Home / Tech / Noise cancelling headphones / Brands
Samsung vs Sony
Too close to call: it comes down to the model.
The verdict in 10 seconds
Best Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Buds4 ProExcellent sound and quiet, at their best with a Samsung phoneSuits you if
- You use a recent Samsung Galaxy phone
- You want rich sound and earbuds comfortable enough for long days
- You commute, work out or deal with steady background rumble
Best Sony
Sony WF-1000XM5Superb sound and strong quiet, as long as they fit youSuits you if
- You commute or fly often and want the drone of engines and traffic quieted
- Sound quality matters most to you and you like adjusting the sound in an app
- You use an Android phone and switch between two devices
The short version
Brand for brand, Samsung and Sony are closely matched. The best single model of the two is the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro, which suits you if you use a recent Samsung Galaxy phone.
We researched 47 expert reviews, analyzed 78,988 owner ratings and comments across 25 sources for every Samsung and Sony model we cover, and cross-checked them into one verdict, so you don't have to.
See the evidence
Brand scoreboardAverage score 79 vs 77 · reliability 67 vs 68
| Samsung | Sony | |
|---|---|---|
| Product Review score | 79 | 77 |
| Experts | 84 | 88 |
| Owners | 79 | 72 |
| Reliability | 67 | 68 |
| Models scored | 1 | 3 |
| Most reliable model | Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro | Sony WF-1000XM5 |
Averages across scored models. ● marks the better number on each row.
Quick answers
Which is better, Samsung or Sony?
Neither, clearly. Choose the model, not the brand.
Based on: Average Product Review score 79 for Samsung vs 77 for Sony.Which brand is more reliable, Samsung or Sony?
Neither stands out. Their models have a similar record.
Based on: Average reliability 67 vs 68.What is the best Samsung noise cancelling headphones?
The Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro. It suits you if you use a recent Samsung Galaxy phone.
Based on: Highest Product Review score among Samsung models (79).What is the best Sony noise cancelling headphones?
The Sony WF-1000XM5. It suits you if you commute or fly often and want the drone of engines and traffic quieted.
Based on: Highest Product Review score among Sony models (79).