True Wireless
Apple AirPods (1st generation)
Not yet scored
$100
Full review dataApple AirPods (1st generation) vs Sony WF-1000XM4: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Apple AirPods (1st generation) vs Sony WF-1000XM4, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Apple AirPods (1st generation)
No sub-scores yet - not enough rated reviews.
Sony WF-1000XM4
Sound8.5
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery7.5
Calls7.0
Value7.5
Specifications
| Spec | Apple AirPods (1st generation) | Sony WF-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $100 | $200 |
| HearWiki score | Not scored | 84 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2016 | 2021 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | 6 mm |
| Driver size | - | 6 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | - | 20 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth | 5.2 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 5.2 |
| Codecs | - | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless range | - | 10 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 5 h | 12 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 8 h |
| Battery incl. case | 24 h | 24 h |
| Full charge time | 15 min | 90 min |
| Quick charge | 15 min = 3 h | 5 min = 1 h |
| Wireless charging | - | Yes |
| Features | ||
| ANC type | - | adaptive |
| Controls | both | - |
| Voice assistant | Siri | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 4 g | 41.1 g |
| Case weight | 38 g | 41 g |
| Water resistance | none | IPX4 |
| Detachable cable | No | - |
| USB-C | No | - |
What reviewers said
Apple AirPods (1st generation)
These are Apple's original truly wireless earbuds, built around the W1 chip for seamless pairing and automatic device switching. They offer a comfortable, universal fit with simple tap controls, and the charging case extends total playback to a full day, though they lack any form of noise cancellation or water resistance. Battery life per charge is modest at five hours, but the quick-charge feature provides a useful boost when you're in a hurry.
- Pro:Effortless pairing and reliable connection with Apple devices
- Pro:Compact, lightweight design that sits comfortably in most ears
- Pro:Quick charge gives 3 hours of playback from a 15-minute top-up
- Con:No active noise cancellation or water resistance
- Con:Battery life per charge is limited to 5 hours
- Con:Charging case uses a Lightning port, not USB-C
Sony WF-1000XM4
The Sony WF-1000XM4 are high-end true wireless earbuds that excel in active noise cancellation and sound quality, with a compact 6mm driver and support for high-resolution LDAC streaming. They provide about 8 hours of playback per charge, extendable to 24 hours with the case, and include handy features like multipoint connectivity and quick charging. Their IPX4 rating makes them suitable for workouts, though the overall design is a bit bulky for some ears.
- Pro:Excellent active noise cancellation
- Pro:Rich, detailed sound with LDAC support
- Pro:Good battery life with fast charging
- Con:Bulkier fit compared to rivals
- Con:No wireless charging on the case
- Con:Touch controls can be finicky
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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