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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for a budget-friendly option, the Beats EP is much less expensive than the Sony WF1000XM4 and offers a decent overall sound quality, suitable for general music listening. However, they are wired on-ear headphones with no active noise cancelling and limited features for calls and meetings. In contrast, the Sony WF1000XM4 earbuds are wireless with exceptional sound quality, superior comfort, and excellent active noise cancelling, making them ideal for air travel and use in noisy environments. They also have an extended battery life and additional features like an app equalizer and ear detection, but they come at a premium price. Consider the Beats EP if you want to save money and don't need wireless connectivity or noise cancelling, but if you prioritize top-notch sound, comfort, and modern features, the Sony WF1000XM4 would be the better choice despite the higher cost. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Beats EP
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM4
- Excellent for music
- Very good for air travel
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.1
9.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is excellent for music, while the Beats EP is very good.
Gaming
6.3
5.6
The Beats EP is only fair for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.2
6.7
The Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair for phone calls, while the Beats EP is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8
10.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Beats EP is only fair.
TV and Video
7.6
6.0
The Beats EP is good for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
5.3
8.3
The Sony WF1000XM4 is very good for noise reduction, while the Beats EP is poor.
Battery
N/A
9.0 Hours
The Beats EP does not have a battery. The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$100
$220
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Beats EP has a price of $100 and the Sony WF1000XM4 costs $220.
Build Quality
8.0
8.9
The Sony WF1000XM4 and Beats EP both have very good build quality, though the Sony WF1000XM4 has somewhat better build quality.
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How the Beats EP and the Sony WF1000XM4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats EP | Sony WF1000XM4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $220 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2018 | July 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.3/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.6/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 226.7 Grams | 6.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Beats EP
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonecheck
Ulf Kaiser | 2015
"With the EP model, Beats delivers a stylish headphone with cable connection and hands-free functionality that should please consumers seeking a balanced sound for playback on mobile devices."
Sony WF1000XM4
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | March 2023
"The headphones deliver a satisfying user experience, class-leading battery life, some of the best noise-cancelling we’ve heard in this category, and absolutely stunning sound quality."
Get a great deal on the Beats EP or the Sony WF1000XM4
About Beats
Beats is an American, consumer-focused, audio products manufacturer. Founded originally by American rapper and producer Dr Dre, the company is now a subsidiary of Apple. Beats sells a wide range of audio products, including several models of headphones, earbuds and speakers as well as full car audio systems.
About Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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