Sony - WF-1000XM3

I've recently been using the Airpod Pros as my go-to walking around earbuds. The sound is great and the noise cancelling is also phenomenal, but I've been recently getting distracted with them. I struggle with streaks of dissociation, and even in the "Transparent" modes I get too lost with music playing. I'm not sure if it's the way that they plug my ears or whatnot, but I used to rock the WF-1000XM3s and I always felt present (even with noise canceling). Am I bugging or is this a real phenomenon? Are there other earbuds (or maybe super portable headphones) that would make me feel a little more present?

I have the Sony wfxm3 and that case is pretty big, but this looks even bigger

I have the same, also, in their 5th year. Although the battery in my case kind of died a few months back, I thought I would need to replace them, but I ended up finding an ifixit guide and replace the batteries instead. It wasn't super easy, because it involved soldering, but I managed to do it, and I am super happy, I didn't have to throw them out.

I also own the WH1000XM3 headphones, also in their 5th year. I only needed to replace the cushion for them, which was super easy, but I use them in wired mode whenever I can.

I'll be honest. I agree with all your points. The case is so scratchy I gave up trying to protect mine. When my airpods pro 2 arrived, I wrap it right away in a dbrand skin. A couple months later when I wanted to use case instead of skin, I peel it and it's scratched. How it got scratched I have zero idea. Since then I treat the charging case like my phone case, it's there to protect my airpods not to get protected. Since 2017 alone, I've used OG Airpods, Airpods 2, Jabra Elite 65t, Sony WF XM3, Airpods Pro 1, Sony WF XM4, and now Airpods Pro 2. I know the pros and cons of those earbuds because I don't just try them and return them to shop. In most cases, I wear them for months until they either break or lost. And of all those earbuds, my favorite is still Airpods Pro 2. I know it doesn't have custom EQ. I know it doesn't have custom EQ and it's not the cheapest or best sounding or best looking, or the one with the longest battery life. But I preferred it because of one thing. Comfort In terms of ergonomic, Airpods Pro 2 is perfect for me. And that is what made me worry about Airpods Pro 3. I wanted to try them to see if it would be as comfortable as the Pro 2 because if they aren't then I'm gonna have to buy the late batch Pro 2 that would hopefully last me another 3 years until the Pro 4 came out. When I wear my Pro 2 with transparency mode, sometimes I simply forgot that they're there. Discussions about Pro 3 seemed to be centered around their improved ANC, or polarizing sound signature. But I honestly don't care about those. I need ANC that's just enough to drown my gym poor taste in music when I'm exercising. If I need stronger ANC for flight, I'd take my Sonos Ace. And I don't care about sound quality because I hardly listen to any music. I use my airpods to either watch something, listen to podcast, or ambient sound when I'm working, so as long as it doesn't sound like a $10 earbud, I'm good. The increased battery life got me hyped because I always want my airpods pro to last an entire work day. But the issue of comfort really got me worried. More and more reviewers are coming out to say that they are not as comfortable as the Pro 2 and that really got me worried.

Ayyyy just commented the same. I have some WF1000XM3s as well but in ears end up hurting after a while. Ill stick to my XM5s that I can stick on ambient and hear the baby monitor thank you

I use my WH1000XM5's most of the time. A great pair of noise cancelling over ear headphones. I also have a paid of WF1000XM3's which are the two versions back in ear sonys. They're great but in ear earphones end up hurting after a couple hours

I second the XMs. I have 3s that have lasted me years.

Definitely not Sony Wf-XM3, XM4, XM5. - worst mic pickup ever!!!11!!!!

over ears are almost always going to do better ANC. i've had both versions of the xm3 (ear bud and over ear) and have the airpods pro 2.

I had the xm3 and apart from sound quality I didn't like them much. Couldn't find an eartip that works, couldn't run with them, big and heavy, kept falling out of my ears. After about 3 years the battery would be gone after >10 minutes of use as well.

The Sony WF-1000XM3s and XM4s both have replaceable batteries in the headphones and, having used both the XM3s and Airpods Pros, sound better. Way less convenient to carry around, and way uglier, but my XM3s are still kicking after 4 years while the batteries in my 2 year old airpods seem to be looking for a bucket to kick. The XM5s, however, have ditched the replaceable batteries