Head-to-head

Sony WH-CH720N vs Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods Pro 3

Sony WH-CH720N

8.6 $102

Sony WH-1000XM6

9.5 $398

Apple AirPods Pro 3

9.3 $199.99

Verdict

Sony WH-CH720N

The budget ANC pick that doesn't feel like a downgrade. For around $100 you get light over-ears, useful noise canceling, and a 35-hour battery. Switch off the boomy default EQ and it balances out. It won't silence a jet, but the value is hard to beat.

Sony WH-1000XM6

Still the pair to beat for silence. The XM6 top the field on noise cancellation, take calls cleanly, and last 30 hours. Sound is a refinement of the XM5, not a leap, and the build feels plasticky for $400, but for travel and focus nothing tops them.

Apple AirPods Pro

If you have an iPhone, just buy these. The Pro 3 leap past the Pro 2 on noise canceling, fit more ears with new foam tips, and add a heart-rate sensor and a hearing test, all with effortless Apple switching. Audiophiles may prefer something more neutral.

Best for

Sony WH-CH720N

Budget shoppers who want solid noise cancellation and light comfort without paying flagship prices.

Sony WH-1000XM6

Travelers and focused workers who want class-leading noise cancellation and all-day over-ear comfort.

Apple AirPods Pro

iPhone users who want excellent noise cancellation in a pocketable case with seamless switching across Apple devices.

Avoid if

Sony WH-CH720N

You want best-in-class noise cancellation, premium materials, or the longest possible battery life.

Sony WH-1000XM6

You want the most pocketable earbuds, or you mainly need open-ear awareness while running or cycling.

Apple AirPods Pro

You're mainly on Android or Windows and want full features, or you prefer over-ear comfort and longer battery life.

Score breakdown

value

Sony WH-CH

9.3

Sony WH-10

8.3

Apple AirP

8.5

mic calls

Sony WH-CH

7.5

Sony WH-10

9.0

Apple AirP

9.2

comfort fit

Sony WH-CH

8.0

Sony WH-10

9.0

Apple AirP

8.8

noise control

Sony WH-CH

7.5

Sony WH-10

9.5

Apple AirP

9.0

sound quality

Sony WH-CH

7.5

Sony WH-10

9.0

Apple AirP

8.5

battery features

Sony WH-CH

8.5

Sony WH-10

9.0

Apple AirP

8.0

Specs

anc

Active noise cancellation (good for the price)

Adaptive hybrid ANC with Sony's HD noise-cancelling processor

Active Noise Cancellation + Adaptive Transparency (improved over Pro 2)

type

Over-ear closed-back wireless (ANC)

Over-ear closed-back wireless

In-ear true wireless (ANC)

build

Plastic; no case, does not fold flat

—

weight

~192 g

—

battery

Up to 35 hours; USB-C

Up to 30 hours with ANC; USB-C quick charge

Up to ~8 hours with ANC; USB-C / Qi charging case

features

DSEE upscaling, Sony Headphones app EQ

10-band EQ, 360 Reality Audio, speak-to-chat, replaceable earpads

Live Translation (Apple-Intelligence iPhone required), spatial audio with head tracking

connectivity

Bluetooth multipoint

—

codecs

—

SBC, AAC, LDAC

—

colors

—

Black, Midnight Blue, Sand Pink, Platinum Silver

—

drivers

—

30 mm dynamic

—

fit

—

Foam-infused silicone tips, 5 sizes (XXS-L)

health

—

In-ear heart-rate sensor, hearing test, hearing-aid and hearing-protection modes

ecosystem

—

Best with iPhone and Apple devices

Buy →Buy →Buy →

	Sony WH-CH720N	Sony WH-1000XM6	Apple AirPods Pro 3
Score	8.6	9.5	9.3
Price	$102	$398	$199.99
Verdict	The budget ANC pick that doesn't feel like a downgrade. For around $100 you get light over-ears, useful noise canceling, and a 35-hour battery. Switch off the boomy default EQ and it balances out. It won't silence a jet, but the value is hard to beat.	Still the pair to beat for silence. The XM6 top the field on noise cancellation, take calls cleanly, and last 30 hours. Sound is a refinement of the XM5, not a leap, and the build feels plasticky for $400, but for travel and focus nothing tops them.	If you have an iPhone, just buy these. The Pro 3 leap past the Pro 2 on noise canceling, fit more ears with new foam tips, and add a heart-rate sensor and a hearing test, all with effortless Apple switching. Audiophiles may prefer something more neutral.
Best for	Budget shoppers who want solid noise cancellation and light comfort without paying flagship prices.	Travelers and focused workers who want class-leading noise cancellation and all-day over-ear comfort.	iPhone users who want excellent noise cancellation in a pocketable case with seamless switching across Apple devices.
Avoid if	You want best-in-class noise cancellation, premium materials, or the longest possible battery life.	You want the most pocketable earbuds, or you mainly need open-ear awareness while running or cycling.	You're mainly on Android or Windows and want full features, or you prefer over-ear comfort and longer battery life.
Score breakdown
value	9.3	8.3	8.5
mic calls	7.5	9.0	9.2
comfort fit	8.0	9.0	8.8
noise control	7.5	9.5	9.0
sound quality	7.5	9.0	8.5
battery features	8.5	9.0	8.0
Specs
anc	Active noise cancellation (good for the price)	Adaptive hybrid ANC with Sony's HD noise-cancelling processor	Active Noise Cancellation + Adaptive Transparency (improved over Pro 2)
type	Over-ear closed-back wireless (ANC)	Over-ear closed-back wireless	In-ear true wireless (ANC)
build	Plastic; no case, does not fold flat	—	—
weight	~192 g	—	—
battery	Up to 35 hours; USB-C	Up to 30 hours with ANC; USB-C quick charge	Up to ~8 hours with ANC; USB-C / Qi charging case
features	DSEE upscaling, Sony Headphones app EQ	10-band EQ, 360 Reality Audio, speak-to-chat, replaceable earpads	Live Translation (Apple-Intelligence iPhone required), spatial audio with head tracking
connectivity	Bluetooth multipoint	Bluetooth multipoint	—
codecs	—	SBC, AAC, LDAC	—
colors	—	Black, Midnight Blue, Sand Pink, Platinum Silver	—
drivers	—	30 mm dynamic	—
fit	—	—	Foam-infused silicone tips, 5 sizes (XXS-L)
health	—	—	In-ear heart-rate sensor, hearing test, hearing-aid and hearing-protection modes
ecosystem	—	—	Best with iPhone and Apple devices
	Buy →	Buy →	Buy →

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