The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Grado GT220 earbuds deliver a more refined sound quality and built-in controls which might justify their higher price if you prioritize premium audio and convenient touch features for music listening. However, they are not as well-suited for gaming or watching TV due to lower performance in these areas. If you're looking for versatile headphones that perform better for gaming and watching videos, with the added bonus of a significantly lower price, the Rode NTH-100 may be the better option, despite the lack of a microphone and wireless connectivity. Remember that earbuds like the GT220 also provide better portability, whereas the NTH-100 over-ear headphones offer comfort and better noise isolation but may be less convenient for travel. 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 Grado GT220
Good for air travel
Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Rode NTH-100
Very good for music
Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.3/10
8.2/10
The Rode NTH-100 is very good for music, while the Grado GT220 is only fair.
Gaming
5.1/10
6.5/10
The Rode NTH-100 is only fair for gaming, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Phone Calls
6.9/10
4.8/10
The Grado GT220 is only fair for phone calls, while the Rode NTH-100 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.8/10
7.6/10
The Grado GT220 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Rode NTH-100 is good.
TV and Video
5.5/10
7.7/10
The Rode NTH-100 is good for TV and video, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Battery
5.5 Hours
N/A
The Grado GT220 has 5.5 hours of battery life. The Rode NTH-100 does not have a battery.
Cost
$259
$149
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Grado GT220 has a price of $259 and the Rode NTH-100 costs $149.
"With its superb and functional interface and its highly satisfying imaging, Grado has shown a new talent for delivering a solid true wireless system, and with future improvements, has the potential to really be one of the best."
"The NTH-100M is a closed-back headset aimed at professional audiophiles—streamers, podcasters and content creators included—looking for masterful audio and a detachable 'broadcast-grade' microphone."
Get a great deal on the Grado GT220 or the Rode NTH-100
About Grado
Grado Labs is a small, family-owned, business based in Brooklyn New York that specializes in high-end, boutique, dynamic headphones and turntable cartridges. They boast a particular house sound, that is to say their products have a particular sound signature unique to Grado, that some audiophiles seem to really like and are unable to find anywhere else. Their high-end headphones are all hand made, completely in house, from a variety of exotic woods and materials going so far as to making one of their most popular products out of hemp.
About Rode
Rode is an Australian audio equipment manufacturer. Rode was founded in 1967 as Freedman Electronics, transitioning into its modern brand in 1990, and it’s mainly known for their high-end microphones and audio production equipment. In 2022 they entered into the headphone market with their NTH-100 closed back headphone which was received with very good reviews from the community.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
122,600
Recommendations made
18,390
Consumer hours saved
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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
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.
Luis Torres
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.