True Wireless
Bose SoundSport Free
Not yet scored
$160
Full review dataBose SoundSport Free vs Sony WF-1000XM5: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Bose SoundSport Free vs Sony WF-1000XM5, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
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.
Bose SoundSport Free
No sub-scores yet - not enough rated reviews.
Sony WF-1000XM5
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Bose SoundSport Free | Sony WF-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $160 | $249 |
| HearWiki score | Not scored | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2017 | 2023 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | 0.33" |
| Driver size | - | 8.4 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 20 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 102 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 4.0 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 5.3 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Multipoint pairing | - | Yes |
| Wireless range | 9 m | - |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 5 h | 12 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 8 h |
| Battery incl. case | 15 h | 24 h |
| Full charge time | 120 min | 90 min |
| Quick charge | 15 minutes = 45 minutes | 5 min = 1 h |
| Wireless charging | - | Yes |
| Features | ||
| ANC type | - | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | - | Yes |
| Companion app | - | Yes |
| Custom EQ | - | Yes |
| Wear detection | - | Yes |
| Controls | buttons | touch |
| Voice assistant | - | Yes |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 18 g | 11.8 g |
| Case weight | 80 g | 39 g |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| USB-C | No | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 2 | 6 |
What reviewers said
Bose SoundSport Free
The Bose SoundSport Free are true wireless earbuds built for active lifestyles, offering a secure, stable fit and sweat-resistant durability for workouts. They deliver reliable Bluetooth pairing and a portable charging case, though their battery life and connectivity range are modest by today's standards. With no noise cancellation and a dated Bluetooth version, they focus on dependable audio and comfort during exercise rather than cutting-edge features.
- Pro:Secure, stable fit ideal for sports and workouts
- Pro:Reliable Bluetooth connectivity with minimal dropouts
- Pro:Sweat and water resistant (IPX4) for tough conditions
- Con:Battery life is short at only 5 hours per charge
- Con:No active noise cancellation for immersive listening
- Con:Bluetooth 4.0 limits range and efficiency
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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