A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If sound quality, especially for music, is your top priority, you may lean towards the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 despite their higher price, as they feature AptX Adaptive and Low Latency support, which could be important for high-quality audio streaming and syncing audio with visuals. However, the Sony WF1000XM3 provides excellent sound quality and added value with longer battery life and wireless charging, which may be more convenient for extended use and are less expensive. Both have active noise cancelling and are optimized for both Android and Apple devices, ensuring a good experience across different smartphones, but the Sonys offer virtual surround sound, which the PI7 lacks. If you're using earbuds mainly for calls or meetings, the Sonys also have a slight edge in microphone quality. Consider your budget and if features like virtual surround and longer battery life align more closely with your needs than the higher audio fidelity and lower latency offered by the Bowers and Wilkins. 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 Bowers and Wilkins PI7
- Very good for gaming
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM3
- Good for music
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.8
7.5
The Sony WF1000XM3 is good for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair.
Gaming
8.1
5.6
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM3 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.1
8.2
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for phone calls, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.8
8.7
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is poor.
TV and Video
6.8
5.7
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is only fair for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM3 is poor.
Battery
3.0 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has 3 hours of battery life. The Sony WF1000XM3 has 6 hours of battery life.
Cost
$399
$180
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has a price of $399 and the Sony WF1000XM3 costs $180.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
8.3
8.3
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and Sony WF1000XM3 are both very good for noise reduction.
Build Quality
8.9
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WF1000XM3 to have excellent build quality, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has very good build quality.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and the Sony WF1000XM3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins PI7 | Sony WF1000XM3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$399 | $180 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2021 | August 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.2/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.2/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6.9/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.8/10 | 6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 3 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.7 Hours | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 20 | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 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) | 7 Grams | 9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Bowers and Wilkins PI7
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Chase Bernath | April 2022
"The primary selling point of the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 is the charging case that can transmit audio from any analog source to the earbuds. If you have a very specific and clear need for that feature, then the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 is for you."
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."
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About Bowers and Wilkins
Bowers and Wilkins is a British audio equipment manufacturer with a focus on innovation and product development. It was founded by a couple of real-life James Bonds, the co-founders John Bowers and Roy Wilkins, who met while working for MI6 during World War II. The company keeps being favored by enthusiasts due to their sound quality, craftsmanship and signature aesthetics.
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
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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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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