Request a product

Sony WH-1000XM4 vs Sony WH-1000XM5

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyWH-1000XM4SonyWH-1000XM5
Overview
ReleasedAugust 2020May 2022
Sound
TypeOver-earOver-ear
Noise cancellingYesYes
Transparency modeYesYes
Driver size40 mm30 mm
Bluetooth codecsSBC, AAC and LDACSBC, AAC and LDAC
Lossless over USB-CNoNo
ChipQN1QN1
Drivers40 mm dome-type driver with an aluminium-coated LCP diaphragm, CCAW voice coil and neodymium magnet; 4 Hz to 40,000 Hz (JEITA); sensitivity 105 dB/mW switched on, 101 dB/mW switched off; impedance 40 Ω switched on, 16 Ω switched off (1 kHz, wired)30 mm driver unit with a carbon fibre composite dome, soft edge and neodymium magnet; 4 Hz to 40,000 Hz (JEITA, wired, switched on); sensitivity 102 dB/mW switched on, 100 dB/mW switched off; impedance 48 Ω switched on, 16 Ω switched off (1 kHz)
ChipHD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1 (with an integrated analogue amplifier) and a Bluetooth Audio SoCHD Noise Canceling Processor QN1 and Integrated Processor V1
Noise cancelling detailDual Noise Sensor technology, with two noise-cancelling microphones on each ear cup (one outside, one inside); Personal NC Optimizer and Atmospheric Pressure Optimising; Ambient Sound Mode with Voice focus; Adaptive Sound Control; Quick Attention Mode; Speak-to-ChatEight microphones for noise cancelling (four on each ear cup); Auto NC Optimizer adjusts noise cancelling to the fit and surroundings, including air pressure; Ambient Sound Mode; Quick Attention Mode; Speak-to-Chat
Audio featuresLDAC up to 990 kbps (Hi-Res Audio Wireless); High-Resolution Audio over the headphone cable; DSEE Extreme upscaling; 360 Reality Audio certified; equaliser in the appLDAC up to 990 kbps (Hi-Res Audio Wireless); Hi-Res Audio over the headphone cable; DSEE Extreme upscaling; 360 Reality Audio
Battery
Listening time (maker's claim)Up to 30 hoursUp to 30 hours
Battery life detailUp to 38 hours with noise cancelling off (AAC or SBC); with LDAC, 24 hours with noise cancelling on or 30 hours off; with DSEE Extreme on, 18 hours with noise cancelling on (16 hours with LDAC); Speak-to-Chat shortens battery life by about 30%; talk time up to 24 hours (30 hours with noise cancelling off); standby up to 30 hours with noise cancelling on (200 hours off); up to 22 hours on the headphone cable with noise cancelling on (36 hours off); can't be used while chargingUp to 40 hours with noise cancelling off (AAC); with LDAC, 26 hours with noise cancelling on or 36 hours off; with SBC, 28 hours on or 38 hours off; talk time up to 24 hours (32 hours with noise cancelling off); up to 28 hours on the headphone cable with noise cancelling on (38 hours off); can't be used while charging
Fast charging10 minutes gives about 5 hours of playback with a 1.5 A or higher USB adaptor; full charge in about 3 hours3 minutes gives about 3 hours of playback with a USB PD adaptor (9 V/2.3 A or more), or about 1 hour with a standard 1.5 A adaptor; 10 minutes gives about 5 hours; full charge in about 3.5 hours
Design
Weight254 g250 g
Bluetooth5.05.2
Two devices at onceYesYes
Headphone cableYesYes
ControlsTouch sensor control panel on the right ear cup (double-tap to play, pause or answer calls; swipe forwards or backwards to skip; swipe up or down for volume; hold for the voice assistant; cover with your hand for Quick Attention Mode); power and CUSTOM buttons; a proximity sensor and two acceleration sensors pause music when the headphones are taken off and switch them off after 15 minutes; NFC one-touch pairingTouch sensor control panel on the right ear cup (double-tap to play, pause or answer calls; swipe forwards or backwards to skip; swipe up or down for volume; cover with your hand for Quick Attention Mode); power and NC/AMB buttons on the left ear cup; a proximity sensor in the left unit pauses music when the headphones are taken off and switches them off after 15 minutes
MicrophonesFive microphones for calls and Speak-to-Chat (Precise Voice Pickup Technology); MEMS, omnidirectional, 50 Hz to 8,000 HzEight microphones for noise cancelling; four beamforming microphones with AI-based noise reduction for calls; MEMS, omnidirectional
Fit and ear tipsClosed, circumaural; foamed urethane earpads; stepless slider; ear cups swivel and fold inwards for the carrying caseClosed, over-ear; Soft fit leather headband and earpads; stepless slider; ear cups swivel flat for the carrying case
Water resistance detailNo water resistance rating; Sony says the headphones are not waterproofNo water resistance rating; Sony says the headphones are not waterproof
Works withSony | Sound Connect app (formerly Headphones Connect) for iOS and Android; multipoint connection to two devices (AAC or SBC only while connected to two); Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa built in; Google Fast Pair; Bluetooth 5.0 Class 1, about 10 m range; A2DP, AVRCP, HFP and HSPSony | Headphones Connect app (now Sony | Sound Connect) for iOS and Android; multipoint connection to two devices; the headphone cable also works with the headphones switched off, without noise cancelling
ColoursBlack, Platinum Silver; limited-edition Silent White sold in Europe from May 2021Black, Platinum Silver, Midnight Blue, Smoky Pink (Sony Australia; colours vary by region)
In the boxHeadphones, USB-C cable (USB-A to USB-C, about 20 cm), headphone cable (about 1.2 m, gold-plated L-shaped stereo mini plug), plug adaptor for in-flight use, carrying caseHeadphones, USB-C cable (USB-A to USB-C, about 20 cm), headphone cable (about 1.2 m, gold-plated L-shaped stereo mini plug), carrying case, documents

More comparisons