True Wireless
Apple Beats Powerbeats
78Great
$155
Full review dataApple Beats Powerbeats 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 Beats Powerbeats
Sound7.5
Battery9.0
Calls7.0
Value6.5
Sony WF-1000XM5
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Apple Beats Powerbeats | Sony WF-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $155 | $249 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2019 | 2023 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | 0.33" |
| Driver size | - | 8.4 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 20 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | - | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 102 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | Class 1 Wireless Bluetooth | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | - | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | - | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | - | Yes |
| Wear detection | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | buttons | touch |
| Voice assistant | Hey Siri | Yes |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 8.7 g | 11.8 g |
| Case weight | 80 g | 39 g |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Detachable cable | No | - |
| USB-C | No | Yes |
| Model code | Powerbeats Pro 2 | - |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | - | 6 |
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-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.
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