AirPods Pro 3
88
Total score
Head-to-Head
AirPods Pro 3 vs Sony WF-1000XM5
Two flagship earbuds. One winner. Prices compared at Amazon, Walmart, and Target.
Sony WF-1000XM5
78
Total score
Score by category
Noise cancelling
AirPods 28 · Sony 26 / 30
AirPods Pro 3
Sony WF-1000XM5
Apple: up to 2x stronger cancelling than Pro 2, foam tips in 5 sizes. Sony: dual noise sensors.
Battery & fit
AirPods 17 · Sony 15 / 20
AirPods Pro 3
Sony WF-1000XM5
Both 8h buds / 24h with case. Apple is lighter (5.5g) and IP57; Sony 5.9g, IPX4.
Smart features
AirPods 19 · Sony 13 / 20
AirPods Pro 3
Sony WF-1000XM5
Apple: heart-rate sensing, Live Translation, hearing health. Sony: multipoint, Speak-to-Chat.
Sound
AirPods 11 · Sony 14 / 15
AirPods Pro 3
Sony WF-1000XM5
Sony's LDAC hi-res audio (990kbps) and 8.4mm Dynamic Driver X win this round.
Value for money
AirPods 13 · Sony 10 / 15
AirPods Pro 3
Sony WF-1000XM5
$179 vs $198 street price (checked Oct 6, 2026); MSRP $249 vs $299.
Scores are SmartBuyCompare's own editorial ratings based on manufacturer specs and prices checked Oct 6, 2026.
Full specs
| Spec | AirPods Pro 3 | Sony WF-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | Apple H2 | Integrated Processor V2 + QN2e |
| Driver | Custom high-excursion | 8.4mm Dynamic Driver X |
| Noise cancelling | Up to 2x vs Pro 2 (Apple) | Dual noise sensors |
| Battery | 8h (ANC), 24h with case | 8h (ANC), 24h with case |
| Weight | 5.5g per bud | 5.9g per bud |
| Water resistance | IP57 | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Special | Heart-rate sensing, Live Translation, Hearing health | LDAC hi-res, Multipoint, Speak-to-Chat |
| Launched | September 2025 | July 2023 |
| MSRP | $249 | $299 |
Pros / cons
AirPods Pro 3
Pros
- Strongest cancelling in this matchup
- Heart-rate sensing + Live Translation
- Lighter, IP57 sweat-proof
- Cheapest of the two right now ($179)
Cons
- Best features need an iPhone
- No LDAC hi-res
- USB-C case only
Sony WF-1000XM5
Pros
- LDAC hi-res sound — best audio here
- Multipoint + Speak-to-Chat
- Works fully on Android and iOS
Cons
- Pricier ($198 vs $179)
- Heavier buds, IPX4 only
- No health or translation features
Price at all 3 stores
Checked Oct 6, 2026
| Product |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirPods Pro 3 | $179.00 | $179.00 | $179.99 |
| Sony WF-1000XM5 | $198.00 | $198.00 | $198.00 |
AirPods Pro 3
Price trend — tracked by SmartBuyCompare
- Amazon
- Walmart
- Target
Every point is a price we checked on that date.
Lowest tracked: $179.00 at Amazon (2026-10-05)
Sony WF-1000XM5
Price trend — tracked by SmartBuyCompare
- Amazon
- Walmart
- Target
Every point is a price we checked on that date.
Lowest tracked: $198.00 at Amazon (2026-10-05)
The verdict
The AirPods Pro 3 is the smarter buy for most people: stronger cancelling, a heart-rate sensor and live translation, and it costs less right now. Pick the Sony WF-1000XM5 if pure sound matters most — its LDAC hi-res audio is the best in this matchup, especially on Android. Prices above were checked Oct 6, 2026, when all three stores were within a dollar of each other. Compare here before you buy — everyday prices move too.