A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're on a tight budget and need something for casual listening or TV, where comfort and cable length are important, the Sony MDREX15AP might be suitable despite its poor overall sound quality. For a premium listening experience with excellent noise isolation, better sound quality, and active noise cancelling for travel or noisy environments, the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are ideal, although they're significantly more expensive. The WH-1000XM5 also offers wireless convenience with a long battery life, an integrated microphone of high quality for calls, and an app that provides sound customization. If your priority is portability and using earbuds while exercising, neither may be ideal, but the MDREX15AP's better fit for exercise and smaller carry size give it an edge in that specific context. 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 MDREX15AP
- Excellent for TV and video
Advantages of the Sony WH-1000XM5
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Gaming
6.7
5.6
The Sony MDREX15AP is only fair for gaming, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Phone Calls
3.5
5.5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Sony MDREX15AP are both poor for phone calls, though the Sony WH-1000XM5 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.4
6.0
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony MDREX15AP is poor.
TV and Video
9.3
5.8
The Sony MDREX15AP is excellent for TV and video, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Noise Reduction
7.0
9.1
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Sony MDREX15AP is good.
Battery
N/A
40.3 Hours
The Sony MDREX15AP does not have a battery. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has 40.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$20
$398
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Sony MDREX15AP has a price of $20 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 costs $398.
Build Quality
8.0
8.8
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Sony MDREX15AP both have very good build quality, though the Sony WH-1000XM5 has somewhat better build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Music
8.3
8.2
The Sony MDREX15AP and Sony WH-1000XM5 are both very good for music.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Sony MDREX15AP and the Sony WH-1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony MDREX15AP | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$20 | $398 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2014 | May 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.5/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.8/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.3/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.6/10 | 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 | 7/10 | 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 | 8/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 3.1 Grams | 249.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Sony MDREX15AP
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Make It Sound Great
Pete Anthony | June 2022
"At the ultra budget $10 price-point (and we’ve seen the no-mic version go for as cheap as $7), I’d say these are a decent option if you’re looking for a passable pair of earbuds for basic use that’s as cheap as possible. I wouldn’t say they feel or sound as good as some of the ultra-budget alternatives out there – of which there are a few at this point – but some might disagree. I will say though that the cable is a little bit nicer than those of that same competition."
Sony WH-1000XM5
See more
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 Sony MDREX15AP 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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
Why trust us
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
122,600
Recommendations made
18,390
Consumer hours saved
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.
Jason Lew
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.
Featured in
