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Sony's WH-1000XM4 headphones are still among the best noise-canceling headphones we've ever tested. If you're looking for a pair for yourself, Amazon's surprise sale on Sony's Bluetooth headphones has slashed the price to $198 — their lowest price ever.
To be clear, these top-rated headphones retail for $348 or more, so the new deal saves you $150 on the top-rated headphones. That makes it a great time to get these headphones either for yourself or as a great gift for music lovers or frequent travelers.
Amazon
The WH-1000XM4s stood out to us for three reasons: excellent active noise cancellation, excellent sound quality, and comfort. Sony has put a lot of effort into making sure its noise-canceling headphones match (or exceed) the performance of companies like Bose, and they largely succeed. These headphones can block out trains, planes, and offices without having to crank the volume above 70% in most cases. If you have trouble sleeping on planes, the WH-1000XM4s are a game changer.
Of course, the 1000XM4s also offer excellent sound, delivering crystal-clear audio right out of the box, but you can adjust the sound using the Sony Connect app, available on iOS and Android. The app also gives you some control over the noise cancellation settings, and whether you want to turn on Adaptive Sound Control, which allows the headphones to adjust their sound based on your location.
Over-ear headphones tend to weigh down your head, especially during long listening sessions, but the WH-1000XM avoids this problem due to the amount of padding Sony has used in the earcups and headband. They’re still heavier than a pair of earbuds or over-ear headphones, but they shouldn’t feel uncomfortable wearing them for extended periods of time.
All told, the WH-1000XM4s offer up to 30 hours of playback time per charge, which is more than enough to get you through a workday, an international flight, and a few extra hours of music listening. How much playback time you actually get depends on how long you keep the ANC on and your listening level. If you’re used to the five or six hours that most true wireless earbuds offer, the WH-1000XM4s will feel like a joy.
Amazon
While Sony unveiled the WH-1000XM5 headphones last year (currently available for $328 on Amazon), the XM4 have many of the same features — and at a much lower price.
Don't just take our word for it: These noise-canceling headphones have a 4.6-star rating (out of five) from over 56,000 online reviewers. Over 82% of shoppers give the WH-1000XM4 a full five-star rating. They're also a best-selling pair of headphones on Amazon.
Amazon's Sony Headphones Sale Ends Soon. If you're looking for a pair of over-ear, noise-canceling headphones, don't miss out on this sale here.
