Best Headphones for Music
Sony WH-1000XM4

#1 overall · wireless ANC over-ear

Sony WH-1000XM4

Daily commuting on trains and buses when you want one headphone that does everything.

CommuteNoise cancellingBatteryWireless (for commuting)
People recommending
147
Say they own it
213
Mentions
1,279
Posts read
7,105
Check price on Amazon · $298
Own these? Vote

Typical price, checked Sep 2026. Sony's own store listed $349.99 for the original XM4; Amazon listed a newer WH-1000XM4C revision at $298 on the check date.

Why people like it

  • By far the most-recommended commuting headphone: 14 separate owners in one 2025 ResetEra thread alone
  • Strong noise cancelling, long battery, folds flat
  • Regularly on sale for $130-250, and owners say it is still the value pick over the XM5 and XM6
  • Works wired too; the XM4 is the last of the line that folds

What owners complain about

  • Bulky and warm on the ears; one owner found the clamp uncomfortable and the ANC weak
  • Sony's default EQ is a little V-shaped (boosted bass and treble)
  • Some units develop a faint white noise; touch controls can be fussy

Where opinions split: Sony versus Bose is the eternal split: Sony for sound and battery, Bose for comfort and slightly stronger noise cancelling.

The 21 sources

Owner = the person says they use it. Recommendation = passed on without saying so. Dates are when the thread or video was posted.

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