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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple Earpods are a budget-friendly option with a reputation for being a good choice for calls and music, particularly if you are using Apple devices that they are optimized for. They have an open design which can lack sound isolation, so noise might be more noticeable. Sennheiser CX300S, while more expensive, offers better build quality and noise isolation, which can be more immersive for listening to music and is useful during air travel. However, they may not be as suitable for calls due to the lack of a microphone. Neither of the earbuds are sweatproof or have active noise cancelling, so for exercise or very noisy environments, you may require different earbuds. 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 Earpods
- Good for music
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sennheiser CX300S
- Good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.8
6.9
The Apple Earpods is good for music, while the Sennheiser CX300S is only fair.
Gaming
8.3
6.1
The Apple Earpods is very good for gaming, while the Sennheiser CX300S is only fair.
Phone Calls
8.0
3.0
The Apple Earpods is very good for phone calls, while the Sennheiser CX300S is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.4
4.7
The Apple Earpods is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sennheiser CX300S is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
7.0
The Sennheiser CX300S is good for noise reduction, while the Apple Earpods is poor.
Cost
$20
$50
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The Apple Earpods has a price of $20 and the Sennheiser CX300S costs $50.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
7.4
7.3
The Apple Earpods and Sennheiser CX300S are both good for TV and video.
Build Quality
7.6
8.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sennheiser CX300S to have very good build quality, while the Apple Earpods has good build quality.
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How the Apple Earpods and the Sennheiser CX300S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Earpods | Sennheiser CX300S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$20 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2012 | February 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.9/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8/10 | 3.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.4/10 | 6.1/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 4.2/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.3/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.6/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6.5 Grams | 12 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | In-Line | N/A | |
Shopping
Apple Earpods
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Dig into reviews and images
CNN Underscored
Michael Andronico | May 2023
"Apple’s wired buds sound just fine for the price, and their handy inline controls and clear microphone give them an edge on wireless earbuds that are much more expensive. Plus, you never have to worry about running out of battery — or worse, a stray earbud going missing."
Sennheiser CX300S
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Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Carroll Moore | April 2019
"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 Earpods 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.
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.
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.
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