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Sony WH-1000XM3 — Over-ear · 2018
Sony

Sony WH-1000XM3

Over-ear · 2018

86
/ 100
From $349
VS
Sony WH-1000XM4 · Arctic White wins by 4
Sony WH-1000XM4 · Arctic White — Over-ear · 2020
Sony

Sony WH-1000XM4 · Arctic White

Over-ear · 2020

90
/ 100
From $349
Specdex verdict

Sony WH-1000XM4 · Arctic White takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Sony WH-1000XM3 lands at 86 and Sony WH-1000XM4 · Arctic White at 90. That puts Sony WH-1000XM4 · Arctic White ahead by 4 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Sony WH-1000XM3 if…

  • ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • ✓Premium build
  • ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)

Pick Sony WH-1000XM4 · Arctic White if…

  • ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • ✓Premium build
  • ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Sound quality

Sony WH-1000XM4 · Arctic White

Tuning, detail, and staging

Sony WH-1000XM4 · Arctic White leads on sound (90 vs 86).

Noise cancelling

Sony WH-1000XM4 · Arctic White

ANC strength for commute and travel

Sony WH-1000XM4 · Arctic White leads on anc (88 vs 84).

Comfort

Sony WH-1000XM4 · Arctic White

Long-session wearability

Sony WH-1000XM4 · Arctic White leads on comfort (89 vs 85).

Value for money

Tie

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Effectively tied — similar score-per-dollar at MSRP.

Sony WH-1000XM3 86
vs
90 Sony WH-1000XM4 · Arctic White

Score breakdown

Sony WH-1000XM3
86
anc 84
sound 86
comfort 85
battery 82
features 82
Sony WH-1000XM4 · Arctic White
90
anc 88
sound 90
comfort 89
battery 82
features 86

Specs side-by-side

Sony WH-1000XM3 versus Sony WH-1000XM4 · Arctic White — full spec comparison
Spec Sony WH-1000XM3 Sony WH-1000XM4 · Arctic White
Type
Over-ear
Over-ear
Release year
2018
2020

Sony WH-1000XM3

Pros
  • +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • +Premium build
  • +Active noise cancellation (most models)
Cons
  • −Battery varies by codec
  • −Some are Bluetooth-only
  • −Price creep vs previous gen

Sony WH-1000XM4 · Arctic White

Pros
  • +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • +Premium build
  • +Active noise cancellation (most models)
Cons
  • −Battery varies by codec
  • −Some are Bluetooth-only
  • −Price creep vs previous gen

FAQ: Sony WH-1000XM3 vs Sony WH-1000XM4 · Arctic White

Which is better, Sony WH-1000XM3 or Sony WH-1000XM4 · Arctic White? +

Sony WH-1000XM4 · Arctic White scores 90 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 4. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Sony WH-1000XM3 worth the price? +

At $349, Sony WH-1000XM3 delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in sound.

Is Sony WH-1000XM4 · Arctic White worth the price? +

At $349, Sony WH-1000XM4 · Arctic White delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in sound.

Does Sony WH-1000XM3 or Sony WH-1000XM4 · Arctic White last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for sound quality, Sony WH-1000XM3 or Sony WH-1000XM4 · Arctic White? +

Sony WH-1000XM4 · Arctic White — leads on sound (90 vs 86). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, Sony WH-1000XM3 or Sony WH-1000XM4 · Arctic White? +

Sony WH-1000XM4 · Arctic White — leads on anc (88 vs 84). ANC strength for commute and travel.