True Wireless
Huawei FreeBuds 3
68Good
$170
Full review dataHuawei FreeBuds 3 vs Sony WF-1000XM5: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sony WF-1000XM5 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 WF-1000XM5 - Outstanding overall at around $249.
True Wireless
Sony WF-1000XM5
88Outstanding
$249
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Huawei FreeBuds 3
Sound7.0
Noise cancelling4.5
Battery7.5
Value6.5
Sony WF-1000XM5
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Huawei FreeBuds 3 | Sony WF-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $170 | $249 |
| HearWiki score | 68 / 100 · Good | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2020 | 2023 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | 14.2 mm dynamic | 0.33" |
| Driver size | 14 mm | 8.4 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | - | 20 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | - | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 102 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes |
| Latency | 190 ms | - |
| Wireless range | 10 m | - |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 4 h | 12 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 4 h | 8 h |
| Battery incl. case | 20 h | 24 h |
| Full charge time | 60 min | 90 min |
| Quick charge | - | 5 min = 1 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | - |
| ANC type | adaptive | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | No | Yes |
| Companion app | No | Yes |
| Custom EQ | No | Yes |
| Wear detection | No | Yes |
| Controls | touch | touch |
| Voice assistant | supported | Yes |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 4.5 g | 11.8 g |
| Case weight | 48 g | 39 g |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | - | 6 |
What reviewers said
Huawei FreeBuds 3
The Huawei FreeBuds 3 are open-fit wireless earbuds that pair a sizeable dynamic driver with adaptive noise cancellation, aiming to deliver solid audio in a compact package. They offer a comfortable fit, decent battery life with a wireless-charging case, and good value for their price, though the ANC performance can be inconsistent and weaker than some rivals. Overall, they strike a balance between sound quality and features, but may not satisfy those seeking top-tier noise isolation.
- Pro:Clear audio with notably deep bass
- Pro:Compact case with wireless charging support
- Pro:Respectable battery life with quick top-ups
- Con:ANC effectiveness varies and can be weak
- Con:No transparency mode or multipoint connectivity
- Con:Limited codec support (only SBC and AAC)
Sony WF-1000XM5
These are high-end true wireless earbuds that focus on adaptive noise cancellation and detailed audio, supporting LDAC for high-resolution streaming. They offer a solid battery life of up to 12 hours without ANC, plus a comfortable fit and IPX4 sweat resistance for daily use. The touch controls and companion app add convenience, though the price reflects their premium status.
- Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:Long battery life (12 hours without ANC)
- Pro:Supports LDAC and AAC codecs
- Con:Premium price point
- Con:No higher water resistance rating than IPX4
- Con:Touch controls may take time to master
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.