Beats Studio3 vs Sony WH-1000XM4: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Beats Studio3 vs Sony WH-1000XM4, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
No sub-scores yet - not enough rated reviews.
Specifications
| Spec | Beats Studio3 | Sony WH-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $215 | $300 |
| HearWiki score | Not scored | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2019 | 2020 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 4 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 135.9 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 105 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 4.0 | 5 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 5.0 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 22 h | 38 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 22 h | 30 h |
| Battery incl. case | 22 h | - |
| Full charge time | - | 180 min |
| Quick charge | 10 min = 3 h | 10 min = 5 h |
| Wireless charging | - | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | Yes |
| ANC type | adaptive | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | No | Yes |
| Companion app | No | Yes |
| Custom EQ | No | Yes |
| Wear detection | No | Yes |
| Controls | both | touch |
| Voice assistant | Siri | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 260 g | 254 g |
| Water resistance | - | none |
| Detachable cable | Yes | - |
| USB-C | No | Yes |
| Model code | Beats Studio3 Wireless | - |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 2 | 2 |
| Call noise reduction | built-in microphones with Pure ANC | - |
What reviewers said
Beats Studio3
The Beats Studio3 are over-ear wireless headphones that use adaptive noise cancellation to minimize background noise. They offer a long battery life of around 22 hours, quick charging, and simple controls, though they lack modern conveniences like multipoint pairing or an equalizer app.
- Pro:Effective adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:Long 22-hour battery life with ANC on
- Pro:Quick charge adds 3 hours in 10 minutes
- Con:No transparency mode or adjustable EQ
- Con:Uses older Bluetooth 4.0 and micro-USB charging
- Con:Limited codec support (only SBC and AAC)
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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