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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Sony WF1000XM4 offers better overall sound quality, superior noise isolation, and longer battery life, ideal if you're on the move or in noisy environments. It also provides active noise cancelling, which the Grado GT220 lacks, enhancing your experience in loud settings and during air travel. However, the Grado GT220 is more compact and sweatproof, making it suitable for exercise and users who need a more secure fit during physical activity. Both are wireless, but only the Sony supports LDAC for high-resolution audio streaming. Sound quality for calls is comparable in both, but for immersive audio experiences, the Sony is the better choice.. 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 WF1000XM4.
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM4
- Excellent for music
- Very good for air travel
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.3
9.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is excellent for music, while the Grado GT220 is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.8
10.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Grado GT220 is very good.
Noise Reduction
5.3
8.3
The Sony WF1000XM4 is very good for noise reduction, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Battery
5.5 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Grado GT220 has 5.5 hours of battery life. The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$259
$220
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Grado GT220 has a price of $259 and the Sony WF1000XM4 costs $220.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.1
5.6
The Sony WF1000XM4 and Grado GT220 are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
6.9
6.7
The Grado GT220 and Sony WF1000XM4 are both only fair for phone calls.
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 Grado GT220 is poor.
Build Quality
8.8
8.9
The Sony WF1000XM4 and Grado GT220 both have very good build quality.
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How the Grado GT220 and the Sony WF1000XM4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Grado GT220 | Sony WF1000XM4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$259 | $220 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Grado | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | July 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.4/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 6.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5.5 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
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 | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.8/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5 Grams | 6.5 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 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 Grado GT220 or the Sony WF1000XM4
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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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
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.
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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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