True Wireless
Huawei FreeBuds 4
66Good
$155
Full review dataHuawei FreeBuds 4 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.
Huawei FreeBuds 4
Sound6.5
Noise cancelling5.0
Battery5.5
Calls6.0
Value6.0
Sony WF-1000XM4
Sound8.5
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery7.5
Calls7.0
Value7.5
Specifications
| Spec | Huawei FreeBuds 4 | Sony WF-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $155 | $199 |
| HearWiki score | 66 / 100 · Good | 84 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2021 | 2021 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | 14.3 mm | 6 mm |
| Driver size | 14.3 mm | 6 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-40kHz | 20 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | BT 5.2 | 5.2 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.2 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Latency | 90 ms | - |
| Wireless range | 10 m | 10 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 4 h | 12 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 2.5 h | 8 h |
| Battery incl. case | 22 h | 24 h |
| Full charge time | 60 min | 90 min |
| Quick charge | 15 min = 2.5 h | 5 min = 1 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | - |
| ANC type | hybrid | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | Yes | - |
| Companion app | Yes | - |
| Custom EQ | No | - |
| Wear detection | Yes | - |
| Controls | touch | - |
| Voice assistant | Huawei voice assistant | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 4.1 g | 41.1 g |
| Case weight | 38 g | 41 g |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| USB-C | Yes | - |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 3 | - |
| Call noise reduction | call noise cancellation | - |
What reviewers said
Huawei FreeBuds 4
The Huawei FreeBuds 4 are open-fit true wireless earbuds that prioritize lightweight comfort and modern connectivity, featuring a 14.3 mm driver, Bluetooth 5.2 with multipoint, and hybrid active noise cancellation. While they offer decent sound and useful features like wireless charging and transparency mode, their battery life is modest—especially with ANC active—and their open design limits noise isolation, making them a niche choice for those who value breathability over endurance.
- Pro:Very lightweight and comfortable open-fit design
- Pro:Supports multipoint connection and quick charging
- Pro:Includes wireless charging and IPX4 sweat resistance
- Con:Battery life is short, especially with ANC on
- Con:Noise cancellation is weak due to open-fit style
- Con:Lacks custom EQ and offers only SBC/AAC codecs
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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