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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a budget-friendly option with good microphone quality for calls and meetings, and a longer battery life, the Creative Labs Outlier Pro would suit you well. However, if you're willing to invest more for better overall sound quality, enhanced portability, and advanced features like virtual surround sound, the Sony WF1000XM5 might be the better choice, especially if you require active noise cancelling and sound tuning through an app. Both options are stemless, sweatproof, and offer app control customization, but the Outlier Pro has a higher score for use during exercise. 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
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM5
- Very good for music
Key differences
Music
5.9
8.0
The Sony WF1000XM5 is very good for music, while the Creative Labs Outlier Pro is poor.
Phone Calls
8.3
5.0
The Creative Labs Outlier Pro is very good for phone calls, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.9
4.9
The Creative Labs Outlier Pro is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is poor.
Battery
10.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Creative Labs Outlier Pro has 10 hours of battery life. The Sony WF1000XM5 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$45
$298
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Creative Labs Outlier Pro has a price of $45 and the Sony WF1000XM5 costs $298.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Creative Labs Outlier Pro has excellent build quality, while the Sony WF1000XM5 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.3
5.1
The Creative Labs Outlier Pro and Sony WF1000XM5 are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.5
5.4
The Creative Labs Outlier Pro and Sony WF1000XM5 are both poor for TV and video.
Noise Reduction
8.3
8.7
The Sony WF1000XM5 and Creative Labs Outlier Pro are both very good for noise reduction.
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How the Creative Labs Outlier Pro and the Sony WF1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Creative Labs Outlier Pro | Sony WF1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$45 | $298 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Creative Labs | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2022 | July 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.3/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 10 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 45 | 18 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8/10 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7.2 Grams | 6 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 WF1000XM5
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Sound Guys
Harley Maranan | July 2023
"The Sony WF-1000XM5 is among the best noise canceling earbuds currently on the market, and they aren’t cheap. These earbuds aren’t the best choice for budget-conscious listeners. But if you prioritize active noise cancelation, sound quality, and extensive software support, the WF-1000XM5 is worth its premium price tag."
Get a great deal on the Creative Labs Outlier Pro or the Sony WF1000XM5
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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