This article is part of our series?Battle of the Brands, in which we compare category-leading products to their counterparts to determine which are actually worth your money.
Since they were released back in 2021, the Beats Fit Pro have remained a CNN Underscored favorite, long occupying the top spot of our best true wireless earbuds list — and rightfully so. Beats’ flagship buds are essentially the fitness version of the AirPods Pro and carry 90% of the same features in a flashier and sportier package.
But, when the Sony WF-1000XM5 were released in 2023, the Beats suddenly had some much stiffer competition. This new Sony follow-up improves on many of its predecessor’s hallmarks, including active noise cancellation, battery life, design and sound. Additions like Bluetooth multipoint, new dual processors and spatial audio with head tracking also make strong selling points.
We’ve spent the past two weeks comparing and testing these gems to determine the better purchase. Find out whether the Beats Fit Pro or Sony WF-1000XM5 don the true wireless crown.
Sony WF-1000XM5 vs. Beats Fit Pro at a glance
The Sony WF-1000XM5 are the best overall wireless earbuds out there, offering superb sound quality, noise cancellation and battery life.
The Beats Fit Pro are the better pick for folks looking for a great pair of extra-secure workout earbuds. They’re an especially good choice for Apple users given their AirPods Pro-grade features, but they also work great with Android devices.
Quick comparison
 |
 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Active noise cancellation | Yes |
Yes |
| Battery life (rated) | 8 hours (ANC on); 12 hours (ANC off); 24 hours (with case and ANC on); 36 hours (with case and ANC off) |
6 hours (ANC on); 7 hours (ANC off); 27 hours (with case and ANC on); 30 hours (with case and ANC off) |
| Wireless charging | Yes |
No |
| Sweat and water resistance | IPX4 (earbuds) |
IPX4 (earbuds) |
| Ear tip sizes | XS, S, M, L |
S, M, L |
| Software support | iOS, Android |
iOS |
| Special features | Adaptive ANC and sound, Bluetooth multipoint, DSEE upscaling, LDAC, quick charging, spatial audio, voice controls |
Personalized spatial audio, ANC, fast-fuel charging, Ear Tip Fit Test, Find My in iOS |
| Colors | Black, silver |
Coral Pink, Volt Yellow, Tidal Blue, Beats Black, Beats White, Stone Purple, Sage Gray, Dune, Earth, Moon |
| Weight | 0.21 ounces |
0.19 ounces |
| Price | $298 at Amazon | $200 at Amazon |
Sony puts on an audio masterclass
The WF-1000XM5 check off nearly every box in the audio category. Sony’s QN2e and V2 processors deliver 24-bit audio processing while lowering distortion for clean audio reproduction. The proprietary Dynamic Driver X unit expands frequency range to help you hear details and vocals more clearly. DSEE upscaling improves fidelity on lo-fi recordings. Sound can be customized via EQ by either selecting from eight well-engineered presets or manually adjusting frequencies to create your own sound profile. There’s even a Find Your Equalizer feature that tailors audio to your hearing based on a series of listening tests. LDAC codec support means smooth hi-res audio streaming on supported services. Lastly, you have 360 Reality Audio for lively, spacious 3D sound that shines on hi-res platforms like Tidal. My only complaint is that Sony’s head tracking needs work.
Beats’ sound profile is not to be trifled with either. It’s not as finely tuned or versatile as Sony’s, but what the Fit Pro offers is much greater than what we’ve gotten from past brand releases and many current luxury models. New acoustic architecture makes songs sound clean and spacious. Bass has been tweaked to produce impactful lows with minimal distortion. AirPods Pro-level sound features come part of the package, from the adaptive EQ that adjusts frequencies on the fly to personalized spatial audio for immersive 3D sound. The latter performs surprisingly well and adds a layer of realism to live music performances and movies, though the head tracking technology doesn’t perform up to the AirPods Pro’s level.
In short, Beats knows bass; however, Sony knows audio in its full presentation.
ANC is strong on the Fit Pro but stronger on the WF-1000XM5
You would swear the Fit Pro were the AirPods Pro disguised as Beats by how similarly their noise-canceling technologies perform. That’s a good thing. The Fit Pro block out 85% of background noise. They perform best against low- and mid-frequency sounds, which is what most fitness users will encounter at home or in the gym. Using them outside is just as rewarding, though the occasional high-pitched noise (like a siren or whistle) will draw your attention. Beats’ Transparency mode is fantastic for amplifying surroundings.
The WF-1000XM5’s ANC is up there with the current class leader, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2. Additional mics, dual processing and wind-resistant grilles work together to eliminate 95% of incidental sounds. Occasionally, you might hear a screaming baby or whistle creep onto music tracks, but they sound more like background effects. The 20-level Ambient Sound mode returns for full control over how much noise you want to block out or hear. It’s ridiculously powerful and perfect for increasing awareness or eavesdropping on conversations; the feature can pick up conversations from across the street.
Overall, you can expect great ANC from the Fit Pros, but you’ll get greater noise neutralization from the WF-1000XM5s.
Attractive and optimally fit in their own ways
These are two of the best-looking wireless earbuds money can buy. The Fit Pro are practically the Studio Buds with wingtips. Runners will appreciate the tight grip they produce. The multifunctional B button is synonymous with Beats, though the company should consider touch controls moving forward because pressing the button sometimes caused us pain and pressure on the ear. IPX4 certification protects the buds from sweat and heavy splashing. Apple’s Ear Tip Fit Test is available, but the feature is more accurate on the AirPods Pro. The compact charging case is light, slim?and perfect for traveling, though it lacks wireless charging.
The WF-1000XM4 wowed critics with a revamped design that showcased Sony’s luxe craftsmanship pedigree. Well, Sony figured out how to make the WF-1000XM5 even sexier. A polished plastic shell and matte-finished touch panels give off a more lavish appearance. Small touches like the flush mesh grilles and gold branding look nice. These buds share the same IPX4 rating as the Fit Pro. The memory foam tips were updated to feel less cumbersome and provide a more secure fit, which they do when properly adjusted. Also, the buds are 25% smaller and the charging case is 20% smaller than the previous versions.
If you live an active lifestyle or want headphones mainly for working out, choose the Fit Pros. If you’re more about stylin’ and profilin’ in your headphones during daily wear, go for the WF-1000XM5s.
Battery life, call quality and special features go to Sony
Beats’ headphones and earbuds have always offered sufficient battery life, and the Fit Pro are no exception. A full charge translates to six hours with ANC on and seven hours with ANC off. The charging case holds up to 30 hours, though it lacks wireless charging. Call quality is satisfactory with just a hint of audible fuzziness. The Fit Pro also takes advantage of the same feature set as the AirPods Pro series, which includes staples such as automatic sharing, Find My support, “Hey Siri” voice activation, Live Listen and personalized spatial audio to name a few.
However, the WF-1000XM5 still beat their rival in all three categories. Play times are longer across the board: eight to 12 hours per charge for the buds alone and up to 36 hours with the wireless charging case. Voice and video calls sound loud and clear, thanks to the upgraded mic array that captures vocals precisely and reduces background noise. Sony’s stronger feature set consists of all previously mentioned sound features, as well as adjustable ambient listening, multipoint technology to pair to two devices simultaneously and smart features that automatically adjust or pause media when speaking out loud.
While the Beats have plenty to offer, Sony performs better in all performance metrics.
Bottom line
It took a while for someone to take the No. 1 spot from Beats, but Sony does it with ease. The WF-1000XM5’s overall performance is too much for any true wireless model to handle. Sound is excellent with advanced features enhancing output in multiple ways. Spatial audio remains solid, though the head tracking technology can be better. ANC is superior to any Apple wireless earbuds. Longer play times, solid call quality and versatile connectivity complete this beauty.
We still have plenty of love for the Fit Pro, which are an excellent alternative to the AirPods Pro 2. Audio is dynamic and energetic to please both casual listeners and fitness buffs. The unique design keeps these buds looking sharp and the installed fins provide the best fit possible for running. Beats’ noise canceling and transparency modes are highly effective. Access to all AirPods Pro features — not to mention better Android compatibility — is also huge.
The difference in price may sway you toward Fit Pro, which is still a terrific purchase. But if you want the absolute best that money can buy, go out and purchase the WF-1000XM5.
