Sony's ruffled some feathers in the world of noise cancelling headphones with its latest top model, the WH-1000XM3, and now the company has shrunk the same tech to create a pair of wireless earbuds called the WF-1000XM3.

Barring the inexplicably similar name, the new buds are very different from the WH-1000XM3, which are classic over-the-ear cans. The WF-1000XM3 are smallish earbuds which are truly wireless and come with an AirPods-style charging case.

But the two models share a very important feature: They both have Sony's QN1e HD noise cancelling chip, which has shown to be very good at blocking outside noise. It works together with two built-in microphones, which catch the ambient sounds around you, which the processor then cancels out with an inverted sound wave.

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With noise cancelling and Bluetooth turned on, the WF-1000XM3 earbuds offer six hours of battery life, but that can be extended to 24 hours thanks to the extra three charges from the battery case.

Six hours of battery life becomes 24 thanks to the battery case.Credit: Sony

The buds also have a proximity sensor that will automatically stop playback once you remove one bud from your ear, as well as touch controls for noise-cancelling and playback.

Hit play or block it all out with a tap in the ear.Credit: SONY

Sony says the WF-1000XM3s will arrive this August for $230. They will be available in silver and black.

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TopicsEarbuds