Sony WH-1000XM4

Superb all-rounders with bags of features and great sound

Apple’s AirPods Max are the most advanced and most convenient for users of Apple hardware, but their

high price is an issue. They’re far and away the costliest models on test.

Special mention goes to the Yamaha, Sennheiser, and Bowers & Wilkins models, all of which reflect the long track records of their respective companies in the high-end hi-fi and pro audio worlds. They all to a degree feel as much like audiophile headphones as they do high-tech ones. Urbanista’s Los Angeles also have a unique take on proceedings with their solar charging technology.

Ultimately though, it’s Sony’s WH-1000XM4 that build on that company’s vast experience of audio and design to provide stunning sound and excellent noise cancelling performance, at a price that’s slightly less than you might expect given the competition.

While perhaps lacking the sheer style of Apple’s AirPods Max, they offer the best of all worlds when it comes to sound, price, and performance. And the software, for so long Sony’s weak spot, appears to be much improved too.