The Google Pixel Buds Professional are the corporate’s first try at noise-cancelling earbuds. They ship spectacular lively noise cancellation (ANC), together with dynamic sound and prolonged battery life. Most significantly, they provide deep Google Assistant integration that no rival can match.
Sony spared no expense when assembling their flagship wi-fi earbuds: the WF-1000XM4. Enhancements have been made to ANC, battery life, sound, and particular options, making for one well-rounded bundle. The smaller and sexier redesign homes a number of Sony proprietary applied sciences, whereas additionally offering an ergonomic match.
These are two of the greatest wi-fi earbuds and greatest noise-cancelling earbuds available on the market with loads of performance, however just one is taken into account a five-star product. Which is it? Our in-depth comparability will reply that for you.
Google Pixel Buds Professional vs. Sony WF-1000XM4 specs
| Google Pixel Buds Professional | Sony WF-1000XM4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Worth | $199 | $279 |
| Wi-fi charging | Sure | Sure |
| Processor | Google six-core processor | Sony V1 |
| Battery life (rated) | 7 hours (ANC on); 11 hours (ANC off); 20 hours (charging case with ANC on); 31 hours (charging case with ANC off) | 8 hours (ANC on); 12 hours (ANC off); 24 hours (with charging case); 36 hours (with charging case and ANC off) |
| IPX score | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Dimension and weight (buds) | 0.88 x 0.87 x 0.93 inches; 0.22 ounces | 1 x 0.8 x 0.8 inches; 0.2 ounces |
| Dimension and weight (charging case) | 0.98 x 1.97 x 2.49 inches; 2.2 ounces | 2.4 x 1.5 x 1.1 inches; 2.0 ounces |
| Particular options: | Lively noise cancellation, transparency mode, Quantity EQ, spatial audio, audio switching, Google Assistant voice activation, Google Translate, Notifications, Eartip Seal, Examine, Discover My Gadget, Bluetooth multipoint | Lively noise cancellation, transparency mode, Communicate-to-Chat, customizable EQ, 360 Actuality Audio, DSEE Excessive upscaling, LDAC, Bluetooth 5.2, tri-digital assistant help (Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri), fast charging |
Google Pixel Buds Professional vs. Sony WF-1000xM4 worth
The Google Pixel Buds Professional are the highest-priced buds within the sequence at $199. They’re additionally extra inexpensive than the $279 Sony WF-1000XM4, granted we’ve seen the latter on sale for as little as $248 at main on-line retailers.
When factoring in reductions and total performance, Sony manages to beat Google’s worth benefit and take it to a draw.
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Winner: Draw
Google Pixel Buds Professional vs. Sony WF-1000XM4 design
The Pixel Buds Professional look equivalent to the Pixel Buds 2 and Pixel Buds A-Sequence. Google applied wind-blocking mesh covers on the entrance and eradicated the attachable wing suggestions, which impacts match; these buds are a unfastened put on. In the event you can handle to maintain them stabilized in your ears, they’ll present good consolation for lengthy listening classes. Google’s charging case nonetheless appears cool, however it’s a scuff magnet.
In the meantime, Sony revamped the Mark Sequence in-ear design by reworking it into an oval form and including good touches like a protruding contact panel and gold ANC mic housing. The WF-1000XM4 has stable construct high quality and shares the identical water/sweat resistance (IPX4) as its opponent. The charging case was even given a facelift, resembling the WF-SP800N charging case, however lighter and smaller. Consolation and match are satisfactory, which means you possibly can put on the buds for as much as two hours earlier than fatigue units in and never fear about them slipping out sometimes. We additionally discovered Sony’s Optimum Earbud Ideas take a look at extra correct than Google’s model.
Winner: Sony WF-1000XM4
Google Pixel Buds Professional vs. Sony WF-1000XM4 controls
Voice performance is the Pixel Buds Professional’s best power. Deep Google Assistant integration is out there on the tip of your tongue. We’re speaking “Hey Google” voice activation, which is impeccable, and different noteworthy companies like Google Translate to translate over 40+ languages and Notifications to listen to updates (e.g., calendar occasions, flight modifications, messages) in real-time. The contact controls and auto-pause perform are additionally extremely responsive. Our solely gripe is that Siri and Bixby usually are not suitable with these buds.
Speech recognition, contact controls, and put on detection are on level on the WF-1000XM4. We love that Sony added just a few sensible options to make working playback a breeze. Fast Consideration lowers the amount to 10% whenever you discuss, whereas Communicate-to-Chat makes use of mics and superior sign processing to acknowledge your voice and routinely pause music. Google Assistant and Alexa integration come a part of the deal, so you possibly can carry out most of the similar Google instructions because the Pixel Buds Professional. Nevertheless, we discovered that Google Assistant carried out higher on the Pixel Buds. At the least Sony offers you the chance to make use of Siri and Bixby on their buds.
Winner: Google Pixel Buds Professional
Google Pixel Buds Professional vs. Sony WF-1000XM4 lively noise cancellation
Sony’s noise-cancelling expertise ranks excessive within the true wi-fi class. Noises throughout the frequency spectrum are blocked out on the highest degree. Occasionally a high-frequency sound (e.g., siren, whistle) enters the soundscape, however finally ends up sounding like a background impact on songs. What differentiates Sony’s ANC mode from others is the 20-level Ambient Noise Management, which is ridiculously robust and picks up the slightest noises from a number of ft away. It’s a should for having clear and concise conversations with individuals whenever you don’t wish to take off the buds.
Google stepped as much as the problem and created an efficient noise-cancelling mode that blocks out most noises. It ranks larger than what you’ll discover on a number of noise-cancelling earbuds, however doesn’t evaluate to the market’s greatest. The mesh covers are clutch for when listening to music in windy environments; whisking results barely have any presence. Transparency Mode can also be helpful for growing environmental consciousness.
Winner: Sony WF-1000XM4
Google Pixel Buds Professional vs. Sony WF-1000XM4 audio
Many imagine the WF-1000XM4 to be the best-sounding wi-fi earbuds on the market. It’s debatable, however what isn’t is their glorious sound high quality. Sony’s V1 chip mixed with their highly effective 6mm drivers and versatile EQ customization creates a large and vibrant soundstage that enhances all media codecs (e.g., music, motion pictures, podcasts, video video games). Anticipate wealthy mids, compelling highs, and booming lows. Then comes high-end options like 360 Actuality Audio for convincing 3D sound on choose music tracks, Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) for upscaling lo-fi recordings, and LDAC to make sure high-quality streaming over Bluetooth.
The Pixel Buds Professional depend on an 11mm speaker driver and customized six-core processor to supply well-balanced, dynamic sound. There’s some nice frequency vary to get pleasure from on orchestral tracks. Options like Quantity EQ increase bass and treble frequencies when listening at decrease volumes, however that’s all of the audio personalization you’ll get till Google releases their five-band EQ and spatial audio this fall.
Winner: Sony WF-1000XM4
Google Pixel Buds Professional vs. Sony WF-1000XM4 particular options and app
The WF-1000XM4 has practically double the variety of options because the Pixel Buds Professional. Let’s begin with aforementioned ones like 360 Actuality Audio, ANC, ambient listening adjustment, DSEE, Equalizer, LDAC, Optimum Earbuds Ideas, Fast Consideration, and Communicate-to-Chat. There’s even a Bluetooth Connection High quality setting to prioritize sound high quality or connectivity, together with a music participant and several other toggles to allow completely different options. Multipoint expertise is lacking (pair to 2 units concurrently), however Bluetooth 5.2 holds up nicely to take care of robust and regular connections with acknowledged units on all platforms (e.g., iOS, Android, Home windows).
For the reason that Pixel Buds Professional is geared in direction of Pixel smartphone customers, choices are extra restricted, however nonetheless serviceable. We touched on a number of already, together with ANC/Transparency Mode, audio switching, Eartip Seal Examine, Google Assistant, Google Translate, Notifications, and Quantity EQ. Moreover these, you get Bluetooth multipoint and one-tap Google Quick Pair. As beforehand talked about, the five-band EQ and spatial audio will likely be out there in a future replace.
The Pixel Buds Professional and WF-1000XM4 help Google’s Discover My Gadget function.
Winner: Sony WF-1000XM4
Google Pixel Buds Professional vs. Sony WF-1000XM4 battery life
The WF-1000XM4 holds between 8 to 12 hours, although LDAC does drop these playtimes by about 2 hours. The Pixel Buds Professional isn’t too far behind with 7 to 11 hours. Excessive quantity and heavy Google Assistant use shaves off an hour, regardless of if ANC is on or off.
Sony’s charging case comes with extra transportable energy: 24 to 36 hours. You may rise up to 31 hours from the Pixel Buds Professional’s case, however in case you’re planning on utilizing ANC on a regular basis, that quantity drops to twenty hours, which is decrease than the AirPods Professional case (24 hours).
Each charging instances help wi-fi charging and fast charging (5 minutes = 1 hour of listening time). Sadly, a USB-C cable doesn’t come bundled with the Pixel Buds Professional.
Winner: Sony WF-1000XM4
Google Pixel Buds Professional vs. Sony WF-1000XM4 name high quality
Neither of those are thought-about top-tier calling headsets, however the Pixel Buds Professional demonstrates significantly better wind resistance than the WF-1000XM4. Most calls we made in gusty situations got here via clearly. Google might have executed a greater job with the amount. The WF-1000XM4 has some muffling points, pulls in a whole lot of ambient noise, and struggles with wind.
Winner: Google Pixel Buds Professional
General winner: Sony WF-1000XM4
And the W goes to the Sony WF-1000XM4. Options are infinite, noise cancellation is second to the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, and sound is first-class. Then you could have robust promoting factors like intuitive controls, longer battery life, and an exquisite design that provides the right mixture of type, vogue, and performance. It’s a dear funding, however nicely price it.
| Google Pixel Buds Professional | Sony WF-1000XM4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Worth (5) | 3 | 4 |
| Design (15) | 12 | 13 |
| Controls (10) | 10 | 10 |
| Lively noise cancellation (20) | 17 | 19 |
| Audio (15) | 13 | 15 |
| App and particular options (15) | 11 | 13 |
| Battery life (10) | 8 | 9 |
| Name high quality (10) | 8 | 5 |
| Whole rating (100) | 82 | 88 |
Google has one thing particular with the Pixel Buds Professional. No different wi-fi earbuds can match the Google Assistant expertise these buds ship. The noise cancellation is best than we anticipated. Sound is satisfying, and the addition of options like Quantity EQ current a extra distinctive approach of listening to music with out harming your listening to. Had there been a greater match and extra options to play with, these buds might have put up a greater battle. Nonetheless, they continue to be a go-to for Pixel smartphone house owners that need noise-cancellers to name their very own.
