I was browsing Sony's headphone catalog recently when a question popped into my head: What exactly does a pair of headphones need to do to be worth its price?
For a regular Joe like me who spends most of his listening hours on Spotify and YouTube, the answer was simple. It should be comfortable for travel, reduce noise during commutes, last through workdays, and switch easily between devices.
Well, how much am I willing to pay for just that?
While Sony's latest flagship product, the WH-1000XM6, was naturally front and center in its advertising, I realized its 6-year-old XM4 headphones might have all the answers I need. And at a lower cost.
Customizable and smooth sound quality
Perfect sound for the daily, casual listener
The XM4's smooth sound quality, courtesy of its warm tuning and rich bass, makes it easy to listen to for extended periods. Its 40mm drivers produce powerful low frequencies, crisp vocals, and detailed highs without sounding harsh.
The AAC and SBC Bluetooth codecs on the XM4 also let you connect different devices, making switching between them much easier. It also supports wired listening and 360 Reality Audio, making it adaptable to phone calls, music, commutes, work, and casual use.
The XM4 has a punchy sound with LDAC support, custom EQ, and DSEE Extreme processing, which make music, podcasts, and movies enjoyable.
The XM6 delivers a more balanced sound and better clarity with its 30mm driver and QN3 processor. But for casual listeners who need warm, enjoyable sound and reliable ANC, the XM4 is close enough that I don't think those upgrades justify the price difference.
Smart features that are still relevant in 2026
The XM4 keeps up with the flagship's smart features
The XM4 may be 6 years old, but it still ensures you have access to several useful smart features.
Its Wear Detection stops music when you remove the headphones and resumes when you put them back on, while Adaptive Sound Control adjusts ambient sound based on location and activity.
Like the XM6, the XM4 also comes with Multipoint Connection, Touch Controls, and Voice Assistant support, all major features most people use daily.
While the XM6 adds newer connectivity like LE Audio support and offers a smoother automated switch between devices, the XM4 still offers useful tools for daily listening.
The XM4's battery life fits everyday use
All-day listening power through commute, work, and travel
In the battery life category, the XM4 doesn't fall short, as Sony built it around efficient power management instead of relying on a big battery.
Its Bluetooth 5.0 connection, effective QN1 processor, and standby features help extend playback time, making it ideal for workdays and long trips without frequently charging.
Compared with the XM6, the XM4 holds up quite well. They both provide up to 30 hours of playback with ANC on, while the XM6 reaches up to 40 hours with ANC off, compared to the XM4's 38 hours, a negligible two-hour difference.
The XM4 also offers a quick-charge option, with 10 minutes of charge giving you up to five hours of playback. I always forget to charge my devices overnight, so having enough power for a commute or workout session after just 10 minutes of charging is a big plus.
Slick and comfortable design
Comfort you can depend on for hours and hours
I typically use my headphones for extended periods while commuting, working, and traveling, so comfort is a necessity.
The XM4 utilizes plush synthetic leather ear pads and a padded headband that spreads pressure evenly across your head.
The XM6 enhances comfort with a wider, flatter headband that spreads weight more evenly across your head. It also has a firmer clamping force that creates a strong seal to isolate noise.
By contrast, the XM4 has a more relaxed fit with soft, pressure-relieving ear pads, making it a bit more comfortable if you prioritize all-day comfort.
The price gap of the XM4 makes it the smarter buy
The headphones that provide value for less
For many buyers, the deciding factor comes down to cost. For most everyday listeners, the Sony WH-1000XM4 offers great value. It provides quality sound, great battery life, smart features, and comfort.
The Sony WH-1000XM4 typically costs about $349.99. For this price point, buyers get noise cancellation, up to 30 hours of playtime, multipoint, touch controls, and useful smart features.
It performs well for users during commutes, work, travel, and daily listening. The XM6 typically comes in at $449.99, although sales and discounts could . The XM4 still offers much of the same core experience for around $100 less, making it a compelling choice for value-focused buyers.
Sony's WH-1000XM4 reveals new is not always necessary
An alternative headphone for daily use
The XM6 might be Sony's latest flagship headphone with improved sound, ANC, and spatial audio, but the XM4 still provides the essentials. Quality sound, comfort, capable noise cancellation, useful smart features, and all-day battery life.
At a much lower price, the XM4 makes a strong case as the best bang-for-your-buck headphones from Sony today. Ultimately, choosing the right headphones has less to do with price and more to do with satisfying your listening needs.
The Sony WH-1000XM4s are still one of Sony’s best over-ear headphones. They’re a great budget option with excellent ANC, smooth sound quality, and 30 hours of battery life with ANC and 38 hours without ANC. The XM4’s come with smart features like wear detection, multipoint support, touch controls, and voice assistant support, to challenge Sony’s newer releases. There's no water protection and call quality isn’t as good as the XM6, but the XM4s are still great for extended every-day use.