Sony WF-1000XM4

Incredible noise cancellation and detailed sound at a fair $117, but Sony's foam tips still create more drama than necessary. Swap the tips and these remain some of the best wireless earbuds you can buy.

What surprised us most? Not the ANC — we knew that'd be stellar. It's how much the ear tips can tank the whole experience. Run the stock foam tips and you might get a poor seal, which murders bass and lets noise leak in. But pop on a set of third-party silicone tips and suddenly you're hearing nuance in tracks you've listened to a hundred times. The 6mm drivers produce crisp, detailed sound that's especially strong in the mids and highs, and LDAC streaming over Bluetooth 5.2 is as close to wired as we've heard in this form factor. Call quality is another highlight: with beamforming mics and a bone-conduction sensor, your voice comes through clear even in a coffee shop. The bone conductor is a clever trick that works.

The field has shifted. Sony's own WF-1000XM6 now leads the pack with even better ANC and a refined fit, but they'll cost you. The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro bring stellar sound and a comfy design that outclasses Sony's stock tips, though their noise canceling trails a bit. Apple's AirPods Pro 3 dominate if you're in the iPhone ecosystem with seamless switching and spatial audio tricks. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 remain strong picks too. Bose wins on out-of-box comfort and awareness mode; Sennheiser matches Sony's audio detail with true multipoint. If you want the best noise cancellation under $150, Sony still takes the crown. For a more polished all-rounder, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Sennheisers make a stronger case.

Pricing has settled around $117, which is a solid middle ground. You're not getting the absurd $85 steals from last year, but you're also not overpaying at $278. At this price, the WF-1000XM4 are a fair deal for the ANC performance alone. Grab a $10 pack of silicone tips and you've got a setup that still hangs with earbuds costing twice as much.

The Sony WF-1000XM4 defined what noise canceling earbuds could be when they launched, and honestly? They still hold up. That new Integrated Processor V1 and LDAC support push sound quality beyond most competitors, while the ANC remains absurdly good — we're talking top-of-the-charts silence on a plane or bus.

But here's the thing: those stock memory foam tips are a gamble. If they seal right, you're golden. If not, you'll be swapping them for silicone before you can finish a single playlist. And that's the story of these earbuds: exceptional core tech paired with a fit that frustrates a lot of people.

If you want earbuds that feel perfect right out of the box and don't require a tip swap, skip these. Get the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 for a more comfortable default fit and true multipoint.

At $117, the WF-1000XM4 are a compelling buy if ANC is your obsession. Spend an extra $10 on silicone tips and you'll get top-tier silence and detailed sound that still competes with newer flagships. Just know the competition has caught up in comfort and features, so don't expect a flawless experience straight out of the box.