Sony WF-1000XM4
True-wireless · 2021
AirPods Pro 3
H2 chip · IP57 · 8 h ANC
AirPods Pro 3 takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Sony WF-1000XM4 lands at 87 and AirPods Pro 3 at 92. That puts AirPods Pro 3 ahead by 5 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Sony WF-1000XM4 if…
- ✓Compact carry
- ✓Platform integration (brand-dependent)
- ✓Quick pair
Pick AirPods Pro 3 if…
- ✓Up to 8 hours ANC on a single charge
- ✓IP57 dust + water resistance
- ✓MagSafe, Qi, Apple Watch + USB-C charging
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testFeatures
AirPods Pro 3Compared on the features sub-score
AirPods Pro 3 leads on features (96 vs 83).
Noise cancelling
AirPods Pro 3Compared on the noise cancelling sub-score
AirPods Pro 3 leads on anc (94 vs 84).
Comfort
AirPods Pro 3Compared on the comfort sub-score
AirPods Pro 3 leads on comfort (92 vs 85).
Value for money
AirPods Pro 3Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
AirPods Pro 3 more score per dollar ($249 vs $279).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Sony WF-1000XM4 | AirPods Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True-wireless | — |
| Release year | 2021 | — |
| Chip | — | Apple H2 headphone chip |
| Battery (ANC on) | — | Up to 8 hours |
| Battery (with case, ANC on) | — | Up to 24 hours |
| Microphones | — | Dual beamforming + inward-facing + speech-detecting accelerometer |
| Bluetooth | — | 5.3 |
| Water rating | — | IP57 (case + earbuds) |
| Charging | — | MagSafe / Apple Watch charger / Qi / USB-C |
Sony WF-1000XM4
- +Compact carry
- +Platform integration (brand-dependent)
- +Quick pair
- −Battery life limited
- −Fit varies by ear
- −Case bulkier than pod
AirPods Pro 3
- +Up to 8 hours ANC on a single charge
- +IP57 dust + water resistance
- +MagSafe, Qi, Apple Watch + USB-C charging
- −Android features remain limited
- −Premium price
- −In-ear fit not for everyone
FAQ: Sony WF-1000XM4 vs AirPods Pro 3
Which is better, Sony WF-1000XM4 or AirPods Pro 3? +
AirPods Pro 3 scores 92 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 5. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Sony WF-1000XM4 worth the price? +
At $279, Sony WF-1000XM4 delivers a Specdex score of 87 — strongest in sound.
Is AirPods Pro 3 worth the price? +
At $249, AirPods Pro 3 delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in features.
Does Sony WF-1000XM4 or AirPods Pro 3 last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for features, Sony WF-1000XM4 or AirPods Pro 3? +
AirPods Pro 3 — leads on features (96 vs 83). Compared on the features sub-score.
Which is better for noise cancelling, Sony WF-1000XM4 or AirPods Pro 3? +
AirPods Pro 3 — leads on anc (94 vs 84). Compared on the noise cancelling sub-score.