True Wireless
Sennheiser CX 400BT
68Good
$202
Full review dataSennheiser CX 400BT 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.
Sennheiser CX 400BT
Sound7.5
Battery6.5
Calls7.0
Value7.0
Sony WF-1000XM5
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Sennheiser CX 400BT | Sony WF-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $202 | $249 |
| HearWiki score | 68 / 100 · Good | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2021 | 2023 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | 0.33" |
| Driver size | 7 mm | 8.4 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 5Hz-21kHz | 20 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 28 Ω | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 107 dB/mW | 102 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.x | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 7 h | 12 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 8 h |
| Battery incl. case | 20 h | 24 h |
| Full charge time | 90 min | 90 min |
| Quick charge | 10 min = 1 h | 5 min = 1 h |
| Wireless charging | No | Yes |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | - |
| ANC type | - | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | - | Yes |
| Companion app | - | Yes |
| Custom EQ | - | Yes |
| Wear detection | - | Yes |
| Controls | - | touch |
| Voice assistant | - | Yes |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 6 g | 11.8 g |
| Case weight | 37 g | 39 g |
| Water resistance | none | IPX4 |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 2 | 6 |
What reviewers said
Sennheiser CX 400BT
The Sennheiser CX 400BT true wireless earbuds deliver impressive audio quality with a warm, balanced sound signature, making them a strong choice for music lovers. They offer solid battery life and reliable call performance, though their design is somewhat bulky and they lack modern conveniences like active noise cancellation and auto-pause. At a reduced price, they represent good value, but they face stiff competition from newer models with more features.
- Pro:Excellent, warm sound quality
- Pro:Good battery life
- Pro:Reliable call performance
- Con:Bulky design
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:Lacks auto-pause and transparency mode
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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