WH-1000XM4 Wireless ANC vs WH-1000XM5 Wireless ANC
Two picks from our home office catalog, compared side-by-side by editor rating, AI confidence, price tier, and what each one is genuinely best at.
WH-1000XM4 Wireless ANC
The correct ANC splurge for people who share space. Kills a barking dog, a leaf blower, and a partner's video call in one go. Battery lasts a full workweek.
Check current price on Amazon →WH-1000XM5 Wireless ANC
The XM4's replacement. Better ANC, better call quality, new non-folding design. If you can find the XM4 for $250, buy that instead. If they're the same price, get the XM5.
Check current price on Amazon →At a glance
| Brand | Sony | Sony |
| Category | Headphones | Headphones |
| Price tier | splurge | splurge |
| Editor rating | ★★★★★ (5/5) | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| AI confidence | 92 — Very High | 94 — Very High |
| Current price | Typically under $500 | Typically under $500 |
| Best for | therapist, suit, accountant | suit, therapist, accountant, developer |
WH-1000XM4 Wireless ANC
- +Excellent ANC
- +30-hour battery
- +Multipoint pairing
- +Comfortable all day
- −Newer XM5 exists (but costs more)
- −Touch controls take practice
WH-1000XM5 Wireless ANC
- +Class-leading ANC
- +30-hour battery
- +Multipoint pairing
- +Best-in-class call mics
- −No longer folds flat
- −Notably more expensive than XM4
- −Touch controls take practice
The verdict
WH-1000XM5 Wireless ANC is the pick for most people in this comparison — the xm4's replacement. better anc, better call quality, new non-folding design. if you can find the xm4 for $250, buy that instead. if they're the same price, get the xm5.
Choose the WH-1000XM4 Wireless ANC instead if excellent anc outweighs a slightly lower confidence score for your setup.