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The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Choosing between the Grado GT220 earbuds and the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones depends on your preferences and needs. The Grado GT220 is more compact and better for exercise, while the Sony model offers superior noise isolation, which is great for air travel. If you take many calls or attend online meetings, the Sony WH-1000XM5 has a higher mic quality. For immersive listening, the Sony provides a better soundstage. The Grado is less suitable for gaming and watching TV due to higher latency. Despite being slightly less expensive, the Grado still offers a durable build and good sound quality for music. The Sony WH-1000XM5 is more versatile with features like active noise cancelling, an app with equalizer and audio controls, and a longer overall battery life, making it a stronger all-around choice if your budget allows. 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
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony WH-1000XM5
- Very good for music
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
6.3
8.2
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is very good for music, while the Grado GT220 is only fair.
Phone Calls
6.9
5.5
The Grado GT220 is only fair for phone calls, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.8
6.0
The Grado GT220 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
5.3
9.1
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Battery
5.5 Hours
40.3 Hours
The Grado GT220 has 5.5 hours of battery life. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has 40.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$259
$398
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Grado GT220 has a price of $259 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 costs $398.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.1
5.6
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Grado GT220 are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.5
5.8
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Grado GT220 are both poor for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.8
8.8
The Grado GT220 and Sony WH-1000XM5 both have very good build quality.
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How the Grado GT220 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Grado GT220 | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$259 | $398 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Grado | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | May 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.4/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 5.6/10 | |
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 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5.5 Hours | 40.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 36 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.8/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5 Grams | 249.4 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 WH-1000XM5
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonesty
Kazi Mahbub Mutakabbir | February 2023
"The Sony WH-1000XM5 are the best Sony Bluetooth headphones so far and one of the most well-rounded Bluetooth headphones around. Look no further if you need class-leading ANC with a mostly inoffensive sound signature. Just be ready to pony up the price premium."
Get a great deal on the Grado GT220 or the Sony WH-1000XM5
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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