Head-to-head

Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Sennheiser HD 660S2

Apple AirPods Pro 3

9.3 $199.99

Sony WH-1000XM6

9.5 $398

Sennheiser HD 660S2

8.9 $407.89

Verdict

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.

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.

Sennheiser HD 660S

Sound first, everything else a distant second. The HD 660S2 deliver the classic Sennheiser midrange, smooth, spacious, and easy on the ears for hours. The catch is everything else: no isolation, no wireless, no ANC, and they want a headphone amp to open up.

Best for

Apple AirPods Pro

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

Sony WH-1000XM6

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

Sennheiser HD 660S

At-home listeners who want spacious, detailed open-back sound and are willing to pair it with a headphone amp.

Avoid if

Apple AirPods Pro

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

Sony WH-1000XM6

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

Sennheiser HD 660S

You need noise isolation, portability, wireless, or a built-in mic — open-back headphones leak sound both ways.

Score breakdown

value

Apple AirP

8.5

Sony WH-10

8.3

Sennheiser

8.0

mic calls

Apple AirP

9.2

Sony WH-10

9.0

Sennheiser

1.0

comfort fit

Apple AirP

8.8

Sony WH-10

9.0

Sennheiser

9.0

noise control

Apple AirP

9.0

Sony WH-10

9.5

Sennheiser

2.0

sound quality

Apple AirP

8.5

Sony WH-10

9.0

Sennheiser

9.6

battery features

Apple AirP

8.0

Sony WH-10

9.0

Sennheiser

2.5

Specs

anc

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

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

—

fit

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

—

type

In-ear true wireless (ANC)

Over-ear closed-back wireless

Open-back wired over-ear

health

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

—

battery

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

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

—

features

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

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

None (no wireless/ANC) - tuned purely for sound

ecosystem

Best with iPhone and Apple devices

—

codecs

—

SBC, AAC, LDAC

—

colors

—

Black, Midnight Blue, Sand Pink, Platinum Silver

—

drivers

—

30 mm dynamic

—

connectivity

—

Bluetooth multipoint

—

cables

—

Balanced 4.4 mm + unbalanced 6.35 mm, plus 3.5 mm adapter

driver

—

38 mm dynamic transducer, aluminum voice coil

best use

—

Home and studio listening

impedance

—

300 ohms (benefits from a headphone amp)

isolation

—

None - open-back leaks sound both ways

Buy →Buy →Buy →

	Apple AirPods Pro 3	Sony WH-1000XM6	Sennheiser HD 660S2
Score	9.3	9.5	8.9
Price	$199.99	$398	$407.89
Verdict	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.	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.	Sound first, everything else a distant second. The HD 660S2 deliver the classic Sennheiser midrange, smooth, spacious, and easy on the ears for hours. The catch is everything else: no isolation, no wireless, no ANC, and they want a headphone amp to open up.
Best for	iPhone users who want excellent noise cancellation in a pocketable case with seamless switching across Apple devices.	Travelers and focused workers who want class-leading noise cancellation and all-day over-ear comfort.	At-home listeners who want spacious, detailed open-back sound and are willing to pair it with a headphone amp.
Avoid if	You're mainly on Android or Windows and want full features, or you prefer over-ear comfort and longer battery life.	You want the most pocketable earbuds, or you mainly need open-ear awareness while running or cycling.	You need noise isolation, portability, wireless, or a built-in mic — open-back headphones leak sound both ways.
Score breakdown
value	8.5	8.3	8.0
mic calls	9.2	9.0	1.0
comfort fit	8.8	9.0	9.0
noise control	9.0	9.5	2.0
sound quality	8.5	9.0	9.6
battery features	8.0	9.0	2.5
Specs
anc	Active Noise Cancellation + Adaptive Transparency (improved over Pro 2)	Adaptive hybrid ANC with Sony's HD noise-cancelling processor	—
fit	Foam-infused silicone tips, 5 sizes (XXS-L)	—	—
type	In-ear true wireless (ANC)	Over-ear closed-back wireless	Open-back wired over-ear
health	In-ear heart-rate sensor, hearing test, hearing-aid and hearing-protection modes	—	—
battery	Up to ~8 hours with ANC; USB-C / Qi charging case	Up to 30 hours with ANC; USB-C quick charge	—
features	Live Translation (Apple-Intelligence iPhone required), spatial audio with head tracking	10-band EQ, 360 Reality Audio, speak-to-chat, replaceable earpads	None (no wireless/ANC) - tuned purely for sound
ecosystem	Best with iPhone and Apple devices	—	—
codecs	—	SBC, AAC, LDAC	—
colors	—	Black, Midnight Blue, Sand Pink, Platinum Silver	—
drivers	—	30 mm dynamic	—
connectivity	—	Bluetooth multipoint	—
cables	—	—	Balanced 4.4 mm + unbalanced 6.35 mm, plus 3.5 mm adapter
driver	—	—	38 mm dynamic transducer, aluminum voice coil
best use	—	—	Home and studio listening
impedance	—	—	300 ohms (benefits from a headphone amp)
isolation	—	—	None - open-back leaks sound both ways
	Buy →	Buy →	Buy →

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