True Wireless
Samsung Galaxy Buds2
72Good
$150
Full review dataSamsung Galaxy Buds2 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
$199
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Samsung Galaxy Buds2
Sound7.5
Noise cancelling7.0
Battery7.0
Calls7.5
Value7.0
Sony WF-1000XM4
Sound8.5
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery7.5
Calls7.0
Value7.5
Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Buds2 | Sony WF-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $150 | $199 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 84 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2022 | 2021 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | two-way dynamic speakers | 6 mm |
| Driver size | 11 mm | 6 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz | 20 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | - |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB/mW | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.2 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.2 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, Samsung Scalable Codec | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Wireless range | - | 10 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 7.5 h | 12 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 5 h | 8 h |
| Battery incl. case | 29 h | 24 h |
| Full charge time | 60 min | 90 min |
| Quick charge | 5 min = 1 h | 5 min = 1 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Features | ||
| ANC type | hybrid | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | Yes | - |
| Companion app | Yes | - |
| Custom EQ | Yes | - |
| Wear detection | Yes | - |
| Controls | touch | - |
| Voice assistant | Bixby | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 10 g | 41.1 g |
| Case weight | 41.2 g | 41 g |
| Water resistance | IPX2 | IPX4 |
| Foldable | No | - |
| Detachable cable | No | - |
| USB-C | Yes | - |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 3 | - |
| Call noise reduction | 3 mics (2 outer + 1 inner) + Voice Pickup Unit | - |
What reviewers said
Samsung Galaxy Buds2
The Samsung Galaxy Buds2 are compact wireless earbuds that offer hybrid active noise cancellation and a comfortable, featherlight fit. With an 11mm two-way driver system, they deliver balanced sound, while the case extends total playback to around 29 hours. They support wireless charging and feature touch controls, though they lack multipoint connectivity and have modest water resistance.
- Pro:Very lightweight and comfortable for extended wear
- Pro:Effective hybrid noise cancellation for the price
- Pro:Compact case with wireless charging support
- Con:No multipoint pairing for seamless device switching
- Con:Only AAC codec support, no aptX or LDAC
- Con:IPX2 rating offers minimal protection against moisture
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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