True Wireless
AXS Audio TWS
72Good
$149
Full review dataAXS Audio TWS 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.
AXS Audio TWS
Sound8.0
Noise cancelling6.0
Battery7.0
Calls6.0
Value6.0
Sony WF-1000XM5
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | AXS Audio TWS | Sony WF-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $149 | $249 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2022 | 2023 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | 0.33" |
| Driver size | 10 mm | 8.4 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 20 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | - | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 102 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.3 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| 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 | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | No | Yes |
| Companion app | No | Yes |
| Custom EQ | No | Yes |
| Wear detection | No | Yes |
| Controls | buttons | touch |
| Voice assistant | - | Yes |
| Design | ||
| Weight | - | 11.8 g |
| Case weight | - | 39 g |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Foldable | No | - |
| Detachable cable | No | - |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 2 | 6 |
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-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.