Home Wireless Earbuds Apple Airpods (3Rd Gen) Vs. Sony Wf C500

Apple Airpods (3Rd Gen) Vs. Sony Wf C500 Review

Last updated on Aug 18, 2024   14 minute read
Note: This page may contain affiliate links, we only earn from qualifying purchases!
Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)

See price on Amazon

Reasons why you might like the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)

Overall Score 7.3 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating of IPX4
  • Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)
  • Battery Life of 6 hours
  • Number Of Microphones of 6 only
VS
Sony WF C500

Sony WF C500

See price on Amazon

Reasons why you might like the Sony WF C500

Overall Score 6 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating of IPX4
  • Battery Life of 10 hours
  • Has Usb Type-C
  • Number Of Microphones of 2 only

Apple Airpods (3Rd Gen) Vs. Sony Wf C500 Review In Summary

Category Features Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) Sony WF C500
DESIGN ingress protection (ip) rating IPX4 IPX4
weight 8.56g 10.8g
has no wires or cables
sweat resistance
has stereo speakers
SOUND QUALITY has active noise cancellation (noise control)
has passive noise reduction
driver unit size 11mm 5.8mm
lowest frequency 10Hz 20Hz
highest frequency 20,000Hz 20,000Hz
POWER battery life 6hours 10hours
battery life of charging case 30hours 10hours
charge time 0.3hours 2.5hours
has wireless charging
has a battery level indicator
CONNECTIVITY has usb type-c
bluetooth version v5 v5
maximum bluetooth range 10meters 9meters
has aac
MICROPHONE number of microphones 6only 2only
has a noise-canceling microphone
EXTRAS has in/on-ear detection
has find earbuds feature
supports fast charging
multipoint count 2only
has a mute function
control panel placed on a device
warranty period 1Years 1Years
has voice prompts
travel bag is included
See price on Amazon See price on Amazon

IP ratings refer to the rank of protection given by a casing, against solids and water. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value refers to protection against solids say dust, while the second refers to resistance against liquids (sweat).

Having a value of IPX4, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s rating for solids indicates that no data available to specify a protection rating, and of liquids that they can withstand low pressure spray similar to that of a shower head when tilted at 180° for 10 minutes. Compared to the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), Sony WF C500 have a rating of IPX4 meaning that we are not yet certain of their rating with solids (dust) and that of liquids is that, they both have the same rating against liquids Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a weight of 8.56g . We consider a lower weight best because lighter devices are easier to carry.

Sony WF C500, at 10.8g are heavier than the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by of 2.24g For a device to be true wireless it must have no cables linking any part of the device together, Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are true wireless for this matter since they have no cables. This is a major distinction since wireless earbuds have cables linking the pair of earbuds together. Sony WF C500 also is true wireless because it has no cables connecting the two earbuds together.

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have sweat resistance Sony WF C500's resistance to sweat makes both devices good for use while doing sports such as long-distance running, marathons, cardio sweat workouts , etc Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have stereo speakers, what this means is that Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience. Both Sony WF C500 and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have stereo speakers Active noise cancellation utilises advanced kind of tech to reduce unwanted ambient sounds. ANC works when, it detects and analyzes the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and generates a mirror signal to counter it.

In simple terms, it's like having +1 (noise) and adding -1 (inverted noise) to make 0 which results in a reduced level of noise.

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have ANC enabling you to listen at lower levels of volume, causing less ear fatigue as you don't have to crank up the earbuds volume to overcome background sounds. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) sit tightly in place, this creates an acoustic covering that reduces your environment sounds and also prevents the earbuds music from leaking out . Both of these devices have passive noise reduction this implies that both reduce ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out.

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a unit size of 11mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, and can produce better bass. A driver unit is basically a mini speaker that makes sound in the device, the unit size determines the sound produced by the device. Sony WF C500 driver unit is 5.8mm in diameter, which implies that they have a smaller driver unit than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 5.2mm , as many tend to believe that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.



However, large drivers usually have difficulty producing high frequencies so it's true that, larger drivers can generate louder sound, but this does not indicate that they deliver better quality sound. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 10Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well a particular audio device generates low frequencies that can be heard, and if it alters the signal on its way through. Sony WF C500's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this implies that Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) can make sound with a juicier bass than the Sony WF C500 The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio device produces high recognizable frequencies and if it changes to the signal on its way through.

Sony WF C500's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this means that both devices generate equal treble Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s battery life is 6 hours, these last longer than 5 hours of listening which is considered average for a single charge. A device's battery life is usually given by the manufacturer, and with more battery hours, you get to use it for longer and requires fewer chargings. Sony WF C500's battery life is more than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 4 hours . Every time you recharge your earbuds, they get a little less listening time.

The effect is barely noticeable at first, but over time, your wireless earbuds will no longer play for long like they used to. This is given by the vendor, and the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s case is said to have a full charge of 30 hours. A charging case with more battery hours enables you to recharge your earbuds on the go many times before recharging the case itself.

Sony WF C500's charging case has a battery life of 10 hours, less than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 20 hours It takes 0.3 hours to fully charge the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s battery. It is recommended to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds for the first time. Sony WF C500 takes 2.5 hours to fully charge the battery, more than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 2.2 hours Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), the device supports wireless charging.

To charge the device, you just place down on a supported charging pad. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a battery level indicator, an indicator shows you when the device has a low battery. The battery indicator lights indicate the charging state of your device and charging case.

Sony WF C500 too have a battery level indicator, these allow you to tell the charging state of your device, if charged fully, or the battery is running low. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have Bluetooth version of 5, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that enables data movement between devices placed in range, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves. Sony WF C500 has a Bluetooth version of 5, equal to that of the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) . Newer versions provide faster data transfers.

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a 10meters distance connecting via Bluetooth. Sony WF C500 have a maximum range of 9meters, less than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 1meters Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support AAC, a codec that is used for Bluetooth audio. It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps.

Because it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it can provide better results than other codecs at a similar bit rate.

Since its the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) will work fine with your iPhone. If you are planning on using these with Android you need to pay even closer attention to codec support for if they only have AAC they won't provide the best audio quality possible, ensure that they also support aptX HD, LDAC, or LHDC as well.

The Sony WF C500 support AAC as well. Designed to be the successor of the MP3 format, AAC generally achieves higher sound quality than MP3 encoders at the same bit rate. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have 6 microphones.

The Sony WF C500 microphones are 2, less than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 4 . More microphones result in better sound quality and enable the device to filter out noise. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) use a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are made to filter out noise from the earbuds' sound. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when removed from your ears so that the music is paused.

When lost in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support the find earbuds feature. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support fast charging. Most often, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to reduce the time it takes to charge a device.

Sony WF C500 too support fast charging. This kind is similar to regular charging, just that the battery is filling up much faster. Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in just thirty minutes.

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a multipoint of 2 connections, the multipoint feature allows you connect to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. Say, you can easily switch calls from one device to another without manually disconnect and reconnect. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a mute function, they support the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds.

The Sony WF C500 also have this function. The mute function means that you are in position turn off the earbuds' microphone, but still hear the other party talk. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the earbuds.

The Sony WF C500 also have a control panel on them. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a warranty period of 1 Years, the period of time that warrant free repair and adjustment services in case of a malfunction occurring under normal use that has followed instruction manuals. When covered under the manufacturer’s warranty it is possible to get a replacement a malfunction occurs.

Sony WF C500 have a warranty period of 1Years, equal to that of the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) . Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have voice prompts. With voice prompts, you receive information through audio messages, like if there is an issue with the connection. Sony WF C500 also have voice prompts meaning the earbuds will notify you if the battery is running low, and you need to recharge the device.

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) come with a special pouch. Carrying earbuds openly, or putting them in your bag without a casing can easily put them at risk of getting damaged. Sony WF C500 also have a case included, which offers safe transportation.

kinsta kinsta