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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality and noise isolation, especially for air travel, the Sony WF1000XM4 with active noise cancelling would be the superior choice. However, if you're looking for a more budget-friendly option that's optimized for ease of use with Apple devices and prefer something with a longer battery life in the case, then the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) may better suit your needs. The Airpods are also a bit lighter and more compact, which can be a plus for portability and exercise use, while the Sonys offer better comfort and have an app equalizer for sound customization. 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
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM4
- Excellent for music
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.1
9.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is excellent for music, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is good.
Phone Calls
7.6
6.7
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is good for phone calls, while the Sony WF1000XM4 is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.6
10.0
The Sony WF1000XM4 is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is very good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.3
The Sony WF1000XM4 is very good for noise reduction, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Battery
6.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has 6 hours of battery life. The Sony WF1000XM4 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$178
$220
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has a price of $178 and the Sony WF1000XM4 costs $220.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.4
5.6
The Sony WF1000XM4 and Apple Airpods (3rd generation) are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.5
6.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WF1000XM4 to be only fair for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Build Quality
9.0
8.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple Airpods (3rd generation) to have excellent build quality, while the Sony WF1000XM4 has very good build quality.
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How the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and the Sony WF1000XM4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods (3rd generation) | Sony WF1000XM4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$178 | $220 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | July 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.2/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.2/10 | 6.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 30 | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.3 Grams | 6.5 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."
Sony WF1000XM4
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | March 2023
"The headphones deliver a satisfying user experience, class-leading battery life, some of the best noise-cancelling we’ve heard in this category, and absolutely stunning sound quality."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) or the Sony WF1000XM4
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 Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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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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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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