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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If your primary focus is sound quality for listening to music and you're budget-conscious, the Moondrop Chu would be a suitable choice, especially since they are significantly less expensive than the Sony WH-1000XM5 and offer solid overall sound quality. However, if you travel often and desire headphones with active noise cancelling and superior comfort for longer wear, consider investing in the Sony WH-1000XM5 despite the higher cost. The Sony's over-ear form factor and active noise cancellation features will provide a better experience in noisy environments like airplanes and may be worth the extra expense. Keep in mind that the Moondrop Chu do not have wireless capabilities nor active noise cancelling, which are significant features offered by the Sony WH-1000XM5. 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
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony WH-1000XM5
- Very good for music
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Gaming
8.0
5.6
The Moondrop Chu is very good for gaming, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Phone Calls
8.8
5.5
The Moondrop Chu is very good for phone calls, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
6.0
The Moondrop Chu is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is only fair.
TV and Video
7.5
5.8
The Moondrop Chu is good for TV and video, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
9.1
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Moondrop Chu is only fair.
Battery
N/A
40.3 Hours
The Moondrop Chu does not have a battery. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has 40.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$22
$398
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Moondrop Chu has a price of $22 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 costs $398.
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Key similarities
Music
7.9
8.2
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WH-1000XM5 to be very good for music, while the Moondrop Chu is good.
Build Quality
8.5
8.8
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Moondrop Chu both have very good build quality.
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How the Moondrop Chu and the Sony WH-1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Moondrop Chu | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$22 | $398 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Moondrop | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2022 | May 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.9/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.1/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.6/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.4/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 40.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 9.1/10 | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 8 Grams | 249.4 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 WH-1000XM5
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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 Moondrop Chu or the Sony WH-1000XM5
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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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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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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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.
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