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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize excellent sound quality and are willing to pay more, then Grado GT220 could be your preference. They excel in music, though they are not the best for gaming or TV due to their lower score in those areas. However, if you seek better value, with active noise cancellation and superior battery life in the case, consider the Sony WF1000XM3. They're also rated higher for comfort and calls, with features like app equalization and controls customization that the Grado lacks. Sony's earbuds are optimized for both Android and Apple devices and support features like ear detection that Grado doesn't have. 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
- The Grado GT220 has no clear advantages over the Sony WF1000XM3.
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM3
- Good for music
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
6.3
7.5
The Sony WF1000XM3 is good for music, while the Grado GT220 is only fair.
Phone Calls
6.9
8.2
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for phone calls, while the Grado GT220 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
5.3
8.3
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Cost
$259
$180
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Grado GT220 has a price of $259 and the Sony WF1000XM3 costs $180.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.1
5.6
The Sony WF1000XM3 and Grado GT220 are both poor for gaming.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.8
8.7
The Grado GT220 and Sony WF1000XM3 are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
5.5
5.7
The Sony WF1000XM3 and Grado GT220 are both poor for TV and video.
Battery
5.5 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Grado GT220 has 5.5 hours of battery life. The Sony WF1000XM3 has 6 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
8.8
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WF1000XM3 to have excellent build quality, while the Grado GT220 has very good build quality.
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How the Grado GT220 and the Sony WF1000XM3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Grado GT220 | Sony WF1000XM3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$259 | $180 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Grado | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | August 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.5/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5.5 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 36 | 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 | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.8/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Grado GT220
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Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Alex Schiffer | October 2020
"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."
Sony WF1000XM3
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Sound Guys
Lily Katz | November 2022
"Wireless earbuds are a dime a dozen, and the Sony WF-1000XM3 makes it easy to justify the cost. The design and comfort are good, and the connection strength is consistent. While the lack of aptX or LDAC support is a big drawback, DSEE HX processing improves low-quality audio files. If you want stylish active noise canceling (ANC) earbuds, the WF-1000XM3 needs to be at the top of your list."
Get a great deal on the Grado GT220 or the Sony WF1000XM3
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 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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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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