TL;DR: The Sony WH-1000XM4C is a refreshed version of Sony’s 2020 WH-1000XM4, priced at $299.99 in the US (£219.99 in the UK, €249.99 in Europe). Reviewers at T3, The Verge and ecoustics agree it is comfortable, sounds good and adds useful upgrades like Bluetooth 6.0, a 10-band EQ and a user-replaceable battery. The catch is that its noise cancelling uses the same six-year-old chip and four microphones as the original, battery life drops slightly to 27 hours with ANC on, and the replacement battery isn’t sold in North America yet.
Sony rarely brings back an old product, so the WH-1000XM4C is an unusual launch. The original WH-1000XM4 was one of the most popular noise-cancelling headphones of its time. Now Sony has re-released that design with modern Bluetooth, an updated app experience and a battery you can swap, partly to meet upcoming European rules on replaceable batteries. This Sony WH-1000XM4C review roundup collects what the first reviewers found, so you can decide whether it’s worth $300 in 2026.
Sony WH-1000XM4C specs and price
| Spec | WH-1000XM4C | Original WH-1000XM4 (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| US launch price | $299.99 | $349.99 |
| Noise cancelling | QN1 chip, 4 microphones | QN1 chip, 4 microphones |
| Battery (ANC on / off) | Up to 27 hours / 34 hours | Up to 30 hours with ANC on |
| Bluetooth | 6.0 | 5.0 |
| App EQ | 10-band, plus gaming preset | 5-band |
| Battery | User-replaceable | Sealed |
| Colors | Black, white, lavender | Several, varying by region |
Specs above are from Sony’s launch details as reported by The Verge and SoundGuys. SoundGuys notes the lavender color is sold only through Sony and Amazon.
What the reviewers say
T3: “The return of the king”
T3’s review is the most positive of the bunch. The reviewer had “no complaints” about the sound or noise cancelling, saying the XM4C does “a very solid job of blocking out background noise, especially the drones of engines or public transport.” T3 is also realistic about the competition, noting that switching to the WH-1000XM6, which has three times as many microphones, makes the upgrade “pretty clear.” It calls the battery life “solid” rather than terrific.
The Verge: good, but the ANC shows its age
The Verge compared the XM4C side by side with an original XM4. It found noise cancelling “basically the same,” with the new model blocking slightly more low-end rumble, possibly just because its ear pads are newer. The reviewer said the ANC is “where their six-year-old tech shows the most,” pointing out that cheaper models like the Anker Soundcore Space 2 offer comparable performance, and that Bose’s second-generation QuietComfort Headphones block low frequencies a bit better.
The Verge’s biggest complaint is about the headline feature. The replacement battery “is not for sale in North America,” and there were no official instructions for swapping it at the time of review.
ecoustics: a mid-ranger now, not a flagship
ecoustics measured roughly 25 hours of playback with both ANC and the high-quality LDAC codec turned on, a little under Sony’s 27-hour claim. A full recharge takes about 3.5 hours over USB-C, and a three-minute quick charge gives around one hour of listening, though that needs a charger that can deliver more than basic USB current. The reviewer described the default tuning as V-shaped and said the 10-band EQ gives “enough flexibility” to adjust it. They also flagged the lack of Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast as reasons the XM4C doesn’t feel “completely current.”
How it fits in Sony’s lineup
The XM4C sits below Sony’s newer models rather than replacing them. According to The Verge, the WH-1000XM5 uses the same QN1 chip but with eight microphones, while the WH-1000XM6 has 12 microphones and the newer QN3 chip. The design story is different too: the XM5 dropped the folding hinge, and the XM6 brought folding back, though not in quite as compact a shape as the XM4. That makes the XM4C the most compact folding option of the three.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Familiar, comfortable, foldable XM4 design
- Bluetooth 6.0 and a 10-band EQ with a gaming preset
- User-replaceable battery, with screwed rather than welded ear cups
- $50 cheaper than the original XM4 at launch
- Solid noise cancelling for commutes and flights
Cons
- Same four-mic QN1 noise cancelling as 2020
- Battery life down from 30 to 27 hours with ANC on
- Replacement battery not yet sold in North America
- No LE Audio or Auracast
- Tough competition around $300, including discounted older Sony models
Should you buy the Sony WH-1000XM4C?
The reviews point to a clear answer: it depends on what you’re comparing it with.
- Buy it if you loved the original XM4’s fit and folding design, want something newer than a used pair, and care about being able to replace the battery later (especially in Europe, where the battery rules apply).
- Skip it if noise cancelling is your top priority. The XM5, XM6 and Bose’s QuietComfort line cancel more noise, and T3 notes the WH-1000XM5 has sold for £199 on Amazon UK, less than the XM4C’s UK price.
- Consider budget rivals if you just want decent ANC. The Verge points to the Anker Soundcore Space 2 as offering comparable cancelling for about half the price.
The confusing part is Sony’s own lineup. With several generations of the 1000X series on sale at different discounts, the XM4C’s $299.99 price will look better or worse depending on the week. If you see it discounted, it gets a lot easier to recommend.
More headphone and gadget reviews
If you’re shopping for audio gear, our Razer Barracuda V2 Pro review roundup covers a $199.99 headset that works for both gaming and everyday listening. And if you want a different kind of travel gadget, see our Kindle 2026 review roundup.
Prices are as reported by reviewers at publication and may change. Sony’s claims, such as battery life, are the company’s own figures unless a reviewer measured them.
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