
Grado GT220 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.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Specifications
| Spec | Grado GT220 | Sony WF-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $158 | $249 |
| HearWiki score | 76 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2021 | 2023 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | 8mm dynamic polyethylene terephthalate full-range | 0.33" |
| Driver size | 8 mm | 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 | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 6 h | 12 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 8 h |
| Battery incl. case | 36 h | 24 h |
| Full charge time | 120 min | 90 min |
| Quick charge | - | 5 min = 1 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | - |
| ANC type | none | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | No | Yes |
| Companion app | No | Yes |
| Custom EQ | No | Yes |
| Wear detection | No | Yes |
| Controls | touch | touch |
| Voice assistant | voice control | Yes |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 5 g | 11.8 g |
| Case weight | 42 g | 39 g |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 2 | 6 |
What reviewers said
Grado GT220
The Grado GT220 true wireless earbuds deliver a lively, open sound with the brand's signature tuning, wrapped in a comfortable and sturdy build. They offer solid battery life and reliable wireless performance, but their feature set is intentionally minimal, skipping noise cancellation, app support, and multipoint pairing in favor of a pure listening experience. While the price is steep for what's included, they'll appeal to audiophiles who prioritize sound over extras.
- Pro:Rich, detailed Grado-style sound signature
- Pro:Comfortable, well-built design with IPX4 sweat resistance
- Pro:Long 36-hour total battery with wireless charging case
- Con:No active noise cancellation or transparency mode
- Con:Lacks app support and custom EQ
- Con:No multipoint pairing for multiple devices
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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