Bluetooth: 5.3 (AAC, SBC)
Battery life: 8hrs (earbuds); 24hrs (with charging case)
Finishes: x 1 (white)
Weight: 5.55g per earbud
The AirPods Pro 3 are new and shiny, with improvements in sound and noise cancellation over their predecessors and a raft of new health and hearing features. Apple fans will love them. But the total battery life has taken a hit, while Sony's ageing stars can be found for cheaper.
Bluetooth: 5.3 (SBC, AAC, LDAC)
Battery life: 8hrs (earbuds); 24hrs (with charging case)
Finishes: x2 (black, silver)
Weight: 5.9g per earbud
The XM5 might be old, but they're still compelling wireless earbuds. The new AirPods have fresher features and their noise cancellation is stronger, but for pure sound quality, the Sonys win out. And at this price, with more discounts likely, they are the better sound-per-pound investment.
This is where we see how those bold claims really hold up.
Taking on the AirPods Pro 3 are the Sony WF-1000XM5, which we've long recommended as the best option for most people. They are two-time What Hi-Fi? Award winners, and a true benchmark for sound quality and features.
So if Apple really wants to claim that its new AirPods Pro offer "the world's best active noise cancellation of any in-ear wireless headphones," it will have to go through Sony first. Let's see how they get on.
AirPods Pro 3 vs Sony WF-1000XM5: price
Apple's AirPods Pro 3 arrived at £219 / $249 / AU$429 in September 2025, representing a welcome £30 price drop for UK buyers compared to their predecessors. Outside of the UK, they have the same launch price as the Pro 2 in the USA and a AU$30 price bump in Australia.
The Sony WF-1000XM5, originally priced at £259 / $299 / AU$419 when launched two years ago, have dropped significantly since and can now be found regularly at £219 or even lower if a store's got a good deal running. At the time of writing, you can pick them up for as low as £179 in the UK, for example.
With the XM6 rumoured to be coming soon, expect the XM5's price to drop further.
**Winner: Sony WF-1000XM5**
AirPods Pro 3 vs Sony WF-1000XM5: design and comfort
Apple has refined the familiar AirPods Pro design for the third generation, analysing over 10,000 3D ear scans to optimise the fit.
Each earbud is slightly smaller than its predecessor, with Apple claiming the geometry is specifically shaped to better match ear contours. The package includes five eartip sizes, including a new XXS option, and with updated eartip material.
The earbuds themselves are lightweight and comfortable to wear, although our reviews team was divided when it came to the fit. Those of us who found the AirPods Pro 2 provided a secure fit in our ears found the Pro 3's new shape protruded a bit far, while those who didn't get on with the Pro 2 found the Pro 3 a snug fit. The only real solution is to try them for yourself before buying.
The new eartips are a bit more forgiving than the Pro 2's – we achieved a good fit from both the M and L sizes, for example, with no noticeable loss in sound quality or their noise cancellation properties.
The Sony WF-1000XM5 take a dramatically different approach, shrinking approximately 25 per cent compared to their predecessors while becoming 20 per cent lighter.
The result is a sleek, glossy design with smooth lines and subtle curves that look distinctly premium, although they are heavier than the AirPods.
The Sony earbuds feature a mostly glossy plastic exterior with a textured matte finish on the touch control surfaces, though this smooth design can make extraction from the charging case somewhat tricky.
In our testing, the Sony WF-1000XM5 proved comfortable, though the fit isn't quite as secure as some rivals due to the heavier body. The polyurethane tips create a good seal when positioned correctly, but lack the 'grippiness' that would prevent them moving. Some on the review team also found the material of the eartips to be quite hard and fatiguing on the ears over long listening sessions.
Sony's IPX4 rating provides sweat resistance, while Apple has upgraded to IP57 for enhanced dust, water and sweat protection. The touch controls on both earbuds work responsively, although we find the swiping action on the AirPods Pro 3's stems more intuitive than tapping multiple times on the Sony bud to adjust volume.
We have to call this round a draw, as fit is such a personal thing. Both are well made and should be comfortable, but we wish the Sony's eartips were a bit softer and Apple's redesign suited all ear shapes.
**Winner: Draw**
AirPods Pro 3 vs Sony WF-1000XM5: noise cancelling
Apple has made bold claims about the AirPods Pro 3's noise cancelling, promising "the world's best active noise cancellation of any in-ear wireless headphones".
The company claims up to twice as effective ANC compared to the AirPods Pro 2, achieved through ultra-low noise microphones, advanced computational audio, and new foam-infused eartips for greater passive isolation.
On a flight to France, the Pro 3 successfully muted mid- and low-frequency noise. "The deep rumble of the airplane’s engine noise was damped down further than when listened to through the Pro 2, while the general chatter from people and announcements from the pilot were quieter through the new earbuds on full ANC mode," we wrote in our AirPods Pro 3 review.
In the Sony camp, the WF-1000XM5 proved their noise-cancelling credentials in our testing, with Sony claiming approximately 20 per cent noise reduction improvement over the Sony WF-1000XM4.
The implementation uses three microphones per earbud (versus two on the previous model), including dual feedback mics for better low-frequency cancellation. The integrated processor V2 and HD Noise Cancelling processor QN2e also work together effectively.
In our Sony WF-1000XM5 review, we noted that the buds "remove an extra layer of midrange noise in comparison [with the XM4] which makes for an extremely pleasant listen with minimal background noise to contend with." The effect is also more subtle and less intrusive than some more effective noise-cancelling buds, like those made by Bose.
And in comparison? The Sonys are good, but the AirPods are better. Pitting the side by side, we found the AirPods to be superior to the Sonys at quieting mid and low frequencies. The Sonys let in a bit more background noise than the AirPods Pro 3, especially higher-frequency voices and instruments.
**Winner: Apple AirPods Pro 3**
AirPods Pro 3 vs Sony WF-1000XM5: features and battery life
The Sony WF-1000XM5 deliver eight hours of battery life with Bluetooth and ANC activated, plus another 16 hours from the wireless charging case.
Adaptive Sound Control also automatically adjusts ambient sound filtering based on location and activity, and the enhanced touch controls now allow simultaneous operation of playback, sound modes, and volume.
DSEE Extreme processing attempts to enhance lower-quality music files, while Multipoint Bluetooth allows simultaneous connection to two devices.
Sony's established ecosystem includes the Sound Connect app with six sound presets and seven-band EQ, 360 Reality Audio support with dynamic head tracking, and the useful Speak-to-Chat feature.
As for Apple, it has significantly expanded the AirPods Pro 3's feature set. Battery life increases to eight hours with ANC enabled and 24 in total with the charge case – matching the Sonys and improving on the AirPods Pro 2's six hours.
It offers seamless connection with iOS devices, and features Spatial Audio with dynamic head-tracking, Conversation Mode and a clever Adaptive ANC mode. There are also ample hearing health and hearing aid features on the AirPods Pro 3.
The new Live Translation provides real-time speech translation, lowering speaker volume while boosting translation. Heart rate tracking also uses special sensors pulsing 256 times per second, with 50 workout types supported through iPhone integration.
The degree to which this matters will depend on your use case, but if you're after a pair of buds for exercise, this is a rather big bonus.
In terms of Bluetooth streaming, Apple continues to support the standard AAC and SBC codecs, while Sony goes on further by supporting the LDAC codec, which lets you stream music in higher quality from compatible phones.
On paper, Apple’s extra health and hearing aid features put some distance between it and the two-year-old Sony set, though it's worth remembering that most of the best AirPods features are iOS-only (and not everyone will need these features). They are neck-and-neck when it comes to user-friendly features, such as wear detection, and we had no issues with connectivity or daily use.
**Winner: Draw**
AirPods Pro 3 vs Sony WF-1000XM5: sound quality
This is where the Sony WF-1000XM5 have truly excelled, earning praise for their exceptional clarity and detail retrieval.
Our Sony WF-1000XM5 review highlighted a significant character change from previous Sony models – less rich and full in the bass department, but with remarkable clarity and precision that sets new standards for wireless earbuds.
The 8.4mm Dynamic Driver X, larger than the predecessor's 6.4mm unit, uses dual materials for different frequency ranges and helps reduce mechanical noise.
Testing revealed the Sony earbuds' ability to maintain timing and organisation even with complex tracks like Radiohead's 15 Step, keeping percussion well-defined where lesser earbuds would create a jumbled mess.
The midrange investigation is thorough, exposing every element of recordings with authentic harmonics and proper texture. There's an openness and definition that we found quite exceptional.
Meanwhile, Apple promises significant sound improvements for the AirPods Pro 3 through a new multiport acoustic architecture that controls airflow, resulting in improved sound throughout.
Apple’s next-generation Adaptive EQ also aims to transform bass response while widening the soundstage and providing vivid vocal clarity to higher frequencies.
We found they are "clearer and more detailed... more spacious-sounding and more dynamic" than their five-star predecessors, we noted in our AirPods Pro 3 review.
The neutral sonic profile works well across a range of genres: "There is bite and attack to the crunchy, brash highs of Fontaines D.C.’s Starburster, while the basslines in Forgot About Dre are taut, agile and tuneful, and punch with quite a good deal of depth and power in Billie Eilish’s Blue."
Sonically, they're excellent, albeit not quite as superb as their Sony rivals. They have a sweet, fluid balance and plenty of spaciousness, which makes them easy to listen to. But the Sonys are simply more revealing in the finer textures of instruments and voices, offering more depth to piano notes and a more taut bass. The Sony deliver excellent timing and musicality despite their more analytical approach.
You won't feel shortchanged with either performance, but for our money, the Sonys sound better.
**Winner: Sony WF-1000XM5**
AirPods Pro 3 vs Sony WF-1000XM5: verdict
The Sony WF-1000XM5 have proven themselves to be exceptional wireless earbuds, earning our five-star rating, and two previous What Hi-Fi? Awards, for their outstanding clarity, detail and analytical prowess.
They represent a significant evolution in Sony's approach, prioritising precision over warmth while maintaining excellent timing and musicality.
Apple's AirPods Pro 3 arrive with impressive specs and plenty of improvements over their already accomplished predecessors. The seamless iOS experience, innovative health features, and improved ANC quality will certainly impress would-be buyers.
While the AirPods Pro 3 are excellent in their own right – with a five-star review, no less – and offer enjoyable, improved sound quality, the older Sonys remain the better buy overall. That's thanks to their lower price, greater versatility with Android and iOS, and superior sound quality.
** Overall winner: Sony WF-1000XM5 **
MORE:
AirPods Pro 3: price, features, and everything you need to know about Apple's new flagship wireless earbuds
Read our Sony WF-1000XM5 review
Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Pro 2: which Apple earbuds are better?
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