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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize active noise cancellation and wireless convenience, the Apple AirPods Pro are worth the extra cost. They also offer easy pairing with Apple devices and have a built-in microphone for calls. However, if you are looking for a more budget-friendly option without the need for noise cancellation or wireless capabilities, the Sennheiser CX300S provide quality sound at a lower price point and have a reputation for durability, but they come with a wire and lack the advanced features of the AirPods Pro. Consider what's more important for your daily use: cutting-edge features and convenience or affordability and simplicity. 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 Pro
Good for phone calls
Excellent for air travel
Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sennheiser CX300S
Good for TV and video
Key differences
Gaming
5.1/10
6.1/10
The Sennheiser CX300S is only fair for gaming, while the Apple Airpods Pro is poor.
Phone Calls
7.4/10
3.0/10
The Apple Airpods Pro is good for phone calls, while the Sennheiser CX300S is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.3/10
4.7/10
The Apple Airpods Pro is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sennheiser CX300S is poor.
TV and Video
5.7/10
7.3/10
The Sennheiser CX300S is good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods Pro is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1/10
7.0/10
The Apple Airpods Pro is excellent for noise reduction, while the Sennheiser CX300S is good.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The Apple Airpods Pro has 5 hours of battery life. The Sennheiser CX300S does not have a battery.
Cost
$260
$50
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Apple Airpods Pro has a price of $260 and the Sennheiser CX300S costs $50.
Build Quality
9.0/10
8.0/10
The Apple Airpods Pro has excellent build quality, while the Sennheiser CX300S has very good build quality.
"For just $50 USD more than the original model with the wireless charging case, this is definitely the pair of buds to get. The AirPods Pro (1st generation) sounds better than the originals and has a way better fit and active noise canceling to boot. If you have an iOS device, just get this."
"Sennheiser offers impressive bang for your buck when it comes to the CX 300S. Built like a tank and sounding surprisingly good for such a budget-minded earphone, the CX 300S out-classes many of its would-be competitors. Functional but beautiful, it’s the perfect in-ear listening solution for anyone who wants to hear everything and look good doing it."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Pro or the Sennheiser CX300S
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.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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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.
Luis Torres
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.