Head to head
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e vs Sony WH-1000XM4
They split the 4 rankable specs evenly, so cost decides it: Sony WH-1000XM4 costs $51 less.
Catalog as of September 1, 2026
Why, in numbers
Swap
Compare a different headphone
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation$179Anker Soundcore Space One Pro$199AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C)$249Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds$299Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds$299Bose QuietComfort Headphones$349Beats Studio Pro$349Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless$379Sony WH-1000XM5$399Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones$429Sonos Ace$449Apple AirPods Max (USB-C)$549Focal Bathys Hi-Fi Wireless$699Swap
Compare a different headphone
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation$179Anker Soundcore Space One Pro$199AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C)$249Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds$299Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds$299Bose QuietComfort Headphones$349Beats Studio Pro$349Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless$379Sony WH-1000XM5$399Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones$429Sonos Ace$449Apple AirPods Max (USB-C)$549Focal Bathys Hi-Fi Wireless$699Buying for
Your devices
Straight answer
Overall: 2 to 2
Tied overall. Sony WH-1000XM4 is cheaper.
- The 4 rankable overall specs split 2 to 2.
- Saves $51 at list price.
Deal-breakers
tick what would make you walk away
- Trips:Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e · No (swivel earcups)Clear:Sony WH-1000XM4 · Yes (collapsible foldable headband)
- Trips:Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e · 307 g (10.8 oz)Clear:Sony WH-1000XM4 · 254 g (8.95 oz)
- Trips:Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e · No official IP ratingTrips:Sony WH-1000XM4 · No official IP rating
At a glance
The handful of numbers that decide most purchases in this category.
Weight
Bowers & Wilkins
307 g (10.8 oz)
Sony
254 g (8.95 oz)
Active Noise Cancelling≠
Bowers & Wilkins
Yes (Hybrid Noise Cancellation with 6 microphones)
Sony
Yes (HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1 with Dual Noise Sensor)
Battery life≠
Bowers & Wilkins
30 hours (ANC on)
Sony
30 hours (ANC on) / 38 hours (ANC off)
Comfort, Clamp & Travel Fit Check
Ergonomic factors that affect daily comfort, glasses wearers, and luggage space.
Folding & Travel Packability
Standard folding earcups
Folds flat & inward (ultra-compact zippered case)
Clamp Force & Glasses Comfort
Standard headphone clamp
Gentle clamp force (~4.2 N, comfortable with glasses)
Weight & Crown Pressure
Standard headphone weight
254g (lightweight plastic composite)
The 90-Day Owner Regret Check
Documented ergonomic quirks, hardware annoyances, and maintenance realities reported by real owners.
Bowers & Wilkins: What to watch for
- Maintenance
Requires ongoing care to maintain peak out-of-box performance.
Sony: What to watch for
- Hardware Quirk
Microphones struggle significantly in windy outdoor conditions.
- Ergonomics
Shallow earcups cause ear cartilage to touch inner driver grille.
Design
leads 2-0| Type | Over-ear, closed-back | Over-ear, closed-back |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 307 g (10.8 oz) | 254 g (8.95 oz) (wins this row: lower) |
| Foldable | No (swivel earcups) | Yes (collapsible foldable headband) (wins this row: has it) |
| Carrying case | Slim fabric hard-shell travel case included | Compact hard-shell zippered carrying case included |
| IP rating | No official IP rating | No official IP rating |
Audio
5 differences| Driver | 40 mm dynamic full-range bio-cellulose drivers (angled) | 40 mm dome type (CCAW Voice coil) |
|---|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes (Hybrid Noise Cancellation with 6 microphones) | Yes (HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1 with Dual Noise Sensor) |
| Transparency mode | Yes (Ambient Pass-Through) | Yes (Ambient Sound Control with Quick Attention) |
| Supported codecs | aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC | LDAC, AAC, SBC |
| Microphones | 4 mics for ANC + 2 mics for telephony | Precise Voice Pickup Technology with 5 microphones |
Connectivity & Battery
leads 1-0| Multipoint Bluetooth | Yes (Bluetooth 5.2 multipoint) | Yes (Bluetooth 5.0 multipoint for 2 devices) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 30 hours (ANC on) | 30 hours (ANC on) / 38 hours (ANC off) |
| Charging time | 2 hours (15 min quick charge gives 7 hours) (wins this row: lower) | 3 hours full charge (10 min quick charge gives 5 hours) |
Ownership
leads 1-0| Warranty | 2 years (wins this row: higher) | 1 year |
|---|
Which one should you buy
Pick this one if
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e
Evolved wireless headphones with 24-bit DSP engine, custom 40mm bio-cellulose drivers, and luxe metal detailing.
- Exquisite musical detail, separation, and stereo imaging
- High-end construction with memory foam earcups and metal arms
- Direct 24-bit streaming support from Bowers & Wilkins Music App
What you give up
- ANC is good but not on par with class leaders Bose/Sony
- Microphone wind reduction in outdoor calls is average
Pick this one if
Sony WH-1000XM4
Popular folding noise-cancelling headphones with LDAC high-resolution audio, DSEE Extreme, and 30-hour battery.
- Folding headband hinges collapse smaller than the newer XM5
- Supports high-res LDAC streaming and DSEE Extreme upscaling
- Superb value with industry-tested noise cancellation
What you give up
- Microphone voice isolation trails newer XM5 in windy conditions
- Cannot use LDAC while 2-device Bluetooth multipoint is enabled
Best for each use
Flights & commutes
For flights & commutes, buy the Sony WH-1000XM4.
Calls & work
Too close to call on calls & work from the spec sheets.
Sound quality
Too close to call on sound quality from the spec sheets. Only weight is rankable here.
Done deciding?
Open the full standalone spec sheet for either device.
Manufacturer pages: Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e ↗ · Sony WH-1000XM4 ↗
Common questions
Which is cheaper, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e or the Sony WH-1000XM4?
Sony WH-1000XM4 costs $51 less at list price.
What is the biggest catch with the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e or Sony WH-1000XM4?
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e has this deal-breaker: does not fold. Takes a bigger slot in a carry-on.
Which is better for flights & commutes, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e or the Sony WH-1000XM4?
For flights & commutes, buy the Sony WH-1000XM4. Leads 2 of 2 rankable flights & commutes specs. Weight: 254 g vs 307 g
What cannot be compared from spec sheets?
Of the 14 specs tracked here, 10 are descriptive and cannot be ranked on numbers alone. Spec sheets also cannot measure subjective factors like build quality, real-world performance, or comfort.