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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Given your options, if wireless convenience and portability are priorities, the Apple AirPods (3rd generation) may be the better choice, as they are earbuds with a compact size and offer wireless charging. However, if sound quality during calls and overall comfort are more important to you, and you don't mind a wired connection, the Sennheiser HD 400S headphones, which are typically much less expensive, could provide clearer calls and a more comfortable fit for extended use. Remember, the AirPods are optimized for Apple devices and have lower latency, which could be beneficial if you're within the Apple ecosystem and concerned about delay in audio during activities such as watching videos or playing games. Conversely, the Sennheiser headphones score higher for gaming, and better noise isolation could be advantageous if you want to reduce background noise. Keep in mind that the Sennheisers are bulkier and less suitable for exercise. Ultimately, your decision should align with whether your priority is portability and wireless features or comfort and audio quality for calls and gaming. 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 exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sennheiser HD 400S
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Gaming
5.4
8.6
The Sennheiser HD 400S is very good for gaming, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Phone Calls
7.6
8.2
The Sennheiser HD 400S is very good for phone calls, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.6
7.6
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sennheiser HD 400S is good.
TV and Video
5.5
7.6
The Sennheiser HD 400S is good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
5.3
The Sennheiser HD 400S and Apple Airpods (3rd generation) are both poor for noise reduction, though the Sennheiser HD 400S is somewhat better.
Battery
6.0 Hours
N/A
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has 6 hours of battery life. The Sennheiser HD 400S does not have a battery.
Cost
$179
$50
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has a price of $179 and the Sennheiser HD 400S costs $50.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has excellent build quality, while the Sennheiser HD 400S has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.1
7.1
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and Sennheiser HD 400S are both good for music.
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How the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and the Sennheiser HD 400S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods (3rd generation) | Sennheiser HD 400S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$179 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | January 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.2/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 8.7/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.2/10 | 4.2/10 | |
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 | 5.3/10 | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.3 Grams | 213 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
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."
Sennheiser HD 400S
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphone Dungeon
Jim | August 2022
"Sennheiser has done it again. The HD 400S performs well beyond its price range and is one of the better budget model headphones I’ve tried. It has very few bells and whistles and offers a simple means of listening that still delivers amazing clarity and quality. If you need a good first pair of headphones or need something that you can take out of the house, then the HD 400S is definitely for you."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) or the Sennheiser HD 400S
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 Sennheiser
A family-owned company, Sennheiser is a German, high fidelity, audio equipment manufacturer founded in 1945. Their consumer audio division is now owned by the Swiss hearing aid and cochlear implant manufacturer Sonova. Sennheiser offers a wide variety of, very high quality, audio equipment solutions, from headphones to earbuds, full sets of monitoring speakers, amplifiers and microphones. They also make what is widely regarded as the best, and most expensive, headphones in existence, the HE-1 Orpheus, costing a whopping $59,000 dollars.
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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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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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