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Bowers & Wilkins P3 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price in UK: ~£180
Avg. price in US: ~$200
Form factor: on-ear
Connectivity: wired
Battery life: N/A hours
Active noise cancellation (ANC): no

Bowers & Wilkins P3 review. Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among headphones and if it is worth buying.

5.1

Good

5.1

Good

?

2.1
Gaming
Score components:
35.0%
0.0
Audio latency
25.0%
0.0
Low-latency game mode
20.0%
10
Can be used as a headset
12.0%
1.0
Noise-canceling microphone
8.0%
0.0
Battery life
1.6
Travel
Score components:
28.0%
1.0
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
24.0%
0.0
Battery life
18.0%
7.3
Weight
16.0%
0.0
Multipoint support
14.0%
0.0
Ambient sound mode
2.7
Calls
Score components:
28.0%
1.0
Noise-canceling microphone
24.0%
10
Can be used as a headset
18.0%
0.0
Multipoint support
16.0%
0.0
Battery life
14.0%
0.0
Companion app
4.3
Workout
Score components:
28.0%
7.3
Weight
24.0%
1.0
Water resistance
20.0%
4.0
IP rating
16.0%
0.0
Battery life
12.0%
10
Can be used as a headset

Best prices in UK

N/A~ £180

Best rankings

Verdict

The Bowers & Wilkins P3 is a premium, portable on-ear headphone featuring 30mm dynamic drivers with Mylar damped diaphragms and neodymium magnets, delivering a warm sound signature across a 10Hz to 20kHz frequency range. Weighing just 130g, these headphones utilize a foldable hinged design with aluminum and rubberized finishes, offering a low 34-ohm impedance ideal for mobile devices. Key advantages include its elegant aesthetic, high-quality memory foam earpads wrapped in acoustic fabric, and the inclusion of a rugged hardshell case alongside interchangeable cables for iOS and universal use. However, some users report a slightly muffled or 'dark' treble response, limited passive noise isolation, and potential sound leakage due to the on-ear design.

Technical Specifications of Bowers & Wilkins P3

Overall score

5.1

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?

Popularity

What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.

When it matters: When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.

Sound

4.9

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Active noise cancellation (ANC)

What it is: Reduces background noise using active technology

When it matters: When blocking office, travel, or aircraft noise is a priority.

Importance: HIGH

Driver type

What it is: Type of speaker driver technology used

When it matters: When the underlying sound character and driver technology matter to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

dynamic

Driver size

What it is: Diameter of the speaker driver unit

When it matters: When you want extra hardware context behind how the headphones may handle bass weight, scale, or overall presentation.

Importance: MEDIUM

Number of drivers

What it is: Total number of speaker drivers per earcup

When it matters: When multi-driver designs are part of your buying criteria.

Importance: LOW

Lowest frequency

What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce

When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=10 Hz

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Calls & Controls

4.7

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Noise-canceling microphone

What it is: Built-in microphone reduces background noise during calls

When it matters: When you take calls in busy spaces and want your voice to stay clearer.

Importance: MEDIUM

Can be used as a headset

What it is: Shows whether the headphones can handle voice chat and calls in addition to normal audio playback.

When it matters: When one pair needs to cover music, calls, meetings, and gaming chat.

Importance: MEDIUM

Number of microphones

What it is: Total number of built-in microphones

When it matters: When call pickup quality and beamforming support matter to you.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=2

Boom microphone

What it is: Includes detachable boom microphone for voice clarity

When it matters: When you need stronger voice clarity for gaming, streaming, or work calls.

Importance: LOW

Microphone SNR

What it is: Signal-to-noise ratio of the microphone

When it matters: When call clarity matters and you want your voice picked up more cleanly instead of buried in background hiss.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >80 dB

?

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Connectivity

6.2

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Connectivity

What it is: Available connection methods (wired, wireless, Bluetooth, etc.)

When it matters: When the headphones need to match how you listen across wired and wireless devices.

Importance: HIGH

Bluetooth version

What it is: Version of Bluetooth technology supported

When it matters: When wireless stability, efficiency, and feature support matter more than treating Bluetooth as a box-check spec.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5.0

N/A

Maximum Bluetooth range

What it is: Maximum wireless operating distance from source device

When it matters: When you move around rooms and want fewer dropouts from your source device.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=10 m

N/A

Audio latency

What it is: Delay between audio and video in wireless mode

When it matters: When you watch video or play games and need sound to stay in sync.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <60 ms

N/A

Multipoint support

What it is: Supports simultaneous connections to multiple devices

When it matters: When you switch often between a phone and a laptop during the day.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

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Features

4.1

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Ambient sound mode

What it is: Allows external sounds to pass through for awareness

When it matters: When you need to stay aware of traffic, voices, or announcements.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

EQ support

What it is: Allows customization of sound profile via equalizer

When it matters: When the stock tuning is not enough and you want to shape bass, mids, or treble to match your taste.

Importance: MEDIUM

Companion app

What it is: Dedicated mobile app for customization and updates

When it matters: When software customization, updates, and extra controls matter.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

Adjustable ANC levels

What it is: Allows adjustment of noise cancellation intensity levels

When it matters: When you move between quiet rooms, offices, streets, and public transport and do not want one ANC setting for every situation.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=4

N/A

Voice assistant support

What it is: Compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant

When it matters: When hands-free control is part of your daily routine.

Importance: LOW

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Battery

3.7

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Battery life

What it is: Playback time on a single charge

When it matters: When you commute, travel, or work long shifts and do not want charging breaks to interrupt listening.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >45 hours

N/A

Battery life with ANC

What it is: Playback time with active noise cancellation enabled

When it matters: When you plan to keep noise cancellation on for most of the day.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >40 hours

N/A

Charging time

What it is: Time required for a full battery charge

When it matters: When you often need the headphones ready again after short breaks.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=2 hours

N/A

Quick charge

What it is: Provides quick playback time with short charging period

When it matters: When a short top-up needs to deliver useful playback before you leave.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

Battery capacity

What it is: Total energy storage of the internal battery

When it matters: When you are estimating how much battery headroom the design may have before relying only on the official runtime claim.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=720 mAh

N/A

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Design

8.4

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Brand name

What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.

When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Bowers & Wilkins

Form factor

What it is: Overall design type of the headphones (over-ear, on-ear, in-ear, etc.)

When it matters: When comfort, portability, and isolation depend on the overall headphone style.

Importance: HIGH

on-ear

Weight

What it is: Total weight of the headphones

When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <150 g

Acoustic design

What it is: Type of acoustic design (open-back, closed-back, semi-open)

When it matters: When you need the right balance of isolation, leakage, and soundstage.

Importance: HIGH

closed-back

Clamp force

What it is: Amount of clamping pressure applied to the head

When it matters: When comfort and fit security matter during long sessions.

Importance: MEDIUM

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Bowers & Wilkins P3 vs the average headphone

Why is Bowers & Wilkins P3 better than the average headphone?

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9 dB/mW higher sensitivity
Bowers & Wilkins P3 has a higher sensitivity than the average headphone (111 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
What it is: Sound pressure output level per unit of input power
When it matters: When you plan to use weaker sources like phones, handhelds, or entry-level dongles and still want enough volume.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: >=106 dB/mW
Bowers & Wilkins P3 has a higher sensitivity than the average headphone (111 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.111 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
Direct 3.5 mm plug
Bowers & Wilkins P3 includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average headphone does not. 38.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
What it is: Shows whether the headphones end in a built-in 3.5 mm male plug instead of relying on a separate detachable cable.
When it matters: When direct wired compatibility with older devices or adapters matters.
Importance: MEDIUM
Bowers & Wilkins P3 includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average headphone does not. 38.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
40.4% lower weight
Bowers & Wilkins P3 is lighter than the average headphone (130 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
What it is: Total weight of the headphones
When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <150 g
Bowers & Wilkins P3 is lighter than the average headphone (130 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.130 g vs 218 g
8 Hz lower bass extension
Bowers & Wilkins P3 has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <=10 Hz
Bowers & Wilkins P3 has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.10 Hz vs 18 Hz
In-line controls
Bowers & Wilkins P3 includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
What it is: Controls available on in-line remote of wired cable
When it matters: When your wired setup depends on cable-mounted buttons or call controls.
Importance: LOW
Bowers & Wilkins P3 includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
Foldable design
Bowers & Wilkins P3 has a foldable design, the average headphone does not. 61% of headphones are foldable.
What it is: Earcups or headband can fold for compact storage
When it matters: When you travel often and want easier storage in a bag.
Importance: LOW
Bowers & Wilkins P3 has a foldable design, the average headphone does not. 61% of headphones are foldable.
Boom microphone included
Bowers & Wilkins P3 includes a boom microphone, the average headphone does not. 15.6% of headphones have a boom microphone.
What it is: Includes detachable boom microphone for voice clarity
When it matters: When you need stronger voice clarity for gaming, streaming, or work calls.
Importance: LOW
Bowers & Wilkins P3 includes a boom microphone, the average headphone does not. 15.6% of headphones have a boom microphone.
18 dB higher max SPL
Bowers & Wilkins P3 has a higher max SPL than the average headphone (128 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
What it is: Maximum safe sound pressure level
When it matters: When high-volume headroom is part of your use case.
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=116 dB
Bowers & Wilkins P3 has a higher max SPL than the average headphone (128 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.128 dB vs 110 dB
40.4% lower weight
Bowers & Wilkins P3 is lighter than the average headphone (130 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
Foldable design
Bowers & Wilkins P3 has a foldable design, the average headphone does not. 61% of headphones are foldable.
9 dB/mW higher sensitivity
Bowers & Wilkins P3 has a higher sensitivity than the average headphone (111 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
8 Hz lower bass extension
Bowers & Wilkins P3 has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
18 dB higher max SPL
Bowers & Wilkins P3 has a higher max SPL than the average headphone (128 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
Direct 3.5 mm plug
Bowers & Wilkins P3 includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average headphone does not. 38.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
In-line controls
Bowers & Wilkins P3 includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
Boom microphone included
Bowers & Wilkins P3 includes a boom microphone, the average headphone does not. 15.6% of headphones have a boom microphone.

Calls & Controls

Why is Bowers & Wilkins P3 worse than the average headphone?

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Tangle-prone cable
Bowers & Wilkins P3 uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average headphone is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
10 mm smaller driver size
Bowers & Wilkins P3 has smaller driver size than the average headphone (30 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
0.7 % higher distortion
Bowers & Wilkins P3 has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average headphone (1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
5 older release date
Bowers & Wilkins P3 was released earlier than the average headphone (2,012 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.
May 2012
10 mm smaller driver size
Bowers & Wilkins P3 has smaller driver size than the average headphone (30 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
What it is: Diameter of the speaker driver unit
When it matters: When you want extra hardware context behind how the headphones may handle bass weight, scale, or overall presentation.
Importance: MEDIUM
Bowers & Wilkins P3 has smaller driver size than the average headphone (30 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.30 mm vs 40 mm
0.7 % higher distortion
Bowers & Wilkins P3 has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average headphone (1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
What it is: Percentage of harmonic distortion in audio output
When it matters: When cleaner sound reproduction matters at louder volumes.
Importance: LOW
Good value: <=1%
Bowers & Wilkins P3 has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average headphone (1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.1 % vs 0.3 %
4.65x less popular
Bowers & Wilkins P3 is less popular than the average headphone (1.00 vs 4.646).
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters: When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Bowers & Wilkins P3 is less popular than the average headphone (1.00 vs 4.646).1 vs 4.65
Tangle-prone cable
Bowers & Wilkins P3 uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average headphone is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
What it is: Cable designed to resist tangling
When it matters: When you often carry wired headphones in a bag or pocket.
Importance: LOW
Bowers & Wilkins P3 uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average headphone is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
2x more expensive
Bowers & Wilkins P3 is more expensive than the average headphone (£180 vs £90).
Bowers & Wilkins P3 is more expensive than the average headphone (£180 vs £90).£180 vs £90
5 older release date
Bowers & Wilkins P3 was released earlier than the average headphone (2,012 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.
May 2012
What it is: Official release or launch date of the model
When it matters: When you want a newer model for fresher features, longer support life, or simply to avoid buying into an older generation.
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=2020
Bowers & Wilkins P3 was released earlier than the average headphone (2,012 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.2012 vs 2017
4.2% worse value for money
Bowers & Wilkins P3 has worse value for money than the average headphone (6.46 vs 6.736).
What it is: An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters: When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Bowers & Wilkins P3 has worse value for money than the average headphone (6.46 vs 6.736).6.46 vs 6.74

Graphic comparison of Bowers & Wilkins P3 and

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Third-party reviews

What customers like about Bowers & Wilkins P3?

Sleek, luxurious, and highly attractive premium design
Lightweight, compact, and easily foldable for high portability
Includes a rugged, custom-fitted hard-shell carrying case
Comes with two easily swappable, detachable cables via unique magnetic earpads
Integrated microphone and inline remote control tailored perfectly for iOS devices
Comfortable memory foam earpads that adapt well to the shape of the ear
Warm, smooth, and fatigue-free sound profile ideal for casual daily commuting

What customers dislike about Bowers & Wilkins P3?

Relatively high, premium price tag compared to newer competitors
Sound profile can feel too bass-heavy, muffled, or lacking in high-end treble detail
Poor passive noise isolation due to the small, on-ear design
Noticeable sound leakage that can disturb people nearby in quiet environments
Inline remote control buttons offer limited compatibility with Android devices
Thin, flimsy, and fragile stock cable that feels prone to tangles or damage
Clamping force and on-ear pressure can cause discomfort during long listening sessions

Video reviews

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