The Sony WH-1000XM3 are versatile, feature-packed Bluetooth-enabled over-ear headphones. They have an excellent battery life, a great wireless range, and a remarkably effective ANC feature, along with a comfortable, sturdy design. However, their default sound can be a bit too bass-heavy for some, though that can be adjusted via an EQ in their companion app.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 are satisfactory for neutral listening. While their high-bass range is slightly overemphasized, yielding a slightly boomy quality to some tracks, their exceptionally well-balanced mid-range and good treble accuracy results in clear, present, and detailed vocals and lead instruments. Their sound profile can be adjusted in their companion app, too.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 are great for commuting. Their ANC feature does a superb job of blocking out ambient noise, especially if you have a bit of music playing in the background. They also have easy-to-use controls and a long 27-hour battery life that should be more than enough for most long flights and commutes.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 are decent for sports and fitness. They have a comfortable fit and an easy-to-use control scheme. Unfortunately, like most closed-back over-ears, they aren't especially breathable, and they're a bit bulky which makes them slightly unstable when running and working out.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 are good for office use. Their ANC system should filter out the chatter of coworkers and the clattering of keyboards. They're also comfortable and don't leak that much audio, so you shouldn't disturb people working nearby. Unfortunately, you can't connect to more than one device simultaneously.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 aren't suitable for wireless gaming. They can't connect wirelessly with Xbox One or PS4 consoles and have high wireless latency when connected to Bluetooth-enabled PCs.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 are good for wired gaming, as long as you don't plan on using their integrated mic since you can only receive audio on a wired connection. They're comfortable for long gaming sessions and have a decently well-balanced sound profile that delivers more than sufficient thump and rumble.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 are decent for phone calls. Their integrated microphone delivers mediocre recording quality, so your voice may sound thin and muffled. The microphone can struggle to isolate speech from loud background noise. However, they block out a lot of background noise with their ANC system enabled, so you should be able to follow what's being said, even in loud environments.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 come in two variants: 'Black' and 'Silver'. We tested the 'Black' variant, but expect the other color variant to perform similarly.
If someone comes across a differently-equipped model, let us know in the discussions so that we can update our review.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 are versatile wireless over-ears. They're well-built and offer superb noise cancellation performance. They're also comfortable and deliver a long-lasting battery life, while their Sony | Headphones Connect companion app grants you access to a broad range of customization features. If you're looking for alternatives, see our recommendations for the best closed-back headphones, the best noise cancelling headphones, and the best travel headphones.
The Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless have more features than the Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless. The WH-1000XM4 support multi-device pairing, have a longer continuous battery life, and offer some additional talk-through control options. However, the WH-1000XM3 are a somewhat better choice for neutral listening, as they have a more neutral, less bass-heavy default sound profile and a more consistent audio delivery.
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018 have similar performance to the Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless. The Bose are a bit more comfortable than the Sony and have a better-balanced and less bass-heavy sound profile. They also have an easier to use control scheme and can pair with multiple devices at once, which makes them a bit easier to use with your PC and your phone. On the other hand, the Sony are a lot more customizable than the Bose as their companion app gives you access to a graphic EQ, noise cancelling options and optimization, an in-app player, room effects, and codec options. The Sony also have a longer battery life with a better quick charge feature. Get the Bose if comfort is most important and you typically use headphones without companion apps. However, if you like to tweak your audio and want more features, the Sony are the better option.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are more versatile headphones than the Drop + THX Panda Wireless. The Sony are more comfortable, better-built, and have an outstanding noise isolation performance thanks to their active noise cancelling system. They also have a companion app with a graphic EQ and presets. However, the Drop have a better battery performance and can pair with up to two devices at a time.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are better headphones than the Apple AirPods Max Wireless. The Sony are more comfortable, have a sturdier case, and have a more stable fit. They also have a better noise isolation performance, and you can tweak their sound via the graphic EQ found in the Sony | Headphones Connect app. However, the Apple headphones have an H1 chip, which makes it easier to pair with other Apple products seamlessly. They also charge up in less time and have a standby mode to help conserve battery life.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are better headphones than the Beats Studio3 Wireless. The Sony feel slightly more premium and sound more neutral but with a small excess in thump and rumble. Additionally, you can easily customize their sound to your liking inside the Sony app, which Beats lacks. The ANC of the Sony is also noticeably better and will block out more ambient noise. On the other hand, the Beats have an audio cable with an in-line mic. They also have physical buttons, which can be easier for some.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 are a slightly better noise cancelling headset than the Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless. The Sonys have a more premium, high-end build quality and offer better noise isolation for traveling and commuting in noisy conditions. The Sonys are also a bit more comfortable than the Sennheisers. On the other hand, the PXC 550 Wireless have more connection options, making them a great choice if you have a lot of devices that you typically use your headphones with. The PXC 550 Wireless also give you a bit more control over their active features, and they sound a bit better with their default sound profile although both headphones can be EQed fairly easily thanks to their respective apps.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless are a later generation of the Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless. While some things have stayed the same, such as their battery life and companion app support, the XM3 and XM5 have different strengths. While both headphones offer a fantastic overall performance, the XM3 have the edge, particularly regarding the low rumble of bus engines. They're also more comfortable, and are better built. They also support aptX and aptX HD for high audio quality via Bluetooth. In comparison, the XM5 support multi-device pairing, and they have an auto-off timer to help conserve battery life when you aren't using them.
The Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless are better over-ears than the Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless. The Bose are more comfortable, and they have an auto-off timer to help conserve battery life when you're not using them. They also support multi-device pairing. However, the Sony are better built and have an even better noise isolation performance, though both headphones are still top-notch in this regard.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 are a better headset than the Sony WH-1000XM2, although not by much. The XM3 have a more comfortable over-ear fit thanks to the headband redesign and softer ear cup pads. They also have better noise cancellation, mostly due to their lower self-noise, and a better battery life performance, with a customizable auto-off timer and a quick charging USB type C connector. This makes them a bit more convenient in case you forget to charge them overnight. On the other hand, the XM2 now offer a better value for your money since they are now at a lower price point than the XM3. They also have a great noise isolation performance and a decently well-balanced sound quality that's not very different from the XM3. Their metal headband also feels slightly more unique than that of the XM3 and gives them a slightly more classy look and feel.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are better headphones than the Skullcandy Crusher Evo Wireless. The Sony are better built, more comfortable, and more stable. Thanks to the graphic EQ available on their companion app, they have a better noise isolation performance and are more customizable. However, the Skullcandy have a longer continuous battery life.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50X and the Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are two different headphones that are targeting different uses. The M50x are great for mixing or simply enjoying music the way it was supposed to be heard via a wired connection. The Sony are noise cancelling headphones that have a more bass-heavy sound profile, but are great to use in noisy environments like your daily commute.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are better headphones than the Sony WH-XB900N Wireless. The WH-1000XM3 feel like more premium headphones and most importantly, their ANC feature is way better, which makes them more versatile and a better option for commuting. Their sound profile is also less bass-heavy, but you can EQ both headphones in their app to make them sound more like you prefer. On the other hand, the XB900N have a longer-lasting battery life. They are overall very similar headphones, but the XM3 offer better value.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are better wireless over-ear headphones for mixed usage than the Sony WH-H910N/h.ear on 3 Wireless. The XM3 are more comfortable, better-built, deliver audio more consistently, and have a substantially more effective ANC system. They also have more options in the Sony| Headphones Connect app. Conversely, the H910N last much longer off of a single charge.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 are a much better noise cancelling headset than the Sony WH-H900N. The H900N have a better-balanced default sound. They also have a cool look that some may prefer since they come in a lot more color schemes than the more premium XM3s. On the other hand, the WH-1000XM3 have a better noise cancelling performance that makes them a much better choice for your commutes. They're also a lot more customizable. They have a better battery life and drastically faster charge time that makes them a lot more convenient for day-to-day use, especially if you forget to charge your headphones overnight. They're more comfortable and look and feel a lot more premium than the H900N.
The Sennheiser HD 650 and the Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are differently-designed headphones to serve different purposes. The more bass-heavy Sonys have an excellent active noise cancelling feature to help isolate disruptive noise, while the more balanced-sounding open-back Sennheiser intentionally let in ambient noise to create a more spacious sound.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are more versatile than the Beats Solo Pro Wireless. The Sony's over-ear design and amazing ANC feature block out a lot of noise, which is better for commuting or at the office. They're also noticeably more comfortable and have a better battery life. Their app also offers more customization and plenty of controls. On the other hand, the default sound profile of the Beats is more neutral, but you can't EQ them like you can with the Sony.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are better headphones than the Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC. Most notably, the XM3s' ANC is excellent and blocks more ambient noise than the HD 4.50 BTNC. Their overall audio reproduction is more accurate, but with a slightly overemphasized bass, which can be EQ’ed inside their great app. The XM3 are also more comfortable and better-built than the Sennheiser. On the other hand, the HD 4.50 can connect to two devices simultaneously. Some may also prefer their control scheme with physical buttons over the touch-sensitive surface of the WH-1000XM3, which may be unresponsive in colder temperatures.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless and Jabra Evolve2 85 Wireless have different strengths and weaknesses. The Sony block out more ambient noise, feel better-built, and offer a more consistent listening experience as well as a broader range of configuration options in their companion app. However, the Jabra support multi-device pairing, last longer off of a single charge, and have an easier-to-use control scheme. The Jabra's boom mic also has superior recording quality and noise handling capability.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are much better headphones than the TREBLAB Z2 Wireless. While both headphones have well-balanced sound profiles, the Sony is a bit more bass-heavy without being overpowering. They also look and feel much more premium and well-built, are a lot more comfortable, last longer off a single charge, and have an excellent companion app that gives access to a graphic EQ. Sony's ANC is also among the best we've ever tested, while the TREBLAB's ANC doesn't do much at all. On the other hand, some people may prefer the physical controls on the TREBLAB, and they may represent better value to some.
Both the Jabra Elite 85h Wireless and Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are very versatile ANC headphones. The Jabra have a better control scheme with physical controls, and their default sound profile is more accurate and better sounding. However, they don’t have the great noise isolation performance of the Sonys. Since you can easily EQ the XM3 in their app, they could be the best option for most. On the other hand, the mic of the Jabra is superior and sounds clearer and fuller, which is better for calls.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are better headphones for most uses than the Sony WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless. The WH-1000XM3 are over-ear headphones that are more comfortable, have a significantly better noise isolation performance, and have longer continuous battery life. However, the WF-1000XM4 are in-ears that are smaller, more lightweight, and have a stable fit, making them a solid choice for sports and fitness.
The Bose 700 Headphones Wireless and the Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are both good wireless noise cancelling headsets that share a few similarities. Both are comfortable, feel well-built, and have touch-sensitive controls wrapped up in a sleek monochromatic design. The Sony are easier to use since the touch-sensitive surface is larger and can fold up into a more portable format. Both headphones have a more bass-heavy sound profile and offer a graphic EQ for sound customization. That said, the Bose have a vastly superior integrated microphone and even feature a mic mute button, which makes them slightly better for business users.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are better over-ear headphones than the Sony WH-XB910N Wireless. While both headphones are comfortable, the WH-1000XM3 are better built, have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer, and have a significantly better noise isolation performance. They also support NFC pairing. The WH-XB910N have a more bass-heavy sound, which will please bass fans, they support multi-device pairing, and they have a significantly longer continuous battery life.
The Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless and the Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are both good headphones, but the XM3s might be better for most people. The Sony are a bit more comfortable and their noise isolation is noticeably better, which makes them a better choice for commuting. On the other hand, the Sennheiser headphones have a more distinctive design with a sleek retro look, which some may prefer. The XM3s have a touch-sensitive control scheme, which has trouble with cold weather, while the Momentum 3 Wireless have physical buttons.
The Bose QuietComfort 35/QC35 Wireless 2016 and Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are two great pairs of noise cancelling headphones, but for different reasons. The Bose are a bit more comfortable than the Sony and have a slightly better default sound that doesn’t have as much high bass, which makes them sound a tad bit more balanced overall. Their control scheme is made of physical buttons, which are easier to use. The Bose can also pair to two devices, which the Sony can’t do. On the other hand, the Sony are a lot more customizable than the Bose thanks to their great app. It gives you access to a good EQ, noise cancelling options and optimization, an in-app player, room effects, and codec options. The Sony also have a longer battery life with a better quick charge feature. Overall, get the Bose if comfort is most important for you. However, if you like to tweak your audio and want more features, the Sony are the better option.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are better headphones than the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless. The Sony are more comfortable and feel better-built. They also have a more neutral sound profile right out-of-the-box, and a better companion app. However, the Anker have longer-lasting continuous battery life and three different ANC modes to better-isolate the kind of ambient noise around you.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless and the Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless are two very different headphones. Some may prefer the comfort of over-ears while some would prefer the portability of a truly wireless design. When it comes to noise isolation, both are great, but the Sony are better in this regard thanks to their amazing ANC feature. On the other hand, the Apple are more neutral sounding and noticeably more stable and breathable, which is great for sports.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are better than the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 Wireless for most purposes. The Sony are much better-built, significantly more comfortable, and have an easier-to-use control scheme. They have an ANC system and isolate you from much more noise, and some listeners may prefer their bass-heavy default sound profile. On the other hand, the Audio-Technica have a longer continuous battery life of more than 60 hours. They're a better choice for neutral sound, thanks to their more accurate bass response and more open-seeming passive soundstage.
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.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are better over-ear headphones than the Anker Soundcore Life Q35 Wireless. The Sony are more comfortable and better-built. They also deliver audio more consistently and have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer. They have a better-performing ANC, which can cut down more ambient noise around you too. However, the Anker have longer continuous battery life and can pair with up to two devices at a time.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are better noise cancelling over-ears than the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless. The Sony are more comfortable, they isolate significantly more noise, and they feel a lot better-built. They're also compatible with an excellent companion app which gives you access to tons of sound customization features. There's a premium price to pay for the Sony, though. The Anker are a lot more affordable and still perform decently overall, so they may provide better value for some users.
The Razer Opus Wireless 2020 are slightly better over-ear headphones than the Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless. The Razer feel a bit more stable on the head. They also have longer battery life and a more accurate sound profile out-of-the-box, though they lack quite a bit of bass. While the ANC on the Opus is still outstanding, the Sony performs a bit better and are more comfortable. You also get more customization options in Sony's companion app. While some people may prefer the Sony's touch-sensitive controls, they don't work properly in the cold, so those who live in colder climates may prefer the Razer's physical buttons.
The Sony WH-1000XM3s are more versatile headphones than the Sony WH-CH700N, thanks to their great noise cancelling feature. Even if the WH-CH700N are also noise cancelling, their isolation performance is sub-par and the feature barely does anything. The XM3s will be a better option for commuting and at the office, but their default sound profile might be a bit bass-heavy for more neutral critical listeners. If you care about sound fidelity, then the CH-700N might be a better option. They also have a longer battery life, but take a long 6 hours to charge fully. On the other hand, the XM3s are slightly more comfortable and have a nice touch-sensitive control scheme. They also feel more premium, but are significantly more expensive.
The AKG N700NC M2 Wireless and the Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless have different strengths, and you may prefer either one. The AKG have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer, and they're equipped with an auto-off timer to help conserve battery life when you're not using them. They also support multi-device pairing. However, the Sony feel better built and more comfortable. Their ANC is also able to block out significantly more ambient noise.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are much better active noise cancelling headphones than the JBL CLUB ONE Wireless. The Sony are slightly more comfortable, and their ANC can block out more noise in each of the ranges. They also have a virtual soundstage feature and a longer-lasting continuous battery life. However, the JBL have a unique Silent Now feature that allows you to use the ANC without audio or Bluetooth connectivity. They can also simultaneously pair with up to two devices at a time, and when wired, they have full compatibility with PS4 and Xbox One.
The Sennheiser PXC 550-II Wireless are very similar to the Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless. The Sonys are slightly more comfortable, feel slightly better built, and have much better noise isolation. On the other hand, the Sennheiser have better controls, a more stable fit, and a more accurate and less bass-heavy sound profile.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are better and more versatile headphones than the Skullcandy Crusher 360 Wireless thanks to their great ANC feature. The Sony also have a companion app that offers multiple controls and customization options. Additionally, the Sony are more comfortable and better built than the Skullcandy. On the other hand, the Skullcandy have an in-line microphone on their audio cable.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless and the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless are rather different types of headphones, but both models are very versatile. If you're looking for a great noise cancelling pair of headphones to bring on your daily commute, go with the Sony, but if you want wireless gaming headphones that can also transition to more casual use thanks to their Bluetooth support, then check out the SteelSeries instead.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are much better headphones than the JBL TUNE 750BTNC Wireless. While both headphones are over-ears, the JBL aren't nearly as comfortable due to their awkwardly sized ear cups that tend to rest on top of the ears. Other than that, the Sony also feel much more durable, isolate much more noise thanks to their remarkable ANC feature, last almost ten hours longer off a single charge, and have a dedicated companion app so you can change the EQ of your headphones. On the other hand, the JBL charge quicker, can pair to two devices at once, and leak a bit less audio.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are better headphones for mixed usage than the Shure AONIC 50 Wireless. The Sony are more comfortable and can be carried around more easily due to their folding ear cups. They also provide a more consistent, well-balanced default listening experience as well as a substantially more effective ANC system, which dramatically lowers the volume of everything from plane and bus engines to the high-pitched hum of an AC unit. The Sony| Headphones Connect app offers a much broader range of options than the ShurePlus Play app, although the Sony's graphic EQ is less adjustable than the Shure four-point parametric EQ. The Shure also have an easier-to-use control scheme as well as aptX-LL compatibility.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are better headphones than the Audio Technica ATH-M50xBT. The Sony have a great noise cancelling feature that is suitable for loud environments like your daily commute, and they are also more comfortable to wear for long periods of time. The Sony also feel better-built than the Audio Technica and their sound profile can easily be EQ’ed inside their app, which the Audio Technica don’t have. You’ll also get more battery life out of the Sony. On the other hand, the Audio Technica have a better default sound profile right out-of-the-box and some may prefer their physical button control scheme to the touch-sensitive one of the Sony.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are more versatile headphones than the Jabra Evolve2 65 Wireless. The Sony are wireless over-ears that are even more comfortable to wear, better-built, and offer vastly superior noise isolation courtesy of a highly effective ANC system. That said, the Jabra have a much longer battery life, can connect to two devices at the same time, and have a boom microphone that's much better overall than the Sony's integrated mic.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are slightly better wireless noise cancelling headphones than the Bowers & Wilkins PX Wireless. The Sony are a lot more comfortable than the B&Ws out of the box. They're lighter and have better-padded ear cups that do not clamp your head like the PX. The Sony also have a longer battery life, a better noise cancelling performance and a more customizable app that makes them a bit more versatile for different listeners than the PX. The PX, on the other hand, are much better-built, look a bit more premium, and feel more durable. They also leak a less at high volumes, so they're a bit more suitable for noise-sensitive environments like using them at the office.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are better headphones than the Razer Opus X Wireless. While both headphones have a comfortable fit, the Sony are better-built, their companion app offers a graphic EQ to help you adjust their sound to your liking, and they're able to block out significantly more ambient noise around you. They also support NFC pairing. However, the Razer have a longer continuous battery life and a 'Gaming Mode' for lower audio latency.
The 1More Triple Driver in-ear headphones and the Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are very different. The 1More in-ears are more portable and sound very neutral. They’re a bit more comfortable than typical in-ears and are decently well-built. On the other hand, the Sony’s over-ear design is more comfortable, and their sound profile is a bit more bass-heavy, although the XM3 are compatible with the Sony app that allows you to customize their sound signature thanks to an EQ. They also have an excellent ANC feature to block out ambient noise surrounding you, which is great when commuting.
The Sony WF-1000XM3 Wireless are noticeably better headphones than the Cowin E7 Pro Wireless. The Sony are better-built, more comfortable, have better noise isolation performance, and they have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer. The Sony also have a touch-sensitive control scheme, while the Cowin has physical buttons, which won't malfunction in freezing conditions like the Sony. The only thing that the Cowin do that the Sony can't is provide audio while charging.
The Superlux HD 681 EVO and the Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are two headphones at very different price points with different uses. The Superlux are entry-level audiophile headphones that have a fairly neutral sound profile and a semi-open back design to create a wider and more spacious passive soundstage. However, the Sony are more versatile. They're comfortable, their sound profile is also fairly balanced, and they have an integrated microphone, and they have a superb active noise cancelling feature. They're also wireless and their 27-hour battery should be more than enough to get you through a work day or commute.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless will be more versatile headphones than the Jaybird X4 Wireless. These over-ears are very comfortable, and their great ANC feature is great for commuting. They are well-built and also have a great app that lets you EQ their sound profile, just like the X4. However, the Sonys won’t be as portable or breathable as the Jaybird X4. If you’re looking for everyday headphones, the WH-1000XM3 are the better option, but for sports, go with the Jaybird X4.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 are better noise cancelling headphones than the AKG N700NC. The Sony have a more sturdy and more comfortable build, on top of having amazing noise cancelling capabilities. On the other hand, the AKG are more neutral sounding and might be a better choice for critical listeners who wouldn’t like the Sony's overemphasized bass. The Sony also have better battery life and more customization options. If you prefer physical buttons and think a touch-sensitive control scheme is too finicky and frustrating to use, then the AKG are a better option.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless and the Nura NuraLoop Wireless are two very different pairs of headphones, though the Sony perform better for most uses. The Sony are Bluetooth over-ears that are significantly more comfortable, have a better-balanced default sound profile, and have a much better ANC. On the other hand, the NuraLoop are Wireless in-ears that still have excellent ANC, and have a unique personalized custom EQ that automatically finetunes your headphone's sound profile.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 are better headphones than the Microsoft Surface Wireless Headphones. The Sony are better-built headphones that have a better-balanced sound profile and superior ANC. Overall, the XM3s are more versatile and more customizable thanks to the great companion app. On the other hand, the Surface Headphones have a more complete control scheme and longer wireless range.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are more versatile headphones than the Dolby Dimension Wireless. The Sony isolation performance is noticeably better, and they have a better audio reproduction, on top of having customization options inside their great app. They're slightly less comfortable and well-built than the Dolby, but most people should be satisfied with the Sony. They can also be used wired, even if the battery is dead, which you can’t do with the Dolby. On the other hand, the Dolby support aptX-LL for watching video content.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are better over-ear wireless headphones for most uses than the JBL Live 650 BTNC Wireless. The Sony are more comfortable, have better controls, and look and feel more premium and durable. Their default sound profile is slightly better-balanced, and they have one of the best ANC features we've ever tested, which does a remarkable job at blocking out all background noise. Their battery also lasts longer, and they have a better companion app. On the other hand, the JBL feel more stable on the head, and still have a well-balanced sound profile and a great app that includes a parametric EQ, giving you more control over your music than with the graphic EQ in Sony's app.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are better Bluetooth over-ears than the JBL CLUB 950NC Wireless. The Sony are a bit more comfortable, feel more durable and well-built, and have a better integrated microphone. They also have a slightly more bass-heavy sound profile which adds extra kick and thump without being overpowering. While both headphones have ANC, the Sony's is one of the best we've ever tested and works drastically better, especially at blocking out the low rumble of bus or plane engines. On the other hand, the JBL come with an audio cable with an in-line mic so you can take phone calls while using your headphones wired. The JBL also have physical buttons, as opposed to the touch-sensitive ones found on the Sony that don't work properly in cold climates.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are better noise cancelling headphones than the Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 Wireless. The Sony isolate way more noise across the entire range, their sound profile is more neutral as well as better balanced, and they also have a virtual soundstage feature with room ambiance presets and longer battery life. However, the Microsoft have multi-device pairing up to two devices, they have easier-to-use controls, and they can also be used wired on the PS4 and Xbox One with full audio and microphone support.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are better wireless in-ears than the TOZO T6 Truly Wireless. The Sony look and feel more premium and durable, have a much better-balanced sound profile, much longer battery life, NFC pairing, and a dedicated companion app that gives access to a graphic EQ. On the other hand, the TOZO feel more stable in the ear. While the TOZO isolate background noise better overall, the Sony do a better job at blocking our the low rumble of engines thanks to their ANC feature.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are much better Bluetooth headphones than the Sony WH-CH510 Wireless. The WH-1000XM3 have a much more comfortable over-ear design, have better controls, and feel much more premium and better built. The sound profile of the WH-1000XM3 is also better-balanced, and they block way more background noise thanks to their excellent ANC performance. On the other hand, the WH-CH510 have a longer battery life.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are better than the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 Wireless. The Sony are more comfortable, and have a better noise cancelling feature which is great for commuting and at the office. Their audio quality is also better and you can EQ them inside their companion app. On the other hand, the PX7 have a longer battery life and feel a bit sturdier than the XM3.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are better and more versatile headphones than the Audio-Technica ATH-DSR9BT Wireless. They have a great noise cancelling feature, are more comfortable, and have a great companion app that offers plenty of controls and customization options. While the Audio-Technica have a better out-of-the-box sound profile, you can EQ the Sony with their app to suit your preferences. The Sony also have amazing battery life and can also be used wired with phones, which you can’t do with a normal 1/8” cable with the Audio-Technica.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are better headphones for mixed-use than the Astro A40 TR Headset + MixAmp Pro 2017, but the Astro will be a noticeably better pick for gaming due to their great dock and great sounding microphone. The Sony will be better for everyday use as their ANC will block out ambient noise and are a great option for commuting or using at the office. They can be used for single-player games if used wired, which makes them a decent option for some games, but won’t be the best for multiplayer games. On the other hand, the Astro are open-back, which means they won’t be a good option for outside use.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are more versatile headphones than the Creative SXFI Air Wireless. These ANC headphones block a lot of ambient noise, they have a good sound quality, and are more comfortable than the Creative. They're also noticeably better built and offer about twice the battery life. On the other hand, the Creative have a unique head mapping feature.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are a better choice for everyday use than the Nura Nuraphone Wireless. The Sony are noticeably more comfortable. You get access to more control commands thanks to their touch-sensitive surfaces, although they don’t respond well in freezing weather and you won't be able to use them when connected via their USB charging cable. You can also EQ them to your liking inside their app, but it won’t offer a personalization feature like the Nura’s app does. The Nura also leak less due to their unique hybrid fit.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are more versatile headphones than the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H9i Wireless. The Sony noise isolation performance is better, and they will be better suited for commuting. Also, the Sony companion app is great and offers tons of controls and customization options. Additionally, the cups of the Sony are wider and should suit more ear sizes and shapes. On the other hand, have a better build quality and feel like more high-end headphones.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 are conservative-looking headphones. The headband has a two-tone finish with pleather coating over the pads. It doesn't look quite as premium as the Sony WH-1000XM2 Wireless' metal frame, but they're sleeker. The ear cups are fairly similar to the previous models but have contrasting accents around the vents and the Sony logo.
These headphones are very comfortable. They have soft padding, a headband design that fits the contours of your head, and a relatively lightweight design, resulting in less fatigue during long listening sessions. That said, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018 are still a bit more comfortable overall.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 have a good control scheme that's fairly easy to use. Swiping up and down controls the volume level while swiping left and right rewinds and skips tracks, respectively. Double-tapping pauses or resumes audio or answers and ends incoming calls. If you cover the touch-sensitive pad, you can also temporarily mute your music if you need to pay attention to your surroundings. Finally, the ambient button on the left cup can activate Aware Mode, though you can reconfigure it to trigger Google Assistant via the app instead. While feedback is less intrusive compared to previous models, the auditory cues aren't as loud, especially at high volumes.
Some users have indicated that the touch-sensitive controls don't work properly in colder climates. While we do plan to implement a cold and heat test in a future update, we can confirm that this headset's controls don't work as expected in cold conditions.
The Sony WH-1000XM3, like most closed-back over-ear headphones, aren't very breathable. They can create a good seal around your ears and reduce airflow. If you use these headphones while running or working out, you may sweat more than usual, but for more casual use, they should be fine.
Update 09/09/2020: We have remeasured the dimensions of these headphones, which has slightly lowered their portability score.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 are only passably portable. While their ear cups fold inwards to reduce their footprint, they're still quite bulky.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 come with a great hard case that should protect the headphones from scratches, minor falls, and water damage. It has a fabric finish instead of the pleather-like coating of other Sony headphones, which some may prefer. It's not the most portable case, but it'll easily fit in larger bags.
The Sony WH1000XM3 have a great build quality. They look and feel premium and should easily withstand a couple of accidental drops. The new headband design is sturdy and flexible, and the ear cups are dense. Unfortunately, the headband is coated with pleather-like padding that won't fare as well over time as the metal frame of the Sony WH-1000XM2 Wireless. They also have a similar yoke and hinge design, which may crack over time. We'll continue to monitor the discussion threads for any major defects with the headband that may warrant a score change. However, they still feel more premium and durable than the Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018.
The Sony WH-1000XM3's default sound profile is bass-heavy. Out-of-the-box, these headphones are well-suited for listening to genres like dubstep and electronica, with plenty of extra thump and rumble, well-balanced mids, and a slightly under-emphasized treble response. However, if this sound profile isn't right for you, the Sony | Headphones Connect app offers several audio presets and a graphic EQ to fine-tune your listening experience.
The frequency response consistency is great. In the bass range, they perform extremely consistently. In the treble range, they're also quite consistent, but to a lesser degree. This results in consistent bass and treble reproduction across multiple users and re-seats.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 have decent bass accuracy. While the entire range is overemphasized, the response is generally even and flat. Bass should be deep, full-bodied, and punchy, which is good if you like listening to genres like EDM. However, the rise in the high-bass range does generate a somewhat boomy quality in some mixes.
The mid accuracy of the Sony WH-1000XM3 is superb. The entire range is well-balanced and even, resulting in clear, present, and detailed vocals and lead instrumentals free of harshness.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 have good treble accuracy. The response throughout the range is even and well-balanced, but there's a broad dip between low treble and mid-treble. This results in a slight loss of clarity in both vocals and lead instruments.
The Sony WH-1000XM3's peaks and dips performance is good. The peak in the high bass gives extra thump to some tracks but can also generate a bit of boominess. The peak in the mid-treble can make some instruments and vocals sound piercing and painful. Otherwise, the frequency range doesn't exhibit too many sudden spikes or drops.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 have a good stereo imaging performance. Their weighted group delay falls below the audibility threshold, resulting in tight bass and transparent treble reproduction. The L/R drivers are also well-matched in amplitude, frequency, and phase response, so objects like voices and sound effects should be accurately placed in the stereo image. However, these results are only valid for our unit, and yours may not perform similarly.
The Sony WH-1000XM3's passive soundstage, like that of most other noise cancelling closed-back headphones, is poor. They create a spacious but ultimately unnatural soundstage, so sound may be perceived as coming from the inside of your head rather than speakers placed around you.
Update 02/07/2022: These headphones are compatible with Sony's 360 Reality Audio feature, which you can control in the companion app. In addition to Virtualphones Technology (VPT) and Sound Position Control, 360 Reality Audio can offer better sound quality. However, you need to subscribe to services that support this feature and use compatible files. We have updated our review to reflect these changes.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 offers Virtual Surround, an acoustic effect unique to Sony products. With this technology, you can control sound positioning in a 360-degree environment. These headphones also can turn multi-channel content into 3D binaural audio. These headphones also have a 360 Reality Audio feature available through the Sony Headphones Connect app that produces a better spatial quality of sound. To use this, you need to subscribe to a streaming service like Tidal or Nugs.net compatible with this technology.
The weighted harmonic distortion performance is satisfactory. While there's some distortion in the low and mid-treble at both moderate and high volumes, the overall level of distortion remains fairly low, resulting in mostly clean and pure audio reproduction.
These are the settings used to test the Sony WH-1000XM3. Our results are only valid for these test settings.
Note 09/09/2020: We have updated the ANC setting from "Maximum" to "On".
Update: 03/11/2019: Some users have been experiencing a reduction in noise cancelling performance after the 4.1.1 update. We re-tested our Sony WH-1000XM3, but from our measurements, it doesn't seem like there's a noticeable difference in noise cancelling efficiency. You can check out the results for yourself here. However, we may have gotten lucky with our unit since the consensus online seems pretty mixed on this issue. You can participate in the discussion thread below if you're also experiencing this issue.
The Sony WH-1000MX3's noise isolation performance is incredible. Their ANC system is outstanding, allowing them to filter out ambient noise across the frequency spectrum, ranging from the low rumble of bus and plane engines to the high-pitched hum of an AC unit.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 have decent audio leakage performance. A significant portion of it is spread over the mid-range, resulting in a fuller-sounding leakage compared to that of in-ears and earbuds. The overall level of the leakage is relatively low, so you shouldn't disturb people nearby while listening to music.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 have an integrated microphone.
The integrated microphone has a mediocre recording quality. Like most Bluetooth headphones, recorded speech may sound a little thin, noticeably muffled, and lacking in detail.
For Bluetooth headphones with a better performing microphone, take a look at the Jabra Elite 85h Wireless.
The microphone has okay noise handling capability. People on the other end of the line should be able to understand you if you're calling from moderately loud environments, like a busy street. However, they may still struggle to fully separate speech from ambient noise in really noisy environments.
Update: 08/02/2019: The auto-off timer only triggers after they're disconnected from their source rather than when no content is playing. We don't consider this to be a feature that prolongs the battery life as you could put the headphones down on your desk and they could still be connected to your PC or phone. The review and text have been updated.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 have good battery performance. They have about 27 hours of continuous playtime with ANC enabled. Unfortunately, they don't have a true smart auto-off timer and they need to be disconnected from a source to automatically turn off. If you're looking for a pair of Sony over-ears and value long battery life above all else, consider the Sony WH-H910N/h.ear on 3 Wireless, which provide roughly 40 hours of continuous playback.
The Sony | Headphones Connect app is excellent. It's easy-to-use and features a broad range of options, including a graphic equalizer with presets, an in-app media player, and options for room effects and sound position. You can also check live data on their adaptive noise cancelling performance. You can also calibrate the ANC directly in the app instead of holding the NC/ambient button.
These headphones come with an audio cable with no in-line remote or USB adapter. They only support audio via an analog connection as they use a TRS cable.
These headphones have decent Bluetooth connectivity. They support Google Fast Pair, which makes it a breeze to connect them to Android devices. Unfortunately, unlike the Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018, they don't support multi-device pairing. They also have high latency whether you're using the default SBC codec, aptX, or Sony's own LDAC high-res audio codec, which makes them less than ideal for watching movies and gaming. This won't be an issue if you only plan on playing audio. Note that some apps and devices compensate for audio latency differently, so your own experience can vary depending on what apps you use.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 can only connect wirelessly via Bluetooth.
You can use the Sony WH-1000XM4 wirelessly with Bluetooth-enabled PCs. You can also use them via an analog connection, but they can only receive audio, so you can't use their mic.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 can only receive audio when you wire their 1/8" TRS cable into your PS4 or PS5 controller's AUX jack.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 aren't Bluetooth compatible with the Xbox One. While you can still receive audio by plugging their audio cable into an Xbox One controller, you won't be able to use their integrated microphone.
The Sony WH-1000XM3 don't have a base or dock. If you want a versatile headset with a base that you can also use wired, check out the SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition Wireless.