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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Sony WF1000XM4 earbuds offer better portability and are slightly less expensive, with outstanding comfort and a highly rated sound quality that's ideal for music listening. They are also sweatproof, making them suitable for exercise. However, the WH-1000XM5 headphones provide superior noise isolation, a longer battery life, and higher mic quality, which makes them better for calls and long flights. The WH-1000XM5 are foldable and come with a carry case for portability, despite being bulkier. If you prioritize sound immersion and will use them in quiet environments, opt for the earbuds, but if you need better noise isolation and call quality, especially in noisy environments, the headphones would be a better choice. 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 WF1000XM4
- Excellent for music
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony WH-1000XM5
- The Sony WH-1000XM5 has no clear advantages over the Sony WF1000XM4.
Key differences
Music
9.0
8.2
The Sony WF1000XM4 is excellent for music, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is very good.
Phone Calls
6.7
5.5
The Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair for phone calls, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
10.0
6.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
8.3
9.1
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is very good.
Battery
9.0 Hours
40.3 Hours
The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has 40.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$220
$398
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Sony WF1000XM4 has a price of $220 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 costs $398.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.6
5.6
The Sony WF1000XM4 and Sony WH-1000XM5 are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
6.0
5.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WF1000XM4 to be only fair for TV and video, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Build Quality
8.9
8.8
The Sony WF1000XM4 and Sony WH-1000XM5 both have very good build quality.
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How the Sony WF1000XM4 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony WF1000XM4 | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$220 | $398 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2021 | May 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.1/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.7/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.7/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 9 Hours | 40.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | 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 | 8.9/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.9/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6.5 Grams | 249.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
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."
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 Sony WF1000XM4 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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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.
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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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