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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple AirPods (3rd generation) offer wireless convenience and are optimized for Apple devices, with features like ear detection and support for AAC codec, ensuring good sound quality on Apple products. They are also sweatproof, which makes them suitable for exercise, and they score high in portability and ease of use during air travel. However, they have lower sound isolation and aren't the best for noisy environments. On the other hand, the Audio Technica ATH M20X are wired headphones that provide better overall sound quality and noise isolation, which might be preferable for critical listening or in noisy situations. They're not sweatproof and score lower for portability and exercise use. The Audio Technica ATH M20X are typically much less expensive, so if budget is a concern and you don't need wireless connectivity or exercise suitability, they may be the better choice. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods (3rd generation)
- Good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Audio Technica ATH M20X
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Gaming
5.4
6.2
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair for gaming, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Phone Calls
7.6
4.3
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is good for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.6
6.7
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
TV and Video
5.5
7.6
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.0
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair for noise reduction, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Battery
6.0 Hours
N/A
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has 6 hours of battery life. The Audio Technica ATH M20X does not have a battery.
Cost
$179
$49
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has a price of $179 and the Audio Technica ATH M20X costs $49.
Build Quality
9.0
6.9
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.1
7.6
The Audio Technica ATH M20X and Apple Airpods (3rd generation) are both good for music.
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How the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and the Audio Technica ATH M20X compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods (3rd generation) | Audio Technica ATH M20X |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$179 | $49 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Audio Technica | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | January 1, 2014 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.2/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 4.4/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 6.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.2/10 | 4.1/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 30 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.3 Grams | 190 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods (3rd generation)
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz, Christian Thomas | February 2023
"The Apple AirPods improves upon the 2019 model with its more ergonomic, yet unsealed, fit, water-resistant build, MagSafe charging case, and advanced software features. You can enjoy a wholly immersive movie experience with the new AirPods' spatial audio with head tracking, and enjoy HD audio during FaceTime calls. Of course, most of these features are limited to Apple hardware."
Audio Technica ATH M20X
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Jasper Lastoria | September 2023
"Audio-Technica positively defies what you can expect for around $50. Ultimately, Audio-Technica did not design the ATH-M20x to go on the subway with you. It’s for the budget-conscious, do-it-yourself producer, podcaster, or studio that needs to buy tracking cans in bulk. If you don’t need the most deluxe, comfortable headphones, maybe you’ll like the ATH-M20x for its spartan functionality. The headphones are aimed at giving you the minimum requirements without it feeling like a sacrifice."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) or the Audio Technica ATH M20X
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
About Audio Technica
Audio Technica is a 60-year-old, Japan-based, professional audio equipment manufacturer. They started off making phonograph cartridges and have expanded their scope of products ever since to include extremely popular models of microphones and headphones. They have been the official audio equipment supplier of several editions of the Summer and Winter Olympics and every edition of the Grammy Awards since 1998.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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