Sony WH-XB910N Headphones: An Affordable Flagship

Sony recently released a new set of midrange wireless headphones, the Sony WH-XB910N headphones. They aren’t entirely new or earth-shattering in their design or approach. But they do offer quite a lot of value for the purchase price.

Here’s what to know about the new Sony WH-XB910N, plus a quick review of the competition.

The Sony WH-XB910N headphones didn’t come out of nowhere. They’re based on the higher-end Sony WH-1000XM4 set of noise-canceling wireless headphones — and that’s a good thing, considering that Gizmodo calls the WH-1000XM4 “practically perfect” as far as noise-canceling wireless headphones go.

The design of the two headphone models is remarkably similar. Other than some more premium finishes and a premium-looking gold Sony logo on the more expensive set, you’ll have a hard time finding many differences.

The build quality and sound quality appear to be very similar as well. Both were great in the WH-1000XM4, so getting something similar in a less expensive set is an all-around good thing for consumers.

Sony’s new WH-XB910N retails for $249, making this a very competitive set of midrange to premium headphones. For comparison, the premium WH-100XM4 sells for $349. A comparable Bose headset, the QC45, sits at $329. Apple’s AirPods Max, while a slight step up in terms of sound and build quality, are more than double the cost.

If the $300 or higher price point tempts you — and you don’t care about the features Sony removed to get down to $249 — then the WH-XB910N is a compelling choice you should consider.

If the Sony WH-XB910N wireless headphones are a lite or stripped-down version of the company’s higher-end set, that means something is missing.

Thankfully, Sony didn’t leave much out. The primary difference between the two models is in their noise-canceling abilities. The higher-end set uses an array of five microphones to perform its noise-canceling magic. Gizmodo ranks them as far superior to Bose, the former champion in noise-canceling technology.

The WH-XB910N, on the other hand, has only two microphones powering its active noise cancellation. Although it’s not as impressive as higher-end sets, it’ll still get the job done.

Other than the difference in noise canceling, there isn’t much else missing. These are still highly capable wireless headphones with great audio, battery life, and useful carrying case.

If you’re not familiar with Sony’s higher-end WH-1000MX4, you might be left wondering what Sony included in this slimmed-down version. Here’s a list of the top features of note in the WH-XB910N.

Sony’s latest wireless noise-canceling headphones are impressive, for sure. But are they the best choice for you?

It depends on what you want out of your next headphone purchase. If you want superb audio quality that comes close to rivaling even Apple’s $550 AirPods Max, you’ll find it here. The smart features and enhanced connectivity options are attractive, as well.

Most importantly, consider your noise cancellation needs and your budget. If you’re regularly using headphones in high-noise environments (like cafes, airplanes and the like), you’ll be better off saving up for the $349 WH-1000XM4. But if your noise-cancellation needs are less intense (say, typical office or home office environment), you should save $100 and get the WH-XB910N instead.

Second, budget. These aren’t particularly expensive headphones, but they aren’t cheap, either. If $249 is out of the question or even a bit of a stretch, there are plenty of other less impressive but still decent options at lower price points.

If it’s time for a new pair of headphones, that means it’s also time for a new extended headphone warranty — one that’s just as surprisingly affordable and impressively reliable as your new pair of Sony WH-XB910Ns. For affordable and comprehensive warranties, choose Upsie.

Upsie offers extended headphone warranties that offer reliable, quality protection against damage. Upsie protects against manufacturer problems and component failures in your headphones, plus accidental drops, cracks, spills and more.

Upsie’s prices are impressively low, and you can choose between two and three years of coverage. In addition, customers can make unlimited claims up to the purchase price of the device.

Ready to get started protecting your headphones? Get your Upsie plan today.