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 January 10, 2024·
The Sony WF1000XM5 earbuds are a premium choice with excellent noise isolation ideal for air travel, while featuring wireless convenience and active noise cancelling. They are optimized for both Android and Apple, provide higher sound quality for music, and have an app that allows for equalizer and control customization. Conversely, the Steelseries TUSQ, while being more affordable, offers wired connectivity which could be better for gaming due to lower latency, and higher mic quality which is preferable for calls and meetings. The TUSQ is also more sweatproof, making it potentially more suitable for exercise. However, they lack noise cancelling, which could be a downside for noisy environments. 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 WF1000XM5
- Very good for music
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Steelseries TUSQ
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Gaming
5.1
8.5
The Steelseries TUSQ is very good for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is poor.
TV and Video
5.4
7.3
The Steelseries TUSQ is good for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.7
6.0
The Sony WF1000XM5 is very good for noise reduction, while the Steelseries TUSQ is only fair.
Battery
9.0 Hours
N/A
The Sony WF1000XM5 has 9 hours of battery life. The Steelseries TUSQ does not have a battery.
Cost
$298
$30
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Sony WF1000XM5 has a price of $298 and the Steelseries TUSQ costs $30.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Music
8.0
7.6
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WF1000XM5 to be very good for music, while the Steelseries TUSQ is good.
Phone Calls
5.0
5.2
The Steelseries TUSQ and Sony WF1000XM5 are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.9
4.7
The Sony WF1000XM5 and Steelseries TUSQ are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The Sony WF1000XM5 and Steelseries TUSQ both have very good build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Sony WF1000XM5 and the Steelseries TUSQ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony WF1000XM5 | Steelseries TUSQ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$298 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Steelseries | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 1, 2023 | August 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.5/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 4.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 9 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 18 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.8/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6 Grams | 11 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
Shopping
Sony WF1000XM5
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Harley Maranan | July 2023
"The Sony WF-1000XM5 is among the best noise canceling earbuds currently on the market, and they aren’t cheap. These earbuds aren’t the best choice for budget-conscious listeners. But if you prioritize active noise cancelation, sound quality, and extensive software support, the WF-1000XM5 is worth its premium price tag."
Steelseries TUSQ
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Can Buy or Not
Aloysius Low | March 2021
"The SteelSeries Arctis Tusq is a great headset for those on a more modest budget. You can use it for gaming or music, and I daresay it's also great for Zoom meetings when you don't want to be wearing on-ear or over-ear headphones."
Get a great deal on the Sony WF1000XM5 or the Steelseries TUSQ
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.
About Steelseries
Steelseries is a Danish gaming products manufacturer founded in 2001 and owned by GN Store Nord. Beside a large variety of gaming peripherals like mice, keyboards, and mousemats, Steelseries markets the Arctis line of gaming headsets which feature integrated boom microphones and RGB lighting. Steelseries has partnered with several game publishers and studios for limited editions of their products like a line of Cyberpunk 2077 themed headsets in 2020.
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
