeled "custom," allowing for programmable functions through the app. Users can toggle between noise canceling and ambient sound modes or activate Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. A new sensor inside the left earcup detects when the headphones are worn, automatically pausing the audio when taken off, which helps conserve battery life.

Performance

Equipped with Bluetooth 5.0, the WH-1000XM4 features enhanced processing power. The headphones boast a 30-hour battery life with noise canceling on and 38 hours with it off. A quick 10-minute charge via USB-C provides an additional 5 hours of playback. The WH-1000XM4 supports SBC, AAC, and LDAC streaming codecs, though it does not support AptX, which was available on the XM3.

Additional Features

One notable upgrade is the multipoint Bluetooth pairing, which allows the headphones to connect to two devices simultaneously, making it easy to switch between them. The Quick Attention mode, where placing your hand over the right earcup pauses the audio and lets in ambient sound, is still present. A new Speak-to-Chat mode pauses the audio when you start speaking, resuming after a set period or manually by touching the earcup.

Sony has also improved voice call quality with new Precise Voice Pickup technology, controlling five microphones for clearer calls. Additionally, the touch controls have been optimized to work better in cold weather, a common complaint with the previous model.

Conclusion

The Sony WH-1000XM4 builds on the strong foundation of the WH-1000XM3, offering subtle yet meaningful upgrades. With improved comfort, enhanced performance, and new features like multipoint pairing and Speak-to-Chat, the WH-1000XM4 remains one of the top choices for noise-canceling headphones. Whether you're a frequent traveler, a remote worker, or an audiophile, these headphones deliver a premium listening experience with unmatched convenience and sound quality.

Buy Sony WH-1000XM4 at Amazon