Sony WF-1000XM6 vs. Apple AirPods Pro 3: I listened to both earbuds, and this pair wins

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The Sony WF-1000XM6 and Apple AirPods Pro 3 are two of the best wireless earbuds on the market right now, and picking between them is trickier than you'd think. Sony's latest pair comes with a fresh design, new drivers, and the same chip that powers the stellar noise cancellation in the WH-1000XM6 over-ears.

Also: My simple tweaks that bring dead-sounding headphones back to life - Sony and Bose included

Apple's AirPods Pro 3, on the other hand, have taken what was already a really solid product and pushed it further with better ANC, a comfortable stem design, and the kind of deep ecosystem integration that Apple does better than anyone.

These are both premium earbuds with premium price tags, and both do a whole lot right. But they also offer different strengths. The Sony WF-1000XM6 have the edge in audio quality and give you way more control through their companion app, while the AirPods Pro 3 boast better noise cancellation, a more comfortable fit, and a bunch of Apple-only features you just can't get anywhere else.

So which ones should you actually buy? Here's a look.

Specifications

You should buy the Sony WF-1000XM6 if...

1. You want better audio quality

Audio quality is where the Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds beat most of the competition. They sound excellent -- rich, detailed, and versatile across pretty much any genre you throw at them. Bass is smooth and full without overwhelming everything else, while instrument separation is impressive, and the overall tuning is both warm and reasonably clear. 

To be clear, the AirPods Pro 3 sound excellent, too, offering deep, powerful bass and great detail in the high end. Their bass is a little less smooth than the Sony earbuds, though, and it's slightly less neutral.

Also: What is Bluetooth 6.0? How the latest standard is changing audio right before our eyes

There's also the fact that the Sony earbuds are a little more customizable when it comes to audio response. Sony's Sound Connect app offers a full 10-band EQ spanning 31Hz to 16kHz, along with a good selection of presets. That means if the stock tuning leans a bit warm or a touch heavy in the high mids for your taste, you can tweak it until it's exactly where you want it. 

Apple, meanwhile, doesn't give you any EQ controls at all -- it sets the sound profile and doesn't want you messing with it. If you're someone who likes to fine-tune your audio, that's a pretty significant limitation.

2. You want hi-res audio

If hi-res audio is something you actually care about, the Sony WF-1000XM6 have a clear leg up. They support LDAC and LC3 codecs on top of the standard SBC and AAC, which means you can actually stream high-resolution audio over Bluetooth from any compatible source. LDAC, especially, is widely supported on Android devices and across streaming services.

Also: Best AirPods: I've used every pair of Apple headphones and earbuds - these are the winners

The AirPods Pro 3 do technically support lossless audio, but it only works when you're connected to an Apple Vision Pro. For basically every normal listening scenario, like from your iPhone, your Mac, and your iPad, you're stuck with AAC. AAC is a perfectly fine codec for most people. 

But if you're someone who actively seeks out hi-res content or pays for a lossless streaming tier, the Sony buds are the only pair here that actually lets you take advantage of that in your everyday life.

3. You use non-Apple devices

Apple's ecosystem is a major factor in why the AirPods Pro 3 are so appealing. But the moment you're using an Android phone, a Windows PC, or any mix of non-Apple devices, most of what makes the AirPods Pro special just disappears. They'll still function over Bluetooth, sure, but the experience is dramatically stripped down.

Also: My simple tweaks that bring dead-sounding headphones back to life - Sony and Bose included

The Sony WF-1000XM6 don't play favorites. They support Bluetooth 5.3 with Multipoint for two simultaneous connections, and the Sound Connect app works on both iOS and Android with the full feature set either way. You'll get the same EQ, the same control customization, and so on. Really, the only exception is codec support -- you won't get LDAC on iOS devices.

You should buy the AirPods Pro 3 if...

1. You want those Apple features

If you're already deep in Apple's ecosystem, the AirPods Pro 3 offer a level of integration that no third-party earbud can touch. With them, you'll get automatic switching between your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch, where the AirPods figure out which device you're actively using and connect to it without you having to do anything. 

If you use Apple devices, that's significantly more helpful than Bluetooth Multipoint, which limits you to two connections.

2. You want some fitness-tracking features

The AirPods Pro 3 have moved into health and fitness in a way that the Sony WF-1000XM6 haven't. Apple has baked heart rate monitoring directly into the earbuds, and they can track workout metrics alongside Apple's Fitness app. 

There's a hearing health angle, too: the AirPods Pro can run a clinical-grade hearing test and even function as an over-the-counter hearing aid through Apple's Hearing Aid feature. The Sony WF-1000XM6 don't offer anything on the fitness or health-tracking front.

Also: Why I still recommend the AirPods Pro 2 in 2026 - especially at this price

If those capabilities matter to you -- whether it's workout tracking, keeping tabs on your hearing health, or just the broader appeal of consolidating health sensors into devices you're already wearing -- the AirPods Pro 3 are the way to go. These features are still relatively new and somewhat limited compared to a dedicated fitness tracker, but they're a differentiator for Apple's earbuds.

3. You want a more comfortable fit

Comfort is always somewhat personal, but the AirPods Pro 3's stem design offers a more meaningfully balanced weight distribution than the Sony WF-1000XM6's bud-style shape. The Sony buds are noticeably bigger than their predecessors, and while Sony says the redesign was meant to better follow the natural shape of your ear, the larger body means they don't sit quite as securely -- particularly when you're moving around. Getting a good fit can take some trial and error, especially with the foam tips.

Also: 5 AirPods Pro features that made me ditch my old pair instantly - and how to access them

The stem design also changes how you actually use the earbuds throughout the day. With the AirPods Pro 3, you squeeze the stem to control playback and adjust settings, so you're never pushing anything into your ear canal. With the Sony WF-1000XM6, controls require tapping on the surface of the bud itself, which shoves it deeper into your ear. 

It's not comfortable, and the tapping sound can be loud. If everyday comfort and ease of use are high on your list, the AirPods Pro 3 have a clear advantage.

Writer's choice

I prefer the AirPods Pro 3 over the Sony WF-1000XM6 earbuds, largely because of their feature set. I use mostly Apple devices in my day-to-day life, and being able to easily switch between them is hugely helpful. On top of that, I find the AirPods Pro 3 to be more comfortable and more secure in my ears, and I'm often listening to podcasts, where audio customization isn't as important.

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