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We've recently released our Test Bench 1.6 update for Headphones! Read the Latency R&D Article to learn more.

Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless Headphones Review

Tested using Methodology v1.5
Review updated Mar 03, 2021 at 02:42 pm
Latest change: Writing modified Jun 15, 2022 at 09:38 am
Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless  Picture
7.5
Neutral Sound
7.7
Commute/Travel
8.0
Sports/Fitness
7.1
Office
5.9
Wireless Gaming
5.7
Wired Gaming
6.9
Phone Calls
These headphones were replaced by the Sony WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are neutral-sounding and versatile truly wireless headphones. Their design is stylish and feels premium, but it’s a bit hard to find a good airtight fit as their tip options are larger than average. This mainly negatively impacts their bass reproduction and isolation performance. On the other hand, once you've achieved an airtight fit, their ANC feature makes them good for commuting and blocks out a good amount of noise in an office setting. They also provide about seven hours of continuous battery life, their case yields an additional three full charges, and they're compatible with a companion app that gives access to decent audio customization.

Our Verdict

7.5 Neutral Sound

The Sony WF-1000XM3 are satisfactory for neutral sound. They have a well-balanced sound profile with a touch of boom, which fans of EDM and hip-hop may enjoy. However, they're missing a bit of low-bass, so mixes lack some thump and rumble. Also, they come with fairly large tips, which makes it hard to get an airtight fit and could affect how they sound, especially in the bass range. Luckily, the companion app gives you access to a graphic EQ so you can tweak the sound to your liking.

Pros
  • Well-balanced default sound profile.
  • Graphic EQ in companion app.
Cons
  • Hard to get a comfortable fit due to large tips.
  • Closed-off soundstage.
7.7 Commute/Travel

The Sony WF-1000XM3 are a good choice for commuting or traveling. They're very portable and come with a hard carrying case. They have a decent, seven-hour battery life, which should get you through your daily commute. They're fairly comfortable and stable but come with big tips that can make it hard to achieve an airtight seal. The ANC feature also struggles to block out low-frequency sounds like bus or plane engines but does a better job of reducing noise like background chatter.

Pros
  • Decent isolation performance.
  • Sturdy and high-end build quality.
  • 6.9-hour continuous battery life.
Cons
  • Hard to get a comfortable fit due to large tips.
8.0 Sports/Fitness

The Sony WF-1000XM3 are great for sports. They're portable, breathable, and durable. However, if you can’t find a good fit due to the large ear tips, they might not be the most stable option for physical activity. Sony doesn't list an official IP rating, which is disappointing.

Pros
  • Well-balanced default sound profile.
  • Sturdy and high-end build quality.
Cons
  • Hard to get a comfortable fit due to large tips.
7.1 Office

The Sony WF-1000XM3 are okay for office use. The in-ear fit might not be the most comfortable for long listening sessions, but they're still fairly comfortable if you find the right fit, and they isolate very well against work environment noise like ambient chatter and an A/C system. They also don't leak that much audio, so you can listen to music at fairly high volumes without worrying about disrupting coworkers. A brief stint in their case to charge, meanwhile, should give you enough battery to get you through a day at the office without too much of a problem.

Pros
  • Decent isolation performance.
  • 6.9-hour continuous battery life.
Cons
  • High wireless latency on PC and Android.
  • No multi-device pairing.
5.9 Wireless Gaming

The Sony WF-1000XM3 aren't suitable for wireless gaming due to their incompatibility with PS4 and Xbox One consoles and their high audio latency on PC.

5.7 Wired Gaming

The Sony WF-1000XM3 are truly wireless headphones that can't be used with a wired connection.

6.9 Phone Calls

The Sony WF-1000XM3 are adequate for phone calls. Your voice should sound reasonably natural, if a little thin, but people on the other end of the line may have a hard time understanding you if you're calling from a loud or crowded environment. Thankfully, they block out ambient noise to a satisfactory degree.

Pros
  • Decent isolation performance.
  • Well-balanced default sound profile.
Cons
  • Sub-par microphone noise handling capability.
  • No multi-device pairing.
  • 7.5 Neutral Sound
  • 7.7 Commute/Travel
  • 8.0 Sports/Fitness
  • 7.1 Office
  • 5.9 Wireless Gaming
  • 5.7 Wired Gaming
  • 6.9 Phone Calls
  1. Updated Jun 15, 2022: We've retested 'Audio While Charging' in the Battery test due to a user report of this feature working correctly. However, we couldn't use both buds individually as we couldn't use the right bud while the left one was charging in the case.
  2. Updated Mar 11, 2022: We've retested 'Audio While Charging'.
  3. Updated Feb 07, 2022: Added Sony 360 Reality Audio to Virtual Soundstage.
  4. Updated Jun 29, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.5.
  5. Updated Mar 03, 2021: Updated review for accuracy and clarity.
  6. Updated Aug 19, 2020: Updated review for accuracy and clarity.
  7. Updated Feb 05, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.4.
  8. Updated Dec 13, 2019: We've updated the App Support box information to the latest software update.
  9. Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
  10. Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
  11. Updated Aug 27, 2019: Review published.
  12. Updated Aug 25, 2019: Our testers have started testing this product.
  13. Updated Aug 25, 2019: Early access published.
  14. Updated Aug 23, 2019: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  15. Updated Aug 09, 2019: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

The Sony WF-1000XM3 are available in two color variants, 'Black' and 'Silver'. We tested the 'Black' variant, but we expect the other color to perform similarly. If your headphones are different or you come across another variant, please let us know in the discussions below so we can update our review.

Compared To Other Headphones

The Sony WF-1000XM3 are versatile and premium-feeling truly wireless in-ears. They have decent noise isolation performance, a fairly well-balanced sound profile, and a sleek high-end design. Unfortunately, it's quite difficult to get an air-tight seal as their tip options are larger than other similar headphones. For more options, see our recommendations for the best truly wireless earbuds, the best wireless earbuds, and the best wireless earbuds for running.

Sony WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless are the next generation of the Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless. The XM4's ANC can block out more ambient noise, and their battery performance is significantly better. However, the XM3 support NFC pairing, and have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer.

Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better overall headphones than the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2. The Sony have a more neutral default sound profile, which some listeners may prefer. They also have a longer continuous battery life and are slightly more comfortable. Their ANC is also better at isolating noise, especially in the bass and mid-range.

Sony WF-SP800N Truly Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless and Sony WF-SP800N Truly Wireless have different strengths and depending on your usage, you may prefer one over the other. The WF-1000XM3 have a more premium build, a more effective ANC system, and a better-balanced default sound profile. The WF-1000XM3 also support NFC pairing and have more options in the Sony| Headphones Connect app, including surround sound configuration. On the other hand, the WF-SP800N have a more comfortable, stable fit, leak less audio, and last longer on a single charge, though their case holds one charge to the WF-1000XM3’s three, so the WF-SP800N’s total battery life is less.

Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless and the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless have different strengths, so you may prefer either. The WF-1000XM3 have an in-ear design that's more portable, have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer, and leak less audio at high volumes. However, the WH-1000XM4 are over-ear headphones with a better battery and noise isolation performance.

Anker Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro Truly Wireless

The Anker Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro Truly Wireless are slightly better in-ears than the Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless. The Anker have a more comfortable and stable fit, their ANC can isolate you from significantly more ambient noise, and they have a better overall battery performance. They also support multi-device pairing. The Sony are better built and have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer.

Jabra Elite 7 Pro True Wireless

The Jabra Elite 7 Pro True Wireless are better than the Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless for most purposes. The Jabra have a much more comfortable, stable fit, a significantly better control scheme, and a longer continuous battery life. Their default sound profile is more neutral, which some may prefer. Their mic also has a much better recording quality, although the Sony’s has a better noise handling performance.  The Sony are also better built and support NFC pairing.

Beats Studio Buds True Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better headphones than the Beats Studio Buds True Wireless. The Sony have a better build, better ANC, and a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer. Their companion app also offers a graphic EQ with presets to help you adjust their sound. The microphone offers better overall performance and their continuous battery life is longer too. However, the Beats are more comfortable.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless

The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless are slightly better headphones than the Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless. The Bose have a significantly better ANC feature and have a better-balanced sound profile. Their fit is more stable too. However, the Sony have an auto-off timer.

Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro Truly Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better than the Anker SoundCore Liberty 2 Pro Truly Wireless. The Sony have ANC, which gives them much better noise isolation, better controls, a more neutral out-of-the-box sound profile, a better app, and their mic has a better recording quality. On the other hand, the Anker feel much more stable in the ear thanks to their stability fins.

Jabra Elite 85t Truly Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless and the Jabra Elite 85t Truly Wireless offer a similar overall performance, and you may prefer one over the other. While both headphones come with a graphic EQ and presets for sound customization, the Jabra are more comfortable and stable, and they leak less sound. Conversely, the Sony have a slightly better noise isolation performance and support NFC pairing.

Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless

The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless and the Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are both very decent truly wireless headphones that have different strengths. The Sony provide ANC and do a much better job at blocking out background noises, but they're heavier and not as comfortable as the Samsung. The Samsung feel much more stable in the ear and may be better to wear to the gym, though the Sony feel slightly more premium and well-built. While the Samsung's out-of-the-box sound profile is more well-balanced, the Sony have a full graphic EQ within its app to adjust their sound. Finally, though the Sony have a slightly longer battery overall within their case, the Samsung last almost double the length of time off a single charge, so don't need to be recharged as often.

Jabra Elite Active 65t Truly Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless and the Jabra Elite Active 65t Truly Wireless are both decent mixed usage headphones and perform quite similarly. The Sony are slightly more comfortable and come with more tips, but it’s hard to get an air-tight fit with them. Their app offers slightly more features and they have longer battery life for a single charge. On the other hand, the Elite Active 65t have a better passive isolation performance than the ANC of the Sony, have volume controls, and can be connected to two devices simultaneously.

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless

The over-ear Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are better for most uses than the in-ear Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless. The WH-1000XM3 are more comfortable, have a better battery life, and do a much better job of blocking out external noise like bus engines. Their mid-range accuracy is also better, so vocals and lead instruments sound clear and detailed without being cluttered. On the other hand, the WF-1000XM3's in-ear design makes them more portable and suitable for sports. 

Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless

The Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless offer similar performance to the Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless but have much better ANC. Both have a neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer, but the Sony have a longer battery life and are more customizable, especially as their companion app offers a full graphic EQ on both Android and iOS. The Apple, on the other hand, are more comfortable in the ear and feel significantly more stable.

Sony WF-C500 Truly Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better for most purposes than the Sony WF-C500 Truly Wireless. The 1000XM3 have ANC and a better noise isolation performance. Their case holds more extra charges, and they have a better build quality. They're also rated IP55 for dust and water resistance, while the C500 are rated IPX4 for water resistance only. On the other hand, the C500 have a much longer continuous battery life.

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Truly Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better than the  Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Truly Wireless. The Sony have ANC and a much better noise isolation performance, a better overall mic performance, a more stable fit, and a more neutral default sound profile, which some may prefer. Their app also has sound customization features. On the other hand, the Apple come with a better case that holds more extra charges and supports wireless charging. Some may also prefer their open design, which lets you hear ambient sound.

Jabra Elite 4 Active True Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless and Jabra Elite 4 Active True Wireless have different strengths. The Sony headphones have better build quality, and their ANC feature delivers a much better noise isolation performance. They offer support for a virtual surround sound feature and have NFC pairing. On the other hand, the Jabra are a better option for workouts since they have a much more stable fit. Their onboard control scheme offers more functions, like volume control and mic mute/unmute.

Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Truly Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless and the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Truly Wireless are similarly performing headphones. The Samsung are more comfortable, can block out more ambient noise, and their mic offers a better recording quality. However, the Sony are better built, their companion app offers a graphic EQ to help you adjust their sound, and their battery performance is better.

Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Truly Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless and the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Truly Wireless are similarly performing headphones and depending on your usage, you may prefer one over the other. The Sony are more neutral out-of-the-box, and their companion app offers a graphic EQ plus presets if you like to tweak their sound. They also have longer-lasting continuous battery life. However, the Samsung are more comfortable and stable. Their ANC can also cut down more ambient noise around you.

Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Truly Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better true wireless in-ears than the Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Truly Wireless. The Sony feature a closed-back design, which combined with their ANC feature makes them better at isolating you from ambient noise. The Sony deliver audio more consistently and do a better job of reproducing low-bass sounds like the thump and rumble of EDM or hip-hop. On the other hand, the Apple have one of the most comfortable fits for in-ears, if their one-size-fits-all design suits you. They also take less than an hour to fully charge, and you might see improved performance if your mobile device can take advantage of the H1 chip.

Bang & Olufsen E8 3.0 True Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are slightly better-performing Bluetooth earbuds than the Bang & Olufsen E8 3.0 True Wireless. The Sony have a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box and are compatible with an excellent companion app that provides a ton of customization options. They have some pretty notorious issues with their fit, while the Bang & Olufsen tend to fit most people more securely, and are more comfortable for some as well.

JBL TUNE 230NC TWS True Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are more versatile headphones than the JBL TUNE 230NC TWS True Wireless. The Sony are better-built, can block out significantly more ambient sound, and their mic offers better overall performance. They also support NFC pairing. However, the JBL have a more comfortable and stable in-ear fit. Their battery performance is better, too.

Beats Solo Pro Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better headphones than the Beats Solo Pro Wireless. The Sony are in-ears that are more comfortable, portable, and have a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, which some users may prefer. They have longer-lasting total battery life, and their companion app has a graphic EQ and presets to help adjust their sound to your liking. However, the Beats have a better noise isolation performance and an H1 chip so that you can seamlessly pair them with other Apple devices.

Jabra Elite 3 True Wireless

The Jabra Elite 3 True Wireless are somewhat better in-ears than the Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless. The Jabra are more comfortable as well as stable, and they have a superior battery performance. However, the Sony are better built and support NFC pairing.

Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 True Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are slightly better headphones than the Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 True Wireless. The Sony are more comfortable, have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer, and better battery performance. You can also customize their sound using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets. However, the Bowers & Wilkins have a significantly better noise isolation performance, and you can use their carrying case as a wireless transmitter.

Sennheiser CX 400BT True Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better headphones for most uses than the Sennheiser CX 400BT True Wireless. The Sony are more comfortable, have a more neutral sound profile right out-of-the-box, and offer a virtual soundstage feature. They also have an ANC feature that isolates more noise and their battery performance is better. They even support NFC pairing and their app offers lots of customization features. However, the Sennheiser are more stable.

Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better everyday true wireless headphones, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless will be the better option for sports. The Sony have decent isolation performance, which is good for commuting, while the Beats are one of the most stable sports headphones we’ve reviewed so far thanks to their ear-hook design. The Beats are also a bit more comfortable and have volume control, which the Sony are lacking. They also have an impressive 11-hour battery life, which is noticeably longer than the Sony.

Bose SoundSport Free Truly Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better everyday truly headphones than the Bose SoundSport Free Truly Wireless due to their superior noise isolation performance. The Sony have a decent ANC system and block ambient noise well, especially if you have a good fit. Their battery life is also better and their app offers more control and customization options. On the other hand, the Bose have an open-back design that's great for running outside and staying aware of your surroundings. They also have a more neutral sound profile, but it can’t be customized with an EQ.

Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018 and the Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are different types of headphones that serve different purposes. The Bose are better if you find over-ears more comfortable and want something with a long, continuous battery life. The Sony are more portable, and can still last you all day thanks to their charging case, though they don't last nearly as long off a single charge. Their ANC feature also doesn't work nearly as well as the Bose.

Sony WF-XB700 Truly Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better headphones than the Sony WF-XB700 Truly Wireless. The  WF-1000XM3 have a better build quality and come with an ANC feature, though it isn't the most robust. They also have a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, although some listeners may prefer the WF-XB700's overemphasis in the low and mid-bass ranges. You can easily adjust the sound profile of the WF-1000XM3 in the companion app using the graphic EQ and presets, which the WF-XB700 lacks. On the other hand, the WF-XB700 lasts longer off of one charge, but the WF-1000XM3 have more charges built-in to their portable case.

Jabra Elite 7 Active True Wireless

The Jabra Elite 7 Active True Wireless are better for most purposes than the Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless. The Jabra have a much more comfortable, stable fit and a more comprehensive control scheme. They have a more neutral bass response, which some may prefer, and a somewhat better noise isolation performance. On the other hand, the Sony headphones have virtual surround sound features and support NFC for easier pairing. The earbuds and case also feel better built.

Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are more versatile truly wireless headphones than the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless. The Sony are a bit more comfortable and come with more tip options, including foam tips. Their sound profile is better-balanced and they last longer on a single charge, while their app offers more customization options. On the other hand, the Sennheiser have volume control, which the Sony are lacking, and their fit passively isolates ambient noise better than the ANC feature of the Sony. They also support the aptX-LL codec, which is nice.

Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are slightly better in-ears for most uses than the Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless. The Sony are more comfortable, have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer, and their ANC can block a lot more ambient noise around you. Their integrated mic also offers better overall performance and they support NFC pairing. However, the Sennheiser have a better battery performance and they support aptX and aptX Adaptive codecs.

OnePlus Buds Pro Truly Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are slightly more versatile headphones than the OnePlus Buds Pro Truly Wireless. The Sony are better built, have a significantly better noise isolation performance, and have longer continuous battery life. Their companion app also offers a graphic EQ and presets so you can adjust their sound to your liking and they support NFC pairing. However, the OnePlus are more comfortable, and they have a 'Pro Gaming Mode', which is advertised to lower latency when paired with compatible OnePlus phones.

Cambridge Audio Melomania 1+ True Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better headphones than the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1+ True Wireless. The Sony are more comfortable, feel better-built, and have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer. The Sony also have an active noise cancelling system that does a slightly better job of blocking out background noise, their mic has a better overall performance, and their continuous battery life is longer.  They support NFC pairing too. However, the Cambridge Audio have a more stable fit. 

Klipsch T5 II True Wireless ANC

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better in-ears than the Klipsch T5 II True Wireless ANC. The Sony are more comfortable, better built, and have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer. They also have a better noise isolation performance, have a longer continuous battery life, and support NFC pairing. However, the Klipsch support unique extra features built-in Bragi Moves, which allows you to register commands by making head gestures. They also support Dirac HD sound technology, which is advertised to enhance the headphones' sound profile. However, we don't currently test the performance of either feature.

Jabra Elite 65t Truly Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are slightly better truly wireless headphones than the Jabra Elite 65t Truly Wireless. They are a bit more comfortable, although getting a tight seal can be an issue for some. They also feel better built, although not as stable as the Elite 65t. They also have a decent ANC feature, but the passive isolation from the Elite 65t's fit blocks even more noise.

Samsung Galaxy Buds Live Truly Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are more versatile than the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live Truly Wireless. The Sony in-ears are better-built, deliver audio more consistently, block out more ambient noise overall, and have an integrated microphone with superior recording quality. With a case that provides three additional charges to the Samsung's 2.5, they also have a longer total battery life, though they don't last as long on a single charge. They also have a companion app with a much larger selection of features. Meanwhile, the Samsung have a more stable fit and lower wireless latency on Android devices.

TOZO T6 Truly Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better-performing truly wireless headphones than the TOZO T6 Truly Wireless. They have active noise cancelling, a more neutral sound profile, and better battery performance. However, since the Sony can be challenging to get fitted in your ears correctly due to their large earbuds, the TOZO actually end up isolating more overall noise passively. This can vary from person to person, though.

Anker SoundCore Liberty Air 2 Truly Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better noise cancelling over-ears than the Anker SoundCore Liberty Air 2 Truly Wireless. The Sony feel significantly better built and are more comfortable. They're also compatible with an excellent companion app that gives you access to tons of sound customization features. On the other hand, the Anker have a more stable fit and a more bass-heavy sound profile, which adds some thump and may please fans of genres like EDM or hip-hop.

Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro Truly Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better headphones than the Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro Truly Wireless. While both headphones are similarly comfortable, the Sony are better-built and have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may like. They also offer a better battery performance and support NFC pairing. However, the Anker's ANC can reduce more noise around you and can be adjusted to better fit your needs.

Jabra Elite 75t Truly Wireless

The Jabra Elite 75t Truly Wireless and the Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are somewhat similarly performing headphones and depending on your usage, you may prefer one over the other. The Jabra are more comfortable, have better controls, and a significantly smaller case that provides the same overall battery life. They also have a better noise isolation performance. However, the Sony have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer. They also have a better app with more customization options, and a more premium-feeling case.

Amazon Echo Buds True Wireless 2019 (1st generation)

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are similar truly wireless in-ears to the Amazon Echo Buds True Wireless 2019 (1st generation). The Sony have a better app, feel slightly better built, have a better-balanced sound profile, and last longer off a single charge. The Amazon, on the other hand, feel much more stable in the ear, have a longer overall battery life, and isolate ambient sounds much better.

Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better for most purposes than the Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless. The WF-1000XM3 have a much more comfortable, stable fit and a better build quality. They isolate you from much more noise, thanks to their ANC feature, and they have a more neutral sound profile that some may prefer. They also support NFC for easier pairing. On the other hand, the LinkBuds are designed to let you hear your surroundings when walking around outside or working at the office. 

Jaybird Vista Truly Wireless

The Jaybird Vista Truly Wireless are better sports headphones, while the Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are going to be more versatile headphones. The Jaybird are more stable and more comfortable, which is great for sports. They are also rated IPX7 for water resistance, while the Sony lack an official rating. On the other hand, the Sony have an ANC feature that does a passable job at blocking out ambient noise and have more battery life for you to use during the day. The Jaybird sound will be more customizable thanks to their great parametric EQ.

Astro A40 TR Headset + MixAmp Pro 2017

The Astro A40 TR Headset + MixAmp Pro 2017 and the Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless each serve different purposes, so they don't perform in the same ways. The Astro are designed for gamers who need an excellent microphone and prefer a more open sound quality, while the Sony are noise cancelling truly wireless earbuds made to help block out the noise of a busy commute or workday.

Samsung Galaxy Buds Truly Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless and the Samsung Galaxy Buds Truly Wireless perform quite similarly. The Galaxy Buds are slightly more comfortable due to their small size and it’s easier to get a nice fit with them. Both headphones sound very similar, but the Sonys have a better EQ inside their companion app. The WF-1000XM3 also have better bass-range isolation, which will be better for commuting.

Sony WF-SP700N Truly Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are much better noise cancelling truly wireless earbuds than the Sony WF-SP700N Truly Wireless. The WF-1000XM3 have a significantly better-balanced sound profile, isolate a lot more noise, and have a much longer battery life. Their compatibility with Sony | Headphones Connect is improved, they're easier-to-use, and they have a much more premium design.

Sony WI-1000X Wireless

The Sony WI-1000X Wireless and the Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are both versatile noise cancelling in-ears, although the WI-1000X have a slight edge. Thanks to their neckband design, their controls are easier-to-use, their battery lasts longer on a charge, and they have much better noise cancelling. The WF-1000XM3 have a very premium design and are a better choice for fans of truly wireless designs.

Klipsch T5 True Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better truly wireless headphones than the Klipsch T5 True Wireless. Although we had fit issues with both headphones, the Sonys still perform better, with better sound quality and a noticeably better noise isolation performance thanks to their ANC feature. They also have a dedicated app that allows customization options.

JBL Reflect Flow True Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless and the JBL Reflect Flow True Wireless have very similar performance, however, the Sonys are more expensive, due to added features such as active noise cancelling, and tons of customization options through their mobile companion app. Battery life on the Sony is not as long on a single charge, but they charge faster, and the earbuds have an auto-off feature.

Microsoft Surface Earbuds Truly Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better truly wireless headphones than the Microsoft Surface Earbuds Truly Wireless. The Sony feel slightly better-built and have a much more accurate and well-balanced default sound profile that's more consistent among various users. They also have ANC which helps them block out drastically more background noise than the Microsoft. Finally, they also last longer off a single charge and have a much better companion app. On the other hand, some people may prefer the earbud fit of the Microsoft, as they don't enter the ear canal nearly as deep. Their large touch-sensitive surface also allows for additional functionality, such as integration with Microsoft 365, which could be useful for some people.

Sennheiser CX True Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better than the Sennheiser CX True Wireless. The Sony are more comfortable, have a better-balanced out-of-the-box sound profile, block out more ambient noise thanks to their ANC system, and support NFC pairing. Their companion app also has a wider range of features. Meanwhile, the Sennheiser have a more stable fit, leak less audio, and feature on-board volume controls.

Nura NuraLoop Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better Bluetooth in-ears than the Nura NuraLoop Wireless. The Sonys are more comfortable, have a more portable truly wireless design, and have a better-balanced default sound profile. On the other hand, the NuraLoop have a much better ANC feature, last a lot longer off a single charge, and have a unique personalized custom EQ that automatically finetunes your headphone's sound profile.

Razer Hammerhead True Wireless Pro

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better headphones than the Razer Hammerhead True Wireless Pro. While both headphones are comfortable and have similar overall battery performances, the Sony feel better-built and have a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box. They also have a better-performing active noise cancelling feature.

Google Pixel Buds A-Series Truly Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are significantly better in-ears than the Google Pixel Buds A-Series Truly Wireless. The Sony are better built, have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer, and can significantly block out more ambient noise around you. They also have a better battery life, and you can customize their sound using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets. However, the Google earbuds are more comfortable.

JBL Live Free NC+ TWS True Wireless

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are somewhat better in-ears than the JBL Live Free NC+ TWS True Wireless. The Sony are better-built, have a longer continuous battery life, and support NFC pairing. Their ANC can also cut down more ambient noise around you, and their integrated mic does a better job of recording your voice. However, the JBL are more comfortable and stable in-ear.

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Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
Design
Style
Type In-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless Truly Wireless
Transducer Dynamic

The Sony WF-1000XM3 are sleek but somewhat bulky truly wireless headphones. Their metal build looks stylish and high-end, but they're fairly big and protrude quite far out from your head when you wear them. These headphones are available in either black or silver.

7.0
Design
Comfort
Weight 0.04 lbs
Clamping Force
0 lbs

The Sony WF-1000XM3 are decently comfortable. They come with several differently-sized foam and silicone ear tips, but the smallest size is bigger than what comes with many of the other headphones we've tested, so they may not be ideal if you have small ears. The earbud itself is fairly bulky and protrudes quite a lot from your ear. They don't feel extremely sturdy, and you may need to push them quite far into your ears for a good fit, which may bother some users. If you're looking for premium in-ear headphones with a more comfortable fit, check out the Sony WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless or the EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid Truly Wireless.

6.3
Design
Controls
OS Compatibility
Not OS specific
Ease Of Use Good
Feedback Good
Call/Music Control Yes
Volume Control No
Microphone Control No
Channel Mixing
No
Noise Cancelling Control On/Off
Talk-Through
On/Off
Additional Controls Voice Assistant

The Sony WF-1000XM3 have touch-sensitive surfaces on each bud for different controls. You can easily control music and calls and can cycle between their ANC and talk-through modes. Holding down the left earbud enters the talk-through mode, and as soon as you release it, it goes back to ANC mode. You can also trigger your device’s voice assistant by holding down the right earbud. These commands can be remapped inside the app for both earbuds, but out-of-the-box, these headphones don't offer volume controls on the buds. The touch-sensitive surface is responsive, easy to use, and offers good audio feedback when making inputs. If you prefer a control scheme with physical buttons, check out the Jabra Elite 75t Truly Wireless.

9.1
Design
Breathability
Avg.Temp.Difference 0.9 °C

Like most in-ears, the Sony WF-1000XM3 are very breathable. They don’t trap heat inside your ears and you shouldn’t notice a difference in temperature when wearing them. This helps make them a great option for sports, as you shouldn't sweat more than usual.

9.3
Design
Portability
L 1.5" (3.8 cm)
W 2.0" (5.1 cm)
H 0.6" (1.5 cm)
Volume 2.00 in³ (32.77 cm³)
Transmitter Required No

The Sony WF-1000XM3 are very portable, like all in-ear headphones. You can easily put them inside a pocket or a bag, making them easy to carry around. They also come with a nice hard charging case.

8.0
Design
Case
Type Hard case
L 3.2" (8.1 cm)
W 2.3" (5.8 cm)
H 1.3" (3.3 cm)
Volume 10.00 in³ (163.87 cm³)

The Sony WF-1000XM3's case is great. It's stylish and feels well-made. The case is a bit bigger than those of some competitors, but it can still easily fit in some pockets or a bag. It holds the headphones well thanks to magnets and protects the buds from physical damage and scratches.

8.0
Design
Build Quality

The Sony WF-1000XM3 have a great build quality. Their design doesn't look as premium as the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless, but feel very well-made and could likely survive a few accidental drops without a problem. The case feels solid and looks high-end. Unfortunately, we didn't find any information about an IP rating, which measures dust and water resistance. The Jaybird Vista Truly Wireless or the IP55-rated Sony WF-SP800N Truly Wireless are IP-rated in-ear headphones, although we don't currently test for that.

7.0
Design
Stability

The Sony WF-1000XM3 are decently stable, with caveats. The smallest tip option is quite large, which made finding an air-tight fit a bit harder, especially if you have small ears. They also don’t have any stability fins or ear-hooks. If you like this design but would like something more stable, check out the Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro Truly Wireless.

Design
Headshots 1
Design
Headshots 2
Design
Top
Design
In The Box

  • Sony WF-1000XM3 earbuds
  • 4x silicone tip sizes
  • 3x foam tip sizes
  • Charging case
  • USB-C to USB-A charging cable
  • Manuals

Sound
Sound
Sound Profile
Bass Amount
-1.25 dB
Treble Amount
-1.17 dB

The Sony WF-1000XM3's sound profile is fairly neutral, although a little boomy. The low-bass is also a bit underemphasized, so mixes lack some thump and rumble. That said, their sound profile is still suitable for a variety of audio content. The companion app has a graphic EQ feature you can use to adjust the sound profile if you don't like how they sound out-of-the-box too.

9.6
Sound
Frequency Response Consistency
Avg. Std. Deviation
0.09 dB

The Sony WF-1000XM3 have remarkable frequency response consistency. If you achieve a proper fit and an airtight seal using the assortment of tips that come with the headphones, then you should be able to get consistent bass and treble delivery every time you use the headphones.

Sound
Raw Frequency Response
8.0
Sound
Bass Accuracy
Std. Err.
2.68 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
37.21 Hz
Low-Bass
-3.34 dB
Mid-Bass
1.47 dB
High-Bass
3.55 dB

The Sony WF-1000XM3 have great bass accuracy. The slight lack of thump and rumble may be caused by the poor seal we achieved in testing due to the overly large ear tips. If you manage to get an air-tight seal, you’re probably going to get a good amount of low-bass thump, which is quite common on Sony headphones. On the other hand, we measured an overemphasis in the high-bass, which results in a bit of excess boominess in the overall bass performance.

8.8
Sound
Mid Accuracy
Std. Err.
1.55 dB
Low-Mid
2.11 dB
Mid-Mid
-0.78 dB
High-Mid
-0.02 dB

These headphones have amazing mid-range accuracy. Vocals and instruments sound present and clear, although a slightly over-emphasized low mid-range results in a somewhat cluttered or muddy sound.

8.9
Sound
Treble Accuracy
Std. Err.
1.75 dB
Low-Treble
-1.1 dB
Mid-Treble
-0.58 dB
High-Treble
0.1 dB

The Sony WF-1000XM3's treble accuracy is great. The response is very flat and even for most of the range, resulting in detailed, present, and bright vocals and instrumentals.

8.5
Sound
Peaks/Dips
Peaks
0.96 dB
Dips
0.89 dB

These headphones have excellent peaks and dips performance, as none of the variations should be very noticeable. The mid-bass to low-mid range is slightly overemphasized, which makes your mix a bit boomy and muddy. Vocals and lead instruments are also nudged back towards the middle of the mix by a small dip in the mid-mid range.

9.2
Sound
Imaging
Weighted Group Delay
0.15
Weighted Phase Mismatch
2.4
Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
0.46
Weighted Frequency Mismatch
0.79

The Sony WF-1000XM3's stereo imaging is outstanding. Their weighted group delay is well below the audibility threshold. This ensures a tight bass and a transparent treble reproduction. Also, the L/R drivers of our unit are well-matched in frequency, amplitude, and phase response. This is important for the accurate placement and localization of objects in the stereo image. Note that these results are only valid for our unit and yours may perform differently.

1.2
Sound
Passive Soundstage
PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)
N/A
PRTF Size (Avg.)
N/A
PRTF Distance
N/A
Openness
2.8
Acoustic Space Excitation
2.1

The Sony WF-1000XM3's passive soundstage is awful. Due to their closed-back design and lack of interaction with the outer-ear, sound is perceived as coming from the inside of your head instead of from speakers placed around you. Their soundstage won't be perceived to be as open as that of open-back earbuds like the Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Truly Wireless.

4.1
Sound
Virtual Soundstage
Head Modeling
On/Off
Speaker Modeling
On/Off
Room Ambience
No
Head Tracking
No
Virtual Surround
360 Reality Audio

Update 02/07/2022: These headphones are compatible with Sony's 360 Reality Audio feature, which you can control in the companion app. This feature can offer better sound quality. However, you need to subscribe to services that support this feature and use compatible files. Unfortunately, they're no longer compatible with the Virtualphones Technology (VPT) feature. We have updated our review to reflect these changes.

These headphones are compatible with Sony's 360 Reality Audio (360RA) virtual surround sound feature. Using 360RA comes with a couple of caveats. Firstly, only a few premium-tier music streaming apps offer support for it, including Deezer, TIDAL, and nugs.net. Also, relatively few songs are mixed with 360RA, and the quality of said mix can vary depending on the artist.

8.1
Sound
Weighted Harmonic Distortion
WHD @ 90
0.187
WHD @ 100
0.101

The Sony WF-1000XM3's weighted harmonic distortion performance is great, with mostly clean and pure audio reproduction. There's a spike in the high-mids at high volumes, but it can be hard to hear with real-life content.

Sound
Test Settings
Firmware
Unknown
Power
On
Connection
Bluetooth 4.2
Codec
SBC, 16-bit, 48kHz
EQ
Off
ANC
On
Tip/Pad
Silicone (small)
Microphone
Integrated

These are the settings used to test the Sony WF-1000XM3. Our results are only valid when using this configuration.

Isolation
7.2
Isolation
Noise Isolation
Isolation Audio
Overall Attenuation
-19.25 dB
Noise Cancelling Yes
Bass
-10.9 dB
Mid
-21.02 dB
Treble
-26.91 dB

Update 03/20/2020: We received some feedback from our users that a recent firmware update to these headphones improved their ANC performance. Upon updating and retesting the ANC, we didn't find any significant changes to their isolation performance, and our test results remain the same.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 headphones block out a satisfactory amount of ambient noise. The ANC feature struggles somewhat to block lower-frequency sounds like plane and bus engines and turning it on hurts the headphones' ability to passively block higher-pitched sounds like background conversations. It's also hard to achieve an airtight fit in your ear, so they may not block out as much noise as other in-ears. Luckily, they do a great job of reducing sounds like ambient chatter or the hum of an A/C unit. For even better isolation with ANC earbuds, check out the Amazon Echo Buds True Wireless 2019 (1st generation) and the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless.

8.2
Isolation
Leakage
Leakage Audio
Overall Leakage @ 1ft
32.31 dB

The Sony WF-1000XM3's leakage performance is impressive. The sound that does leak sounds thin, and it's likely you won’t bother surrounding colleagues in an office setting, even if you're listening to content at high volumes.

Microphone
Microphone
Microphone Style
Integrated
Yes
In-Line
No
Boom
No
Detachable Boom
No
Mic Yes
6.9
Microphone
Recording Quality
Recorded Speech
LFE
306.43 Hz
FR Std. Dev.
2.98 dB
HFE
7,240.77 Hz
Weighted THD
4.982
Gain
2.9 dB

The Sony WF-1000XM3’s integrated microphone's recording quality is okay. Recorded or transmitted speech sounds natural and fairly clear but might be perceived as thin.

6.6
Microphone
Noise Handling
SpNR
7.62 dB
Noise Gate
No
Speech + Pink Noise Handling
7.0
Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample
Speech + Subway Noise Handling
6.0
Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample

The Sony WF-1000XM3's microphone has sub-par noise handling. It has trouble separating your voice from loud background sounds like bus engines, so it's not ideal for making phone calls from a busy street or any other noisy environment. The Sennheiser CX 400BT True Wireless are in-ears with better noise handling.

Active Features
6.9
Active Features
Battery
Battery Type
Rechargable
Continuous Battery Life
6.9 hrs
Additional Charges
3.0
Total Battery Life
27.6 hrs
Charge Time
1.3 hrs
Power-Saving Feature
Auto-Off Timer
Audio While Charging
No
Passive Playback
No
Charging Port USB-C

The Sony WF-1000XM3's battery performance is okay overall but is quite good for truly wireless headphones. We measured almost seven hours of continuous playback on a single charge, slightly over the advertised six hours. According to the manufacturer, you can get about eight hours of continuous use if you disable the ANC feature, though we don't test for this. Also, battery performance can vary depending on real-life use, meaning you may get different results with your headphones. The case gives you three additional charges, and there's also an auto-off timer that can be set inside their companion app. That said, while you can use the left bud while the right bud charges, you can't use the right bud while the left is in the case. Some users have also reported this issue, particularly on Android phones. Since you can't use both buds individually while the other one charges, we don't consider these headphones to support 'Audio While Charging'.

8.5
Active Features
App Support
App Name Sony| Headphones Connect
iOS Yes
Android Yes
macOS No
Windows No
Equalizer
Graphic + Presets
ANC Control
On/Off
Mic Control No
Room Effects
No
Playback Control
Yes
Button Mapping Yes
Surround Support
Yes

Unlike the Sony WF-XB700 Truly Wireless, the Sony WF-1000XM3 are compatible with the Sony|Headphones Connect app, which gives you a lot of customization options and excellent control over the features. The app is easy-to-use and offers quite a few uncommon options. It gives you access to live data on the adaptive noise cancelling feature as well as to a slider for noise cancelling and ambient sound control. There's also a graphic equalizer with presets, as well as an in-app media player. You can even remap the touch-sensitive controls of each earbud for their respective hold or tap commands.

Connectivity
7.7
Connectivity
Bluetooth
Bluetooth Version
5.0
Multi-Device Pairing
No
NFC Pairing
Yes
Line Of Sight Range
295.00 ft (89.92 m)
PC Latency (SBC)
227 ms
PC Latency (aptX)
N/A
PC Latency (aptX HD)
N/A
PC Latency (aptX-LL)
N/A
iOS Latency
91 ms
Android Latency
70 ms

These truly wireless headphones have good connectivity. They're Bluetooth 5.0-compatible and have a case that supports NFC, which makes pairing very quick and easy. However, they don’t support multi-device pairing, which is quite disappointing for high-end headphones. The Sony WF-1000XM3's latency might be a bit high for watching video content, particularly on PC and Android devices. However, apps and devices compensate for this audio lag, so your real-world experience may vary. On the other hand, it seems that there’s a delay between the buds. We experienced a noticeable delay where the right earbud would play/pause music before the left bud, which is frustrating.

0
Connectivity
Non-Bluetooth Wireless
Non-BT Line Of Sight Range
N/A
Non-BT Latency
N/A
0
Connectivity
Wired
Analog Audio
No
USB Audio
No
Detachable No
Length N/A
Connection
No Wired Option
Analog/USB Audio Latency
N/A

As expected, the Sony WF-1000XM3 headphones can’t be used wired for audio. They come with a USB-C to USB-A cable for charging their case.

Connectivity
PC Compatibility
Analog
No
Wired USB
No
Non-BT Wireless
No
Connectivity
PlayStation Compatibility
PS4 Analog
No
PS4 Wired USB
No
PS4 Non-BT Wireless
No
PS5 Analog
No
PS5 Wired USB
No
PS5 Non-BT Wireless
No
Connectivity
Xbox Compatibility
Xbox One Analog
No
Xbox One Wired USB
No
Xbox One Non-BT Wireless
No
Xbox Series X|S Analog
No
Xbox Series X|S Wired USB
No
Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless
No

These headphones use Bluetooth to connect wirelessly, so they aren't compatible with Xbox One.

2.2
Connectivity
Base/Dock
Type
Charging Case
USB Input
No
Line In
No
Line Out
No
Optical Input
No
RCA Input
No
Dock Charging
Yes
Power Supply
USB-C

The Sony WF-1000XM3 come with a nice hard charging case that holds three charges. The case doesn’t have any inputs other than the USB-C charging port.