Between the AirPods Pro 3 and WH-1000XM6, the AirPods Pro 3 comes out ahead in several specs, while the WH-1000XM6 wins on driver size and multipoint. Overall, the AirPods Pro 3 scores 69.5 and the WH-1000XM6 scores 60.5 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The AirPods Pro 3 is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 9.0 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
The AirPods Pro 3 doesn't pull ahead on any single popular-comparison spec — its strengths sit in the spec table groups rather than the headline advantages.
Pick the WH-1000XM6 if audio quality and feature breadth (ANC, codecs, multipoint) are the lead criteria for your purchase. Its strongest claims are driver size, multipoint.
Both ship with comparable active noise cancellation, spatial audio, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the AirPods Pro 3 is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Apple - AirPods Pro 3 wins
- No decisive advantages.
Why Sony - WH-1000XM6 wins
- ▲Driver size — 172.73% more. 30 mm vs 11 mm.
- ▲Has Multipoint.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Pro 3 | Sony - WH-1000XM6 |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | in-ear | — |
| Weight per bud | 5.3 g | — |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IP57 | — |
Audio
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Pro 3 | Sony - WH-1000XM6 |
|---|---|---|
| Driver sizeⓘ | 11 mm | 30 mmlead |
| Active noise cancellationⓘ | true | true |
| Transparency mode | true | true |
| Spatial audioⓘ | true | true |
Battery
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Pro 3 | Sony - WH-1000XM6 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery — buds | 8 h | — |
| Battery — with case | 30 h | — |
| Wireless case chargingⓘ | true | — |
Connectivity
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Pro 3 | Sony - WH-1000XM6 |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetoothⓘ | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Codecs | AAC,SBC | — |
| Multipointⓘ | false | truelead |
| In-ear detection | true | — |
Frequently asked
Do AirPods Pro 3 or WH-1000XM6 support multipoint?+
WH-1000XM6 supports multipoint; AirPods Pro 3 does not.
Which has ANC, AirPods Pro 3 or WH-1000XM6?+
Both have active noise cancellation.
Spec-level deep dives
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