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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option and are okay with having a wired connection without active noise cancelling, the Moondrop Chu would be a great choice as they also deliver good overall sound quality. However, if wireless convenience, top-tier noise isolation, and additional features like an app with equalizer settings are what you need, and you're willing to spend more, then the Sony WF1000XM4 would serve you better. The Moondrop Chu lacks wireless capability and active noise cancelling, which could be significant for use in noisier environments or while commuting. Keep in mind that while the Sony WF1000XM4 offers more features and better sound isolation, they are also heavier and might not be as suitable for longer listening sessions compared to the lighter Moondrop Chu. 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 Moondrop Chu
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM4
- Excellent for music
- Very good for air travel
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.9
9.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is excellent for music, while the Moondrop Chu is good.
Gaming
8.0
5.6
The Moondrop Chu is very good for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is poor.
Phone Calls
8.8
6.7
The Moondrop Chu is very good for phone calls, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
10.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Moondrop Chu is good.
TV and Video
7.5
6.0
The Moondrop Chu is good for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
6.0
8.3
The Sony WF1000XM4 is very good for noise reduction, while the Moondrop Chu is only fair.
Battery
N/A
9.0 Hours
The Moondrop Chu does not have a battery. The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$22
$220
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Moondrop Chu has a price of $22 and the Sony WF1000XM4 costs $220.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.9
The Sony WF1000XM4 and Moondrop Chu both have very good build quality.
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How the Moondrop Chu and the Sony WF1000XM4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Moondrop Chu | Sony WF1000XM4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$22 | $220 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Moondrop | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2022 | July 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.9/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.1/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.6/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.4/10 | 6.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.5/10 | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 8 Grams | 6.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | In-Line | Integrated | |
Shopping
Moondrop Chu
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | September 2022
"These budget buds put the pressure on those premium priced in-ear monitors to really justify the cost disparity. Offering excellent sound quality at any price, the Moondrop Chu is both a perfect entry into the audio enthusiast hobby, and an all around good pick for music fans."
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 Moondrop Chu or the Sony WF1000XM4
About Moondrop
Moondrop is a Chinese brand of smart audio equipment, portable audio players, earbuds and headphones started in 2015. During the last few years they have become one of the major players in what is lovingly referred to as the Chi-fi market, the bulk of Chinese companies that have managed to actually compete with the western manufacturers in both prices and superior quality. Products such as the Blessing II, Chu and Kato are among the most popular offerings of the brand, more popular among those users that wish for good quality audio that won't break the bank. Besides audio, the brand also works in what they call the ACGN field (Animation, Comics, Games and Short Novels).
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
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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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