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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Sony WH-1000XM5, while more expensive, excels in noise isolation, sound quality, and is highly rated for air travel with better microphone quality, which may be crucial for calls and meetings. It supports LDAC for high-quality audio and offers effective active noise canceling, making it ideal for immersive music experiences and busy environments. The Soundcore Space Q45, being more affordable, also provides good noise isolation and supports LDAC, but with lower scores in overall sound quality and mic performance. It's slightly heavier but has a longer battery life and a foldable design for better portability. Choose Sony for superior sound and noise canceling, or Soundcore for better value and practical features like foldability and battery life. 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 WH-1000XM5
- Very good for music
Advantages of the Soundcore Space Q45
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.2
7.1
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is very good for music, while the Soundcore Space Q45 is good.
Phone Calls
5.5
4.9
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Soundcore Space Q45 are both poor for phone calls, though the Sony WH-1000XM5 is somewhat better.
Cost
$398
$130
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Sony WH-1000XM5 has a price of $398 and the Soundcore Space Q45 costs $130.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.6
5.4
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Soundcore Space Q45 are both poor for gaming.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.0
5.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WH-1000XM5 to be only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Space Q45 is poor.
TV and Video
5.8
5.6
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Soundcore Space Q45 are both poor for TV and video.
Noise Reduction
9.1
8.7
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WH-1000XM5 to be excellent for noise reduction, while the Soundcore Space Q45 is very good.
Battery
40.3 Hours
41.0 Hours
The Sony WH-1000XM5 has 40.3 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Space Q45 has 41 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
8.8
8.5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Soundcore Space Q45 both have very good build quality.
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How the Sony WH-1000XM5 and the Soundcore Space Q45 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony WH-1000XM5 | Soundcore Space Q45 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$398 | $130 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | August 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.6/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 40.3 Hours | 41 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 3.5 Hours | 1.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.3 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.5/10 | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 249.4 Grams | 294.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
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."
Soundcore Space Q45
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Sound Guys
Riley Ballantyne | June 2023
"The Anker Soundcore Space Q45 is a great pair of active noise canceling (ANC) headphones, and the $150 USD price tag only sweetens the deal. Unlike many mid-tier wireless headphones, the Q45 microphone system rejects quite a bit of background noise, making this a great work headset too."
Get a great deal on the Sony WH-1000XM5 or the Soundcore Space Q45
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 Soundcore
Soundcore is a sub-brand belonging to Anker Innovations. Starting in 2014, initially marketing wireless, Bluetooth, speakers, Anker now offers an array of, budget-friendly, wireless earbuds and headphones that directly compete, especially in the Active Noise Canceling field, with other brands several times as expensive.
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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
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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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