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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If wireless convenience and active noise cancelling are important to you, the Moondrop Nekocake would be the better choice, although it's more expensive. These earbuds are also suitable for air travel and have a longer overall battery life, including the case. However, if you're on a budget and primarily want to enjoy TV and video with better sound quality, the Sony MDREX15AP might be more appropriate, despite being wired and lacking noise cancellation. The Sony earbuds are also more portable due to their small size and could be better for those who prefer a simple plug-and-listen experience without needing to charge their device. 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 Nekocake
- Very good for air travel
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony MDREX15AP
- Very good for music
- Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Music
5.7
8.3
The Sony MDREX15AP is very good for music, while the Moondrop Nekocake is poor.
Gaming
4.6
6.7
The Sony MDREX15AP is only fair for gaming, while the Moondrop Nekocake is poor.
Phone Calls
6.1
3.5
The Moondrop Nekocake is only fair for phone calls, while the Sony MDREX15AP is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.7
5.4
The Moondrop Nekocake is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony MDREX15AP is poor.
TV and Video
5.0
9.3
The Sony MDREX15AP is excellent for TV and video, while the Moondrop Nekocake is poor.
Battery
3.0 Hours
N/A
The Moondrop Nekocake has 3 hours of battery life. The Sony MDREX15AP does not have a battery.
Cost
$39
$20
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The Moondrop Nekocake has a price of $39 and the Sony MDREX15AP costs $20.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
7.0
7.0
The Moondrop Nekocake and Sony MDREX15AP are both good for noise reduction.
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The Moondrop Nekocake and Sony MDREX15AP both have very good build quality.
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How the Moondrop Nekocake and the Sony MDREX15AP compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Moondrop Nekocake | Sony MDREX15AP |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$39 | $20 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Moondrop | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | March 1, 2014 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.7/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.2/10 | 3.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 4.7/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.6/10 | 4.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 3 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 12 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 5.4/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.4 Grams | 3.1 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Moondrop Nekocake
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonics
Jarvin | January 2022
"What sets the Nekocake apart from its competition at this price point is the Moondrop Link app that allows the user to change the tonal balance of the Nekocake. This makes sure that it’s versatile enough to suit different sonic preferences while allowing some customization of controls."
Sony MDREX15AP
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Make It Sound Great
Pete Anthony | June 2022
"At the ultra budget $10 price-point (and we’ve seen the no-mic version go for as cheap as $7), I’d say these are a decent option if you’re looking for a passable pair of earbuds for basic use that’s as cheap as possible. I wouldn’t say they feel or sound as good as some of the ultra-budget alternatives out there – of which there are a few at this point – but some might disagree. I will say though that the cable is a little bit nicer than those of that same competition."
Get a great deal on the Moondrop Nekocake or the Sony MDREX15AP
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
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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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