True Wireless
Huawei FreeBuds 4
66Good
$155
Full review dataHuawei FreeBuds 4 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.
Huawei FreeBuds 4
Sound6.5
Noise cancelling5.0
Battery5.5
Calls6.0
Value6.0
Sony WF-1000XM5
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Huawei FreeBuds 4 | Sony WF-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $155 | $249 |
| HearWiki score | 66 / 100 · Good | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2021 | 2023 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | 14.3 mm | 0.33" |
| Driver size | 14.3 mm | 8.4 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-40kHz | 20 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | - | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 102 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | BT 5.2 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.3 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Latency | 90 ms | - |
| Wireless range | 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 | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | No | Yes |
| Wear detection | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | touch | touch |
| Voice assistant | Huawei voice assistant | Yes |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 4.1 g | 11.8 g |
| Case weight | 38 g | 39 g |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 3 | 6 |
| 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-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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