A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
ER2SE
Company ProductName Specs




WF1000XM3
Company ProductName Specs




What we think

Chevron down
PerfectRec Logo
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·

Consider the Etymotic ER2SE if you prioritize sound quality for music and excellent noise isolation, especially given they are much more affordable. However, the comfort and fit may not be optimal for everyone, and they lack a microphone for calls. The Sony WF1000XM3, on the other hand, offers a more comfortable fit, better call quality, and convenience through wireless connectivity and app support, including an equalizer and customizable controls. These are well-suited for a variety of uses, including calls and meetings, and feature active noise cancelling, but at a higher price. Neither is ideal for exercise, and both have similar durability. 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 Etymotic ER2SE
  • Very good for music
  • Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM3
  • Very good for phone calls
  • Very good for air travel
  • Very good for podcasts and audiobooks

Key differences

Chevron down

Music

8.8
ER2SE
WF1000XM3
7.5
The Etymotic ER2SE is very good for music, while the Sony WF1000XM3 is good.

Gaming

6.2
ER2SE
WF1000XM3
5.6
The Etymotic ER2SE is only fair for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM3 is poor.

Phone Calls

4.9
ER2SE
WF1000XM3
8.2
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER2SE is poor.

Podcasts and Audiobooks

7.6
ER2SE
WF1000XM3
8.7
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Etymotic ER2SE is good.

TV and Video

7.8
ER2SE
WF1000XM3
5.7
The Etymotic ER2SE is good for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM3 is poor.

Noise Reduction

9.1
ER2SE
WF1000XM3
8.3
The Etymotic ER2SE is excellent for noise reduction, while the Sony WF1000XM3 is very good.

Battery

N/A
ER2SE
WF1000XM3
6.0 Hours
The Etymotic ER2SE does not have a battery. The Sony WF1000XM3 has 6 hours of battery life.

Cost

$100
ER2SE
WF1000XM3
$180
Product image
Product image

$50

$100

$150

$200

$250

The Etymotic ER2SE has a price of $100 and the Sony WF1000XM3 costs $180.
Image of Earbuds & Headphones
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones

Key similarities

Chevron down

Build Quality

9.0
ER2SE
WF1000XM3
9.0
The Etymotic ER2SE and Sony WF1000XM3 both have excellent build quality.

Give feedback

We’re constantly working to improve.

How the Etymotic ER2SE and the Sony WF1000XM3 compare to other earbuds and headphones

Chevron down

Spec Comparison

Chevron down
Etymotic ER2SESony WF1000XM3
Etymotic ER2SESony WF1000XM3

GENERAL

Price
$100
$180
Brand
EtymoticSony
Release Date
February 1, 2019August 1, 2019
Form Factor
EarbudsEarbuds
Connectivity
WiredWireless

SOUND

Music Score
8.9/107.6/10
Phone Calls Score
5/108.2/10
Gaming Score
6.3/105.6/10
TV and Video Score
7.9/105.8/10
Exercise Score
4.2/106/10

PERFORMANCE

Battery life
N/A6 Hours
Wireless charging
N/ANo
Charging time
N/A3.5 Hours
Bluetooth version
N/A5
Case Battery Life
N/A24

FEATURES

Active Noise Cancelling
NoYes
Noise Reduction Score
9.1/108.4/10
Virtual Surround
N/AYes
Android App
N/AYes
iOS App
N/AYes
Mic Quality
N/A8/10

BUILD AND DESIGN

Build Quality
9/109/10
Comfort score
6/107.9/10
Size
SmallLarge
Weight (headset or single earbud)
4 Grams9 Grams
Microphone style
N/AIntegrated

Shopping

Chevron down

Etymotic ER2SE

See more

Dig into reviews and images

Sound Guys

Lily Katz | April 2022
"Etymotic isn’t playing around: it takes audio seriously and has mastered the art of the noise-isolation earphone. Sure, the fit of the earbuds looks silly but it’s a signature Etymotic thing and could be considered charming by some. If you’re looking for best-in-class audio for a realistic price, the ER2SE is it."

Sony WF1000XM3

See more

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 Etymotic ER2SE or the Sony WF1000XM3

About Etymotic

Etymotic Research is an American based research, development and manufacturing company founded in 1983. They invented the first insert earphones that were used for the diagnosis and research of hearing loss and other auditory disorders. They went on to pioneer the market of high fidelity, isolating, in-ear earphones.

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.

Give feedback

We're constantly perfecting our model

Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in

Chevron down

FAQs

Chevron down

FAQs about earbuds and headphones

Questions about PerfectRec >

Why trust us

Chevron down
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

108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
122,900
Recommendations made
18,435
Consumer hours saved

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.

Featured in

Color LTT LogoGeekwire logo9to5 Mac logoPhone Arena LogoColor Daring Fireball logo