True Wireless
Apple AirPods 4
76Great
$205
Full review dataApple AirPods 4 vs Sony WF-1000XM5: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sony WF-1000XM5 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Sony WF-1000XM5 - Outstanding overall at around $249.
True Wireless
Sony WF-1000XM5
88Outstanding
$249
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Apple AirPods 4
Sound7.0
Noise cancelling6.5
Battery5.5
Calls6.0
Value6.5
Sony WF-1000XM5
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Apple AirPods 4 | Sony WF-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $205 | $249 |
| HearWiki score | 76 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2024 | 2023 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | 0.33" |
| Driver size | 11 mm | 8.4 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | - | 20 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | - | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 102 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, ALAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 5 h | 12 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 4 h | 8 h |
| Battery incl. case | 30 h | 24 h |
| Full charge time | - | 90 min |
| Quick charge | 5 min = up to 1 h | 5 min = 1 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | - |
| ANC type | adaptive | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Wear detection | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | both | touch |
| Voice assistant | Siri | Yes |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 4.3 g | 11.8 g |
| Case weight | 32.3 g | 39 g |
| Water resistance | IP54 | IPX4 |
| Foldable | No | - |
| Detachable cable | No | - |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Model code | Apple AirPods 4 | - |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 3 | 6 |
| Call noise reduction | Voice Isolation | - |
What reviewers said
Apple AirPods 4
The Apple AirPods 4 are open-style true wireless earbuds that prioritize a comfortable, barely-there fit and seamless integration with Apple devices. They deliver balanced sound with improved bass, plus useful features like adaptive noise cancellation and transparency mode on the ANC version. However, their open design limits noise isolation, and the modest battery life plus premium price mean they face stiff competition from cheaper alternatives, especially if you don't need Apple-specific perks.
- Pro:Excellent comfort and secure fit for open earbuds
- Pro:Seamless pairing and solid ecosystem integration with Apple devices
- Pro:Adaptive ANC and transparency mode work well for the design
- Con:Battery life is short, especially with ANC on
- Con:No multipoint Bluetooth for switching between devices
- Con:Open design offers weak passive noise isolation
Sony WF-1000XM5
These are high-end true wireless earbuds that focus on adaptive noise cancellation and detailed audio, supporting LDAC for high-resolution streaming. They offer a solid battery life of up to 12 hours without ANC, plus a comfortable fit and IPX4 sweat resistance for daily use. The touch controls and companion app add convenience, though the price reflects their premium status.
- Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:Long battery life (12 hours without ANC)
- Pro:Supports LDAC and AAC codecs
- Con:Premium price point
- Con:No higher water resistance rating than IPX4
- Con:Touch controls may take time to master
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
Compare something else
Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.