True Wireless
Apple AirPods Pro 3
84Great
$232
Full review dataApple AirPods Pro 3 vs Sony WH-1000XM4: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sony WH-1000XM4 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Sony WH-1000XM4 - Outstanding overall at around $300.
Over-Ear
Sony WH-1000XM4
88Outstanding
$300
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Apple AirPods Pro 3
Sound8.5
Noise cancelling9.5
Battery8.0
Calls8.5
Value7.5
Sony WH-1000XM4
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Sony WH-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $232 | $300 |
| HearWiki score | 84 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2025 | 2020 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 10.7 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz | 4 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | - | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 110 dB/mW | 105 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 8 h | 38 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 8 h | 30 h |
| Battery incl. case | 24 h | - |
| Full charge time | - | 180 min |
| Quick charge | 5 minutes in case = about 1 hour listening time | 10 min = 5 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | Yes |
| ANC type | adaptive | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | - | Yes |
| Wear detection | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | touch | touch |
| Voice assistant | Siri | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 10.1 g | 254 g |
| Case weight | 43.99 g | - |
| Water resistance | IP57 | none |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 3 | 2 |
What reviewers said
Apple AirPods Pro 3
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are premium true wireless earbuds that deliver top-tier active noise cancellation, clear call quality, and a well-balanced sound profile. They offer a robust feature set including adaptive ANC, wireless charging, and IP57 water resistance, though their higher price and somewhat finicky fit may give some buyers pause. Overall, they stand out as a polished, high-performance option for iOS users willing to invest in a premium experience.
- Pro:Excellent active noise cancellation
- Pro:Clear call quality in noisy environments
- Pro:Strong battery life with the charging case
- Con:Fit can be finicky and may lose seal easily
- Con:Premium price point
- Con:Only supports AAC codec
Sony WH-1000XM4
The Sony WH-1000XM4 are premium wireless over-ears that blend top-tier adaptive noise cancellation with a well-balanced, detailed sound signature. They offer a lengthy 30-hour battery, LDAC support, and a comfortable, lightweight build that still holds up well against newer competitors. With handy features like multipoint pairing, touch controls, and a quick charge function, they remain a versatile choice for daily use and travel.
- Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:Detailed, accurate audio with LDAC support
- Pro:Comfortable and lightweight for long sessions
- Con:No dedicated aptX codec support
- Con:Touch controls can be finicky for some users
- Con:Plastic build feels less premium than price suggests
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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