The Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds are a significant upgrade over their predecessors. They boast excellent sound quality, customizable EQ, and great battery life. The noise cancellation excels, offering complete silence even in loud situations. The design is great, despite the slightly larger charging case. These are a highly recommended upgrade for superior quiet and sound control.
Pros
- Well-balanced, crisp sound
- Great battery life
- Awesome ANC
- Good codec support
- Comfortable earbud design
Cons
- Odd case design
- Price hike from previous model
In this AirPods Pro 3 review, I found Apple has finally delivered the upgrade iPhone users have been waiting for. With improved battery life, stronger noise cancellation, and smart new features, the AirPods Pro 3 are the best AirPods you can buy right now.
Pros
- Improved noise cancellation
- Excellent transparency mode
- Better microphone performance during calls
- 8-hour battery life
- New XXS eartips
Cons
- Need an iPhone with Apple Intelligence for Live Translation
- No charging cable in box
It’s only normal to be trapped in the Apple ecosystem. I’m an iPhone, MacBook and iPad user, but as a byproduct, I’m also an AirPods user. But when it comes to finding the best wireless earbuds out there, it’s a big, wide ocean filled with more than just AirPods.
With the launch of the Sony WF-1000XM6, the wide array of options just got wider, but it might just be for the better. Are these the buds that finally make me turn my back on Apple for audio once and for all?
Let’s put the new flagship earbuds from Sony up against the Apple AirPods Pro 3 and find out which ones you should really be spending your money on.
Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods 3 Pro: Specs
Sony WF-1000XM6 |
Apple AirPods Pro 3 |
|
Price |
||
Charging case dimensions |
2.4 x 1.6 x 1 inches |
0.9 x 27 x 12.9mm |
Charging case weight |
1.66 ounces |
1.55 ounces |
Weight (per bud) |
0.23 ounces |
0.2 ounces |
Color availability |
Black, Platinum Silver |
White |
Durability |
IPX4 |
IP57 |
Multipoint connection |
Yes |
Yes |
Battery life (NC on) |
8 hours |
8 hours |
Battery life with case |
24 hours |
24 hours |
Bluetooth |
5.3 |
Bluetooth 5.3, Apple H2 |
Supported codecs |
LDAC, AAC/SBC with DSEE Extreme, LC3 |
AAC |
Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods 3 Pro: Price & availability
The Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds are available from Sony’s online store for $329/£250. That’s a pretty big difference in price between the U.S. and the U.K., but it’s a direct result of the imposed tariffs, which we have seen affecting a lot of audio brands in the last year.
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are available for purchase at Amazon for $249/£219. So the AirPods are $80 cheaper in the U.S., but does that reflect their performance? In a word, absolutely.
The Sonys are way ahead of the game in terms of sound quality and noise cancellation, so let’s dive into some more detail.
Winner: Apple AirPods Pro 3
Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods 3 Pro: Design
Your preference for the design of the two buds is going to be totally personal. Some people love the Apple stem while others hate it. The Sony WF-1000XM6 are more oblong and designed to just sit within the ear, but some may find the lack of opportunity for adjustment without removing the buds annoying.
I find the Sony eartips, which are more foam-like, far more comfortable. While the Apple AirPods Pro 3 do incorporate some foam for shaping, the primary material is silicone. The silicone doesn’t fit as securely in the ears and the Sony foam tips expand to give the perfect seal for noise cancellation.
When it comes to the charging case, the AirPods case is a lot easier to manage. The case for the WF-1000XM6 is a little angular and hard to manage if you’re just putting it in your pocket.
In terms of durability, the AirPods Pro 3 boast an IP57 rating, giving them protection against water as well as dust, making them better suited for activities like outdoor running. The Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds have a rating of IPX4, which only protects them against a quick splash of water.
Winner: Tie
Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods 3 Pro: Controls
Both sets of earbuds use touch-sensitive controls, and both have customizable controls. The Sony controls are managed through the Sony Connect app, whereas the AirPods are managed in system settings on Apple devices.
These are easy to use, but if you want more control over ambient sound, go for the WF-1000XM6, as you get to visualize how much sound you’re getting with the app.
Winner: Tie
Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods 3 Pro: Sound quality
The sound quality on the two buds is seriously night and day. After using the Sony WF-1000XM6, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 sounded completely flat and lifeless. Forget about the flashy heart rate monitor of the AirPods for a second, because when I’m buying earbuds, I want the best sound quality possible. And that consideration will point you in the direction of the Sony buds.
Bass is more prominent in the WF-1000XM6, making the sound more full-bodied and enjoyable. EQ customization also gives them instant points as you can personalize the sound for your favorite genres. You can also take a test to find the best sound profile for you in the Sony Connect App.
Codecs from Apple are seriously lacking, with only AAC available for most users, but Sony offers LDAC, AAC/SBC with DSEE Extreme and LC3.
Winner: Sony WF-1000XM6
Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods 3 Pro: Active noise cancellation
Both buds are noise-cancelling, but the WF-1000XM6 take the crown. When using ANC with the Apple AirPods Pro 3, I can hear a low hum of the frequency being used to cancel out the ambient sound around me. But with the WF-1000XM6, I’m in complete silence.
The noise cancellation settings are also far easier to control in the Sony Connect app. And the eartip fit test from Sony also ensures the seal for noise cancellation is perfect. This is easier to achieve with the foam eartips, as I mentioned in comparison to the Apple AirPods, which are mostly silicone.
Winner: Sony WF-1000XM6
Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods 3 Pro: Battery life
Both sets of earbuds feature a battery life of eight hours with ANC turned on, which is extended to 24 hours with the charging case. Both also feature wireless charging, so this section truly is a tie.
Winner: Tie
Sony WF-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods 3 Pro: Which should you buy?
It’s a close call, especially if your world revolves around that Apple ecosystem, but for me, the Sony WF-1000XM6 are a no-brainer. They excel in the most important areas: Sound quality and active noise cancellation.
I love hearing a lot of detail in my music, and the sound profile of the Sony buds is far more dynamic, whereas the Apple AirPods Pro 3 earbuds tend to fall flat more often than not.
Sony WF-1000XM6 |
Sony WF-1000XM5 |
|
Price (5) |
3 |
4 |
Design (15) |
10 |
10 |
Controls (10) |
9 |
9 |
Sound quality (30) |
28 |
22 |
ANC (30) |
28 |
26 |
Battery life (10) |
9 |
9 |
Total score (100) |
87 |
80 |
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