Earfun Wave Pro X vs Sony WH-1000XM3: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Earfun Wave Pro X comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 85. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Earfun Wave Pro X - Outstanding overall at around $130.

Over-Ear

Earfun Wave Pro X

85Outstanding

$130

Full review data

Over-Ear

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Earfun Wave Pro X leads on 6 of 7 measures.

Earfun Wave Pro X
Sony WH-1000XM3

HearWiki score

Sound

8.3

7.5

Noise cancelling

7.8

7.2

Battery

9.5

7.3

Calls

7.7

5.5

Value

9.6

Price (USD)

$130

$110

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

New platform

Earfun Wave Pro X (2026) against Sony WH-1000XM3 (2018). The Earfun Wave Pro X is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 6.0 against 4.2, Top codec aptX Lossless against LDAC and LE Audio (LC3). It also adds Multipoint pairing and Custom EQ.

Wave Pro X20268 yr newer
WH-1000XM32018

What differsWave Pro XWH-1000XM3

Bluetooth: 6.0; 4.2
Top codec: aptX Lossless; LDAC
LE Audio (LC3): Yes; No
Multipoint pairing: Yes; No
Custom EQ: Yes; No

Level on: ANC type, USB-C, Transparency mode, Companion app.

Specifications

Wave Pro XWH-1000XM3

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $130; $110
HearWiki score: 85; 62
Released: 2026; 2018
Availability: Sold new; Discontinued
Driver: 40 mm dynamic; 40 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 40 mm; 40 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz; 4 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance: -; 16 Ω
Sensitivity: -; 104.5 dB/mW
Bluetooth: 6.0; 4.2
Codecs: SBC, aptX, LC3, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC; SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; No
Wireless range: -; 10 m
Battery life: 90 h; 38 h
Battery life (ANC on): 50 h; 30 h
Full charge time: 120 min; 180 min
Quick charge: -; 10 min → 5 h
Wireless charging: -; No
Active noise cancelling: Yes; Yes
ANC type: hybrid; hybrid
Transparency mode: Yes; Yes
Companion app: Yes; Yes
Custom EQ: Yes; No
Wear detection: No; No
Controls: buttons; touch
Voice assistant: -; Alexa, Google Assistant
Weight: 259 g; 255 g
Water resistance: -; none
Foldable: -; Yes
Detachable cable: -; Yes
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Microphones: 8; 4
Call noise reduction: Yes; Yes
Call NR technology: noise-cancelling mic; -

Specification comparison of Earfun Wave Pro X vs Sony WH-1000XM3
Spec	Earfun Wave Pro X	Sony WH-1000XM3
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$130	$110
HearWiki score	85 / 100 Outstanding	62 / 100 Average
Released	2026	2018
Audio
Driver	40 mm dynamic	40 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	40 mm	40 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	4 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance	-	16 Ω
Sensitivity	-	104.5 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth	6.0	4.2
Codecs	SBC, aptX, LC3, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC	SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	No
Wireless range	-	10 m
Battery
Battery life	90 h	38 h
Battery life (ANC on)	50 h	30 h
Full charge time	120 min	180 min
Quick charge	-	10 min → 5 h
Wireless charging	-	No
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
ANC type	hybrid	hybrid
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	Yes	No
Wear detection	No	No
Controls	buttons	touch
Voice assistant	-	Alexa, Google Assistant
Design
Weight	259 g	255 g
Water resistance	-	none
Foldable	-	Yes
Detachable cable	-	Yes
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Calls
Microphones	8	4
Call noise reduction	Yes	Yes
Call NR technology	noise-cancelling mic	-

What reviewers said

Earfun Wave Pro X

The Earfun Wave Pro X is a budget-friendly over-ear wireless headphone that pairs hybrid active noise cancellation with an impressively long battery life. It supports a wide range of high-quality Bluetooth codecs, including LDAC and aptX Lossless, and offers multipoint connectivity for seamless device switching. With its 40mm dynamic drivers and customizable EQ, it aims to deliver a versatile and immersive listening experience at a competitive price point.

Pro:Hybrid ANC effectively reduces ambient noise
Pro:Exceptional battery life, especially with ANC off
Pro:Supports high-resolution codecs like LDAC and aptX Lossless

Con:Plastic build may not feel as premium as pricier rivals
Con:Controls are limited to physical buttons
Con:Frequency response is somewhat narrow for an over-ear model

Sony WH-1000XM3

The Sony WH-1000XM3 is a highly capable over-ear headphone with strong active noise cancellation and a comfortable, foldable design. It delivers a balanced audio profile, impressive battery life, and a wide range of codec support, making it a solid choice for travel and daily use, though its build quality feels somewhat dated compared to newer models. Its touch controls and transparency mode add convenience, but the lack of multipoint pairing may be a drawback for some users.

Pro:Excellent active noise cancellation
Pro:Long battery life (up to 30 hours with ANC)
Pro:Wide codec support including LDAC and aptX HD

Con:Build quality feels less premium
Con:No multipoint Bluetooth pairing
Con:No custom EQ settings

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

Compare something else

Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.

New comparison Earfun Wave Pro X Sony WH-1000XM3