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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
Choosing between the Moondrop Nekocake and the Sony WF1000XM4 depends on your priorities. If price is a major concern and you're looking for quality sound on a budget, the Nekocake offers an economical option with satisfactory performance for casual listening. However, if you're willing to invest in higher-end earbuds, the Sony WF1000XM4 offers superior sound quality, noise canceling technology, and additional features like LDAC support for high-resolution audio, which enhances your listening experience, especially if you're an audiophile or frequently use your earbuds in noisy environments. The Sony's also have a longer battery life and support special audio formats such as Sony's 360 Reality Audio, for a more immersive experience with compatible apps. 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
- The Moondrop Nekocake has no clear advantages over the Sony WF1000XM4.
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM4
- Excellent for music
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
5.7
9.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is excellent for music, while the Moondrop Nekocake is poor.
Gaming
4.6
5.6
The Sony WF1000XM4 and Moondrop Nekocake are both poor for gaming, though the Sony WF1000XM4 is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
6.1
6.7
The Sony WF1000XM4 and Moondrop Nekocake are both only fair for phone calls, though the Sony WF1000XM4 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.7
10.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Moondrop Nekocake is good.
TV and Video
5.0
6.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair for TV and video, while the Moondrop Nekocake is poor.
Noise Reduction
7.0
8.3
The Sony WF1000XM4 is very good for noise reduction, while the Moondrop Nekocake is good.
Battery
3.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Moondrop Nekocake has 3 hours of battery life. The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$39
$220
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Moondrop Nekocake has a price of $39 and the Sony WF1000XM4 costs $220.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.9
The Sony WF1000XM4 and Moondrop Nekocake both have very good build quality.
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How the Moondrop Nekocake and the Sony WF1000XM4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Moondrop Nekocake | Sony WF1000XM4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$39 | $220 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Moondrop | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | July 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.7/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.2/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 4.7/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.6/10 | 6.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 3 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 12 | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 5.4/10 | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.4 Grams | 6.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
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 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 Nekocake 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
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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