True Wireless
Samsung Galaxy Buds2
72Good
$150
Full review dataSamsung Galaxy Buds2 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.
Samsung Galaxy Buds2
Sound7.5
Noise cancelling7.0
Battery7.0
Calls7.5
Value7.0
Sony WF-1000XM5
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Buds2 | Sony WF-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $150 | $249 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2022 | 2023 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | two-way dynamic speakers | 0.33" |
| Driver size | 11 mm | 8.4 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz | 20 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 32 Ω | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB/mW | 102 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.3 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, Samsung Scalable Codec | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| 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 | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Wear detection | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | touch | touch |
| Voice assistant | Bixby | Yes |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 10 g | 11.8 g |
| Case weight | 41.2 g | 39 g |
| Water resistance | IPX2 | IPX4 |
| Foldable | No | - |
| Detachable cable | No | - |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 3 | 6 |
| 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-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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