Two pairs of two separate Sony noise canceling wireless in-ear headphones. The newer is probably better, but is it necessarily true? Let’s find out.
It’s a story of old versus new, and we usually know the answer: The new product will almost always be better than the old one. This is just how it goes.
The new product will take what worked in the old one and improve it, while the smaller one still offers great sound, and now that it has been spoofed, it can get more for your money.
In fact, over the past couple of years, Sony’s WF-1000XM3 has released our best headphones of the year, winning in 2019 and again in 2020. This year they’re probably out of action considering the 2021 WF model. -1000XM4, but the two can be found side by side, so which one is better?
Design
Two models with completely different designs, one large and one small. However, they’re both pretty big at that, with the XM3 offering a less sleek bar sticking out from the sides – and somewhat reminiscent of what Bose has in the QuietComfort headphones – while the XM4 goes for something sitting in the crevice. ears entirely.
The XM3 and XM4 are both quite chunky and bigger than what Apple offers in the AirPods Pro, but we think Sony’s 2021 noise-canceling headphones look better than the pair before them.
Winner: Sony WF-1000XM4
Comfort and fit
While the XM4 looks prettier, the comfort can actually go down, with the XM3 providing an easier fit with less earache.
Ahead of the release, Sony said they’ve studied many ears to make the WF-1000XM4 headphones fit more ears comfortably, but actual comfort doesn’t really confirm this. In fact, unless you have particularly large ears, it can be a bit difficult to squeeze these headphones together, which creates overall sealing issues.
Indeed, even in our own review of the Sony WF-1000XM4, our right ear didn’t always get the perfect seal unless we pushed it all the way, which never happened with old XM3 headphones. So while the design may be cooler on the newer model, the older generation has the advantage.
Winner: Sony WF-1000XM3
Durability
The same cannot be said for durability, as only the new model gets a degree of waterproofing applied, however limited it may be.
You’ll find IPX4 water resistance on the XM4 headphones, giving them a hint of splash and sweat resistance, making them perfect for running, but definitely not for swimming. Something is better than nothing, and the new headphones are winning this round.
Winner: Sony WF-1000XM4
Controls
Sony also gets a victory with its 2021 generation simply thanks to its app, which supports customizable controls on the WF-1000XM4.
This means that if you buy a pair of Sony headphones, you can grab the app and change the controls to whatever you want. Easy.
Winner: Sony WF-1000XM4
Connection & reliability
As the new model gains control, it’s a tie in connection and reliability.
Both offer a Sony Bluetooth chip, and each provides about as consistent a connection to your device, whether it’s iPhone or Android, so it’s a draw.
Winner: Tie
Sound quality
It’s the same story when it comes to sound quality, because while the XM4 is a better looking device, the sound quality on offer is pretty much the same: excellent.
We loved the sound quality of the XM3 and we love the sound quality of the XM4 because both are at the top of their game.
Warm and vibrant with balance and solid bass, whichever pair you end up with you will definitely be happy with the sound.
Winner: Tie
Noise suppression
You’ll also be happy with the noise cancellation, each one great, but Sony’s WF-1000XM4 has a slight edge that it supports noise cancellation from a new chip, Sony’s V1 integrated processor, without talk about supporting noise cancellation presets based on your phone’s location. GPS says you are.
This is a feature that existed on the bigger headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM4, and now it’s also on the wireless in-ear model. It’s just enough to put the new model ahead of the old one. Thin, but that’s why.
Winner: Sony WF-1000XM4
Compatibility
However, both models support Android and iOS via an app or even without, and work well with Windows and Mac as well.
Sony does not discriminate with the Sony Headphones app, and it works the same on iPhone as it does on Android, unlike how Huawei’s headphones only work well with a Huawei app on Android from the Huawei store, or how Apple’s AirPods Pro can only be personalized with an iPhone or iPad.
Winner: Tie
Battery
It’s pretty much the same when it comes to battery life, too, with 24 hours of headphone-to-case battery life with noise cancellation in the XM3 and XM4.
Sony managed to improve the battery life of the XM4 headphones themselves, providing 8 hours of charge in the headphones before needing to put them back in the case, compared to 6 in the XM3.
Still, we’d say 24 Hours are literally the same, so this one is pretty much a tie.
Winner: Tie
Case
While the battery scores are close, Sony’s 2021 noise-canceling headphones are winning another way: the case.
It’s smaller, easier to carry, much more compact and also supports wireless charging, all of the features missing in the 2019 WF-1000XM3.
Winner: Sony WF-1000XM4
Value
Price is where things get interesting, as the WF-1000XM3 can still be found alongside the newer WF-1000XM4, although the price has changed.
Two years after their release, the Sony WF XM3 headphones have a recommended retail price of $ 299 and a retail price of between $ 199 and $ 250. Meanwhile, the Sony WF XM4 headphones have a suggested retail price of $ 449.95 and a retail price of around $ 390.
While Sony’s price tag for its latest headphones isn’t bad, keeping a pair that stays pretty solid overall and running it for a cheaper price makes them a real buy overall, as long as you don’t. Don’t need new features like a wireless charging case, GPS-based noise cancellation and customizable controls.
Winner: Sony WF-1000XM3
Which should I choose: Sony WF-1000XM3 or Sony WF-1000XM4
A choice between the WF XM3 and the XM4 was never going to be easy, as they are both such great headphones. And with five two-way wins in our WF-1000XM3 vs WF-1000XM4 showdown, it’s pretty clear that the XM4 has the edge, though it’s also the more recent of the two, so hardly surprising.
It’s a bit like buying the best new phone that just updated the old model – that new model will almost always be better than the old one. The iPhone 12 Pro Max was better than the iPhone 11 Pro Max because that’s how flagship developments typically work, and the same is true here.
On the contrary, the choice between the WF-1000XM3 and the WF-1000XM4 will likely depend on how much you want to spend and what you are willing to give up.
Both are great headphones, but if you’re willing to forgo some extra stuff to save some cash, the XM3 is a solid option. And if you want the best noise canceling headphones that Sony makes right now, these are the XM4s. Go with one or the other and you’ll probably be happy all the same.
Two pairs of two separate Sony noise canceling wireless in-ear headphones. The newer is probably better, but is it necessarily true? Let’s find out.
It’s a story of old versus new, and we usually know the answer: The new product will almost always be better than the old one. This is just how it goes.
The new product will take what worked in the old one and improve it, while the smaller one still offers great sound, and now that it has been spoofed, it can get more for your money.
In fact, over the past couple of years, Sony’s WF-1000XM3 has released our best headphones of the year, winning in 2019 and again in 2020. This year they’re probably out of action considering the 2021 WF model. -1000XM4, but the two can be found side by side, so which one is better?
Design
Two models with completely different designs, one large and one small. However, they’re both pretty big at that, with the XM3 offering a less sleek bar sticking out from the sides – and somewhat reminiscent of what Bose has in the QuietComfort headphones – while the XM4 goes for something sitting in the crevice. ears entirely.
The XM3 and XM4 are both quite chunky and bigger than what Apple offers in the AirPods Pro, but we think Sony’s 2021 noise-canceling headphones look better than the pair before them.
Winner: Sony WF-1000XM4
Comfort and fit
While the XM4 looks prettier, the comfort can actually go down, with the XM3 providing an easier fit with less earache.
Ahead of the release, Sony said they’ve studied many ears to make the WF-1000XM4 headphones fit more ears comfortably, but actual comfort doesn’t really confirm this. In fact, unless you have particularly large ears, it can be a bit difficult to squeeze these headphones together, which creates overall sealing issues.
Indeed, even in our own review of the Sony WF-1000XM4, our right ear didn’t always get the perfect seal unless we pushed it all the way, which never happened with old XM3 headphones. So while the design may be cooler on the newer model, the older generation has the advantage.
Winner: Sony WF-1000XM3
Durability
The same cannot be said for durability, as only the new model gets a degree of waterproofing applied, however limited it may be.
You’ll find IPX4 water resistance on the XM4 headphones, giving them a hint of splash and sweat resistance, making them perfect for running, but definitely not for swimming. Something is better than nothing, and the new headphones are winning this round.
Winner: Sony WF-1000XM4
Controls
Sony also gets a victory with its 2021 generation simply thanks to its app, which supports customizable controls on the WF-1000XM4.
This means that if you buy a pair of Sony headphones, you can grab the app and change the controls to whatever you want. Easy.
Winner: Sony WF-1000XM4
Connection & reliability
As the new model gains control, it’s a tie in connection and reliability.
Both offer a Sony Bluetooth chip, and each provides about as consistent a connection to your device, whether it’s iPhone or Android, so it’s a draw.
Winner: Tie
Sound quality
It’s the same story when it comes to sound quality, because while the XM4 is a better looking device, the sound quality on offer is pretty much the same: excellent.
We loved the sound quality of the XM3 and we love the sound quality of the XM4 because both are at the top of their game.
Warm and vibrant with balance and solid bass, whichever pair you end up with you will definitely be happy with the sound.
Winner: Tie
Noise suppression
You’ll also be happy with the noise cancellation, each one great, but Sony’s WF-1000XM4 has a slight edge that it supports noise cancellation from a new chip, Sony’s V1 integrated processor, without talk about supporting noise cancellation presets based on your phone’s location. GPS says you are.
This is a feature that existed on the bigger headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM4, and now it’s also on the wireless in-ear model. It’s just enough to put the new model ahead of the old one. Thin, but that’s why.
Winner: Sony WF-1000XM4
Compatibility
However, both models support Android and iOS via an app or even without, and work well with Windows and Mac as well.
Sony does not discriminate with the Sony Headphones app, and it works the same on iPhone as it does on Android, unlike how Huawei’s headphones only work well with a Huawei app on Android from the Huawei store, or how Apple’s AirPods Pro can only be personalized with an iPhone or iPad.
Winner: Tie
Battery
It’s pretty much the same when it comes to battery life, too, with 24 hours of headphone-to-case battery life with noise cancellation in the XM3 and XM4.
Sony managed to improve the battery life of the XM4 headphones themselves, providing 8 hours of charge in the headphones before needing to put them back in the case, compared to 6 in the XM3.
Still, we’d say 24 Hours are literally the same, so this one is pretty much a tie.
Winner: Tie
Case
While the battery scores are close, Sony’s 2021 noise-canceling headphones are winning another way: the case.
It’s smaller, easier to carry, much more compact and also supports wireless charging, all of the features missing in the 2019 WF-1000XM3.
Winner: Sony WF-1000XM4
Value
Price is where things get interesting, as the WF-1000XM3 can still be found alongside the newer WF-1000XM4, although the price has changed.
Two years after their release, the Sony WF XM3 headphones have a recommended retail price of $ 299 and a retail price of between $ 199 and $ 250. Meanwhile, the Sony WF XM4 headphones have a suggested retail price of $ 449.95 and a retail price of around $ 390.
While Sony’s price tag for its latest headphones isn’t bad, keeping a pair that stays pretty solid overall and running it for a cheaper price makes them a real buy overall, as long as you don’t. Don’t need new features like a wireless charging case, GPS-based noise cancellation and customizable controls.
Winner: Sony WF-1000XM3
Which should I choose: Sony WF-1000XM3 or Sony WF-1000XM4
A choice between the WF XM3 and the XM4 was never going to be easy, as they are both such great headphones. And with five two-way wins in our WF-1000XM3 vs WF-1000XM4 showdown, it’s pretty clear that the XM4 has the edge, though it’s also the more recent of the two, so hardly surprising.
It’s a bit like buying the best new phone that just updated the old model – that new model will almost always be better than the old one. The iPhone 12 Pro Max was better than the iPhone 11 Pro Max because that’s how flagship developments typically work, and the same is true here.
On the contrary, the choice between the WF-1000XM3 and the WF-1000XM4 will likely depend on how much you want to spend and what you are willing to give up.
Both are great headphones, but if you’re willing to forgo some extra stuff to save some cash, the XM3 is a solid option. And if you want the best noise canceling headphones that Sony makes right now, these are the XM4s. Go with one or the other and you’ll probably be happy all the same.