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 is the level of protection offered by a casing, against dust and water. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value of the IP rating means protection against solids such as dust, while the second refers to resistance against liquids (sweat).

Scoring IPX4, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s rating for solids indicates that no data available to specify a protection rating, and the second value of 4 means that they can withstand low pressure spray similar to that of a shower head when tilted at 180° for 10 minutes. In comparison 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 The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a weight of 8.56g . We take in account a lower weight best for the reason that lighter devices are more comfortable to move with.

The Sony WF C500, at 10.8g are heavier than the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by of 2.24g True wireless devices have no wires linking any part of the device together, Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are true wireless for this matter since they have no wires. This is an important distinction as some wireless earbuds have cables connecting the 2 earbuds together. Sony WF C500 also is true wireless because it doesn't have wires connecting the two earbuds . Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are resistant to sweat Sony WF C500's resistance to sweat makes both devices good for use during long-distance running, marathons, cardio sweat workouts , etc Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have stereo speakers, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from separate channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience.

The Sony WF C500 also have stereo speakers ANC uses more advanced technology to reduce ambient sounds. ANC works when, it listens to the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and then inverts the soundwaves to cancel it out. Simply put, it's like having +1 (noise) then producing -1 (counter sound by the device) to make 0 therefore "diluting" the noise.



Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have ANC enabling you to listen at lower levels of volume, good for your ears as you don't have to crank up the earbuds volume to outcompete background noise. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) stay tightly in place, creating an acoustic covering that tones down your environment noise well as preventing the device voice audio from leaking out at the same. Both of these devices have passive noise reduction this means that both reduce ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out.

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a unit size of 11mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, therefor producing better bass. A driver unit is basically a mini speaker that makes sound in the device, its size dictates the sound made by the earbuds. 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 , many people have a misconception that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.



However, large drivers find it difficult to produce high frequencies so it's true that, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not indicate that they deliver better quality sound. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 10Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well an audio device generates low frequencies that can be heard, and if it makes any changes to the signal while at it. Sony WF C500's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this means that Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) can make sound with a juicier bass than the Sony WF C500 Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response measures if and how well an audio device generates high human frequencies and if it makes any adjustments 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 The 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 commonly given by the manufacturer, and with longer battery life, 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 device, they get a little less listening time.

The effect is not noticeable at first, but over a few years, your wireless earbuds will no longer play for long like they used to. The battery life of the charging case is given by the manufacturer, and the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s case is said to have a charge of 30 hours. A charging case with more battery hours enables you to recharge your earbuds on the go many times before having to recharge 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 highly adivsable to charge fully the battery before using the earbuds when they have been in storage for long periods. 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 earbuds, you just put down on a compatible charging pad. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a battery level indicator, an indicator notifies you when the device has a low battery. Its lights show the charging status of your earbuds and charging case.

Sony WF C500 too have a battery level indicator, these enable you to determine the charging state of your earbuds, whether fully charged, or the battery is running low. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have Bluetooth version of 5, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows 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 to connect 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 used for Bluetooth audio. It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps.

Since 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 iPad. If you intend 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.

While 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 earbuds to filter out noise. Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) use a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are designed to reduce background sounds from the desired sound. The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when removed from your ears so that the music is paused.

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

The Sony WF C500 support fast charging. It's very 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 30 minutes.

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support multipoint of 2 connections, the multipoint feature allows you connect to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. For example, you can seemlessly switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect. 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 can turn off the device's microphone, but you can still hear the other party's voice. With the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the earbuds.

Sony WF C500 too have a control panel on them. The 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 in the case of a malfunction.

Sony WF C500 have a warranty period of 1Years, equal to that of the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) . The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support voice prompts. Automatically receive information via audio messages, say if there is an issue with the connection. The Sony WF C500 too have voice prompts meaning the earbuds will notify you if the battery is low, and you need to recharge the earbuds.

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) come with their own special case. Carrying earbuds without a case, or putting them in your pockets without a cover can easily damage them. Sony WF C500 also have a case included, which is useful for safe transportation.

kinsta kinsta