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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're on a budget and need a basic pair that can handle casual music listening and TV watching, the Sony MDR-ZX110 could work for you despite its poor comfort and mic quality. However, if you're willing to invest more for superior noise isolation, sound quality, active noise cancelling, and added features like an app equalizer and wireless connectivity, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is a premium choice. The WH-1000XM5 also has a longer battery life and is better suited for air travel and work environments due to its excellent noise cancellation, but it's less ideal for gaming due to its price and performance in that area. 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 Sony MDR-ZX110
- The Sony MDR-ZX110 has no clear advantages over the Sony WH-1000XM5.
Advantages of the Sony WH-1000XM5
- Very good for music
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.6
8.2
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is very good for music, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is good.
Phone Calls
3.0
5.5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Sony MDR-ZX110 are both poor for phone calls, though the Sony WH-1000XM5 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.3
6.0
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is poor.
TV and Video
6.9
5.8
The Sony MDR-ZX110 is only fair for TV and video, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
9.1
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is poor.
Battery
N/A
40.3 Hours
The Sony MDR-ZX110 does not have a battery. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has 40.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$10
$398
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Sony MDR-ZX110 has a price of $10 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 costs $398.
Build Quality
6.0
8.8
The Sony WH-1000XM5 has very good build quality, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.9
5.6
The Sony MDR-ZX110 and Sony WH-1000XM5 are both poor for gaming.
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How the Sony MDR-ZX110 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony MDR-ZX110 | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$10 | $398 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2015 | May 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.9/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 3.9/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 40.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 9.1/10 | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.5/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 119.9 Grams | 249.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Sony MDR-ZX110
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Dig into reviews and images
Audio.org
Audio.org | December 2022
"My opinion about Sony MDR ZX110 is they are the best budget headphones of Sony with top-class sound. Clear vocals, great bass, and balanced sound with low sound distortion. The treble could be sharper, but it's ok. 30 mm neodymium dynamic drivers give clear and precise audio, and an inline remote with a mic give decent call quality. Closed-Back Design also helps to improve sound performance."
Sony WH-1000XM5
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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 Sony MDR-ZX110 or the Sony WH-1000XM5
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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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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