True Wireless
Apple Beats Powerbeats
78Great
$155
Full review dataApple Beats Powerbeats vs Sony WF-1000XM4: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sony WF-1000XM4 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Sony WF-1000XM4 - Great overall at around $199.
True Wireless
Sony WF-1000XM4
84Great
$199
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Apple Beats Powerbeats
Sound7.5
Battery9.0
Calls7.0
Value6.5
Sony WF-1000XM4
Sound8.5
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery7.5
Calls7.0
Value7.5
Specifications
| Spec | Apple Beats Powerbeats | Sony WF-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $155 | $199 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 84 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2019 | 2021 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | 6 mm |
| Driver size | - | 6 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 20 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | Class 1 Wireless Bluetooth | 5.2 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.0 | 5.2 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless range | - | 10 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 9 h | 12 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 8 h |
| Battery incl. case | 24 h | 24 h |
| Full charge time | - | 90 min |
| Quick charge | 5 min = 1.5 h | 5 min = 1 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | - |
| ANC type | - | adaptive |
| Companion app | Yes | - |
| Wear detection | Yes | - |
| Controls | buttons | - |
| Voice assistant | Hey Siri | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 8.7 g | 41.1 g |
| Case weight | 80 g | 41 g |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Detachable cable | No | - |
| USB-C | No | - |
| Model code | Powerbeats Pro 2 | - |
What reviewers said
Apple Beats Powerbeats
These wireless earbuds are tailored for active users, offering a secure fit and impressive endurance with up to 45 hours of total playback when factoring in the charging case. They deliver a balanced sound signature with solid bass, though treble can be slightly recessed, and feature reliable connectivity plus quick-charge capability. The bulky case and lack of USB-C may deter some, but for workouts and long listening sessions, they are a strong contender.
- Pro:Exceptional battery life with case
- Pro:Secure, comfortable fit for exercise
- Pro:Fast charging adds hours quickly
- Con:Bulky charging case
- Con:No USB-C port
- Con:Limited codec support (no aptX)
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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