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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Philips SHP9500 headphones offer exceptional sound quality and comfort for home listening at a more affordable price, but they lack portability, noise isolation, and aren't suitable for exercise or travel. In contrast, the Sony WF1000XM4 earbuds are more expensive but provide portability, active noise cancellation, and are sweatproof, making them versatile for traveling, exercising, and casual listening. The Sony's also have a better microphone for calls, which the Philips lack. Consider the Philips if you prioritize a high-quality home audio experience without breaking the bank, or the Sony if you need versatile, noise-canceling earbuds for a range of activities including calls. 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 Philips SHP9500
- Good for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM4
- Very good for air travel
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
7.2
5.6
The Philips SHP9500 is good for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.9
6.7
The Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair for phone calls, while the Philips SHP9500 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
10.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Philips SHP9500 is very good.
TV and Video
9.0
6.0
The Philips SHP9500 is excellent for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.3
The Sony WF1000XM4 is very good for noise reduction, while the Philips SHP9500 is poor.
Battery
N/A
9.0 Hours
The Philips SHP9500 does not have a battery. The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$48
$220
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Philips SHP9500 has a price of $48 and the Sony WF1000XM4 costs $220.
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Key similarities
Music
9.2
9.0
The Philips SHP9500 and Sony WF1000XM4 are both excellent for music.
Build Quality
8.5
8.9
The Sony WF1000XM4 and Philips SHP9500 both have very good build quality.
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How the Philips SHP9500 and the Sony WF1000XM4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Philips SHP9500 | Sony WF1000XM4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$48 | $220 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Philips | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 1, 2013 | July 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.3/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.3/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.1/10 | 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 | 2.5/10 | 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 | N/A | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 10/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 294.8 Grams | 6.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Philips SHP9500
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphones Lab
Brian Stone | April 2020
"You can’t go wrong with the Philips SHP9500 for their price. Their audio quality is superb, and the fact that you can use them for just about anything you can think of makes them well worth your money"
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 Philips SHP9500 or the Sony WF1000XM4
About Philips
Philips is a Dutch conglomerate and electronics manufacturer with over 130 years of history. Philips makes the Fidelio audio line which includes several models of full-sized wired and wireless headphones, true wireless earbuds. soundbars and wireless speakers.
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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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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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