The WH-1000XM3s have been our favorite wireless ANC headphones since they launched back in 2018. They deserve a score of 94 from us for their best sound change, great sound quality and generous battery life. The QN1 chip in these cans produces four times better active noise cancellation than previous models, and ensures that each and every commotion around you is reduced to a low hum when ANC is turned on. You can customize this experience with Sony’s companion app, which lets you customize the ANC volume you want and even let out some noise when you need to.
These headphones get about 30 hours of battery life before they need to be charged, and they have a USB-C port for that task. Not only will you rarely need to remove them, but if you do, you will be able to charge the WH-1000XM3s with a USB-C cable that you have already run (and they also come with their own). We also love the overall design of the WH-1000XM3s – they fall into a compact shape that is easy to travel with and their soft headphones and earphones make them comfortable to wear over long distances or all day long when you to work.
But these headphones are two years old at this point and you’ll probably be wondering what $ 350 you’ll get in the updated WH-1000XM4s. Sony’s latest headphones have a matte exterior that makes them feel a little more premium, and they have a slightly better fit, thanks to a slim-down headphones and larger earcups. Sound quality and ANC are just as good, but Sony has added some advanced features to the WH-1000XM4s, including value detection and connectivity to multiple devices. The former automatically pauses audio when you remove the headphones and the latter lets you pair two devices with the WH-1000XM4s for seamless switching. They also have a fun feature called Speak-to-Chat, which automatically interrupts audio when the headset detects you talking.
While these are great additions to the WH-1000XM4s, the WH-1000XM3s remain fantastic wireless headphones. If you just need all the latest features, you’ll have to spend $ 350 on the WH-1000XM4s – but if you can live without these extras, you’ll all get the same core features in the WH-1000XM3s for a lot less.
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