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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Sony WF1000XM3 earbuds provide a higher overall sound quality, better noise isolation with active noise cancelling, optimized performance for calls and meetings, and are wireless, making them ideal for travel and mobility; however, they are costlier than the Steelseries TUSQ. If gaming is a priority, the TUSQ, while being more affordable, offers low latency performance which is better suited for gaming and watching videos. The TUSQ are also wired, which can be a drawback for users seeking wireless convenience, but they boast a durable build quality with included cable ear hooks for secure fit during activities. 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 Sony WF1000XM3
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Steelseries TUSQ
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Gaming
5.6
8.5
The Steelseries TUSQ is very good for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM3 is poor.
Phone Calls
8.2
5.2
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for phone calls, while the Steelseries TUSQ is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.7
4.7
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Steelseries TUSQ is poor.
TV and Video
5.7
7.3
The Steelseries TUSQ is good for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
6.0
The Sony WF1000XM3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Steelseries TUSQ is only fair.
Battery
6.0 Hours
N/A
The Sony WF1000XM3 has 6 hours of battery life. The Steelseries TUSQ does not have a battery.
Cost
$180
$30
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Sony WF1000XM3 has a price of $180 and the Steelseries TUSQ costs $30.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Sony WF1000XM3 has excellent build quality, while the Steelseries TUSQ has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.5
7.6
The Steelseries TUSQ and Sony WF1000XM3 are both good for music.
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How the Sony WF1000XM3 and the Steelseries TUSQ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sony WF1000XM3 | Steelseries TUSQ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$180 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sony | Steelseries | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 1, 2019 | August 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.6/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.2/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6/10 | 4.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 3.5 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.9/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 9 Grams | 11 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
Shopping
Sony WF1000XM3
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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."
Steelseries TUSQ
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Can Buy or Not
Aloysius Low | March 2021
"The SteelSeries Arctis Tusq is a great headset for those on a more modest budget. You can use it for gaming or music, and I daresay it's also great for Zoom meetings when you don't want to be wearing on-ear or over-ear headphones."
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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.
About Steelseries
Steelseries is a Danish gaming products manufacturer founded in 2001 and owned by GN Store Nord. Beside a large variety of gaming peripherals like mice, keyboards, and mousemats, Steelseries markets the Arctis line of gaming headsets which feature integrated boom microphones and RGB lighting. Steelseries has partnered with several game publishers and studios for limited editions of their products like a line of Cyberpunk 2077 themed headsets in 2020.
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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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Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
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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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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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