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  1. Home
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Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless vs Apple AirPods Pro

Which Headphones Are Better?

    Top
    Main Differences
    Design
      StyleComfortControlsBreathabilityPortabilityCaseBuild QualityStabilityHeadshots 1Headshots 2TopIn The Box
    Sound
      Sound ProfileFrequency Response ConsistencyRaw Frequency ResponseBass AccuracyMid AccuracyTreble AccuracyPeaks/DipsImagingPassive SoundstageVirtual SoundstageWeighted Harmonic DistortionTest Settings
    Isolation
      Noise IsolationLeakage
    Microphone
      Microphone StyleRecording QualityNoise Handling
    Active Features
      BatteryApp Support
    Connectivity
      Wired ConnectionBluetooth ConnectionWireless Connection (Dongle)PC CompatibilityPlayStation CompatibilityXbox CompatibilityBase/Dock
    Comments

Products

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless
Apple AirPods Pro

Tested using Methodology v1.6

Updated Jun 17, 2025 05:51 PM

SEE PRICE
Walmart.com

Tested using Methodology v1.5

Updated Dec 01, 2025 08:34 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Picture

Track

Apple AirPods Pro Picture

Track

TypeOver-ear
EnclosureClosed-Back
WirelessYes
TransducerDynamic
Noise CancellingYes
MicYes
TypeIn-ear
EnclosureClosed-Back
WirelessTruly Wireless
TransducerDynamic
Noise CancellingYes
MicYes

Our Verdict

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless

Apple AirPods Pro

The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless and the Apple AirPods Pro 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.

0 

Variants

  • WH-1000XM3 (Black)
  • WH-1000XM3 (White)
  • AirPods Pro (White)

Review

See Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Review
See Apple AirPods Pro Review
9 
3 

Check Price

White
WH-1000XM3
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
White
AirPods Pro
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
WH-1000XM3
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
White
AirPods Pro
SEE PRICE
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White
AirPods Pro
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AirPods Pro
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Read more

Main Differences for
Neutral Sound

Threshold 

0.10

Neutral Sound 
 

0.0
0.0
JOIN NOW  to see main differences

Full Comparison

Design

Style  

Design Picture 2  

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods Pro Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Type  

Locked
Locked

Enclosure  

Locked
Locked

Wireless  

Locked
Locked

Transducer  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Comfort 
 

N/A
N/A

Comfort Picture  

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods Pro Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Weight  

Lock lbs
Lock lbs

Clamping Force 
 

Lock lbs
Lock lbs
Show Text 

Controls 
 

N/A
N/A

Controls Picture  

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods Pro Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

OS Compatibility 
 

Locked
Locked

Ease Of Use  

Locked
Locked

Feedback  

Locked
Locked

Call/Music Control  

Locked
Locked

Volume Control  

Locked
Locked

Microphone Control  

Locked
Locked

Channel Mixing 
 

Locked
Locked

Noise Cancelling Control  

Locked
Locked

Talk-Through 
 

Locked
Locked

Additional Controls  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Breathability 
 

N/A
N/A

Breathability After Picture  

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods Pro Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Avg.Temp.Difference  

Lock °C
Lock °C
Show Text 

Portability 
 

N/A
N/A

Portability Picture  

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods Pro Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

L  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

W  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

H  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume  

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)
Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Transmitter Required  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Case 
 

N/A
N/A

Case Picture  

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods Pro Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Type  

Locked
Locked

L  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

W  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

H  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume  

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)
Lock in³ (Lock cm³)
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Build Quality Picture  

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods Pro Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Show Text 

Stability 
 

N/A
N/A

Stability Picture  

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods Pro Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Show Text 

Headshots 1  

Angled Picture  

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods Pro Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Side Picture  

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods Pro Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Headshots 2  

Front Picture  

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods Pro Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Rear Picture  

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods Pro Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Top  

Top Picture  

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods Pro Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

In The Box  

In The Box Picture  

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods Pro In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Show Text 
Sound

Sound Profile 
 

Frequency Response  

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods Pro Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Bass Amount 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Treble Amount 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Frequency Response Consistency 
 

N/A
N/A

Consistency L  

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods Pro Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Consistency R  

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods Pro Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Avg. Std. Deviation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Raw Frequency Response 
 

Raw FR L  

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods Pro Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Raw FR R  

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods Pro Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Bass Accuracy 
 

N/A
N/A

Bass  

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Bass Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods Pro Bass Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

Low-Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid-Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

High-Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Mid Accuracy 
 

N/A
N/A

Mid  

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Mid Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods Pro Mid Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid-Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

High-Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Treble Accuracy 
 

N/A
N/A

Treble  

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Treble Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods Pro Treble Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid-Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

High-Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Peaks/Dips 
 

N/A
N/A

Peaks/Dips Graph  

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods Pro Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Peaks 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Dips 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Imaging 
 

N/A
N/A

Group Delay  

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods Pro Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Phase Response Mismatch  

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods Pro Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Weighted Group Delay 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted Phase Mismatch 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted Amplitude Mismatch 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted Frequency Mismatch 
 

Lock
Lock
Show Text 

Passive Soundstage 
 

N/A
N/A

PRTF  

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods Pro PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.) 
 

Lock dB
N/A

PRTF Size (Avg.) 
 

Lock dB
N/A

PRTF Distance 
 

Lock dB
N/A

Openness 
 

0.0
0.0

Acoustic Space Excitation 
 

0.0
0.0
Show Text 

Virtual Soundstage 
 

N/A
N/A

Virtual Soundstage  

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods Pro Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Head Modeling 
 

Locked
Locked

Speaker Modeling 
 

Locked
Locked

Room Ambience 
 

Locked
Locked

Head Tracking 
 

Locked
Locked

Virtual Surround 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Weighted Harmonic Distortion 
 

N/A
N/A

Weighted Harmonic Distortion  

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods Pro Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

WHD @ 90 
 

Lock
Lock

WHD @ 100 
 

Lock
Lock
Show Text 

Test Settings 
 

Firmware 
 

Locked
Locked

Power 
 

Locked
Locked

Connection 
 

Locked
Locked

Codec 
 

Locked
Locked

EQ 
 

Locked
Locked

ANC 
 

Locked
Locked

Tip/Pad 
 

Locked
Locked

Microphone 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 
Isolation

Noise Isolation 
 

N/A
N/A

Noise Isolation  

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Noise Isolation Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods Pro Noise Isolation Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Isolation Audio 
 

JOIN NOW
JOIN NOW

Overall Attenuation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Noise Cancelling  

Locked
Locked

Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Leakage 
 

N/A
N/A

Leakage  

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods Pro Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Leakage Audio 
 

JOIN NOW
JOIN NOW

Overall Leakage @ 1ft 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 
Microphone

Microphone Style 
 

Integrated 
 

Locked
Locked

In-Line 
 

Locked
Locked

Boom 
 

Locked
Locked

Detachable Boom 
 

Locked
Locked

Mic  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Recording Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Microphone Frequency Response  

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods Pro Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Recorded Speech 
 

JOIN NOW
JOIN NOW

LFE 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

FR Std. Dev. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

HFE 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

Weighted THD 
 

Lock
Lock

Gain 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Noise Handling 
 

N/A
N/A

SpNR  

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods Pro SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

SpNR 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Noise Gate 
 

Locked
Locked

Speech + Pink Noise Handling 
 

0.0
0.0

Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample  

JOIN NOW
JOIN NOW

Speech + Subway Noise Handling 
 

0.0
0.0

Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample  

JOIN NOW
JOIN NOW
Show Text 
Active Features

Battery 
 

N/A
N/A

Battery Type 
 

Locked
Locked

Continuous Battery Life 
 

Lock hrs
Lock hrs

Additional Charges 
 

Lock
Lock

Total Battery Life 
 

Lock hrs
Lock hrs

Charge Time 
 

Lock hrs
Lock hrs

Power-Saving Feature 
 

Locked
Locked

Audio While Charging 
 

Locked
Locked

Passive Playback 
 

Locked
Locked

Charging Port  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

App Support 
 

N/A
N/A

App Picture  

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods Pro App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

App Name  

Locked
Locked

iOS  

Locked
Locked

Android  

Locked
Locked

macOS  

Locked
Locked

Windows  

Locked
Locked

Equalizer 
 

Locked
Locked

ANC Control 
 

Locked
Locked

Mic Control  

Locked
Locked

Room Effects 
 

Locked
Locked

Playback Control 
 

Locked
Locked

Button Mapping  

Locked
Locked

Surround Support 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 
Connectivity

Wired Connection 
 

N/A
N/A

Cable Picture  

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods Pro Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Analog Audio 
 

Locked
Locked

USB Audio 
 

Locked
Locked

Detachable 
 

Locked
Locked

Length 
 

Lock ft (Lock m)
N/A

Connector 
 

Locked
Locked

Latency - Analog 
 

Lock ms

Latency - USB 
 

N/A
N/A

Recorded Latency 
 

JOIN NOW
JOIN NOW

Recorded Latency Connection  

Locked
Show Text 

Bluetooth Connection 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth Version 
 

Locked
Locked

Multi-Device Pairing 
 

Locked
Locked

NFC Pairing 
 

Locked

Quick Pair (Android) 
 

Locked

Quick Pair (iOS) 
 

Locked

Line Of Sight Range 
 

Lock ft (Lock m)
Lock ft (Lock m)

Latency - SBC 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Latency - aptX 
 

Lock ms
N/A

Latency - aptX Adaptive (High Quality) 
 

N/A

Latency - aptX Adaptive (Low Latency) 
 

N/A

Latency - LDAC 
 

Lock ms

Recorded Latency 
 

JOIN NOW
JOIN NOW

Recorded Latency Codec  

Locked

AAC Support 
 

Locked

PC Latency (aptX HD) 
 

N/A

PC Latency (aptX-LL) 
 

N/A

iOS Latency 
 

Lock ms

Android Latency 
 

Lock ms
Show Text 

Wireless Connection (Dongle) 
 

N/A
N/A

Line Of Sight Range 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - Dongle 
 

N/A
N/A

Recorded Latency 
 

JOIN NOW
JOIN NOW
Show Text 

PC Compatibility 
 

Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

PlayStation Compatibility 
 

PS4 Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

PS4 Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

PS4 Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

PS5 Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

PS5 Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

PS5 Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Xbox Compatibility 
 

Xbox One Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox One Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox One Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox Series X|S Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox Series X|S Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Base/Dock 
 

N/A
N/A

Type 
 

Locked
Locked

USB Input 
 

Locked
Locked

Line In 
 

Locked
Locked

Line Out 
 

Locked
Locked

Optical Input 
 

Locked
Locked

RCA Input 
 

Locked
Locked

Dock Charging 
 

Locked
Locked

Power Supply 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Check Price

White
WH-1000XM3
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
White
AirPods Pro
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
WH-1000XM3
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
White
AirPods Pro
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
 
White
AirPods Pro
SEARCH
B&H
 
White
AirPods Pro
SEARCH
Apple.com
 
White
AirPods Pro
SEARCH
Walmart.com
Back to Top

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless

Apple AirPods Pro

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 2 years ago

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless vs Apple AirPods Pro: Main Discussion

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