Sony
Sony WF-1000XM5
$300
Released 2023-06
Best Wireless Earbuds · head-to-head
Sony WF-1000XM5 vs Nothing Ear (2024)
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Nothing Ear (2024) is cheaper at $149. Every spec and price links to its source.
Nothing
Nothing Ear (2024)
$149Cheaper
Released 2024-04
Which is better: the Sony WF-1000XM5 or Nothing Ear (2024)?
The Nothing Ear (2024) wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The Nothing Ear (2024) is the cheaper at $149. The Nothing Ear (2024) both leads on specs and costs less — the straightforward pick.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Sony WF-1000XM5 | Nothing Ear (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $300 | $149 |
| Brand | Sony | Nothing |
| Released | 2023-06 | 2024-04 |
| ANC | Yes | Yes |
| Driver (mm) | 8.4 | 11 |
| Battery buds hr | 8 | 5 |
| Battery case hr | 24 | 24 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| IP rating | IPX4 | IP54 |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LHDC 5.0 |
| Weight per bud (g) | 5.9 | 4.6 |
| Release | 2023-06 | 2024-04 |
Sources — Sony WF-1000XM5: digitaltrends.com (verified 2026-06-15). Nothing Ear (2024): us.nothing.tech (verified 2026-06-15).
What's the difference between the Sony WF-1000XM5 and Nothing Ear (2024)?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (5 of 9). Matching specs are omitted.
- Driver (mm): Sony WF-1000XM5 8.4 vs Nothing Ear (2024) 11
- Battery buds hr: Sony WF-1000XM5 8 vs Nothing Ear (2024) 5
- IP rating: Sony WF-1000XM5 IPX4 vs Nothing Ear (2024) IP54
- Codecs: Sony WF-1000XM5 SBC, AAC, LDAC vs Nothing Ear (2024) SBC, AAC, LDAC, LHDC 5.0
- Weight per bud (g): Sony WF-1000XM5 5.9 vs Nothing Ear (2024) 4.6
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Sony WF-1000XM5
Across 3 testing outlets (SoundGuys, Engadget, Trusted Reviews), the Sony WF-1000XM5 earned a strongly positive consensus as a top-tier noise-canceling earbud. Reviewers praised the smaller, more comfortable and secure fit, effective ANC that blocks environmental noise and voices, clearer sound with improved vocal detail versus the WF-1000XM4, and solid battery life (around 8 hours on the buds, roughly 24 hours with the case, plus fast quick-charge). The main knock came from SoundGuys, which felt the low end was overrepresented and bass-heavy. (3 sourced reviews, 3 lab-tested.)
Praised: Smaller, more comfortable and secure-feeling fit versus the previous model; Effective, class-leading active noise cancellation; Improved sound clarity and vocal detail over the WF-1000XM4.
Flagged: Bass/low frequencies can sound overrepresented or boomy.
Nothing Ear (2024)
Across 3 testing outlets, the Nothing Ear (2024) earns a broadly positive verdict as a well-rounded, comfortable pick with strong sound and noise cancellation. SoundGuys and How-To Geek both call out excellent audio quality and effective ANC, with How-To Geek measuring cancellation up to 45dB and roughly 8.5 hours of buds-only battery life (40.5 hours with the case). Expert Reviews agrees on comfort, design, and battery life but flags that pushing the EQ/bass settings away from default disrupts the frequency balance and rhythmic expression. (3 sourced reviews, 3 lab-tested.)
Praised: Strong overall sound quality; Effective active noise cancellation; Good battery life (buds + case).
Flagged: Bass/EQ tuning can throw off frequency balance and rhythmic expression when adjusted from default.