True Wireless
AXS Audio TWS
72Good
$149
Full review dataAXS Audio TWS 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.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
AXS Audio TWS
Sound8.0
Noise cancelling6.0
Battery7.0
Calls6.0
Value6.0
Sony WF-1000XM4
Sound8.5
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery7.5
Calls7.0
Value7.5
Specifications
| Spec | AXS Audio TWS | Sony WF-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $149 | $199 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 84 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2022 | 2021 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | 6 mm |
| Driver size | 10 mm | 6 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 20 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.2 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.2 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Wireless range | - | 10 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 9.5 h | 12 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 7.5 h | 8 h |
| Battery incl. case | 38 h | 24 h |
| Full charge time | - | 90 min |
| Quick charge | fast USB-C charging | 5 min = 1 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | - |
| ANC type | hybrid | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | No | - |
| Companion app | No | - |
| Custom EQ | No | - |
| Wear detection | No | - |
| Controls | buttons | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | - | 41.1 g |
| Case weight | - | 41 g |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Foldable | No | - |
| Detachable cable | No | - |
| USB-C | Yes | - |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 2 | - |
What reviewers said
AXS Audio TWS
The AXS Audio TWS earbuds offer a solid feature set at $149, including active noise cancellation, wireless charging, and Bluetooth 5.2, with battery life around 8 hours with ANC or 10 without. However, what truly sets them apart is their exceptional sound quality, which reviewers praise as a standout despite a plastic build and missing conveniences like EQ adjustments or app support. They're a niche pick for audiophiles who prioritize audio performance over typical wireless earbud features.
- Pro:Excellent sound quality
- Pro:Good battery life with case (38 hours total)
- Pro:Wireless charging and USB-C fast charging
- Con:Plastic build feels inexpensive
- Con:No EQ or app support
- Con:Lacks multipoint connectivity and transparency mode
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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