Sony WF-1000XM4 vs XM5: which should I buy?

Buy the Sony WF-1000XM4 to save money while still getting excellent ANC and LDAC sound; choose the XM5 for a smaller design, improved call quality and refined noise cancellation. The XM4 remains a top performer at a lower price now. Many buyers find the older model the better value. Compare both across sellers on shopfox before deciding.

Are the Sony WF-1000XM4 waterproof?

The Sony WF-1000XM4 have an IPX4 rating, meaning they resist sweat and light splashes but are not fully waterproof. That makes them fine for workouts and light rain, but do not submerge them. Only the earbuds are rated, not the charging case. For gym and everyday use the WF-1000XM4 water resistance is enough for most people.

What is the battery life of the Sony WF-1000XM4?

The Sony WF-1000XM4 last up to 8 hours per charge with noise cancellation on, and the case brings the total to about 24 hours. A 5-minute quick charge adds roughly an hour of playback. That is strong endurance for ANC earbuds. Note aging batteries on used units degrade, so check condition when comparing WF-1000XM4 offers on shopfox.

Sony WF-1000XM4 Headphones & Earbuds Reviews & Ratings

Name: Sony WF-1000XM4 Headphones & Earbuds
Brand: Sony
Rating: 4.3 (9 reviews)

Sony WF-1000XM4 Headphones & Earbuds

$235.80$359.70(34.45% off)

Prices last updated Nov 7, 2026

Sony4.34.3

(9 reviews)

$235.80$359.70(34.45% off)

Prices last updated Nov 7, 2026

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5 sellers & 2 platforms

SKU	Platform	Merchant	Delivery	Return Policy	Price	Shipping
Silver	ANIME JAPAN TOKYOLowest Price	ANIME JAPAN TOKYO 5.0(24477)	2 - 15 day...	60 days re...	$235.80	$32.23
Multicolor	Citiwide.online	Citiwide.online 5.0(30869)	15 - 25 da...	30 days re...	$259.00	$10.00
Silver	L'amitie Store	L'amitie Store 5.0(7365)	4 - 16 day...	30 days re...	$245.70	$47.00
Silver	Thriftly_StorePremium Curated	Thriftly_Store 5.0	13 - 17 da...	30-day ref...	$359.65	Free
Silver	WITH_US_STORE	WITH_US_STORE 5.0(35927)	5 days	30 days re...	$347.28	$35.99

ANIME JAPAN TOKYO

Lowest Price

$235.80

Silver

ANIME JAPAN TOKYO5.0 (24477)$32.23

2 - 15 day...60 days re...

Citiwide.online

$259.00

Multicolor

Citiwide.online5.0 (30869)$10.00

15 - 25 da...30 days re...

L'amitie Store

$245.70

Silver

L'amitie Store5.0 (7365)$47.00

4 - 16 day...30 days re...

Thriftly_Store

Premium Curated

$359.65

Silver

Thriftly_Store5.0Free

13 - 17 da...30-day ref...

WITH_US_STORE

$347.28

Silver

WITH_US_STORE5.0 (35927)$35.99

5 days30 days re...

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3 sites · 11 platforms · 18 offers

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$229.44

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Current lowest

$235.80

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Specifications

WF-1000XM4

Sony

Adult

Live Monitoring, Studio Monitoring

WF-1000XM4

Sony

Adult

Live Monitoring, Studio Monitoring

Side-by-Side Comparison

6 similar products · scroll horizontally to browse

This Product

Sony WF-1000XM4 Headphones & Earbuds

4.3(30.9K+)

$235.80

Avg 3.6

1.Built around Sony's industry-leading active noise cancellation and Hi-Res Audio support, these earbuds deliver immersive sound and effective isolation for focused listening.

Music enthusiastsNoise-sensitive listeners

Noise-free listeningFocus work

Earbud (In Ear)

Dynamic Driver

20 Hz to 20,000 Hz

Active Noise Cancellation

140 ohm

8 Hours

Android, Microphone Included, Noise Cancellation, iOS, water-resistant, wireless

—

0.11 Kilograms

Bluetooth

Water Resistant

—

WF-1000XM4

Quiet Travel

Sony WH-1000XM4 Headphones & Earbuds

4.8(191.9K+)

$219.95 - $383.90

Best Noise Cancelling

Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones & Earbuds

4.4(141.4K+)

$195.00 - $438.90

Fast Charge

Sony WH-CH520 Headphones & Earbuds

4.8(133K+)

$34.99 - $46.36

Travel Ready

Sony MDRZX110 Headphones & Earbuds

4.6(25.9K+)

$20.79 - $24.99

Pro Audio

Sony WH-CH720N Headphones & Earbuds

6(154.4K+)

$49.23 - $89.99

Avg 4.6

Avg 4.3

Avg 3.1

Avg 4.1

1.Built around industry-leading active noise cancellation and a lightweight, comfortable design, this headset delivers 30-hour battery life and a travel-ready case, perfect for uninterrupted focus on long journeys.

2.A practical choice for anyone who values silence and comfort while commuting or flying.

1.Industry-leading active noise cancellation and a comfortable, lightweight design make these ideal for blocking out distractions during travel or deep focus.

2.With 30-hour battery life and quick 3-minute charge for 8 hours of playback, they keep up with long commutes and workdays.

1.With 50-hour battery life and a 5-minute quick charge that provides 4 hours of playback, these lightweight headphones minimize downtime.

2.A practical choice for users who need reliable wireless listening with voice assistant support and fast recharging.

1.With active noise cancellation, a comfortable foldable design, and up to 80 hours of noise-canceling battery, this Sony headphone is built for travelers who value quiet and comfort.

2.Its lightweight on-ear build and reliable sound quality make it a practical choice for daily commutes and long journeys.

1.With a 40mm dynamic driver delivering crisp sound and 35-hour battery life, the Sony WH-CH720N offers great audio for long listening sessions.

2.Its lightweight 192g design and comfortable faux leather earpads make it easy to wear for extended periods.

Frequent travelersNoise-sensitive listeners

Travel and commutingFocus in noisy environments

Frequent travelersRemote workers

Noise-free travelDeep focus

Frequent travelersBusy commuters

Quick chargingLong listening sessions

Frequent travelersCommuters

TravelDaily commute

Music enthusiastsFrequent travelers

Long listening sessionsNoise isolation

Ear-Cup (Over the Ear)

Dynamic Driver

Not specified

20 Hz-20,000 Hz

12 - 22,000 Hz

Not specified

Active Noise Cancellation

None

Active Noise Cancellation

16 ohm

48 ohm

24 ohm

325 ohm

5.2

—

5.2

30 Hours

30 hours

50 hour

—

35 hours

1000

520

110

720

Fast Charging, Microphone Included, Noise Cancellation

Fast Charging, Lightweight, Microphone Included, Noise Cancellation

Wireless

Adjustable Headband, Closed Back, Foldable, Leather Cushions, L-Shape Plug, Replaceable Earpads, Rotating Ear Cups, Stereo

Adaptive Sound control, Adjustable Ambient Sound mode, Dual Noise Sensor technology, Long battery with quick charging, Microphone Included, Multipoint connection

7.27 x 9.94 x 3.03 in

12.00 x 10.00 x 4.00 in

22.8 x 17.2 x 4.4 cm; 147 g

‎20 x 15 x 3.5 cm; 120 g

26 x 20.8 x 5.5 cm; 192 g

0.76 g

8.82 ounces

Approx. 5.19 oz (approx. 147 g)

0.263 lbs

0.1 kg

Bluetooth

Wired

Bluetooth

Not Water Resistant

2020

2025

2023

—

2023

WH-1000XM4

WH-1000XM5

WH-CH520

MDRZX110

WH-CH720N

Reviews & Ratings

(9)

4.2

9 reviews

👍 Pros

👎 Cons

Sound Quality

4.5

90%

Excellent sound with rich detail and balanced bass. Users praise clarity and customizable EQ, though some find bass too present. Overall high fidelity.

Sound Quality

4.5

90%

Excellent sound with rich detail and balanced bass. Users praise clarity and customizable EQ, though some find bass too present. Overall high fidelity.

Comfort & Fit

3.5

70%

Mixed feedback: foam tips provide secure seal for some, but buds are large and heavy for others, causing discomfort and falling out.

Comfort & Fit

3.5

70%

Mixed feedback: foam tips provide secure seal for some, but buds are large and heavy for others, causing discomfort and falling out.

Battery Life

3.0

60%

Initial battery life is excellent at 8+ hours, but many users report severe degradation after a year, with buds dying within minutes.

Battery Life

3.0

60%

Initial battery life is excellent at 8+ hours, but many users report severe degradation after a year, with buds dying within minutes.

Noise Cancellation

4.0

80%

Active noise cancellation is highly effective for most, with foam eartips enhancing isolation. A few users find it less impressive.

Noise Cancellation

4.0

80%

Active noise cancellation is highly effective for most, with foam eartips enhancing isolation. A few users find it less impressive.

Build Quality & Design

3.0

60%

Sturdy build with premium feel, but charging case feels cheap with flimsy lid. Touch controls are reliable but limited in customization.

Build Quality & Design

3.0

60%

Sturdy build with premium feel, but charging case feels cheap with flimsy lid. Touch controls are reliable but limited in customization.

Keywords

User Voices

3.0AMAZONFeb 28, 2024

Reviewer_Joe

Worked well until it didn't

Thank goodness I bought the insurance — I've already sent these in for repair twice, and now I need a third. After about a year, the charging case stopped working properly, and the earbuds last only 15 minutes. Definitely not the quality I expected from this brand at this price. I won't buy them again.

1.0AMAZONOct 9, 2023

Kev_Reviews

Great sound not long lasting.

The sound quality is great, but the charging case is poorly designed — it won't seal shut. When I put the case in my pocket, my phone keeps connecting to the earbuds even though they're inside. Worst of all, after a year of use, they can't hold a charge anymore. They show 100% but die after an hour of listening to an audiobook. I've used many headphones, and these are the worst I've had.

Sony WF-1000XM4 Headphones & Earbuds

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Specifications

General5

Wearing & Design3

Audio7

Mic & Controls2

Connectivity8

Battery3

Durability2

Compatibility1

Others1

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Specifications

General5

Wearing & Design3

Audio7

Mic & Controls2

Connectivity8

Battery3

Durability2

Compatibility1

Others1

Reviews & Ratings