Author: What is better to buy AirPods Pro or Sony WF-1000XM3 (versus)? In this article, I will be comparing the best headphones of 2020 and I hope I can help with the selection.
Apple AirPods Pro are some of the best wireless earbuds you can buy. Excellent noise cancellation, improved design (compared to the original AirPods), snug fit - this model is hard to beat, especially if you're an Apple fan.
However, things aren't perfect with AirPods Pro. They are expensive, and the new and improved design does not mean that the gadget is not prone to break from time to time. That's why when it comes to the best wireless headphones on the market, the Sony WF-1000XM3 TWS headphones are the undisputed leaders.
In my review of the Sony WF-1000XM3 wireless headphones, I boldly gave them a 5 out of 5 stars, thanks to their perfect noise cancellation, excellent sound quality and minimalist appearance. But given that they are a lot like the Apple AirPods Pro, the question is: which headphones should you buy? AirPods Pro or WF-1000XM3. Of course, a lot will depend on personal preference, your priorities and your style. But in comparison, I weighed the pros and cons of each pair of headphones based on key factors - design and sound quality.
Read onto find out all the advantages and disadvantages of earbuds, as well as whether to buy AirPods Pro or Sony WF-1000XM3. Full model comparison and review!
Read also: Xiaomi Mi Air 2 SE vs Mi Air 2S comparison
AirPods Pro vs Sony WF-1000XM3: price comparison
Apple AirPods Pro cost $ 245 (17,000 rubles). There is a huge difference in price when compared to the 2019 AirPods, which cost $ 150 with a standard charging case and $ 200 with a wireless charging case.
This means they are not intended to be a direct replacement for the 2019 AirPods. But what is such a price increase worth? When we compared the Apple AirPods Pro to the Apple AirPods, we found that the Pro model offers many more features, especially noise canceling (ANC) and active equalizer. However, none of this can justify the price tag.
For comparison: Sony WF-1000XM3 wireless headphones cost $ 190 (13,000 rubles). They are available in standard black and silver.
Undoubtedly, the Sony WF-1000XM3 headphones are cheaper than the AirPods Pro, but it's also worth noting that they are about a third cheaper than the Sony WH-1000XM3 overhead model, which uses the same noise canceling technology. They also have a competitive price compared to other wireless earbuds, including c Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 ($ 340) - A model that also offers active noise cancellation.
Read also: Which headphones are better to buy under $ 100?
AirPods Pro vs Sony WF-1000XM3: design
The design of true wireless earbuds is often a matter of personal preference - do you want huge earbuds sticking out of your ears, or do you want something unobtrusive and minimal?
Despite the fact that Apple AirPods Pro look small and quite minimalistic, they are clearly visible in the ears. While a shorter earbud may seem more attractive, it actually took a while to get used to. This is because the rod has a “capacitive force sensor,” which is a small bump on each AirPods Pro that you tap to activate noise canceling / transparency or pause music.
In comparison, the Sony WF-1000XM3 wireless headphones are simple in design and sit directly behind your ear, rather than hanging off your ear like the AirPods Pro. Thanks to this, they look unobtrusive, especially since the design is very simple with its minimal, clean lines.
In terms of comfort, the Apple AirPods Pro have significantly improved performance over the original AirPods.The gadget stays in place and does not fall out, even when you run or work out in the gym.
This is largely due to the customizable fit of the three offered silicone ear cushions in different sizes. Apple helps you find what's best for you with a fitness test that runs in the app as soon as you plug in your headphones. The only downside is that if you sweat, the silicone tips may slip a little. However, more importantly, they do not fall out. However, during testing, I found the Apple AirPods Pro to be very lightweight. This suggests that despite the incredible comfort and ease of wearing, if the earphone suddenly falls out, you will not even notice it.
The Sony WF-1000XM3 wireless earbuds snap to your ear and stay securely attached. The design looks intuitive and means they are comfortable and cozy to wear. There are seven different non-slip rubber and foam ear cushions included, so you should test everything to find the ones that provide the best fit and comfort.
While none of these earbuds are designed for sports, AirPods Pro can be used safely at the gym, jogging, or any other physical activity. The reason for this is the IPX4 moisture resistance. So they are not afraid of sweat or rain, and performance will definitely not suffer.
AirPods Pro vs Sony WF-1000XM3 battery life comparison
Battery life is essential for a good pair of wireless headphones. What's the point in switching to TWS if they die within a few hours?
During WF-1000XM3 and AirPods Pro review I found the Sony WF-1000XM3 wireless headphones to last about 6 hours on a single charge. And if you refuse noise cancellation at all, then the model will last a couple of hours longer. Together with the charging case, the headset will last for a total of 24 hours. The earbuds come with a smart case that doubles as a battery and has a quick charge mode. Plug in for ten minutes and you get 90 minutes of work. This is incredibly convenient if you need to leave quickly, but your gadget is empty. In turn, charging via USB-C takes about 3 hours.
In comparison, AirPods Pro lasts 4.5 hours with ANC and about 5 hours without. The AirPods Pro charging case provides over 24 hours of music listening time and also has a fast charge mode. So when comparing battery life, the Sony WF-1000XM3 beats the AirPods Pro when it comes to the headphones themselves. But with the charging cases, both models will provide around 24 hours of music playback.
AirPods Pro vs Sony WF-1000XM3: Noise Canceling Review
Both earbuds are equipped with advanced noise canceling technology, which begs the question: which TWS wireless headphones are the best when it comes to sound quality and noise canceling gadgets?
The Sony WF-1000XM3 headphones were among the first wireless headphones to use active noise canceling, thanks to the Sony QN1e HD noise canceling processor. This is the same processor used in the Sony WH-1000XM3 on-ear headphones and they are the best to this day. Since the Sony WF-1000XM3 headphones are wireless and not on-ear, it would be silly to compare them with the WH-1000XM3 in the ANC question - the efficiency is higher for full size model by design.
I also noticed that the model does not drown out the sounds you hear on the plane (for example, takeoff, landing announcements, etc.). Hence the conclusion that the WF-1000XM3 may not be the best choice for long distance travel. However, Sony noise cancellation will be really effective on your daily commute by train, tram or bus. Separately, I highlight the good isolation of ambient background sound thanks to the dual noise sensors in each earbud.
Also note that it is quite difficult to maintain a conversation with noise cancellation on. But this is a huge plus if you need to protect yourself from the busy office bustle.
Compared to AirPods Pro, it uses Apple's latest noise canceling technology. I noticed that there is a strong effect when noise cancellation is on.It does not isolate all external sounds around you - if you are in the office and listen to music, some sounds will still come through. But if you're walking down the street, AirPods Pro isolates almost 100% all city noise and any monotonous noise (fan, wind). Working on the same subway train pleased us: the ANC function worked efficiently, and the trip was pleasant.
Read also: TOP noise canceling headphones
AirPods Pro vs Sony WF-1000XM3: sound comparison
Both models are similar when it comes to noise cancellation. But where is the best sound?
The Sony WF-1000XM3 Wireless Headphones feature 6mm drivers for vibrant, dynamic sound. They create an expansive soundstage with spatial detail, which is very unusual for small TWSs. When listening to podcasts, the middle range is smooth. In music, guitars dominate, drums are dense and hard. Bass sounds good, but if you want a really pronounced punch then on-ear headphones are the best choice.
Compared to the WF-1000XM3, the AirPods Pro get Apple's own drivers, improved bass, and an adaptive equalizer. How does this affect sound quality? When I tested the AirPods Pro with popular tracks, I noticed that the vocals were really rich and the bass was more powerful than the AirPods 2. All this was observed when reviewing different music genres: acoustics, indie rock, electro, pop music and hip-hop. There was no clear separation of high, mid and low frequencies. The sound seems to be muted and the music is coming out of your head. High-quality headphones make the sound seem to be coming from everywhere, from all directions.
Honestly, compared to the WF-1000XM3, the AirPods Pro were harder to hear all the details of the music, lacking in fidelity and quality.
Another feature worth mentioning. AirPods Pro broadcasts the volume level to iPhone so you can see how loud you are listening to audio. This is very important because it is about hearing health, which many people need.
Read also: Headphone rating for music
AirPods Pro vs Sony WF-1000XM3: review summary
Usually, after comparative reviews, it is possible to understand which headphones are best to choose. But, if you had to choose between wireless headphones Apple AirPods Pro or Sony WF-1000XM3then you can't go wrong. In my opinion, the more interesting and promising model is the Sony WF-1000XM3. These headphones are more attractive in terms of sound and price. The design will appeal to most people, as will the long battery life.
But not everything is so simple! AirPods Pro has good noise cancellation and is perfect for any purpose. Advantages are water resistance and additional volume notification function (ear health). It's also worth remembering that if you have Apple products, including iPhones, AirPods Pro will be the preferred purchase.
AirPods Pro and WF-1000XM3 competitors
Both models deserve the title of the best in their segment. However, like any product on the market, they may not be suitable for everyone. Therefore, I recommend that you study our rating of the best headphones for the phone.
In my opinion, these 5 models may also deserve your attention:
