Sony WF-1000XM5 vs XM4 vs AirPods Pro: Which ANC Earbuds Are Best?

Active noise canceling (ANC) earbuds have become extremely popular for blocking out distractions and immersing yourself in music, podcasts, or calls. Sony’s WF-1000XM5 aims to be a new class leader with upgrades over the previous XM4 model. But how do they compare to Apple’s renowned AirPods Pro 2nd gen?

I tested all three extensively to determine the differences in design, features, sound quality, and overall value. Here’s a detailed comparison to help you decide which premium ANC buds are best for your needs.

Design and Comfort

The Sony XM5 introduce a much slimmer design compared to the bulky XM4. This improved ergonomic shape makes the XM5 far more comfortable for extended wear.

Meanwhile, the polished plastic AirPods Pro have an iconic shape that fits most ears well. Both Sony models use foam eartips while the AirPods Pro have silicone tips.

Eartip Pros:

• Foam: Better passive noise isolation and fit security
• Silicone: More durable and easily replaced

Overall, the redesigned XM5 are now just as comfortable as AirPods Pro for all-day wear. The XM4 remain too large for small ears though.

Charging Case

The cases all support wireless charging. Sony sticks with USB-C while Apple uses Lightning.

The AirPods Pro 2 case also offers unique features like Find My integration, built-in speaker, and Precision Finding using iPhone’s U1 chip.

The XM5 case is much more compact than the XM4 version. But the AirPods Pro 2 case is still the most pocketable.

Controls

The Sonys use taps on each earbud for controls. The AirPods Pro rely on stem squeezes.

The XM5 finally adds volume controls via a continuous tap, but it’s awkward. The AirPods Pro allow effortless volume swipes.

Sony does provide some extra shortcuts like Spotify Tap, but the controls aren’t mirrored on both earbuds. The AirPods Pro 2 have the most intuitive control scheme overall.

Connectivity

The AirPods Pro 2 provide magical instant pairing and switching between Apple devices thanks to the H1 chip.

The Sonys support multipoint Bluetooth connections to two devices simultaneously. Switching is decent but not as seamless as Apple’s ecosystem.

Both are suitable as daily drivers for non-Apple or mixed device users. But the AirPods Pro 2 offer the best experience for all-Apple households.

Sound Quality

The Sonys deliver rich, exciting sound with emphasized bass and excellent clarity. Vocals sound crisp and instruments have great separation. The sound can be customized with the EQ settings.

The AirPods Pro 2 have a more neutral sound profile that also offers great detail and balance. There’s less bass presence which some may prefer.

Both sound fantastic, so choose based on your sound signature taste. The Sonys do have an edge for audio enthusiasm thanks to codec support and EQ adjustability.

Noise Cancellation

For blocking out droning sounds like airplane engines, the Sonys and AirPods Pro 2 perform similarly – they virtually eliminate them.

But for higher pitched ambient sounds, the Sonys’ foam eartips provide slightly better isolation. Though the differences are minor overall.

Transparency mode on the AirPods Pro 2 remains the most natural sounding for hearing your environment. But the XM5’s version is also very usable.

Microphone Quality

All three deliver clear voice pickup during calls and satisfactory audio recording quality. No major differences stood out in my testing.

Battery Life

Here are the battery specs:

Model	Earbuds	Charges from Case	Total
Sony XM5	8 hrs	16 hrs	24 hrs
Sony XM4	8 hrs	16 hrs	24 hrs
AirPods Pro 2	6 hrs	18 hrs	24 hrs

The Sonys offer longer standalone bud battery life. But the AirPods Pro 2 case provides more total charges. Overall battery performance is very similar.

Which Should You Buy?

• AirPods Pro 2 – Best for iPhone/Apple users wanting a seamless experience. Also excellent for those preferring a neutral sound profile.
• Sony XM5 – Best audio quality and noise cancellation. Ideal for Android users or sound enthusiastss.
• Sony XM4 – Only consider if found heavily discounted, otherwise XM5 are superior.

The Sony WF-1000XM5 are technically the most advanced ANC earbuds today. But at $50 less, the AirPods Pro 2 provide an unbeatable user experience for the Apple faithful. Choose based on your smartphone platform, budget, and sound preferences.