Beats Fit Pro vs Sony WH-1000XM4
The Verdict
Beats Fit Pro and Sony WH-1000XM4 serve distinctly different use cases. Beats Fit Pro excels as a compact, workout-focused option with IPX4 water resistance, secure-fit wingtips, and Apple H1 chip integration,ideal for active users willing to trade battery life for portability. Sony WH-1000XM4 dominates for serious listening, delivering industry-leading ANC, 30-hour battery life, multipoint connectivity, and hi-res LDAC codec support through a larger over-ear form factor. Sound quality favors Sony's 30mm drivers with DSEE Extreme upscaling versus Beats' custom drivers. However, Beats' $179 price point undercuts Sony's $349 significantly. For gym sessions and commutes, Beats win; for office work, travel, and audiophile preferences, Sony's superior ANC, codec options, and 5x longer battery justify the premium. Choose Beats for active lifestyles, Sony for comprehensive daily listening.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Beats Fit Pro if…
- →Secure wingtip design stays locked in during intense workouts
- →ANC and Transparency mode work well at $179
- →Spatial Audio with head tracking for Apple Music
Buy the Sony WH-1000XM4 if…
- →Class-leading active noise cancellation that blocks almost all ambient sound
- →LDAC support delivers hi-res wireless audio quality
- →Exceptional 30-hour battery life with fast charging
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Beats Fit Pro
Pros
- Secure wingtip design stays locked in during intense workouts
- ANC and Transparency mode work well at $179
- Spatial Audio with head tracking for Apple Music
- IPX4 sweat and water resistance for gym use
- Works with both iOS and Android — not Apple-exclusive
Cons
- 6-hour battery per charge is below average
- No LDAC or aptX — AAC-only Bluetooth
- H1 chip is older — missing features of newer H2 chip
- Wingtips can cause discomfort in smaller ears after hours
Sony WH-1000XM4
Pros
- Class-leading active noise cancellation that blocks almost all ambient sound
- LDAC support delivers hi-res wireless audio quality
- Exceptional 30-hour battery life with fast charging
- Multipoint Bluetooth connects two devices simultaneously
- Comfortable over-ear fit with plush earcups for long sessions
Cons
- Plastic build feels less premium than rivals at the same price
- Touch controls can be accidentally triggered
- No IP rating — avoid using in rain or at the gym
- Microphone quality is average for calls
Full Specifications
| Spec | Beats Fit Pro | Sony WH-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | ||
| Type | in-ear | over-ear |
| Weight | 5.6 g (each) | 254 g |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 6 hrs (ANC on), 24 hrs total with case | 30 hrs (ANC on) |
| Charging | USB-C, 5-min charge for 1 hr playback | USB-C, 10-min quick charge for 5 hrs playback |
| Drivers | Custom Beats driver | 30 mm |
| Features | Secure-fit wingtips for active use, Apple H1 chip with one-touch pairing, Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode, Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, Adaptive EQ, Android and iOS compatible | Industry-leading ANC with Dual Noise Sensor technology, LDAC hi-res wireless audio, Speak-to-Chat auto-pause, Adaptive Sound Control, DSEE Extreme upscaling, Multipoint Bluetooth pairing, Wearing detection |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wired option | ||
| Codecs | AAC, SBC | LDAC, aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Multipoint | ||
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | None |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in headphones, see all Beats products or all Sony products. View full details for the Beats Fit Pro or the Sony WH-1000XM4.