Short answer: the Sony WH-1000XM5, if you are buying new, though neither ranks well in its class. The Beats Studio3 Wireless ranks higher than it (#117 vs #121 of 134 over-ear headphones, 2.7/5 vs 2.6/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Sony WH-1000XM5 is still sold new at $269. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 134 over-ear headphones; for better sound, the HIFIMAN Ananda Nano ranks #3 at $319.
Why pick the Beats Studio3 Wireless: It combines Bluetooth with SBC and AAC, active noise cancelling and a built-in microphone, with about 22 hours of battery life with ANC on and up to 40 hours without. The tradeoff: The low mids run about 3.6 dB over target, which thickens male vocals and can make the sound muddy, while presence from 3 to 6 kHz is about 3 dB low and a dip of about 8 dB near 4.8 kHz softens detail.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is the longer-running pick. It offers active noise cancelling, Bluetooth 5.2 with SBC, AAC and LDAC for high-resolution streaming, a built-in microphone, and about 30 hours of battery life. It is rated for 30 hours of battery against 22 for the Beats Studio3 Wireless. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the Beats Studio3 Wireless lacks. The catch: Bass sits about 7 dB over target and sub-bass about 6 dB over, with the low mids another 3 dB over, so the sound is bloated and bass-heavy for anyone wanting a balanced presentation.
Buy the Sony WH-1000XM5 new; the Beats Studio3 Wireless is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Beats Studio3 Wireless | Sony WH-1000XM5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $286.49 Discontinued | $269.00 |
| Ranked | #117 of 134 in Over-Ear Headphones | #121 of 134 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 53 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 50 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.30 dB standard deviation | 3.33 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.30 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.47 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wireless and wired | Wireless and wired |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Impedance | 32 ohms | 48 ohms |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (260 g) | 0.6 lbs (250 g) |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 4Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 22 hours (40 without ANC, Manufacturer specified) | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Driver Type | - | Dynamic |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 30mm dynamic |
| Sensitivity | - | 102 dB/mW |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.2 |
| IP Rating | - | None |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Beats Studio3 Wireless:
- Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 vs Beats Studio3 Wireless
- Sennheiser HD 598 CS vs Beats Studio3 Wireless
- Beats Studio3 Wireless vs Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2
- Beats Studio3 Wireless vs Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e
- Beats Studio3 Wireless vs Logitech G930
Prices on this page were last checked October 10, 2026 at 5:37 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Headphones In Full
Beats Studio3 Wireless: $286.49 Discontinued Amazon eBay
Pros: It combines Bluetooth with SBC and AAC, active noise cancelling and a built-in microphone, with about 22 hours of battery life with ANC on and up to 40 hours without. A 260 g weight and a wired option make it flexible for commuting. Bass between 60 and 200 Hz is about 3 dB above target, which gives a warm, punchy sound for pop and hip hop.
Cons: The low mids run about 3.6 dB over target, which thickens male vocals and can make the sound muddy, while presence from 3 to 6 kHz is about 3 dB low and a dip of about 8 dB near 4.8 kHz softens detail. A peak of nearly 7 dB near 11.9 kHz adds a sharp edge to the top end. The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 has an equal rating at a lower price. Discontinued.
Full Beats Studio3 Wireless review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes |
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 22 hours (40 without ANC, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wireless and wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.30 dB standard deviation |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 53 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.30 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (260 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.9 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +7.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 327 Hz | -5.9 dB | 1.56 |
| Peak | 5,209 Hz | +6.7 dB | 2.64 |
| Peak | 68 Hz | -8.1 dB | 0.78 |
| Peak | 1,978 Hz | +4.3 dB | 2.19 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,257 Hz | -1.9 dB | 4.42 |
| Peak | 666 Hz | +1.5 dB | 2.52 |
| Peak | 6,665 Hz | +1.5 dB | 3.92 |
| Peak | 428 Hz | -1.1 dB | 4.35 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sony WH-1000XM5: $269.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: It offers active noise cancelling, Bluetooth 5.2 with SBC, AAC and LDAC for high-resolution streaming, a built-in microphone, and about 30 hours of battery life. At 250 g it is lighter than the other wireless over-ears at its level. Presence and treble are within about 3 dB of target, and the largest deviation in the upper range is a modest 4.6 dB peak near 6.2 kHz, so the top end is relatively smooth.
Cons: Bass sits about 7 dB over target and sub-bass about 6 dB over, with the low mids another 3 dB over, so the sound is bloated and bass-heavy for anyone wanting a balanced presentation. A 3.6 dB dip near 2.3 kHz pulls back vocals slightly, while air above 10 kHz is about 2 dB low. It has no IP rating for water or dust protection. The Beats Studio3 Wireless has a higher rating.
Full Sony WH-1000XM5 review and specifications →
| Released | May 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes |
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wireless and wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.33 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 30mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 4Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 50 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| IP Rating | None |
| Impedance | 48 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB/mW |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.47 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (250 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.2 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | -3.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 2,448 Hz | +6.9 dB | 2.46 |
| Peak | 173 Hz | -5.6 dB | 0.96 |
| Peak | 3,028 Hz | -5.4 dB | 2.03 |
| Peak | 1,327 Hz | +3.3 dB | 0.58 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +4.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 6,110 Hz | -2.3 dB | 5.81 |
| Peak | 875 Hz | -1.2 dB | 4.07 |
| Peak | 1,197 Hz | +1.0 dB | 3.28 |
| Peak | 63 Hz | +0.4 dB | 2.13 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons