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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If affordability is a priority and you typically use headphones in a quiet environment, the Rode NTH-100 would be a solid choice, offering good quality sound and comfort for less money. However, if you value portability, wireless freedom, and active noise cancellation to block out ambient sounds, the Sony WF1000XM4 would serve you better, especially in noisier settings or during travel. The Sony earbuds also provide the convenience of touch controls and the ability to take calls hands-free, ideal for multitasking or if you're often on the move. Keep in mind that true wireless earbuds like the Sony WF1000XM4 may require more frequent charging than over-ear headphones. 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 Rode NTH-100
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM4
- Excellent for music
- Very good for air travel
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.2
9.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is excellent for music, while the Rode NTH-100 is very good.
Gaming
6.5
5.6
The Rode NTH-100 is only fair for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.8
6.7
The Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair for phone calls, while the Rode NTH-100 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
10.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Rode NTH-100 is good.
TV and Video
7.7
6.0
The Rode NTH-100 is good for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
5.3
8.3
The Sony WF1000XM4 is very good for noise reduction, while the Rode NTH-100 is poor.
Battery
N/A
9.0 Hours
The Rode NTH-100 does not have a battery. The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$149
$220
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Rode NTH-100 has a price of $149 and the Sony WF1000XM4 costs $220.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.9
The Sony WF1000XM4 and Rode NTH-100 both have very good build quality.
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How the Rode NTH-100 and the Sony WF1000XM4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Rode NTH-100 | Sony WF1000XM4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $220 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Rode | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2022 | July 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.6/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 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 | 5.3/10 | 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 | 7.6/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 349.2 Grams | 6.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Rode NTH-100
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Gamer
Kizito Katawonga | March 2023
"The NTH-100M is a closed-back headset aimed at professional audiophiles—streamers, podcasters and content creators included—looking for masterful audio and a detachable 'broadcast-grade' microphone."
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 Rode NTH-100 or the Sony WF1000XM4
About Rode
Rode is an Australian audio equipment manufacturer. Rode was founded in 1967 as Freedman Electronics, transitioning into its modern brand in 1990, and it’s mainly known for their high-end microphones and audio production equipment. In 2022 they entered into the headphone market with their NTH-100 closed back headphone which was received with very good reviews from the community.
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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