True Wireless
Nothing Ear (2)
76Great
$150
Full review dataNothing Ear (2) 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.
True Wireless
Sony WF-1000XM4
84Great
$200
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Nothing Ear (2)
Sound7.5
Noise cancelling7.0
Battery6.5
Calls7.0
Value8.0
Sony WF-1000XM4
Sound8.5
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery7.5
Calls7.0
Value7.5
Specifications
| Spec | Nothing Ear (2) | Sony WF-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $150 | $200 |
| HearWiki score | 76 / 100 · Great | 84 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2023 | 2021 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | 6 mm |
| Driver size | 11.7 mm | 6 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 10Hz-40kHz | 20 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LHDC 5.0 | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless range | - | 10 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 6.3 h | 12 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 4 h | 8 h |
| Battery incl. case | 36 h | 24 h |
| Full charge time | - | 90 min |
| Quick charge | 10 min = 8 hours | 5 min = 1 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | - |
| ANC type | adaptive | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | Yes | - |
| Companion app | Yes | - |
| Custom EQ | Yes | - |
| Wear detection | Yes | - |
| Controls | touch | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 4.5 g | 41.1 g |
| Case weight | 51.9 g | 41 g |
| Water resistance | IP54 | IPX4 |
| USB-C | Yes | - |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 6 | - |
| Call noise reduction | Clear Voice Technology | - |
What reviewers said
Nothing Ear (2)
The Nothing Ear (2) are a feature-packed pair of true wireless earbuds that improve on their predecessor with better sound, battery life, and customization options. They offer a neutral sound signature, effective adaptive ANC, and a standout design, though they face stiff competition in the mid-range market and have a few practical quirks. Overall, they're a solid all-around choice for everyday listening and commuting, especially at their price point.
- Pro:Neutral, well-balanced sound signature
- Pro:Effective adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:Sleek, distinctive design with comfortable fit
- Con:Battery life is only average compared to rivals
- Con:Hi-res audio mode can be finicky in practice
- Con:Multipoint connectivity sometimes unreliable
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.
Compare something else
Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.