Apple
Apple AirPods Pro 3
$249Cheaper
Released 2025-09
Best Wireless Earbuds · head-to-head
Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Sony WF-1000XM5
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Apple AirPods Pro 3 is cheaper at $249. Every spec and price links to its source.
Sony
Sony WF-1000XM5
$300
Released 2023-06
Which is better: the Apple AirPods Pro 3 or Sony WF-1000XM5?
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 is the cheaper at $249. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 both leads on specs and costs less — the straightforward pick.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Sony WF-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $249 | $300 |
| Brand | Apple | Sony |
| Released | 2025-09 | 2023-06 |
| ANC | Yes | Yes |
| Driver (mm) | — | 8.4 |
| Battery buds hr | 8 | 8 |
| Battery case hr | 24 | 24 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| IP rating | IP57 | IPX4 |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Weight per bud (g) | 5.55 | 5.9 |
| Release | 2025-09 | 2023-06 |
Sources — Apple AirPods Pro 3: apple.com (verified 2026-06-15). Sony WF-1000XM5: digitaltrends.com (verified 2026-06-15).
What's the difference between the Apple AirPods Pro 3 and Sony WF-1000XM5?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (3 of 9). Matching specs are omitted.
- IP rating: Apple AirPods Pro 3 IP57 vs Sony WF-1000XM5 IPX4
- Codecs: Apple AirPods Pro 3 SBC, AAC vs Sony WF-1000XM5 SBC, AAC, LDAC
- Weight per bud (g): Apple AirPods Pro 3 5.55 vs Sony WF-1000XM5 5.9
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Apple AirPods Pro 3
The AirPods Pro 3 set a new bar for in-ear noise cancellation. SoundGuys measured ~90% noise reduction (about 40 dB), the best they have ever tested in earbuds, beating Sony's WF-1000XM5 and Bose's QC Ultra, plus a big battery jump to 8h42m with ANC. Main gripes: no EQ, weak Android support. (2 sourced reviews, 2 lab-tested.)
Praised: Class-leading, best-ever-measured ANC (~90% / ~40 dB noise reduction); Long battery life with ANC on (8h 42min, 24h with case); Durable IP57 rating and improved, more secure fit.
Flagged: No EQ / equalizer controls; Poor Android support; limited codecs (SBC/AAC only, no aptX/LDAC); Live Translation still in beta and unrefined.
Sony WF-1000XM5
No sourced tester review yet.