Sony WF-1000XM3 Review
Sony WF-1000XM3
Pros
- Great Noise Cancelling. Sony's noise cancelling technology is great with this one; it's able to block out ambient noise greatly.
- Good Case Design. Complements the earbuds and is narrower than previous Sony wireless earbuds cases.
- Good Sound Quality. Bass is crisp and different genres of music translate well.
Cons
- Awkward Shape. Not ideal for working out.
- No Water Resistance. Doesn't offer any kind of protection from sweat or drizzle.
- Short Battery Life. Compared to other earbuds with the same features, the 5 hours of playtime is inferior.
- Very Expensive. For what you get, the price is definitely too steep.
In today’s review, we will delve in a very familiar brand: Sony. With them being such a household name in many industries, it is no surprise that they’ve been keeping up with the times and have released their own versions of wireless earbuds. Today, we will be looking at one of them: the WF-1000XM3.
The Sony WF-1000XM3 is one of six truly wireless earbuds that Sony has released. Its biggest selling point is its “industry-leading” noise cancellation which is a very popular feature among modern wireless earbuds. Aside from this, they also boast of reliable Bluetooth connectivity and secure fit. This is thanks to a Bluetooth chip with an optimized antenna design incorporated in the earbuds that allows for wider Bluetooth coverage. Its ergonomic structure and high friction rubber surface also keeps the pair snug and secure on the ears.
Now while all of that sounds plausible (I mean, we are talking about Sony), we still want to be vigilant and look at this pair in the most objective way possible. We want to know if what it says on paper matches what you would really get should you jump in and get this pair. In saying that, let’s start off with the Pros of the WF-1000XM3.
Pros
Solid Noise Cancelling. It’s no wonder that Sony advertises the noise cancelling features of this pair so much as they truly are amazing. This is because of their HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1e and Dual Noise Sensor Technology which is a dual-microphone that combats external noise. It’s able to block out ambient noise which is perfect for early or late flights or commutes.
Good Case Design. Even though the earbuds are the star of the show, the case they come in is still important for many reasons such as portability and overall aesthetic. With the WF-1000XM3, the case is a hit with its sleek sophisticated finish that complements the design of the earbuds themselves. They’re a bit bulkier than most cases such as the Airpods’ but narrower than their predecessor, the WF-1000Xs.
Good Sound Quality. Sound translates great with these earbuds, having a crisp bass and making instruments sound natural and expressive. If you’re someone who likes listening to different genres, this would be a great option as it is able to bring justice to different kinds of music.
With all the good though comes the bad – or the needs for improvement. Even though it has some great features, we found some things to consider before going ahead and getting this pair. Here are the Cons below.
Cons
Not Workout Friendly. With its pill-shaped design, it does have a pretty awkward shape and feel for working out. Aside from this, there’s no water resistance which is a bummer since this means that they don’t offer any protection from sweat or drizzle which is something that’s inevitable to happen when exercising or running errands.
Short Battery Life. Even though the WF-1000XM3 claims to have up to 24 hours of listening, we found that it’s only capable of roughly 5 hours of playtime with noise cancelling on. This is inferior battery life compared to other earbuds we reviewed that offer noise cancelling as well. Although it does state that the pair offers fast charging via the charging case (10 minutes of quick charge for 90 minutes of playtime), it’s still a hassle to have your earbuds lose battery or die so quick especially on long flights or long travels.
Very Expensive. Considering the cons we have outlined, it’s definitely very expensive for what you get. Costing $228.00 on Amazon, compared to other earbuds in this price range, it just doesn’t have enough features to justify its high price. You could definitely expect a lot more for a pair that costs this much.
All things considered, even though Sony is a great tech brand, there are a couple of things to keep in mind before taking the plunge with this one. If you’re looking for something with great noise cancelling and good sound quality, this pair may be a good option for you. With its sleek finish, we can definitely see this being a decent daily carry pair.
But if you’re looking for something that’s very durable (water and maybe dust resistant) with a long battery life, then you may be better off getting another pair. Because even though the Sony WF-1000XM3 is good for everyday, those with active lifestyles or those always on-the-go won’t be getting their value for money with this pair.
All things considered, while the Sony WF-1000XM3 is a great contender by Sony, you should definitely be discerning if they’re something that would match your lifestyle before dropping a big amount on them. Before taking the plunge, we hope to have helped you decide the next step in your earbud hunting journey with this review.
