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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for superior noise isolation, longer battery life, and higher overall sound quality, the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are an excellent choice, especially for frequent travelers or for use in louder environments. However, they are bulkier and significantly more expensive. On the other hand, the Moondrop Nekocake earbuds provide a satisfactory listening experience at a budget price, with good portability and suitability for exercise, but they lack active noise cancellation and have a shorter battery life than the Sony. Consider the Moondrop if you prefer a more compact design and lower cost with decent performance. 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
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony WH-1000XM5
- Very good for music
Key differences
Music
5.7
8.2
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is very good for music, while the Moondrop Nekocake is poor.
Gaming
4.6
5.6
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Moondrop Nekocake are both poor for gaming, though the Sony WH-1000XM5 is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
6.1
5.5
The Moondrop Nekocake is only fair for phone calls, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.7
6.0
The Moondrop Nekocake is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is only fair.
TV and Video
5.0
5.8
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Moondrop Nekocake are both poor for TV and video, though the Sony WH-1000XM5 is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
7.0
9.1
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Moondrop Nekocake is good.
Battery
3.0 Hours
40.3 Hours
The Moondrop Nekocake has 3 hours of battery life. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has 40.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$39
$398
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Moondrop Nekocake has a price of $39 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 costs $398.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.8
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Moondrop Nekocake both have very good build quality.
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How the Moondrop Nekocake and the Sony WH-1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Moondrop Nekocake | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$39 | $398 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Moondrop | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | May 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.7/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.2/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 4.7/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.6/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 3 Hours | 40.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1 Hours | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 12 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 9.1/10 | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.4 Grams | 249.4 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 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 Moondrop Nekocake 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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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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