Sony’s WH-1000XM4C revives the WH-1000XM4 with few changes
A 2026 refresh of Sony’s noise-cancelling headphones, close to the original and comfortable over long listening sessions.
Sony has revisited one of its best-known headphones. The Sony WH-1000XM4C is a 2026 refresh of the WH-1000XM4, and a first round of testing finds it a solid set of active noise-cancelling over-ear headphones, though it does not match current flagship models on even footing.
The design stays close to the original by intention. The case is very similar, the band folds, the exterior has a matte finish and the padding is faux leather. Under the hood, much is unchanged apart from a few minor details.
The headphones are built for long sessions. They stayed comfortable through four hours of continuous listening, though they trap some heat and the stock pads can warm up over time. One practical change: the ear pads now come off by hand, making cleaning and replacement easier than on the original, which required prying part of the pad away.
There is no ingress protection rating. Occasional raindrops should not damage the headphones, but they are best kept away from heavy moisture.
