Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless Headphones Review

The Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless offer similar performance to the Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless but have much better ANC. Both have a neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer, but the Sony have a longer battery life and are more customizable, especially as their companion app offers a full graphic EQ on both Android and iOS. The Apple, on the other hand, are more comfortable in the ear and feel significantly more stable.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Truly Wireless and the Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are both very decent truly wireless headphones that have different strengths. The Sony provide ANC and do a much better job at blocking out background noises, but they're heavier and not as comfortable as the Samsung. The Samsung feel much more stable in the ear and may be better to wear to the gym, though the Sony feel slightly more premium and well-built. While the Samsung's out-of-the-box sound profile is more well-balanced, the Sony have a full graphic EQ within its app to adjust their sound. Finally, though the Sony have a slightly longer battery overall within their case, the Samsung last almost double the length of time off a single charge, so don't need to be recharged as often.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better for most purposes than the Sony WF-C500 Truly Wireless. The 1000XM3 have ANC and a better noise isolation performance. Their case holds more extra charges, and they have a better build quality. They're also rated IP55 for dust and water resistance, while the C500 are rated IPX4 for water resistance only. On the other hand, the C500 have a much longer continuous battery life.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless and the Jabra Elite 85t Truly Wireless offer a similar overall performance, and you may prefer one over the other. While both headphones come with a graphic EQ and presets for sound customization, the Jabra are more comfortable and stable, and they leak less sound. Conversely, the Sony have a slightly better noise isolation performance and support NFC pairing.

The Jaybird Vista Truly Wireless are better sports headphones, while the Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are going to be more versatile headphones. The Jaybird are more stable and more comfortable, which is great for sports. They are also rated IPX7 for water resistance, while the Sony lack an official rating. On the other hand, the Sony have an ANC feature that does a passable job at blocking out ambient noise and have more battery life for you to use during the day. The Jaybird sound will be more customizable thanks to their great parametric EQ.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better headphones than the Beats Studio Buds True Wireless. The Sony have a better build, better ANC, and a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer. Their companion app also offers a graphic EQ with presets to help you adjust their sound. The microphone offers better overall performance and their continuous battery life is longer too. However, the Beats are more comfortable.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better everyday truly headphones than the Bose SoundSport Free Truly Wireless due to their superior noise isolation performance. The Sony have a decent ANC system and block ambient noise well, especially if you have a good fit. Their battery life is also better and their app offers more control and customization options. On the other hand, the Bose have an open-back design that's great for running outside and staying aware of your surroundings. They also have a more neutral sound profile, but it can’t be customized with an EQ.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless and the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless have different strengths, so you may prefer either. The WF-1000XM3 have an in-ear design that's more portable, have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer, and leak less audio at high volumes. However, the WH-1000XM4 are over-ear headphones with a better battery and noise isolation performance.

The over-ear Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are better for most uses than the in-ear Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless. The WH-1000XM3 are more comfortable, have a better battery life, and do a much better job of blocking out external noise like bus engines. Their mid-range accuracy is also better, so vocals and lead instruments sound clear and detailed without being cluttered. On the other hand, the WF-1000XM3's in-ear design makes them more portable and suitable for sports. 

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are slightly better in-ears for most uses than the Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless. The Sony are more comfortable, have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer, and their ANC can block a lot more ambient noise around you. Their integrated mic also offers better overall performance and they support NFC pairing. However, the Sennheiser have a better battery performance and they support aptX and aptX Adaptive codecs.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better for most purposes than the Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless. The WF-1000XM3 have a much more comfortable, stable fit and a better build quality. They isolate you from much more noise, thanks to their ANC feature, and they have a more neutral sound profile that some may prefer. They also support NFC for easier pairing. On the other hand, the LinkBuds are designed to let you hear your surroundings when walking around outside or working at the office. 

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are significantly better in-ears than the Google Pixel Buds A-Series Truly Wireless. The Sony are better built, have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer, and can significantly block out more ambient noise around you. They also have a better battery life, and you can customize their sound using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets. However, the Google earbuds are more comfortable.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better headphones than the Sony WF-XB700 Truly Wireless. The  WF-1000XM3 have a better build quality and come with an ANC feature, though it isn't the most robust. They also have a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, although some listeners may prefer the WF-XB700's overemphasis in the low and mid-bass ranges. You can easily adjust the sound profile of the WF-1000XM3 in the companion app using the graphic EQ and presets, which the WF-XB700 lacks. On the other hand, the WF-XB700 lasts longer off of one charge, but the WF-1000XM3 have more charges built-in to their portable case.

The Anker Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro Truly Wireless are slightly better in-ears than the Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless. The Anker have a more comfortable and stable fit, their ANC can isolate you from significantly more ambient noise, and they have a better overall battery performance. They also support multi-device pairing. The Sony are better built and have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer.

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018 and the Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are different types of headphones that serve different purposes. The Bose are better if you find over-ears more comfortable and want something with a long, continuous battery life. The Sony are more portable, and can still last you all day thanks to their charging case, though they don't last nearly as long off a single charge. Their ANC feature also doesn't work nearly as well as the Bose.

The Jabra Elite 7 Pro True Wireless are better than the Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless for most purposes. The Jabra have a much more comfortable, stable fit, a significantly better control scheme, and a longer continuous battery life. Their default sound profile is more neutral, which some may prefer. Their mic also has a much better recording quality, although the Sony’s has a better noise handling performance.  The Sony are also better built and support NFC pairing.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are more versatile than the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live Truly Wireless. The Sony in-ears are better-built, deliver audio more consistently, block out more ambient noise overall, and have an integrated microphone with superior recording quality. With a case that provides three additional charges to the Samsung's 2.5, they also have a longer total battery life, though they don't last as long on a single charge. They also have a companion app with a much larger selection of features. Meanwhile, the Samsung have a more stable fit and lower wireless latency on Android devices.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are slightly better headphones than the Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 True Wireless. The Sony are more comfortable, have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer, and better battery performance. You can also customize their sound using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets. However, the Bowers & Wilkins have a significantly better noise isolation performance, and you can use their carrying case as a wireless transmitter.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless and the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Truly Wireless are similarly performing headphones and depending on your usage, you may prefer one over the other. The Sony are more neutral out-of-the-box, and their companion app offers a graphic EQ plus presets if you like to tweak their sound. They also have longer-lasting continuous battery life. However, the Samsung are more comfortable and stable. Their ANC can also cut down more ambient noise around you.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless and Jabra Elite 4 Active True Wireless have different strengths. The Sony headphones have better build quality, and their ANC feature delivers a much better noise isolation performance. They offer support for a virtual surround sound feature and have NFC pairing. On the other hand, the Jabra are a better option for workouts since they have a much more stable fit. Their onboard control scheme offers more functions, like volume control and mic mute/unmute.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless and the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Truly Wireless are similarly performing headphones. The Samsung are more comfortable, can block out more ambient noise, and their mic offers a better recording quality. However, the Sony are better built, their companion app offers a graphic EQ to help you adjust their sound, and their battery performance is better.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better noise cancelling over-ears than the Anker SoundCore Liberty Air 2 Truly Wireless. The Sony feel significantly better built and are more comfortable. They're also compatible with an excellent companion app that gives you access to tons of sound customization features. On the other hand, the Anker have a more stable fit and a more bass-heavy sound profile, which adds some thump and may please fans of genres like EDM or hip-hop.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are much better noise cancelling truly wireless earbuds than the Sony WF-SP700N Truly Wireless. The WF-1000XM3 have a significantly better-balanced sound profile, isolate a lot more noise, and have a much longer battery life. Their compatibility with Sony | Headphones Connect is improved, they're easier-to-use, and they have a much more premium design.

The Sony WI-1000X Wireless and the Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are both versatile noise cancelling in-ears, although the WI-1000X have a slight edge. Thanks to their neckband design, their controls are easier-to-use, their battery lasts longer on a charge, and they have much better noise cancelling. The WF-1000XM3 have a very premium design and are a better choice for fans of truly wireless designs.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better true wireless in-ears than the Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Truly Wireless. The Sony feature a closed-back design, which combined with their ANC feature makes them better at isolating you from ambient noise. The Sony deliver audio more consistently and do a better job of reproducing low-bass sounds like the thump and rumble of EDM or hip-hop. On the other hand, the Apple have one of the most comfortable fits for in-ears, if their one-size-fits-all design suits you. They also take less than an hour to fully charge, and you might see improved performance if your mobile device can take advantage of the H1 chip.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better than the  Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Truly Wireless. The Sony have ANC and a much better noise isolation performance, a better overall mic performance, a more stable fit, and a more neutral default sound profile, which some may prefer. Their app also has sound customization features. On the other hand, the Apple come with a better case that holds more extra charges and supports wireless charging. Some may also prefer their open design, which lets you hear ambient sound.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless and the Samsung Galaxy Buds Truly Wireless perform quite similarly. The Galaxy Buds are slightly more comfortable due to their small size and it’s easier to get a nice fit with them. Both headphones sound very similar, but the Sonys have a better EQ inside their companion app. The WF-1000XM3 also have better bass-range isolation, which will be better for commuting.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless and Sony WF-SP800N Truly Wireless have different strengths and depending on your usage, you may prefer one over the other. The WF-1000XM3 have a more premium build, a more effective ANC system, and a better-balanced default sound profile. The WF-1000XM3 also support NFC pairing and have more options in the Sony| Headphones Connect app, including surround sound configuration. On the other hand, the WF-SP800N have a more comfortable, stable fit, leak less audio, and last longer on a single charge, though their case holds one charge to the WF-1000XM3’s three, so the WF-SP800N’s total battery life is less.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better in-ears than the Klipsch T5 II True Wireless ANC. The Sony are more comfortable, better built, and have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer. They also have a better noise isolation performance, have a longer continuous battery life, and support NFC pairing. However, the Klipsch support unique extra features built-in Bragi Moves, which allows you to register commands by making head gestures. They also support Dirac HD sound technology, which is advertised to enhance the headphones' sound profile. However, we don't currently test the performance of either feature.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better everyday true wireless headphones, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless will be the better option for sports. The Sony have decent isolation performance, which is good for commuting, while the Beats are one of the most stable sports headphones we’ve reviewed so far thanks to their ear-hook design. The Beats are also a bit more comfortable and have volume control, which the Sony are lacking. They also have an impressive 11-hour battery life, which is noticeably longer than the Sony.

The Jabra Elite 3 True Wireless are somewhat better in-ears than the Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless. The Jabra are more comfortable as well as stable, and they have a superior battery performance. However, the Sony are better built and support NFC pairing.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are more versatile headphones than the JBL TUNE 230NC TWS True Wireless. The Sony are better-built, can block out significantly more ambient sound, and their mic offers better overall performance. They also support NFC pairing. However, the JBL have a more comfortable and stable in-ear fit. Their battery performance is better, too.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better than the Sennheiser CX True Wireless. The Sony are more comfortable, have a better-balanced out-of-the-box sound profile, block out more ambient noise thanks to their ANC system, and support NFC pairing. Their companion app also has a wider range of features. Meanwhile, the Sennheiser have a more stable fit, leak less audio, and feature on-board volume controls.

The Jabra Elite 7 Active True Wireless are better for most purposes than the Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless. The Jabra have a much more comfortable, stable fit and a more comprehensive control scheme. They have a more neutral bass response, which some may prefer, and a somewhat better noise isolation performance. On the other hand, the Sony headphones have virtual surround sound features and support NFC for easier pairing. The earbuds and case also feel better built.

The Fairphone Fairbuds True Wireless and Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are both a good choice for users who value repairability. The main difference is that Fairphone officially support customers repairing and replacing parts. By contrast, an informal community of people interested in repairability have deemed the Sony an unusually user-fixable set of buds, but Sony doesn't officially support this. Both pairs are well-matched for most use cases, though the Sony do have a noticeably better microphone. Still, the Fairphone are newer and have a more stable fit, so if you're concerned about your environmental footprint, they're the pair to choose. 

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better headphones than the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1+ True Wireless. The Sony are more comfortable, feel better-built, and have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may prefer. The Sony also have an active noise cancelling system that does a slightly better job of blocking out background noise, their mic has a better overall performance, and their continuous battery life is longer.  They support NFC pairing too. However, the Cambridge Audio have a more stable fit. 

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are slightly more versatile headphones than the OnePlus Buds Pro Truly Wireless. The Sony are better built, have a significantly better noise isolation performance, and have longer continuous battery life. Their companion app also offers a graphic EQ and presets so you can adjust their sound to your liking and they support NFC pairing. However, the OnePlus are more comfortable, and they have a 'Pro Gaming Mode', which is advertised to lower latency when paired with compatible OnePlus phones.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better than the Anker SoundCore Liberty 2 Pro Truly Wireless. The Sony have ANC, which gives them much better noise isolation, better controls, a more neutral out-of-the-box sound profile, a better app, and their mic has a better recording quality. On the other hand, the Anker feel much more stable in the ear thanks to their stability fins.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are slightly better truly wireless headphones than the Jabra Elite 65t Truly Wireless. They are a bit more comfortable, although getting a tight seal can be an issue for some. They also feel better built, although not as stable as the Elite 65t. They also have a decent ANC feature, but the passive isolation from the Elite 65t's fit blocks even more noise.

The Astro A40 TR Headset + MixAmp Pro 2017 and the Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless each serve different purposes, so they don't perform in the same ways. The Astro are designed for gamers who need an excellent microphone and prefer a more open sound quality, while the Sony are noise cancelling truly wireless earbuds made to help block out the noise of a busy commute or workday.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless and the Jabra Elite Active 65t Truly Wireless are both decent mixed usage headphones and perform quite similarly. The Sony are slightly more comfortable and come with more tips, but it’s hard to get an air-tight fit with them. Their app offers slightly more features and they have longer battery life for a single charge. On the other hand, the Elite Active 65t have a better passive isolation performance than the ANC of the Sony, have volume controls, and can be connected to two devices simultaneously.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are more versatile truly wireless headphones than the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless. The Sony are a bit more comfortable and come with more tip options, including foam tips. Their sound profile is better-balanced and they last longer on a single charge, while their app offers more customization options. On the other hand, the Sennheiser have volume control, which the Sony are lacking, and their fit passively isolates ambient noise better than the ANC feature of the Sony. They also support the aptX-LL codec, which is nice.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better truly wireless headphones than the Klipsch T5 True Wireless. Although we had fit issues with both headphones, the Sonys still perform better, with better sound quality and a noticeably better noise isolation performance thanks to their ANC feature. They also have a dedicated app that allows customization options.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless and the JBL Reflect Flow True Wireless have very similar performance, however, the Sonys are more expensive, due to added features such as active noise cancelling, and tons of customization options through their mobile companion app. Battery life on the Sony is not as long on a single charge, but they charge faster, and the earbuds have an auto-off feature.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better headphones than the Beats Solo Pro Wireless. The Sony are in-ears that are more comfortable, portable, and have a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, which some users may prefer. They have longer-lasting total battery life, and their companion app has a graphic EQ and presets to help adjust their sound to your liking. However, the Beats have a better noise isolation performance and an H1 chip so that you can seamlessly pair them with other Apple devices.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are similar truly wireless in-ears to the Amazon Echo Buds True Wireless 2019 (1st generation). The Sony have a better app, feel slightly better built, have a better-balanced sound profile, and last longer off a single charge. The Amazon, on the other hand, feel much more stable in the ear, have a longer overall battery life, and isolate ambient sounds much better.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are somewhat better in-ears than the JBL Live Free NC+ TWS True Wireless. The Sony are better-built, have a longer continuous battery life, and support NFC pairing. Their ANC can also cut down more ambient noise around you, and their integrated mic does a better job of recording your voice. However, the JBL are more comfortable and stable in-ear.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better-performing truly wireless headphones than the TOZO T6 Truly Wireless. They have active noise cancelling, a more neutral sound profile, and better battery performance. However, since the Sony can be challenging to fit in your ears correctly due to their large earbuds, the TOZO actually end up isolating more overall noise passively. This can vary from person to person, though.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are slightly better-performing Bluetooth earbuds than the Bang & Olufsen E8 3.0 True Wireless. The Sony have a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box and are compatible with an excellent companion app that provides a ton of customization options. They have some pretty notorious issues with their fit, while the Bang & Olufsen tend to fit most people more securely, and are more comfortable for some as well.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better truly wireless headphones than the Microsoft Surface Earbuds Truly Wireless. The Sony feel slightly better-built and have a much more accurate and well-balanced default sound profile that's more consistent among various users. They also have ANC which helps them block out drastically more background noise than the Microsoft. Finally, they also last longer off a single charge and have a much better companion app. On the other hand, some people may prefer the earbud fit of the Microsoft, as they don't enter the ear canal nearly as deep. Their large touch-sensitive surface also allows for additional functionality, such as integration with Microsoft 365, which could be useful for some people.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better Bluetooth in-ears than the Nura NuraLoop Wireless. The Sonys are more comfortable, have a more portable truly wireless design, and have a better-balanced default sound profile. On the other hand, the NuraLoop have a much better ANC feature, last a lot longer off a single charge, and have a unique personalized custom EQ that automatically finetunes your headphone's sound profile.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better headphones for most uses than the Sennheiser CX 400BT True Wireless. The Sony are more comfortable, have a more neutral sound profile right out-of-the-box, and offer a virtual soundstage feature. They also have an ANC feature that isolates more noise and their battery performance is better. They even support NFC pairing and their app offers lots of customization features. However, the Sennheiser are more stable.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better headphones than the Razer Hammerhead True Wireless Pro. While both headphones are comfortable and have similar overall battery performances, the Sony feel better-built and have a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box. They also have a better-performing active noise cancelling feature.

The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better headphones than the Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro Truly Wireless. While both headphones are similarly comfortable, the Sony are better-built and have a more neutral default sound profile, which some users may like. They also offer a better battery performance and support NFC pairing. However, the Anker's ANC can reduce more noise around you and can be adjusted to better fit your needs.