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Sony WH-1000XM3 — Over-ear · 2018
Sony

Sony WH-1000XM3

Over-ear · 2018

86
/ 100
From $349
VS
AirPods Max (USB-C) wins by 2
AirPods Max (USB-C) — H1 · Spatial Audio · Dynamic Head Tracking
Apple

AirPods Max (USB-C)

H1 · Spatial Audio · Dynamic Head Tracking

88
/ 100
From $549
Specdex verdict

AirPods Max (USB-C) takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Sony WH-1000XM3 lands at 86 and AirPods Max (USB-C) at 88. That puts AirPods Max (USB-C) ahead by 2 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Sony WH-1000XM3 if…

  • ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • ✓Premium build
  • ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)

Pick AirPods Max (USB-C) if…

  • ✓Premium aluminum build
  • ✓Seamless Apple integration
  • ✓Head-tracked spatial audio
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Sound quality

AirPods Max (USB-C)

Tuning, detail, and staging

AirPods Max (USB-C) leads on sound (92 vs 86).

Noise cancelling

AirPods Max (USB-C)

ANC strength for commute and travel

AirPods Max (USB-C) leads on anc (92 vs 84).

Comfort

Sony WH-1000XM3

Long-session wearability

Sony WH-1000XM3 leads on comfort (85 vs 82).

Value for money

Sony WH-1000XM3

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Sony WH-1000XM3 more score per dollar ($349 vs $549).

Sony WH-1000XM3 86
vs
88 AirPods Max (USB-C)

Score breakdown

Sony WH-1000XM3
86
anc 84
sound 86
comfort 85
battery 82
features 82
AirPods Max (USB-C)
88
anc 92
sound 92
comfort 82
battery 82
features 86

Specs side-by-side

Sony WH-1000XM3 versus AirPods Max (USB-C) — full spec comparison
Spec Sony WH-1000XM3 AirPods Max (USB-C)
Type
Over-ear
—
Release year
2018
—
Driver
—
40 mm dynamic
Codecs
—
AAC, SBC
Battery
—
20 h
Weight
—
384 g
Connectivity
—
BT 5.0, USB-C lossless

Sony WH-1000XM3

Pros
  • +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • +Premium build
  • +Active noise cancellation (most models)
Cons
  • −Battery varies by codec
  • −Some are Bluetooth-only
  • −Price creep vs previous gen

AirPods Max (USB-C)

Pros
  • +Premium aluminum build
  • +Seamless Apple integration
  • +Head-tracked spatial audio
Cons
  • −Still uses H1 (not H2)
  • −Heavy at 384 g
  • −No power button / auto-pause

FAQ: Sony WH-1000XM3 vs AirPods Max (USB-C)

Which is better, Sony WH-1000XM3 or AirPods Max (USB-C)? +

AirPods Max (USB-C) scores 88 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 2. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Sony WH-1000XM3 worth the price? +

At $349, Sony WH-1000XM3 delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in sound.

Is AirPods Max (USB-C) worth the price? +

At $549, AirPods Max (USB-C) delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in anc.

Does Sony WH-1000XM3 or AirPods Max (USB-C) 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 sound quality, Sony WH-1000XM3 or AirPods Max (USB-C)? +

AirPods Max (USB-C) — leads on sound (92 vs 86). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, Sony WH-1000XM3 or AirPods Max (USB-C)? +

AirPods Max (USB-C) — leads on anc (92 vs 84). ANC strength for commute and travel.