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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality and noise cancellation, the Sony WF1000XM4 is superior, offering a more enveloping audio experience, ideal for an audiophile. However, the Creative Labs Outlier Pro provides a better battery life, is more affordable, and is highly rated for calls and meetings. The Sony's have a higher comfort score, which may be important for long listening sessions. On the downside, the high-quality sound and features of the Sony WF1000XM4 come at a premium price. The Outlier Pro might not match the Sony's performance but serves as a budget-friendly option with a solid build and adequate sound for casual listening and voice calls. 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 Creative Labs Outlier Pro
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for exercise
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM4
- Excellent for music
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
5.9
9.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is excellent for music, while the Creative Labs Outlier Pro is poor.
Phone Calls
8.3
6.7
The Creative Labs Outlier Pro is very good for phone calls, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.9
10.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Creative Labs Outlier Pro is very good.
Battery
10.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Creative Labs Outlier Pro has 10 hours of battery life. The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$50
$220
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Creative Labs Outlier Pro has a price of $50 and the Sony WF1000XM4 costs $220.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.3
5.6
The Sony WF1000XM4 and Creative Labs Outlier Pro are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.5
6.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WF1000XM4 to be only fair for TV and video, while the Creative Labs Outlier Pro is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
8.3
The Creative Labs Outlier Pro and Sony WF1000XM4 are both very good for noise reduction.
Build Quality
9.0
8.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Creative Labs Outlier Pro to have excellent build quality, while the Sony WF1000XM4 has very good build quality.
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How the Creative Labs Outlier Pro and the Sony WF1000XM4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Creative Labs Outlier Pro | Sony WF1000XM4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$50 | $220 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Creative Labs | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2022 | July 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.3/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8/10 | 6.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 10 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 45 | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7.2 Grams | 6.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Creative Labs Outlier Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
Forbes
Brad Moon | September 2022
"If you listen to music for extended periods such as commuting and work, and you hate having to pause to charge, give the Creative Outlier Pro wireless earbuds a try. You should be able to enjoy your tunes all day, or longer, without interruption."
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 Creative Labs Outlier Pro or the Sony WF1000XM4
About Creative Labs
Creative Labs is a Singaporean technology company specialized in the manufacture of multimedia products. They created the world-famous Soundblaster soundcard back in 1989 which was a staple of the gaming community for a long time. Nowadays, besides still marketing their discrete audio systems, they offer a wide array of headphones, gaming headsets and speakers that still preserve that same heritage.
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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Why trust us
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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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