plantronics voyager 8200 uc vs sony wh 1000xm4

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Review: The Perfect Noise-Canceling Headphones for Office Settings

And its sound quality stacks up to Bose and Sony, too.

By Tucker Bowe

3 original photos

Plantronics makes two different sets of wireless active noise-canceling headphones , the BackBeat Pro 2 ($200) and the Voyager 8200 UC ($264) , and both look near identical. The difference is that, while the BackBeat Pro 2 has been around since 2016 and shares many traits as other wireless ANC headphones, like the Beats Studio3 Wireless or Bose QC35 II, the Voyager 8200 UC is designed specifically for business professionals. It has a four-mic array and is great for phone calls, and it boasts improved Bluetooth connectivity so it can sync to multiple devices — say your iPhone and Macbook, simultaneously. It also is Skype for Business certified.

The good: Excellent call clarity. In my two weeks using the headphones, I never had one person who I was on the phone with complain about not being able to hear me, which is actually a common complaint I have when taking calls on my AirPods . The sound quality from the Voyager 8200 UC is pretty great, too. And if you’re listening to music and a call comes in, a voice will notify you with an “Incoming call” message. If you want to answer it, a simple touch of the right ear pad will pick up.

I tested the headphones with my usual Spotify playlists and the audio quality was impressive and neutral — songs like “So American” by Portugal. The Man and “I Need a Forest Fire” by James Blake had strong mids and highs, while still being modest with the bass. The Voyager 8200 UC has smart sensors that will pause and play music when you take off and put on the headphones, similar to what AirPods do. They have excellent battery life and are pretty inexpensive compared to other wireless ANC headphones. Lastly, the headphones can pair two devices at the same time, like a computer and smartphone, and the Bluetooth handoff between two devices works great.

Who are they for: The Voyager 8200 UC is designed specifically for office workers who talk on the phone a lot. However, it’s not an intimidating headphone that feels overly technical — it’s really just like any other ANC headphone, with a few extra touch gestures on the earpad and a companion app that you don’t have to use. The Voyager 8200 UC is a headphone that is good for casual listening, too.

Watch out for: While it’s a very good noise-isolating headphone, thanks to some densely-cushioned earpads, the Voyager 8200 UC isn’t as effective with at active noise-canceling. I didn’t notice too big of a difference from when the ANC was off or on — I could still hear things like doorbells, keyboards typing and colleagues talking, albeit all of those noises were faint. The headphones are comfortable, but the design won’t be for everybody — the faux wood grain and earpads with huge “L” and “R” markings are pretty conspicuous. They charge via a micro-USB cable. There’s no voice assistant.

Alternatives: If you’re a stickler on price and just want a dependable wireless ANC headphone, the Voyager 8200 UC is a pretty safe bet. There are other alternatives, however, that boost superior ANC abilities, like the Bose QC 35 II ($350) and Sony 1000XM2 ($298) .

What others are saying: • “As much as I like their convenience and rich battery life, Plantronics’ Voyager 8200 UC have also become my go-to headphones for an old-fashioned reason: they sound stellar. Their sound quality is some of the best I’ve heard on Bluetooth headphones. Just today, I was listening to “Oh Devil” by Electric Guest and noticed just how well I could pick up the nuances of singer Asa Taccone’s haunting falsetto vocals amid the electric piano midtones and deep bass rhythm. Live tracks have depth that you won’t hear on many sets, and podcast audio comes in crisp and clear.” — Jeffrey Van Camp, Wired

• “I actually really like the lower priced BackBeat Pro 2 but due to the large amount of new features in Voyager 8200 UC which offer lots of extra value this is going to replace BackBeat as my daily driver. Since I am using this High Quality Headsets, I don`t use ordinary Headphones anymore to enjoy music – yes, the Audio Quality is that impressive! Need to jump on a long distance flight before I can share my thoughts about new Dual Noise Cancelation but Voyager 8200 already helped me to survive the Autumn Leaf Blower Season.” — Ragnar Heil

Connectivity: Bluetooth v4.1 Battery: Up to 24 hours listening to music, up to 1 month standby Roaming range: Up to 98 feet

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Poly Voyager 8200 UC wireless headset review

A comfortable bluetooth headset with a few strange design quirks.

TechRadar Verdict

If you often find yourself in back-to-back meetings or needing to block out the world for the afternoon, the Poly Voyager 8200 UC could well be the headset for you. However, while sturdy and comfortable, this wireless headset is let down by a handful of design quirks.

Comfortable

Great battery life

Sound quality

Effective noise cancellation

Strange design decisions

Sidetone delay

Micro-USB, not USB-C

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The Voyager 8200 UC from Poly, formerly Plantronics & Polycom, is a premium Bluetooth business headset that will add value to pretty much any remote working setup.

It’s lightweight and offers generous padding, making the headset perfect for long sessions. The battery life is also seriously impressive, so you’re unlikely to get caught short during a meeting or half way through a playlist.

The four-mic boomless design is refreshing and still captures the voice with great accuracy. And the sound quality is solid too, with rich bass notes and accurate treble, even if there’s a little blowout at maximum volume.

However, the headset is held back by a few strange design choices. The smart business aesthetic is compromised by unflattering side panels and the buttons and dials have a decidedly non-premium feel.

We also encountered minor audio glitches that settings tweaks failed to clean up entirely, which isn’t something you’d expect from a piece of kit at this price point.

Price and availability

The Voyager 8200 UC sits at the top of the price range for headsets, available from the official Poly store at a price of $379.95/£386.95. However, bargain hunters will currently find it cheaper at Amazon , at $250/£235.

For your money, you get the headset itself, Poly’s BT600 Bluetooth dongle, a USB-A to micro USB cable, a 3.5mm audio cable and a fabric carrying pouch.

The website suggests you can also purchase spare ear cushions (in black or white) should yours wear out, but no price is quoted.

Although the price tag puts the Voyager 8200 UC firmly in the premium category, a number of the design choices would seem to contradict that characterization.

The tone is set by the plain and unattractive packaging, which gives off a decidedly non-luxury feel. Sure, this is a business-focused device, but the packaging makes a poor first impression nonetheless.

While the headset itself is pleasing enough to look at, with an all-black aesthetic suitable for any business context, Poly has taken the inexplicable step of decorating the side panels with what looks like laminate flooring. What’s worse, the fake wood grain is slanted in a different direction on each earphone, making for an awkward and unsymmetrical look.

The company has also chosen not to label the three-mode noise cancellation switch, meaning anyone picking up the headset after the plastic film has been removed will be clueless as to its functionality.

The volume dial, meanwhile, feels lightweight and plasticy and is frustrating to use. Instead of rotating freely to turn media volume up or down, the dial only turns by ten or so degrees, which makes large volume adjustments finicky.

Weight - 289g Battery - 24 hours listen, 20 hours talk, 1 month standby Charging - micro USB Roaming range - 30m Microphone - Boomless dual-paired omnidirectional mics Connectivity - Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, 3.5mm audio, micro USB Noise cancellation - Yes

Despite all this, Poly has designed a headset that is comfortable to wear for extended periods, with generous padding that envelops the ears without pressing too hard on the side of the head. The range of extension also means the Voyager 8200 UC should fit even the largest proportions comfortably.

It’s also easy to pause media, skip songs and exit calls thanks to dedicated panel buttons and the quick mute button on the underside is an invaluable addition, especially in the era of Zoom and Microsoft Teams . And the large L and R printed on the inside of the ear cups meant we were never at risk of putting the headset on the wrong way round.

Beyond the obvious audio and microphone functionality, the Voyage 8200 UC offers a selection of handy extra features.

For example, the headset detects when it has been removed from your head - say, to have a quick word with a colleague or family member - and will pause whatever you’re listening to. When you return the headset to its original position, the content will resume automatically. 

In a similar vein, when you’re not on a call, the mute button doubles up as an “OpenMic” button. When pressed, all media will be paused and audio from the room fed into your ears. Although it’s nice to have the option, it’s almost always going to be easier (and more polite) to quickly remove the device from your head when having an in-person conversation.

More useful is the automatic mute alert feature, which lets you know immediately if you begin speaking while your microphone is inactive - a common remote working faux pas.

There’s also multi-device pairing, which will allow you to hook the 8200 UC up to additional devices - such as your smartphone or tablet - via near-field communication (NFC). This way, if a call comes in on your mobile, you can pick up without having to wrestle with the headset.

The 8200 UC is supported by an excellent desktop companion app, called Plantronics Hub, which makes fine-tuning the headset to your preferences simple. From here, you can also check for firmware updates, see your remaining battery life and access documentation that will help you solve any problems you might have.

Performance

Broadly, the Poly Voyager 8200 UC does a solid job from a performance perspective, both when listening to audio or video content and when using the headset during meetings.

The bass is deep and rich and high frequency sounds are not at all harsh, which means a wide range of music genres sound great. And the headset is more than capable of delivering meeting audio with clarity, the job for which it’s designed.

The Poly BT600 Bluetooth dongle always maintains a consistent connection, even from the other side of this reviewer’s (modest) flat, so you won’t be interrupted by interference or connection dropout.

The noise cancellation mode is brilliant too, cutting out all external distractions without you having to bump up the volume to an uncomfortable level. There are three modes, depending on the amount of noise cancellation you prefer: off, medium and high. And no matter what mode you’re listening in, sound leakage is minimal.

The only real sound quality issues we encountered came when boosting the volume to maximum, which produced a measure of blowout, especially with treble frequencies.

However, we did encounter performance issues beyond sound quality. When we first received the headset, it was practically unusable on conference calls, because our voice was played back into our ears at a slight delay, making conversation extremely difficult.

We spoke to Poly about how the issue might be remedied and found that turning the sidetone to low via the companion app went a long way. However, even after tweaking the settings, we continued to encounter the issue on occasion, albeit to a much less dramatic extent.

Poly says the battery will last up to 24 hours in active use or up to a month on standby, which our testing suggests is probably about right. The headset charges from flat to full in roughly three hours, which isn’t too bad, but could presumably be improved significantly if the company had opted for USB-C over micro-USB.

The Voyager 8200 UC from Poly gets plenty right, both from a sound quality and comfort perspective. The lengthy battery life and effective noise cancellation also mean you’ll be able to knuckle down for long periods without interruption.

A few smart features - such as auto-pause, multi-device pairing and mute alert - combine to set this headset apart from less premium business models on the market.

That said, a number of questionable design decisions detract from the overall experience. Even if you can overlook the unpleasant faux wood grain paneling, you’ll be frustrated by the finicky volume dial and button labelling. Issues with excessive sidetone and blowout at maximum volume must also be taken into consideration.

Ultimately, the Voyager 8200 UC will be a reliable companion for anyone that finds themselves in back-to-back video meetings or working from a noisy space. Given the price tag, though, this headset’s foibles can be hard to ignore.

Joel Khalili is the News and Features Editor at TechRadar Pro, covering cybersecurity, data privacy, cloud, AI, blockchain, internet infrastructure, 5G, data storage and computing. He's responsible for curating our news content, as well as commissioning and producing features on the technologies that are transforming the way the world does business.

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Review: Plantronics Voyager 8200 UC

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Commuting in larger cities like Boston has its perks. I haven’t needed a car in nearly a decade thanks to the fleets of busses and subway trains that zip across town, which is awesome. But I could really go without that piercing, screeching noise each train makes as it grinds to a halt at the station. Subway rides are often deafening from start to finish, and packed with commuters who are louder still.

For the last two months, wearing Plantronics' Voyager 8200 UC Bluetooth headphones has calmed my commute. Like a trip to Never-never Land, they made me forget. I’ve legitimately missed my subway stop several times because I was so lost in what I was hearing—and, just as importantly, what I wasn’t hearing. A switch on the left earcup lets you toggle between two levels of active noise cancelling, which does a Bose-level job of retaining audio quality while tuning out the ruckus around you, whether that’s on a train or airplane (another place I loved using these). Usually, I set it the active cancellation on max because I couldn’t notice any degradation in my tunes.

Even with noise cancelling turned off, the leathery memory foam cups provide a nice seal around the ears, hushing much of the clamor of the outside world. A soft microfiber band with adjustable sides keeps it in place. You can twist the cups to the side and rest them around your neck when you’re not listening.

I like the design of these a lot more than the ubiquitous Bose QuietComfort headphones , but there’s nothing remarkable about their look, which makes the $380 asking price hard to stomach at first. (The white and tan version looks a bit classier than the black and orange set I have.) Almost nobody has complimented their style, and most are surprised when I say how much I like them. After I explain everything these cans can do, their tone changes.

To start, the sensors work well, automatically pausing and playing tracks if you take the headphones on and off. Even lifting one cup off your ear will trigger this function and it's so, so cool.

The four microphones that help cancel all that noise also make the Voyager 8200s fantastic for taking calls. Even outdoors on a windy day, I could hear and be heard on the phone. Syncing is simple too, because the Bluetooth button is also the power button on the right earcup. Turn it on and you’ll naturally press up enough to trigger pairing mode, which is smart enough to let you auto sync to two devices at once, letting you use it on a computer and your phone, or share them with a significant other. Pairing is usually an arduous task. Here, it’s a cinch.

A glance inside the earcups is the perfect example of how Plantronics favors utility over pure fashion. The left cup has a giant L in it, and the right has a giant R. When you first look at them, it almost looks childish, but those giant letters have saved me time every day I’ve worn them. On most headphones, it’s a nightmare to find the minuscule R or L and put them on right. On these, it happens at a glance.

The faux wood on the sides of the cups might look cheesy, but it’s hard to fault the controls on those panels, which make skipping tracks, altering volume, pausing, and taking calls easy. Five blue dots even light up to show you your battery life every time you boot the 8200’s up. If you don’t pay attention to dots, you’ll still learn the battery life from a voice that speaks it to you each time you turn them on. It’s usually good news on the battery front, too. The set gets about 24 hours of music and podcast playing per charge, and can hold a charge for several weeks without dying, even if you keep it on.

If you run out of power, you can dig into the Voyager 8200’s soft fleece carrying pouch where you’ll find a double-sided 3.5mm audio cord, which turns them into standard headphones (no power needed). A Micro USB charging cord and USB Bluetooth dongle for your PC or Mac are also included.

Hopefully you’ll never notice, but Plantronics has baked in hearing protection, which kicks in if a song suddenly increases in volume. It “detects and eliminates any large sudden increase in signal level,” saving you from being startled or having to rip them off. That voice I mentioned earlier warns if you’re listening at super loud volumes, and lets you know when you’re connected properly via Bluetooth or toggle the noise cancelling settings, which helps avoid confusion.

As much as I like their convenience and rich battery life, Plantronics' Voyager 8200 UC have also become my go-to headphones for an old-fashioned reason: they sound stellar. Their sound quality is some of the best I’ve heard on Bluetooth headphones. Just today, I was listening to “Oh Devil” by Electric Guest and noticed just how well I could pick up the nuances of singer Asa Taccone’s haunting falsetto vocals amid the electric piano midtones and deep bass rhythm. Live tracks have depth that you won’t hear on many sets, and podcast audio comes in crisp and clear.

If you have $380 to throw down on headphones, put these on your shortlist. If you don’t, know that they’ve gone on sale for $280 at least once before, so if you hold out long enough, the price is likely to drop yet again.

Brendan Nystedt

David Pierce

Adrienne So

All products featured are independently chosen by us. However, SoundGuys may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links. See our ethics statement.

Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Sony WH-1000XM4

Published on January 22, 2024

With the release of the Sony WH-1000XM5, it may seem the Sony WH-1000XM4 has lost its luster, but that’s not necessarily the case. While the WH-1000XM5 active noise canceling (ANC) headphones are newer, the WH-1000XM4 still stands among the best headphones available.

Whether you need a headset for conference calls or for your daily commute, both Sony headphones perform valiantly. We’ve tested each headset in and out of the lab to give you a clear picture of which one is right for you.

Editor’s note: this article was updated on January 22, 2024, to add the new alternatives and adjust some formatting.

What’s it like to use the Sony WH-1000XM5 compared to the Sony WH-1000XM4?

The Sony WH-1000XM5 features a modern design that trades in the notched headband track on the WH-1000XM4 for a friction rod adjustment system. With this new headband mechanism, Sony forgoes the yokes on the older model in favor of a trimmed-down, cleaner look. This update offers a more custom fit, but it also limits the mobility of the WH-1000XM5: you can only rotate the headphones to lay flat but can’t ball them up. Meanwhile, the XM4 can do both.

If you’re reading this and have larger ears, we recommend the WH-1000XM5 for the sake of comfort. Both headsets boast plush memory foam padding wrapped with soft-touch leatherette, but the padding is wider on the WH-1000XM5. No matter which Sony headphones you go with, you can replace the ear pads to extend the life of the headset.

Sony’s headphones are packed with hardware and it carries over the WH-1000XM4 proximity sensor to the fifth-generation model. With this, media immediately pauses when you remove either headset and only resumes when you don the headphones again. Sony sheathes this behind the ear cup mesh on the fifth-gen model, but it’s in plain view on the older headset. If sweat or condensation accumulates on the WH-1000XM4 sensor, this may not work flawlessly. At that point, it’s good to air out and clean your headphones . Not only will this get the sensor to work consistently again, but the XM4 lacks any kind of water resistance (along with the XM5). It’s best to avoid moisture where you can.

With either headset, you get a detachable 3.5mm jack cable for wired listening, a hardshell carrying case, and a USB-C charging cable. The case for the XM4 over-ears is more oblong than the XM5 because of the flexibility of the WH-1000XM5.

How do you control the Sony WH-1000XM5 and WH-1000XM4?

For the most part, the WH-1000XM5 and WH-1000XM4 have the same controls, and the touch panel gestures are identical, including the ability to cup your hand over the right ear cup for ambient mode. This listening mode allows ambient noise to come through the headset for as long as you keep your hand over the ear cup, which is a convenient way to hear your surroundings at a moment’s notice.

The XM5 relabels the “Custom” button of the WH-1000XM4 as “ANC/AMB.” The function remains the same on either button, and it’s how you cycle through ANC on, ANC off, or Ambient sound mode.

How are the features different on the Sony WH-1000XM5 compared to the WH-1000XM4?

The Sony WH-1000XM5 offers the same features as the XM4, including Ambient sound controls, 360 Reality Audio and ANC optimization, speak-to-chat functionality, custom EQ and EQ presets, and more. What makes the Headphones Connect app (iOS/Android) unique is that it gives you the option to prioritize sound quality or connection stability. If you choose to prioritize sound quality, it will default to the highest quality codec available, depending on your operating system. If you choose connection stability, the app may force SBC instead.

You can also switch automatic ear detection on and off within the app for both headsets. When you turn it on, your music will automatically pause when you remove the headset and resume when you put it on. This is a nifty feature, but it can shorten the battery life, much like DSEE Extreme, which upscales compressed music files.

Beyond the Sony app, you can use Google’s Find My Device feature to locate either set of headphones. You’ll need to download that app and link your headphones with the account, but after that, you can tell Google to play a tone to help you locate the headphones within your apartment or check their last-known location on an in-app map.

Both Sony headsets support Bluetooth multipoint , and to enable it, follow these steps:

• Open the Sony Headphones Connect app and connect your headset.
• Select the System tab in the app.
• The first option reads, “Connect to 2 devices simultaneously.” Enable this toggle.
• You cannot use LDAC with Bluetooth multipoint enabled.
• The headset will need to disconnect from your mobile device and then reconnect.
• After that, you can then simultaneously connect the headset to a pre-paired secondary device like a laptop.

How do the Sony WH-1000XM5 and WH-1000XM4 connect?

Each Sony headset supports the SBC, AAC, and LDAC Bluetooth codecs for high-quality wireless audio to iPhones and Android devices alike. Sony retains the headphone jack on its latest wireless headphones, so you can use a 3.5mm TRS plug on either device for analog playback too. The two differ in Bluetooth versions, with the WH-1000XM4 supporting Bluetooth 5.0 and the XM5 receiving the more modern Bluetooth 5.2 version.

Any headset that uses Bluetooth 5.2 should be compatible with LE Audio and the LC3 codec once it’s ubiquitous. LC3 data transfer rates range from 345kbps, right down to 160kbps. While this appears less impressive than SBC transfer rates (240-345kbps), listeners posit that LC3 audio sounds better than SBC even at its lower transfer rates. This makes LC3 a great, compact Bluetooth codec. You can read all about the benefits of LE Audio and the LC3 codec here .

How do you pair these Sony headphones?

When it comes to pairing, you can get started in the Sony Headphones Connect app and follow the prompts there for either headset. Both headsets support Google Fast Pair along with Swift Pair for Windows 10 and up. Alternatively, you can go the old-fashioned route and hold the power on button for a few seconds and wait for either headset to enter pairing mode. (You must do this from a powered-off state.) If you want NFC one-touch pairing, you’ll need to invest in the older WH-1000XM4 since Sony dropped this feature from its fifth-generation flagship.

Does the Sony WH-1000XM5 have better battery life than the Sony WH-1000XM4?

According to our standard testing method , the Sony WH-1000XM4 lasts 19 hours, 59 minutes with ANC on and this falls short of the 30-hour specification. The Sony WH-1000XM5 outdoes this at 31 hours, 53 minutes with ANC on. Both headsets support fast charging with it being more efficient on the newer model. Three minutes of charging the WH-1000XM5 provides 180 minutes of playtime, compared to five minutes of charge yielding 180 minutes of playback. It’s a minor improvement but still an impressive one.

Is noise canceling better on the Sony WH-1000XM5 or WH-1000XM4?

Sony outdoes itself again with the WH-1000XM5, improving on the already excellent ANC of its fourth-generation headset. If you really want to melt away sub-bass frequencies like a plane engine or subway car’s rumble, it will be easy to justify springing for the XM5 over-ear headphones . The Sony WH-1000XM4 does a very good job with frequencies from 20-100Hz, but the WH-1000XM5 just takes the cake, topping out at 30dB of attenuation at 75Hz.

Isolation is even better this time around on the XM5, thanks to the redesigned ear pads and headband. Frequencies above 1kHz are plainly blocked out by the headset’s ability to create a robust, physical barrier between your ears and your surroundings. Even if you turn ANC off on the fifth-generation WH-1000X headphones, incidental sounds like nearby chatter and clanging dishware will sound anywhere from one-eighth to one-thirty-second their original perceived loudness. This is bonkers. On its own, the WH-1000XM4 does a great job here too, but it just goes to show just how well the newer headphones perform.

Just be aware that if you wear glasses, this won’t necessarily be the case. That’s because the arms on your glasses will interrupt the seal created by either the WH-1000XM5 or WH-1000XM4 and let noise in. Though the ANC will adapt somewhat, a comparative lack of isolation will make your noise attenuation performance suffer.

Even though the WH-1000XM5 does an objectively better job with attenuation across the board, the WH-1000XM5 and WH-1000XM4 both stand as great choices when it comes to noise canceling headphones .

Does the Sony WH-1000XM5 sound better than the WH-1000XM4?

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Cutting to the chase, the WH-1000XM5 sounds more pleasing than the WH-1000XM4 out of the box and requires less work in the Headphones Connect app EQ module . Both headsets amplify bass notes relative to the mids, and this can make it hard to hear string instruments and woodwinds during particularly busy choruses. (See: An Evening with Silk Sonic , by Anderson.Paak and Bruno Mars.)

While neither pair of headphones will knock an audiophile’s socks off, these frequency responses are similar to that of other consumer headphones , with the exception of the 2-10kHz boost on the WH-1000XM4. This treble response is much louder than our headphone preference curve suggests and makes poorly mixed songs sound that much worse. The newer WH-1000XM5 has a marked rolloff beyond 10kHz, and addresses the overemphasis heard in the previous generation, meaning less EQ tweaking for many listeners.

Is the Sony WH-1000XM5 microphone better than the Sony WH-1000XM4?

The Sony WH-1000XM5 microphone quality is the best of the entire WH-1000X line and in terms of noise and wind cancellation, outperforms pretty much any other headset on the market. Listen and compare the demos below. Help other readers and vote on what you think sounds best!

Sony WH-1000XM5 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Sony wh-1000xm4 microphone demo (ideal conditions):.

As you can hear below, the XM5 handily outperforms the XM4 when it comes to sub-optimal conditions like a windy day.

Sony WH-1000XM5 microphone demo (Windy conditions):

Sony wh-1000xm4 microphone demo (windy conditions):, which microphone sounds better, should you get the sony wh-1000xm4 or sony wh-1000xm5.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 is unquestionably the better buy for listeners who want the best active noise canceling. It also has a more pleasing default frequency response that’s easier to equalize than the treble-heavy WH-1000XM4. What’s more, if you often take hands-free calls or rely on your headphones to speak during conference calls, it really doesn’t get much better than the Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones .

With that said, you can expect the Sony WH-1000XM4 to go on sale soon enough. If we see the WH-1000XM4 drop to $249 or even $279 USD, it will be an absolute steal. The ANC is still nearly best-in-class, and the fit is still very good for those with average-sized ears. We highly recommend either headset to listeners who want to toggle the sound directly from the app or have the option to enable Bluetooth multipoint . If you need a workhorse headset, either of Sony’s headphones will be a trusty steed, but the WH-1000XM5 is objectively the better performer.

The Bose QuietComfort 45 is another great active noise canceling headset with an in-app EQ and support for wired/wireless playback. If you have an Android phone, we recommend the Sony WH-1000XM5 over the Bose QC 45 because Bose’s headphones lack aptX support, offering just SBC and AAC Bluetooth codec options.

Like the Sony WH-1000XM4, the Bose QC 45 boosts treble notes much more than our house curve recommends, and you’ll run into the same issue with poorly mixed tracks. Bass and midrange notes, however, sound more palatable through the QC 45, which could make it easier to equalize since you really only need to focus on the treble response.

Battery life is better on the Bose QC 45 than the Sony WH-1000XM4, and it lasts 24 hours, 49 minutes before you need to recharge it via USB-C. This also outperforms Sony’s official 24-hour battery rating for the XM5 headphones. If you’re on a tighter budget , the $329 QuietComfort 45 is a more affordable purchase that still features excellent ANC and a very comfortable design.

What should you get instead of the Sony WH-1000XM4 and Sony WH-1000XM5?

If you’ve gotten this far and decided that neither headset is for you, there are a plethora of great ANC headphones at your disposal. If you want something of a similar caliber as the WH-1000XM5, check out the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 ( $379 at Amazon ). This also has some of the best ANC performance around, with excellent touch controls and an in-app EQ, and can be found for almost half the price of the newer Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones ( $429 at Amazon ). That being said, if you own a newer Android phone, it may be worth the investment to get the latest and greatest from Bose to enjoy future-proof features like Snapdragon Sound and aptX Lossless audio.

Anyone considering the Sony WH-1000XM5 may also have the Apple AirPods Max on their mind ( they compare well ). Once you get into this price point ( $424.99 at Amazon ), the AirPods Max doesn’t seem that absurd. If you have an iPhone, it’s actually quite a good buy with all of the conveniences that come with Apple’s H1 chip . Plus, Apple’s headphones have even better low-frequency attenuation than the WH-1000XM5, making the AirPods Max the best option for long-haul flights. Isolation isn’t as good on the AirPods Max as it is with Sony’s headphones though.

You may also be thinking about the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless , which is a capable and comfortable headset in a similar price bracket. Listeners who care about battery life will find the investment worth it ( $289.23 at Amazon ), as Sennheiser’s pair of headphones lasts 56 hours, 21 minutes. The next-best battery life for ANC headphones is the Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700, clocking in at 37 hours of playtime with ANC on. Sound quality is very good with Sennheiser’s flagship headphones too, but ANC can’t compete with either of Sony’s headphones addressed today.

What if you want to spend less?

Maybe you don’t want the ultra-modern look and the cost that comes with it. Fair enough! For those who want to stay within a reasonable budget, we recommend the Sony WH-CH720N  and the Monoprice BT-600ANC .

The Sony cans certainly feel a bit cheaper than the WH-1000XM4 and XM5, but if you’re trying to save and still get the Sony experience, these are the ones to pick. They have decent ANC, and rather than touch sensors, the WH-CH720N uses dedicated buttons. You also get access to the same Sony Headphones Connect app that the flagships employ for $799 at Amazon .

The Sennheiser ACCENTUM Wireless ( $179.95 at Amazon ) might not have the best ANC,  but its sound quality surpasses headsets double its price. It supports aptX and aptX HD and has the option for USB-C wired listening.

If you’re a fan of the Sony WH-1000XM5’s design style and software support but would prefer earbuds instead, then you may be interested in the Sony WF-1000XM5 . Currently available for $298 at Amazon , the Sony WF-1000XM5 delivers great comfort, active noise canceling, and sound quality.

Frequently asked questions about the Sony WH-1000XM4 and WH-1000XM5

A great pair of noise canceling headphones will nullify loud, disruptive sounds around you. Not only does this make it easier to concentrate in loud environments, but it will also mitigate the risk of incurring noise-induced hearing loss . When our surroundings are loud and our headphones fit poorly or lack ANC, we have a tendency to increase the volume to combat the loud external sounds. While this works in the short term, it puts our auditory health at risk for permanent hearing damage. Since great ANC headsets have the ability to block out low frequencies to varying degrees, you’re less likely to pump up the volume to dangerous levels.

Yes. Both headphone models can be used for wired connections.

The Focal Bathys sounds incredible, but it also comes with the tradeoff of slightly poorer ANC at a price that’s more than double the cost of a new Sony WH-1000XM5.

Plantronics Voyager 6200 UC

Sony WI-1000XM2

63 facts in comparison

Plantronics Voyager 6200 UC vs Sony WI-1000XM2

Why is plantronics voyager 6200 uc better than sony wi-1000xm2.

• 6 hours longer battery life ? 16 hours vs 10 hours
• 2 more microphone(s) ? 4 vs 2
• 19 dB/mW higher sound pressure level ? 118 dB/mW vs 99 dB/mW
• 2 hours shorter charge time ? 1.5 hours vs 3.5 hours
• Has aptX Low Latency ?
• 20 m greater wireless connectivity range ? 30 m vs 10 m
• Travel bag is included ?

Why is Sony WI-1000XM2 better than Plantronics Voyager 6200 UC?

• Has a neodymium magnet ?
• Has stereo speakers ?
• Has USB Type-C ?
• 0.9 newer Bluetooth version ? 5 vs 4.1
• Has a battery level indicator ?
• Has voice prompts ?
• Supports Bluetooth pairing using NFC ?

Which are the most popular comparisons?

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)

Apple AirPods Pro

Apple AirPods

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

Jabra Evolve 75e

Razer Hammerhead HyperSpeed

Beats Studio Buds Plus

Huawei FreeLace Pro

Mavin Air-X

Sony WF-1000XM4

Jabra Elite 65e

Technics EAH-AZ60M2

Beats Powerbeats Pro

Sony WI-C200

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

Majority Tru 1

JBL Live Free 2

Cheap alternatives

OnePlus Buds Pro 2

JBL Reflect Aero

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3

Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro

LG Tone Free T90

Cambridge Audio Melomania M100

Sony WF-1000XM5

Realme Buds Air 5 Pro

Jabra Elite 8 Active

User reviews

No reviews yet

Be the first. Use your experience to help others in the community make a decision.

Unknown. Help us by suggesting a value. (Plantronics Voyager 6200 UC)

Unknown. Help us by suggesting a value. (Sony WI-1000XM2)

Sound quality

Connectivity, which are the best wireless earbuds.

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX

Xround Voca

Nuraphone NuraTrue Pro

Denon PerL Pro

Sony WH-1000XM3 vs Sony WH-1000XM4: which are better?

Is there still mileage in older Sony's wireless ANC over-ears, and if so, which pair?

The five-star Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones are some of the best noise-cancelling headphones we've ever tested. But, they launched in 2018 and were replaced by the WH-1000XM4 in 2021. The XM4 has even been superseded by the brilliant WH-1000XM5 but they do cost significantly more. This leaves us with the question is there much mileage in the older, cheaper models and if so, which one gets our vote? 

We've run the rule over both pairs of five-star wireless headphones to see how they compare in terms of sound quality, battery life, features, price and overall performance. That way, you can make the right choice at the checkout.

Right, let's get down to business and assess the strengths and weaknesses of the Sony WH-1000XM3 vs WH-1000XM4 ...

Sony WH-1000XM3 vs Sony WH-1000XM4: price

The WH-1000XM3 launched in May 2018, replacing the XM2s . Their premium features and high-quality design saw them debut at £330 ($350, AU$500) but prices have since dropped considerably. Despite being quite long in the tooth, in December 2022 we've seen pairs with significant savings, but it does appear as though stock is quite limited. 

The WH-1000XM4 launched in August 2020. They might look similar to the XM3 but they contain a host of high-tech upgrades, and debuted at the slightly higher price of £350 ($350, AU$380). Now that the WH-1000XM5 are on sale, there are plenty of discounts to be had.

By contrast, the most recent Sony model on the market is the WH-1000XM5 which launched in May 2022 for £380 / $399 / AU$649

**Winner** Sony WH-1000XM3 (if you can find them)

• Listen up! The best wireless headphones: budget and premium

Sony WH-1000XM3 vs Sony WH-1000XM4: battery life

It's a dead heat when it comes to overall battery life. Both the XM3 and XM4 last around 30 hours with noise-cancelling switched on, or around 38 hours with the tech switched off. Both have USB-C charging too.

Stepping out in a hurry? A 10-minute quick-charge will give you five hours of playtime, whether you opt for the XM3 or XM4. 

So there's nothing to separate them, then? Not quite. The XM4 feature Wearing Detection, which automatically pauses the music when you take them off. It's a feature we've seen on some rival noise-cancellers and could help prolong battery life.

**Winner** Draw

• Bose vs Sony: Sony WH-1000XM3 vs Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700

Sony WH-1000XM3 vs Sony WH-1000XM4: design and comfort

You might think the newer pair of Sony noise-cancelling headphones would sport a revolutionary design but that's not the case here. The XM4 look almost identical to their predecessors, though they're one gram lighter than the XM3 (255g vs 254g). Some of the gapping around certain sections of the headphones has shrunk to improve comfort and reduce sound leakage.

You might also spot that the XM4's earpads are 10% larger than the XM3's, although both models offer suitably thick, soft cushioning that makes for a high level of comfort. In fact, we'd consider both headphones some of the comfiest noise-cancellers around.

Both are available in black or silver finishes.

*Winner** Sony WH-1000XM4

• Grab a deal with the best budget headphone deals

Sony WH-1000XM3 vs Sony WH-1000XM4: features

Despite noting the subtle upgrades, you're probably still asking yourself why you'd pay extra for the XM4. Well, here's one reason: they feature Sony's very latest audio processor – the DSEE Extreme. 

The older XM3 feature the DSEE HX chip, which upscales compressed audio files such as MP3 to hi-res quality in real-time. The newer DSEE Extreme does that too, but it adds Sony's Edge-AI artificial intelligence to the mix, which claims to allow for a more accurate sound from these files too.

Both headphones feature Sony's excellent noise-cancelling, which shuts out the world with impressive efficiency, but the XM4 go the extra mile. They use a new algorithm and new Bluetooth System on Chip to analyse outside noise in even greater detail.

Adaptive Sound Control, a feature on XM3, detects your activity and adjusts the ambient sound settings to suit. However, the XM4 have a more intelligent version of the tech that can learn to recognise locations you frequently visit and tweak the sound accordingly.  

The XM4 are more convenient to use, too. While the XM3 only connect to one device at a time, the XM4 can connect to two devices – such as your laptop and phone – simultaneously. It may sound like a subtle difference but it can make your life a whole lot easier.

Both headphones use the same control systems – a touch-sensitive panel on the ear cup and your chosen voice assistant (Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant). You can also hold your hand over the cup to activate Quick Attention mode, which lowers the music volume so you can have a conversation without removing your headphones. Handy when ordering a coffee or speaking to a flight attendant.

But, again, the XM4 have a few more tricks up their sleeve. You get a new Speak to Chat feature that recognises your voice and automatically lowers the volume, plus improved call quality thanks to Precise Voice Pick-Up technology.

All in all, both headphones offer an exceptional package of features and great all-round noise-cancelling performance, making them perfect for office, commutes and long-haul jaunts. But the XM4 serve up some fantastic improvements that boost their sonic ability beyond what the older model is capable of.  

**Winner** Sony WH-1000XM4

Sony WH-1000XM3 vs Sony WH-1000XM4: sound quality

So both headphones offer sensational noise-cancelling, and both feature 40mm drivers – but what about serious audio ability? Are the XM4 worth the extra money? In word, yes, and here's why... 

Like the XM3, the XM4 feature an analogue amplifier combined with a DAC, which delivers a rich, natural sound. Indeed, the XM3 have picked up back-to-back What Hi-Fi? Awards since their launch in 2018. They're a fabulously engaging and emotive listen.

However, the XM4 take sound quality to another level, producing a wider soundstage and uncovering even more layers of detail than the XM3.

Both the XM3 and XM4 are five-star performers but in our WH-1000XM4 review , we noted that their "power, punch and sense of poise" make their forebears sound a touch unrefined in comparison.

Sony WH-1000XM3 vs Sony WH-1000XM4: verdict

So, should you pay for the WH-1000XM4 headphones or go with the older model? As we've mentioned before, both models can be had with large discounts but the fact of the matter is there seems to be more stock around of the WH-1000XM4.

When Sony created the XM3, it got the recipe spot on. At the time, they were as close to a perfect pair of noise-cancellers as one could find. Today, they're still great all-rounders and a superb buy for the money.

That being said, the XM4 are a clear improvement over the XM3 across the board and although no longer the best noise-cancelling headphones (thanks, in the main to the WH-1000XM5) there still seems to be plenty of life left in the model.

Read our Sony WH-1000XM4 review

Want the next level of performance? Sony WH-1000XM5 vs WH-1000XM4: which headphones should you buy?

Check out our list of the best wireless headphones

Then score the best headphones deals

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Joe has been writing about tech for 17 years, first on staff at T3 magazine, then in a freelance capacity for Stuff, The Sunday Times Travel Magazine, Men's Health, GQ, The Mirror, Trusted Reviews, TechRadar and many more (including What Hi-Fi?). His specialities include all things mobile, headphones and speakers that he can't justifying spending money on.

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News from non-English countries

"They fell to the ground with screams": Russian Guards fired at children single near Moscow - there is a casualty

2023-08-20T20:58:57.477Z

Highlights: In Russia, in the city of Elektrostal (Moscow region), during demonstrations, Rosgvardia soldiers began shooting at spectators with children from machine guns with blank cartridges. One child received serious damage from a rebounded cartridge case. In the video, a child can be heard crying and screaming violently. It is also interesting that Russia recently arranged a solemn farewell to Vladimir Shestakov, convicted for the murder of a child, who became a mercenary of PMC "Wagner" and was liquidated in the war in Ukraine.

In Russia, in the city of Elektrostal (Moscow region), during demonstrations, Rosgvardia soldiers began shooting at spectators with children from machine guns with blank cartridges.

So far, one injured child is known.

This was reported by the local Telegram channel of the Cheka-OGPU.

"Small children were clutching their heads screaming and falling to the ground. Not without injuries. The child received serious damage from a rebounded cartridge case," the report said.

One of the witnesses to the incident posted a video. It was her child who was shot by the Russian Guards. In the video, a child can be heard crying and screaming violently.

After the woman realized that her child had been wounded, she called her husband and doctor.

Meanwhile, Russian occupier Ivan Alekseev in the war in Ukraine after a drunken quarrel killed his colleague and tried to cover up the crime, saying it was the work of "Ukrainian saboteurs."

It is also interesting that Russia recently arranged a solemn farewell to Vladimir Shestakov, convicted for the murder of a child, who became a mercenary of PMC "Wagner" and was liquidated in the war in Ukraine.

• The suspect in the murder of a military volunteer was released from custody
• They will teach "patriotism": Russians in the occupied territories launch cadet classes
• Russia has created another training ground near Mariupol: how many soldiers are in the city

Source: tsn

All news articles on 2023-08-20

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