Sony
Sony WF-1000XM5
Integrated V2 · LDAC · Dual processors
91
/ 100
From $299
VS
Sony WF-1000XM5 wins by 6
Nothing
Nothing Ear (a)
LDAC · Transparent design · $99
85
/ 100
From $99
Specdex verdict
Sony WF-1000XM5 takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Sony WF-1000XM5 lands at 91 and Nothing Ear (a) at 85. That puts Sony WF-1000XM5 ahead by 6 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Sony WF-1000XM5 if…
- ✓Excellent ANC for the size
- ✓LDAC hi-res on Android
- ✓Smaller than XM4
Pick Nothing Ear (a) if…
- ✓Amazing value at $99
- ✓LDAC support
- ✓Great sound for price
Score breakdown
Sony WF-1000XM5
91 anc 93
sound 92
comfort 88
battery 84
features 90
Nothing Ear (a)
85 anc 82
sound 88
comfort 86
battery 82
features 88
Specs side-by-side
Spec
Sony WF-1000XM5
Nothing Ear (a)
Drivers
8.4 mm dynamic
11 mm dynamic
Codecs
LDAC, LC3, AAC, SBC
LDAC, AAC, SBC
Battery
8 h (ANC) / 24 h case
5.5 h (ANC) / 24.5 h case
Water rating
IPX4
IP54
Sony WF-1000XM5
Pros
- +Excellent ANC for the size
- +LDAC hi-res on Android
- +Smaller than XM4
Cons
- −Case fingerprint magnet
- −Some find them bass-heavy
- −Price pressure from rivals
Nothing Ear (a)
Pros
- +Amazing value at $99
- +LDAC support
- +Great sound for price
Cons
- −ANC trails flagships
- −App required for full customization
- −Build is plasticky
FAQ: Sony WF-1000XM5 vs Nothing Ear (a)
Which is better, Sony WF-1000XM5 or Nothing Ear (a)? +
Sony WF-1000XM5 scores 91 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 6. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Sony WF-1000XM5 worth the price? +
At $299, Sony WF-1000XM5 delivers a Specdex score of 91 — strongest in anc.
Is Nothing Ear (a) worth the price? +
At $99, Nothing Ear (a) delivers a Specdex score of 85 — strongest in sound.
Does Sony WF-1000XM5 or Nothing Ear (a) last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.