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Sony WF-1000XM5 vs TOZO NC9/ 20Decebel/ SoundLiberty 94/ Dyplay Shield Pro: 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.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Sony WF-1000XM5
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value7.0
TOZO NC9/ 20Decebel/ SoundLiberty 94/ Dyplay Shield Pro
Sound6.5
Noise cancelling4.0
Battery6.0
Calls4.8
Value6.5

Specifications

Specification comparison of Sony WF-1000XM5 vs TOZO NC9/ 20Decebel/ SoundLiberty 94/ Dyplay Shield Pro
SpecSony WF-1000XM5TOZO NC9/ 20Decebel/ SoundLiberty 94/ Dyplay Shield Pro
TypeTrue WirelessTrue Wireless
Price (USD)$249-
HearWiki score88 / 100 · Outstanding62 / 100 · Average
Released20232020
Audio
Driver0.33"dynamic
Driver size8.4 mm9 mm
Drivers per side22
Frequency response20 Hz - 40,000 Hz14Hz-20kHz
Impedance32 Ω-
Sensitivity102 dB/mW-
Wireless
Bluetooth5.35.3
Bluetooth version5.3-
CodecsSBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3AAC, SBC
Multipoint pairingYes-
Wireless range-10 m
Battery
Battery life12 h5 h
Battery life (ANC on)8 h-
Battery incl. case24 h72 h
Full charge time90 min120 min
Quick charge5 min = 1 h-
Wireless chargingYesYes
Features
ANC typehybridhybrid
Transparency modeYesYes
Companion appYesYes
Custom EQYesYes
Wear detectionYesNo
Controlstouchtouch
Voice assistantYes-
Design
Weight11.8 g-
Case weight39 g-
Water resistanceIPX4IPX6
USB-CYesYes
Calls
Microphones62
Call noise reduction-dual-microphone ENC

What reviewers said

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

TOZO NC9/ 20Decebel/ SoundLiberty 94/ Dyplay Shield Pro

These four budget-friendly wireless earbuds offer hybrid active noise cancellation, a comfortable fit, and smooth audio performance. They share similar specs like Bluetooth 5.3, touch controls, and app support, but differ slightly in tuning and features. The 20Decebel stands out for its app, the Dyplay offers a more balanced sound, while the Tozo NC9 lacks the ability to disable ANC entirely.

  • Pro:Solid battery life with case
  • Pro:Comfortable and secure fit
  • Pro:Smooth, enjoyable sound signature
  • Con:ANC effectiveness is not exceptionally strong
  • Con:Tozo NC9 cannot turn off noise cancellation
  • Con:Only AAC and SBC codec support

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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