The world of true wireless headphones is hard to navigate, especially given the extreme popularity of Apple’s AirPods and AirPods Pro. There are so many options claiming to be “AirPods killers” that it can be difficult to recognize one when you see one. Well, if there ever was an “AirPods killer,” it’s the Sony WF-1000XM4.
The Sony WF-1000XM4 is one of the best wireless earbuds on the market, and the experience is as premium as it gets in this category. Noise isolation, sound quality, and ease of use are all top notch, as Sony has a vested interest in improving things that can potentially make users’ lives better.
The Sony WF-1000XM4’s recycled paper packaging includes the charging case, three sizes of polyurethane foam ear tips, your earbuds, and a charging cable. Various documentation will help you set it up, as it’s a smart product like any other and there’s a lot to keep in mind to link your voice assistant and other integrations.
To be honest, the setup process is pretty simple, although you will need Sony’s Headphones Connect app to get the most out of your headphones. The app offers a variety of features, such as changing the control scheme, updating the virtual assistant, changing the sound of the earphones, and more.
Using the Sony WF-1000XM4 is very rewarding, as the earphones are much smaller than their predecessors and consequently fit much better. The capacitive touch controls mean you’ll have no trouble controlling your earbuds, and the sweat resistance means you’re unlikely to break them while working out.
Under the hood, Sony’s V1 processor means the Sony WF-1000XM4 uses less power for its main functions, so noise cancellation and high-resolution playback won’t affect battery life as much. The case has also been improved and can now be charged wirelessly via Qi-compatible pads. It’s also much smaller than the Sony WF-1000XM3’s case. If you don’t have a wireless charging pad, you can plug the case into any USB-C charger.
To get the best fit with the included foam attachments, you’ll have to resist the urge to just stick them in your ears. Take the time to roll the foam in your fingers first to make it easier to put them in your ears. Then hold the earbuds in place for about 20 seconds while the foam expands again and presses against your ear canals. After that, the earbuds should fit almost perfectly, which you can check with the Headphones Connect app’s fit test. The app will tell you if you need larger or smaller earbuds!
Open Headphones Connect and connect to your earbuds in the app. On the next screen, you’ll be presented with several options to make better use of your earphones. You can then navigate to the earbud fit test via the System tab.
