In an enticing offer for audiophiles and casual listeners alike, Best Buy has slashed the price of Sony’s celebrated WH-1000XM4 noise-canceling headphones to an impressive $159.99. This limited-time deal marks a $190 reduction, the steepest discount we’ve seen this year. For those who prefer cutting-edge technology, the newer XM6 model is available at a discounted price of approximately $398, a $60 savings, at retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, and Target.

Once hailed as the best headphones on the market, Sony’s XM4 model still holds its ground in 2025 as a reliable choice for premium audio. Despite being succeeded by the XM5 and XM6 models, the XM4 continues to offer outstanding sound quality, a robust 30-hour battery life, and impressive noise cancellation capabilities. While they may not match the latest models in active noise cancellation (ANC) performance, their ability to connect to two devices simultaneously and deliver excellent voice call clarity remains unmatched.

Among the XM4’s standout features is the innovative Speak to Chat, which pauses audio when you start speaking, and wear detection, which automatically pauses playback when you remove the headphones and resumes when you put them back on. Unlike their successors, the XM4 headphones are designed to fold compactly, making them a convenient travel companion.

Opting for the XM4 over the XM6 means missing out on some advancements, such as superior sound quality, enhanced ANC, and clearer voice calls offered by Sony’s latest model. Additionally, the XM6 allows simultaneous charging and listening, though it requires managing both a USB-C and a 3.5mm cable, as they do not support audio over USB-C.