Sony · Headphones
Sony WH-1000XM4C
Sony WH-1000XM4C, labeled M4 2nd Gen by Sony, revives the foldable 1000X design as a $299.99 noise-canceling over-ear option. It targets buyers who want a travel-friendly Sony headset below WH-1000XM6 pricing, with multipoint and a 27-hour battery claim but several detailed audio specifications still unpublished on the US page.
Buying verdict
Consider WH-1000XM4C if the proven foldable form and lower price matter more than owning Sony's latest flagship. Because it is still a preorder and Sony's US page leaves driver, codec, and charging details unclear, wait for shipment and independent testing unless the Lavender color or compact fold is decisive.
Editorial score
8.4 / 10
Medium source confidence
Reference price
$300
Released
Sep 30, 2026
Reference price, not a live offer. Editorial data date Sep 14, 2026. Specs and availability can vary by configuration, region, and retailer. Status: upcoming.
Source coverage: 1 cited reference covers 7 listed specifications. “Source cited” labels identify those fields; unbadged specifications remain editorial reference data pending field-level review. 2 additional product references are listed without field-level coverage.
These links open manufacturer or retailer pages so you can check live availability. Prices on this page are editorial references, not offers. Rankings and scores are not influenced by commercial relationships.
Should you buy it?
A practical ownership call
- Buy it if you want frequent travelers who want folding headphones and Sony ANC buyers below flagship pricing.
- Skip it if sony's 27-hour rating is shorter than the original wh-1000xm4's headline battery claim.
- Wait for final pricing and retail availability before treating it as a safe recommendation.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Foldable design and included carrying case suit travel
- Multipoint connectivity is included
- Costs substantially less than Sony's WH-1000XM6 flagship
Cons
- Sony's 27-hour rating is shorter than the original WH-1000XM4's headline battery claim
- The cited US page does not specify driver size, codec support, or charging speed
- It is a refreshed classic design rather than Sony's newest flagship platform
Key specs
- Type
- Wireless noise-canceling over-ear headphones Source cited
- Form Factor
- Foldable closed-back over-ear design with carrying case Source cited
- Driver Size
- Not specified on the cited Sony US product page Needs confirmation
- Noise Cancellation
- Sony 1000X active noise cancellation Source cited
- Transparency / Ambient
- Not specified on the cited Sony US product page Needs confirmation
- Sound Profile
- Detailed tuning and frequency response are not specified on the cited Sony US product page Needs confirmation
- Battery Life
- Up to 27 hours Source cited
- Battery With Case
- Not applicable; the included carrying case is not described as a charging case Needs confirmation
Buying scores
These are editorial estimates, not laboratory measurements. Medium source confidence; 39% of listed specification fields currently have field-level citations.
Noise Cancellation
8.7
Sound Quality
8.4
Comfort
8.7
Battery
7.9
Call Quality
8
Value
8.1
Compare
Compare with similar products
Choose any headphones alternative. Curated pairs open an editorial decision; every other pair opens a specs-only comparison.
Alternatives
Sony
Sony WH-1000XM6
WH-1000XM6 is a strong premium travel shortlist candidate when ANC, multipoint, codec choice, and long rated battery life all matter. A discounted WH-1000XM5, Bose QuietComfort, or Sennheiser Momentum model is the better value when comfort or sound preference is similar in a personal trial.
Soundcore
Soundcore Space 2
Soundcore Space 2 is best suited to value ANC and travel. Compare alternatives if this documented drawback would undermine that fit: Configuration and availability can differ by retailer or carrier.
Featured in rankings
Availability, sources, and full notes
US availability
Sony opened US preorders in September 2026, with launch coverage indicating shipments around September 30; verify the live delivery estimate before ordering.
Common retailers
Sony, Amazon, Best Buy
Sources and verification
- Sony US WH-1000XM4C product page · Sony · accessed Sep 14, 2026 · US Field-level coverage: Type, Form Factor, Noise Cancellation, Battery Life, Multipoint, Weight, App Support
- Sony WH-1000XM4C launch coverage · 9to5Google · accessed Sep 14, 2026 · US Product reference only — individual specifications are not yet field-verified.
- Product image source · Sony · accessed Sep 14, 2026 Product reference only — individual specifications are not yet field-verified.
Editorial specification note
Sony's exact-model US preorder page was checked on 2026-09-14; only explicitly published attributes are marked verified and omitted technical details remain unknown.
Editorial price note
Sony's US page lists a $299.99 preorder price. The September 30 release timing is supported by contemporaneous launch coverage and should be rechecked before purchase.
Specifications
18 tracked specs across 7 groups · 7 specifications have a field-level source citation.
Design
- Type
- Wireless noise-canceling over-ear headphones Source cited
- Form Factor
- Foldable closed-back over-ear design with carrying case Source cited
- Weight
- Approximately 253g Source cited
| Type | Wireless noise-canceling over-ear headphones Source cited |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | Foldable closed-back over-ear design with carrying case Source cited |
| Weight | Approximately 253g Source cited |
Audio
- Driver Size
- Not specified on the cited Sony US product page Needs confirmation
- Noise Cancellation
- Sony 1000X active noise cancellation Source cited
- Transparency / Ambient
- Not specified on the cited Sony US product page Needs confirmation
- Sound Profile
- Detailed tuning and frequency response are not specified on the cited Sony US product page Needs confirmation
| Driver Size | Not specified on the cited Sony US product page Needs confirmation |
|---|---|
| Noise Cancellation | Sony 1000X active noise cancellation Source cited |
| Transparency / Ambient | Not specified on the cited Sony US product page Needs confirmation |
| Sound Profile | Detailed tuning and frequency response are not specified on the cited Sony US product page Needs confirmation |
Battery
- Battery Life
- Up to 27 hours Source cited
- Battery With Case
- Not applicable; the included carrying case is not described as a charging case Needs confirmation
- Charging
- Charging connector and full-charge time are not specified on the cited Sony US product page Needs confirmation
- Quick Charge
- Not specified on the cited Sony US product page Needs confirmation
| Battery Life | Up to 27 hours Source cited |
|---|---|
| Battery With Case | Not applicable; the included carrying case is not described as a charging case Needs confirmation |
| Charging | Charging connector and full-charge time are not specified on the cited Sony US product page Needs confirmation |
| Quick Charge | Not specified on the cited Sony US product page Needs confirmation |
Connectivity
- Bluetooth Codecs
- Not specified on the cited Sony US product page Needs confirmation
- Bluetooth
- Bluetooth version is not specified on the cited Sony US product page Needs confirmation
- Multipoint
- Multipoint connection supported Source cited
| Bluetooth Codecs | Not specified on the cited Sony US product page Needs confirmation |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth version is not specified on the cited Sony US product page Needs confirmation |
| Multipoint | Multipoint connection supported Source cited |
Durability
- Water Resistance
- No water-resistance rating is specified on the cited Sony US product page Needs confirmation
| Water Resistance | No water-resistance rating is specified on the cited Sony US product page Needs confirmation |
|---|
Calls
- Microphone System
- Microphone count and layout are not specified on the cited Sony US product page Needs confirmation
| Microphone System | Microphone count and layout are not specified on the cited Sony US product page Needs confirmation |
|---|
Usability
- Controls
- Detailed control layout is not specified on the cited Sony US product page Needs confirmation
- App Support
- Sony Sound Connect app Source cited
| Controls | Detailed control layout is not specified on the cited Sony US product page Needs confirmation |
|---|---|
| App Support | Sony Sound Connect app Source cited |