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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize a more immersive music experience, the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are a strong choice with excellent noise isolation and sound quality, plus they are optimized for long sessions of air travel due to their active noise cancelling and comfortable build. However, these headphones are larger and not ideal for exercise, whereas the Moondrop Blessing 3 earbuds are portable and have a detachable cable which might be convenient for some users. The Moondrop earbuds offer good overall sound quality, but they lack features such as wireless connectivity, active noise cancelling, and a microphone, which makes them less suitable for calls and meetings compared to the Sonys. If you are on a tighter budget and you don't need wireless functionality or active noise cancellation, the Moondrop Blessing 3 could be a satisfactory option; but if you're seeking a versatile set of features including great mic quality, active noise cancelling, and an immersive experience with virtual surround support, the Sony WH-1000XM5, despite its higher price, would be better suited to your needs. 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 Moondrop Blessing 3
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony WH-1000XM5
- Very good for music
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.6
8.2
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is very good for music, while the Moondrop Blessing 3 is good.
Gaming
6.3
5.6
The Moondrop Blessing 3 is only fair for gaming, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.0
5.5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Moondrop Blessing 3 are both poor for phone calls, though the Sony WH-1000XM5 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
6.0
The Moondrop Blessing 3 is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is only fair.
TV and Video
8.0
5.8
The Moondrop Blessing 3 is very good for TV and video, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.5
9.1
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Moondrop Blessing 3 is only fair.
Battery
N/A
40.3 Hours
The Moondrop Blessing 3 does not have a battery. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has 40.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$320
$398
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Moondrop Blessing 3 has a price of $320 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 costs $398.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
9.0
8.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Moondrop Blessing 3 to have excellent build quality, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 has very good build quality.
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How the Moondrop Blessing 3 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Moondrop Blessing 3 | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$320 | $398 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Moondrop | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2023 | May 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.4/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.1/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 40.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6.5/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 2.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 18.1 Grams | 249.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Moondrop Blessing 3
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Dig into reviews and images
Headfonics
Meldrick | June 2023
"The Moondrop Blessing 3 has excellent imaging performance, especially for the price. Pair that with its neutral tonality with slight elevations towards both ends of the frequency response, and the Blessing 3 technically proficient set of IEMs that are also enjoyable to listen to every day."
Sony WH-1000XM5
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonesty
Kazi Mahbub Mutakabbir | February 2023
"The Sony WH-1000XM5 are the best Sony Bluetooth headphones so far and one of the most well-rounded Bluetooth headphones around. Look no further if you need class-leading ANC with a mostly inoffensive sound signature. Just be ready to pony up the price premium."
Get a great deal on the Moondrop Blessing 3 or the Sony WH-1000XM5
About Moondrop
Moondrop is a Chinese brand of smart audio equipment, portable audio players, earbuds and headphones started in 2015. During the last few years they have become one of the major players in what is lovingly referred to as the Chi-fi market, the bulk of Chinese companies that have managed to actually compete with the western manufacturers in both prices and superior quality. Products such as the Blessing II, Chu and Kato are among the most popular offerings of the brand, more popular among those users that wish for good quality audio that won't break the bank. Besides audio, the brand also works in what they call the ACGN field (Animation, Comics, Games and Short Novels).
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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