Head to head
Sony WF-1000XM6 vs AirPods Pro 3
SoundGuys' best earbuds overall vs its best for iPhone. We compare the WF-1000XM6 and AirPods Pro 3 on codecs, EQ, water resistance, battery and price.
SoundGuys names the Sony WF-1000XM6 the best earbuds overall and the AirPods Pro 3 the best for iPhone. MacRumors, comparing the two in April 2026, calls both excellent and says your platform should decide. The Sony offers LDAC, EQ and multipoint. The AirPods offer IP57 protection, hearing health features and a lower price.
This is an editorial comparison built from manufacturer specs and published reviews, not our own testing. Prices are approximate Amazon prices seen October 5, 2026, and they move often. On that day the AirPods Pro 3 cost about $79 less than the Sony.
Option A
Sony WF-1000XM6
- Earbuds ANC
- ~$258
- Feb 2026
- Android
SoundGuys' best earbuds overall, and the pick for Android owners who want LDAC and EQ.
- Travel
- 5 out of 5
- Calls
- 5 out of 5
- Music
- 4 out of 5
Editorial fit scores, 1–5, from published reviews and specs — not lab measurements.
Option B
Apple AirPods Pro 3
- Earbuds ANC
- ~$179
- Sep 2025
- iPhone
The default earbuds for iPhone owners, with ANC SoundGuys ranks among the best of any earbud.
- Travel
- 5 out of 5
- Value
- 5 out of 5
- Calls
- 4 out of 5
Editorial fit scores, 1–5, from published reviews and specs — not lab measurements.
Affiliate link to Amazon. Price approx., seen Oct 2026.
Read the review: Apple AirPods Pro 3Spec sheet
Side by side
| Feature | WF-1000XM6 | AirPods Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. Amazon price (Oct 2026) | ~$258 | ~$179Edge |
| List price | $329.99 | $249Edge |
| Battery | 8 h with ANC, 12 h without; 24 h with case | Up to 8 h with ANC; up to 24 h with case |
| Weight | ~6.5 g per bud | 5.55 g per budEdge |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IP57 (buds and case)Edge |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 (no aptX) | Not specified |
| Multipoint | Yes | Not specified |
| Mics | 4 per bud | Not specified |
| App / EQ | EQ (cited by MacRumors)Edge | No user EQ |
| Health & hearing | Not specified | Heart-rate sensing; Hearing Test, Hearing Aid, Hearing Protection |
| Review standing | SoundGuys' best earbuds overall | SoundGuys' best for iPhone; ANC among the best of any earbud |
| Best for | Android, LDAC and EQ users (MacRumors) | iPhone owners (MacRumors) |
Manufacturer specs and published reviews; prices are approximate Amazon prices seen October 5, 2026. “Edge” marks the side we think comes out ahead on that row.
Fit scores
How you listen, scored
| Scenario | Sony WF-1000XM6 | Apple AirPods Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Travel / commute | 5 out of 5 | 5 out of 5 |
| Office calls | 5 out of 5 | 4 out of 5 |
| Workouts | 3 out of 5 | 4 out of 5 |
| Music listening | 4 out of 5 | 3 out of 5 |
| Gaming / latency | 2 out of 5 | 2 out of 5 |
| Value | 4 out of 5 | 5 out of 5 |
Editorial fit scores, 1–5 — not lab measurements. Higher score per row highlighted.
Choose the WF-1000XM6 if…
- You use Android and want LDAC, which iPhones don't support.
- You want to adjust the sound with EQ. The AirPods Pro 3 have no user EQ.
- You juggle a laptop and a phone. Multipoint and four mics per bud back up its calls fit score of 5.
- You want SoundGuys' best earbuds overall, with 12 hours per charge when ANC is off.
Choose the AirPods Pro 3 if…
- You use an iPhone. MacRumors and SoundGuys both point iPhone owners here.
- You sweat or get caught in the rain. The buds and case are rated IP57; the Sony is IPX4.
- You want heart-rate sensing and Apple's Hearing Test, Hearing Aid and Hearing Protection features.
- You want to save about $79: ~$179 against ~$258.
Our verdict
It's a tie — your phone decides
MacRumors and SoundGuys agree: your platform decides. iPhone owners should buy the AirPods Pro 3, which cost about $79 less, carry an IP57 rating, and offer ANC that SoundGuys measured among the best of any earbud. Android owners, and anyone who wants LDAC or EQ, should buy the WF-1000XM6, SoundGuys' best earbuds overall.
Watch
The matchup on video
Video by SoundGuys on YouTube. Their views are their own.
Frequently asked questions
Should iPhone owners buy the Sony WF-1000XM6?
Usually not. The Sony supports AAC, the codec iPhones use, but iPhones don't support LDAC, so its high-bitrate codec goes unused. MacRumors and SoundGuys both steer iPhone owners to the AirPods Pro 3, which cost about $79 less and are rated IP57. The exception is EQ: if you want to tune the sound, the AirPods Pro 3 don't offer a user EQ.
Does the Sony WF-1000XM6 support aptX?
No. Sony lists SBC, AAC, LDAC and LC3, with no aptX. LDAC is Sony's own high-bitrate codec, and Android phones widely support it. If your phone relies on aptX Adaptive, Bose's QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) support it.
Which is better for workouts, the WF-1000XM6 or the AirPods Pro 3?
The AirPods Pro 3. IPX4 means splash resistance, while IP57 adds dust protection and survives brief submersion, and Apple rates both buds and case IP57. They're also lighter (5.55 g vs ~6.5 g per bud) and earn a workouts fit score of 4 to the Sony's 3. If workouts come first, reviewers call the earhook Powerbeats Pro 2 the best workout earbuds.
Disclosure: Independent editorial comparison based on published reviews and manufacturer specs, not our own lab measurements. Prices are approximate Amazon prices seen October 5, 2026. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.