Over-Ear
Huawei FreeBuds Studio
72Good
$353
Full review dataHuawei FreeBuds Studio vs Sony WH-1000XM4: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sony WH-1000XM4 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 WH-1000XM4 - Outstanding overall at around $300.
Over-Ear
Sony WH-1000XM4
88Outstanding
$300
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Huawei FreeBuds Studio
Sound7.0
Noise cancelling8.0
Battery6.5
Value6.5
Sony WH-1000XM4
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | Huawei FreeBuds Studio | Sony WH-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $353 | $300 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2020 | 2020 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 4Hz-48kHz | 4 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | - | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 105 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.0 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, L2HC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 24 h | 38 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 20 h | 30 h |
| Full charge time | - | 180 min |
| Quick charge | 10 min = 5 h | 10 min = 5 h |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| ANC type | adaptive | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Wear detection | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | both | touch |
| Voice assistant | supported | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 260 g | 254 g |
| Water resistance | none | none |
| Foldable | No | - |
| Detachable cable | No | - |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 8 | 2 |
What reviewers said
Huawei FreeBuds Studio
The Huawei FreeBuds Studio are premium over-ear wireless headphones that pair a lightweight, comfortable design with strong active noise cancellation and a robust feature set, including multipoint Bluetooth 5.2 and a custom EQ. While they deliver solid sound and good battery life with quick charging, their performance is tied to Huawei's ecosystem, and some software quirks can detract from the experience. Overall, they're a capable option for those invested in Huawei's ecosystem, but their battery life with ANC on trails some rivals.
- Pro:Outstanding active noise cancellation
- Pro:Comfortable and lightweight 260g build
- Pro:Fast charging provides 5 hours from 10 minutes
- Con:Battery life with ANC is shorter than key competitors
- Con:App and ecosystem features can be buggy or limited
- Con:Wear detection occasionally unreliable
Sony WH-1000XM4
The Sony WH-1000XM4 are premium wireless over-ears that blend top-tier adaptive noise cancellation with a well-balanced, detailed sound signature. They offer a lengthy 30-hour battery, LDAC support, and a comfortable, lightweight build that still holds up well against newer competitors. With handy features like multipoint pairing, touch controls, and a quick charge function, they remain a versatile choice for daily use and travel.
- Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:Detailed, accurate audio with LDAC support
- Pro:Comfortable and lightweight for long sessions
- Con:No dedicated aptX codec support
- Con:Touch controls can be finicky for some users
- Con:Plastic build feels less premium than price suggests
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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