Sony
Sony WH-1000XM4
Headphones
$348List price
Explore this product Your shortlist, side by side
Sony WH-1000XM4 vs AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
Find the differences that matter for your next decision.
Apple
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
Headphones
$179List price
Explore this product What matters most to you?
Start with all rankable specifications, or focus on a particular use.
Your starting point
Buy the Sony WH-1000XM4.
- Leads 2 of 3 rankable overall specs; AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation takes 1.
- Battery life: 30 hours vs 4 hours listening time on single charge with…
How we reached this
We compare the published specifications relevant to your priority. Each rankable specification counts once; your selected requirements can rule a product out. This is a guide to the numbers, not a laboratory performance score.
Foldable: Yes vs No
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation is $169 cheaper. Pay the difference only if battery life matters to you.
The trade-off to know
Check first: the Sony WH-1000XM4 has no IP rating. Tick them under deal-breakers if that rules it out.
Look at the differences ↓Refine your requirements
Your other devices
What would rule one out?
Side by side
The differences, in detail.
Start with the key specs, then explore as much as you need.
| What you’re comparing | Sony WH-1000XM4 | AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation |
|---|---|---|
| TypeDesign | Over-ear, closed-back | Open-ear true wireless earbuds |
| WeightDesign | 254 g (8.95 oz) | 8.6 g (0.30 oz) earbuds total (4.3 g each) / 34.7 g charging case |
| FoldableDesign | Yes (collapsible foldable headband) | No (pocket-sized charging case) |
| Active Noise CancellingAudio | Yes (HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1 with Dual Noise Sensor) | Yes (Active Noise Cancellation with Adaptive Audio and Transparency Mode) |
| Battery lifeConnectivity & Battery | 30 hours (ANC on) / 38 hours (ANC off) | 4 hours listening time on single charge with ANC on (5 hours ANC off) / up to 20 hours with charging case (ANC on) |
Showing 5 of 14 specifications. Missing values stay unlisted. About the sources
Both sides of the decision
What you gain. What you give up.
Sony WH-1000XM4
Reasons to choose it
- 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
Worth considering
- Microphone voice isolation trails newer XM5 in windy conditions
- Cannot use LDAC while 2-device Bluetooth multipoint is enabled
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
Reasons to choose it
- Active Noise Cancellation and Adaptive Audio in an open-ear, tip-less fit
- Apple H2 chip with Personalized Spatial Audio and head tracking
- Smallest wireless charging case with built-in Find My speaker and USB-C
Worth considering
- Open-ear ANC is naturally less isolating than in-ear silicone tip earbuds like AirPods Pro
- Battery life drops to 4 hours per charge with ANC enabled (20 hours total with case)
Beyond the spec sheet
Living with your choice.
Explore the ownership details available for this pair.
Comfort, Clamp & Travel Fit Check
Ergonomic factors that affect daily comfort, glasses wearers, and luggage space.
Folding & Travel Packability
Sony
Folds flat & inward (ultra-compact zippered case)
Apple
Standard folding earcups
Clamp Force & Glasses Comfort
Sony
Gentle clamp force (~4.2 N, comfortable with glasses)
Apple
Standard headphone clamp
Weight & Crown Pressure
Sony
254g (lightweight plastic composite)
Apple
Standard headphone weight
Everyday ownership notes
Documented ergonomic quirks, hardware annoyances, and maintenance realities reported by real owners.
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.
Apple: What to watch for
Know what’s behind the comparison
Published specs. Visible sources.
Clinchmark compares manufacturer specifications and other published information. We have not independently lab-tested these products. Editorial assessments and unknown values are identified in the specification details.
Catalog snapshot: September 1, 2026. Prices, availability, and provider terms can change.
Still weighing it up?
Which is cheaper, the Sony WH-1000XM4 or the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation?
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation costs $169 less at list price.
What is the biggest catch with the Sony WH-1000XM4 or AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation?
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation has this deal-breaker: does not fold. Takes a bigger slot in a carry-on.
Which is better for flights & commutes, the Sony WH-1000XM4 or the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation?
For flights & commutes, buy the Sony WH-1000XM4. Leads 2 of 3 rankable flights & commutes specs; AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation takes 1. Battery life: 30 hours vs 4 hours listening time on single charge with…
What cannot be compared from spec sheets?
Of the 14 specs tracked here, 11 are descriptive and cannot be ranked on numbers alone. Spec sheets also cannot measure subjective factors like build quality, real-world performance, or comfort.