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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 battery life for activities like exercise, choose the Beats Powerbeats Pro; they also have ear hooks for a secure fit and are sweatproof, making them ideal for workouts. However, if noise cancellation and higher soundstage quality are more important to you, and you appreciate features such as an ambient sound control app and virtual surround sound, the Sony WF1000XM3 would be a better choice despite having a lower battery life per charge. Keep in mind though, the Sony is better suited for air travel due to its active noise cancelling. 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 Beats Powerbeats Pro
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM3
- Good for music
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
6.5
7.5
The Sony WF1000XM3 is good for music, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro is only fair.
Phone Calls
7.0
8.2
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for phone calls, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro is good.
Noise Reduction
4.6
8.3
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro is poor.
Battery
10.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Beats Powerbeats Pro has 10 hours of battery life. The Sony WF1000XM3 has 6 hours of battery life.
Cost
$124
$180
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Beats Powerbeats Pro has a price of $124 and the Sony WF1000XM3 costs $180.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.5
5.6
The Sony WF1000XM3 and Beats Powerbeats Pro are both poor for gaming.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.2
8.7
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Beats Powerbeats Pro to be excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony WF1000XM3 is very good.
TV and Video
5.7
5.7
The Beats Powerbeats Pro and Sony WF1000XM3 are both poor for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.8
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WF1000XM3 to have excellent build quality, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro has very good build quality.
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How the Beats Powerbeats Pro and the Sony WF1000XM3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Powerbeats Pro | Sony WF1000XM3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$124 | $180 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2019 | August 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.5/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.6/10 | 6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 10 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 4.6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.8/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 11 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Beats Powerbeats Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | November 2022
"Sweat resistance, actual noise isolation, and a secure fit in your ears make these the true wireless earphones you want in Apple-land. Android users may find other options they like better, as these only support AAC."
Sony WF1000XM3
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | November 2022
"Wireless earbuds are a dime a dozen, and the Sony WF-1000XM3 makes it easy to justify the cost. The design and comfort are good, and the connection strength is consistent. While the lack of aptX or LDAC support is a big drawback, DSEE HX processing improves low-quality audio files. If you want stylish active noise canceling (ANC) earbuds, the WF-1000XM3 needs to be at the top of your list."
Get a great deal on the Beats Powerbeats Pro or the Sony WF1000XM3
About Beats
Beats is an American, consumer-focused, audio products manufacturer. Founded originally by American rapper and producer Dr Dre, the company is now a subsidiary of Apple. Beats sells a wide range of audio products, including several models of headphones, earbuds and speakers as well as full car audio systems.
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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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.
By the numbers
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Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
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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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