Wireless Earbuds · owner-verdict comparison

Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Sony WF-1000XM5: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Apple AirPods Pro 3: 51% of 343 owners recommend it, vs 39% of 483 for the Sony WF-1000XM5.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Apple AirPods Pro 3

51%of 343 owners recommend
51% recommend · 22% neutral · 27% don't
Full owner report →

Sony WF-1000XM5

39%of 483 owners recommend
39% recommend · 14% neutral · 47% don't
Owners praise
  • Class-leading noise cancellation
  • Rich, detailed sound quality
  • Comfortable for long listening
Owners complain about
  • Finicky, fragile foam eartips
  • Buds slip out during exercise
  • Connection cuts out when moving
Full owner report →

What Apple AirPods Pro 3 owners say

“Yea, I compared them to my xm5 (over ear headphones)… and not kidding, the ANC is better, and so are the low ends and bass. It’s actually insane”
— Bokchoyk on Reddit
“I find that the new Airpods Pro 3 have a more secure fit, at least on my ears, and the ANC performance was better compared to the Airpods Pro 2.”
— DagobietRTINGS on Reddit
“They hurt my ear holes. I can’t wear them”
— djbdb on Reddit

What Sony WF-1000XM5 owners say

“Llevo 1 mes y es lo mejor de lo mejor, vengo de los samsung buds 2 pro y se los lleva por mucho, la cancelación de ruido una barbaridad.”
— @lIObiIl on YouTube
“I bought a second pair and gotta say I’m pleased.”
— @GriffithFromBerk on YouTube
“mic quality is crap in a slightly noisy environment”
— @av365 on YouTube