The Sony WF-1000XM3 can easily be classified as “old but gold.” It is rare to find a headphone that can keep the Airpods pro manufacturers on their toes, wondering who their fierce competition is.
However, this is a feat the Sony WF-1000XM3 pulled off without breaking a sweat after its release in 2018.
Even with the emergence of the Sony WF-1000XM4, the Sony WF-1000XM3 will always be a valuable and outstanding Bluetooth headphone for years to come.
Without a doubt, the Sony WF-1000XM3 packs a punch. This excellent audio accessory has an appealing design, commendable noise cancellation feature, and best of all, it produces high-quality sound.
If you doubt the ability of Sony WF-1000XM3 to deliver the goods, you will find this review valuable.
As you keep reading, you will discover all the information you need to make a buying decision, such as the Sony WF-1000XM3 characteristics, sound quality, battery life, pros and cons, and much more.
Technical Characteristics of the Sony WF-1000XM3
● Manufacturer: Sony
● Model: WF-1000XM3
● Headset Type: In-Ear
● Noise Cancellation: Yes, with the QN1 predecessor
● Drivers: Neodymium Dynamic 6.10 mm
● Frequency Response: 20-20kHz
● Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0 and NFC
● Type of load: Wireless or USB-C via charging case/cradle
● Weight: 8.5 grams (each earphone)
● Battery: 6 hours with noise cancellation (24 hours with the case)
Connectivity
● Bluetooth: 5.0 and 2.4GHz. A2DP/AVRCP/HSP/HFP profiles
● Multipoint connection: No
● NFC: Yes, for the case
● Voice Assistant: Yes, Alexa Built-in, Google Assistant.
Battery
● Battery life of up to 24 hours
● A quick charge of 10 minutes can guarantee up to 90 minutes of play time.
Sony WF-XM3 Battery Life Breakdown
● Battery Life (Continuous Music Playback Time): 6 hours max. (NC on)/8 hours max. (NC off)
● Battery Life (Standby): 9 hours max. (NC on)/15 hours max. (NC off)
● Battery Charging Time: About 1.5 hours
● Battery Charging Method: USB charging (with ease)
● Maximum Battery Life: Up to 24 hours (
What Makes Sony WF-1000XM3 Standout
If you would love to shut out the world and get lost in your own world via premium sound, Sony WF-1000XM3 is an excellent option to consider.
This Sony headphone has applaudable noise-canceling abilities, meaning you get to hear every tune, note, word, and lyric with extraordinary clarity regardless of your noisy environment.
The Sony WF-1000XM3 has microphones that aid sound isolation and give room for hands-free phone calls.
Durability
Although the Sony WF-1000XM3 comes with a one-year warranty, it doesn’t necessarily mean it has a 1-year lifespan. This magnificent headphone can last you for a long time if properly maintained.
Design
The Sony WF-1000XM3 has a stylish, compact design that has turned the heads of fashion lovers over the years.
Its sophisticated appearance and pill-like shape are beautiful to behold. Furthermore, it comes with three contact points that aid pressure distribution across the ear.
Each earbud only weighs about 8.5 grams, meaning that they are lightweight and can be moved from place to place with ease. No inconveniences!
As you would expect from the reputable Sony brand, providing superior comfort to each user is the top priority.
Little wonder why the Sony WF-1000XM3 offers you the opportunity to find the perfect fit for your ear from a wide selection of pads.
At a glance, you can tell that this headphone is best suited for office use or long trips.
Although you can use it for workouts, it isn’t the best fit, especially if you sweat excessively. The Sony WF-1000XM3 was not designed to effectively handle sweat or excess moisture.
Sound Quality
● Balanced sound
● Commendable sharpness
The Sony WF-1000XM3’s effective noise cancellation feature enhances the incredible quality of sound this headphone offers you.
The bass is deep and punchy, making it the perfect fit for all musical genres. This is because they breathe life into every music.
The mids are excellent. They might be a bit loud. Nonetheless, it doesn’t change the fact that the vocals and instruments sound impressive. And what’s more, they are also precise and textured.
The treble sounds like perfection. They have a flat response but offer incredible clarity and sharpness. Cymbals, finger snaps; you name it, the treble gives you the immersive sound experience you deserve.
The maximum volume is quite loud. However, thanks to the effective noise isolation and cancellation, you may not always have to turn the volume up to 50%.
The Sony WF-1000XM3 may not be the loudest in-ear headphones on the market, but they sure do a great job.
Noise Cancellation
The Sony WF-1000XM3 noise cancellation feature is worth applauding, as it offers up to 24 hours of noise-free listening.
It shuts out every distracting or unwanted surrounding sound, including noise from air conditioners, refrigerator compressors, car engines, etc. This enables you to enjoy good music and favorite movies in any noisy environment.
The noise cancellation in this Sony headphone is enhanced by the built-in Sony proprietary HD Noise Cancelling Processor (QN1e), which performs the 24-bit conversion and other associated calculations.
Autonomy
● Good autonomy
● Fast charge
It’s worth emphasizing that the headphones have an impressive battery life of 6 hours while also offering effective noise cancellation.
Furthermore, turning off the ANC or noise-canceling feature can give you an additional 2 hours of battery life.
You can use USB-C to charge the box, as it does not have wireless charging. With only 10 minutes of swift charging, you can get up to 90 minutes of reliable play time.
Pros and Cons of the Sony WF-1000XM
Pros
● Sound quality
● Passive isolation
● Unparalleled noise cancellation ability
● 10 minutes quick charge for 90 minutes play time
● Proximity sensor
● Build quality, understated design
● Excellent comfort and support
● Stable Bluetooth connection
● Excellent autonomy (6 h 30 min on a charge with noise reduction)
● Customizable controls
Cons
● It may not be comfortable for everyone
● Doesn’t support aptX or LDAC
● Zero sweat resistance
● Doesn’t support volume control via headphone
Final Thoughts
The Sony WF-1000XM3’s standout qualities may be its excellent sound quality and effective noise cancellation. However, it offers so much more, as we have shown you.
You will barely find any audio accessory on the market with the Sony WF-1000XM3’s offering at such an unbelievable price.
The main downside to all the shades of awesomeness the Sony WF-1000XM3 promises is its zero sweat resistance.
This means it isn’t cut out for workout or gym activities. That said, you can always use them while at work or during your long travels, as it is compatible with any mobile device or Personal Computer (PC).
If you crave a clear, crisp, and immersive sound experience while on the move or at work, look no further than Sony WF-1000XM3.