True Wireless
Apple Powerbeats Pro 2
78Great
$250
Full review dataApple Powerbeats Pro 2 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 Powerbeats Pro 2
Sound8.0
Noise cancelling7.5
Battery8.0
Calls7.0
Value7.0
Sony WF-1000XM4
Sound8.5
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery7.5
Calls7.0
Value7.5
Specifications
| Spec | Apple Powerbeats Pro 2 | Sony WF-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $250 | $199 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 84 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2019 | 2021 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | 6 mm |
| Driver size | 9.5 mm | 6 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | - | 20 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | Class 1 Wireless Bluetooth | 5.2 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Wireless range | - | 10 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 10 h | 12 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 10 h | 8 h |
| Battery incl. case | 45 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 | Yes | - |
| ANC type | adaptive | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | Yes | - |
| Companion app | Yes | - |
| Wear detection | Yes | - |
| Controls | both | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 77.7 g | 41.1 g |
| Case weight | 69 g | 41 g |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| USB-C | Yes | - |
What reviewers said
Apple Powerbeats Pro 2
These workout-focused wireless earbuds bring active noise cancellation, transparency mode, and heart-rate tracking to a lighter, more compact design. They offer a secure fit, strong sound, and long battery life, though the smart features come at a premium price. The included charging case supports wireless charging and USB-C for added convenience.
- Pro:Secure, comfortable fit for workouts
- Pro:Effective active noise cancellation and transparency mode
- Pro:Long battery life with charging case
- Con:Heart-rate tracking has limited usability
- Con:Premium price point
- Con:Battery life may fall short of official claims
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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