TravPriceTHE SHOPPING EDITTopic studyJapan × Taiwan
You'll Lose Money Buying Headphones in Japan! Comparing 4 In-Ear and Over-Ear Models: 3 Cheaper in Taiwan, Sony WH-1000XM6 Only NT$69 Cheaper
Sort by form factor first, then compare prices: in-ear models AirPods Pro 3 and Sony WF-1000XM5 are NT$432-1,395 cheaper in Taiwan; over-ear model AirPods Max 2 is NT$652 cheaper in Taiwan, while the Sony WH-1000XM6 is cheaper in Japan, but only by NT$69.
On this page · 9 sections
01 · Verdict
4 same-item comparisonsBoth in-ear models are better bought in Taiwan: the AirPods Pro 3 is NT$1,395 cheaper in Taiwan, and the Sony WF-1000XM5 is NT$432 cheaper in Taiwan. Among over-ear models, the AirPods Max 2 is NT$652 cheaper in Taiwan; the Sony WH-1000XM6 is the only one of the four cheaper in Japan, at ¥59,400 in Japan (≈NT$12,331) vs. NT$12,400 in Taiwan, just NT$69 apart — let warranty coverage and trying it on in person decide.
- In-ear: the AirPods Pro 3 is NT$1,395 cheaper in Taiwan (18.6%), and the WF-1000XM5 is NT$432 cheaper in Taiwan (6.2%).
- Over-ear: the AirPods Max 2 is NT$652 cheaper in Taiwan (3.6%), and the WH-1000XM6 is NT$69 cheaper in Japan (0.6%).
- No hands-on testing here — this piece compares only official-site prices for the same generation, color, and standard bundle, and doesn't rank sound quality.
Comparison basis: official-site/retailer list prices as of 2026-09-11; exchange rate per Bank of Taiwan's spot selling rate on 2026-09-10, 1 JPY = NT$0.2076, 1 USD = NT$31.625. The tax-free estimate is calculated back from the 10% consumption tax. This piece includes no listening or wear testing.
Step 1: Decide Between In-Ear and Over-Ear First
AirPods Pro 3 and Sony WF-1000XM5 are true wireless in-ear models — pocket-sized, for commuting; AirPods Max 2 and Sony WH-1000XM6 are over-ear models — bulkier, with longer battery life and isolation that relies on the ear cups.
Once you've decided on the form factor, the four models become two head-to-head pairs; price is just the last step.
In-Ear: Just Buy in Taiwan
AirPods Pro 3: Japan ¥42,800 ≈ NT$8,885, Taiwan's official site NT$7,490, Taiwan is cheaper by NT$1,395. Sony WF-1000XM5: Japan ¥35,750 ≈ NT$7,422, Taiwan NT$6,990, Taiwan is cheaper by NT$432.
Both models have a Taiwan official-site tax-included price lower than Japan's converted tax-included price, plus a Taiwan warranty; even with Japan's 10% tax-free refund, the AirPods Pro 3 still comes to about NT$8,078, more expensive than Taiwan.
Over-Ear: Buy the Max 2 in Taiwan, and Decide on the XM6 Based on Where You Are
AirPods Max 2: Japan ¥89,800 ≈ NT$18,642, Taiwan NT$17,990, Taiwan is cheaper by NT$652. Sony WH-1000XM6: Japan ¥59,400 ≈ NT$12,331, Taiwan NT$12,400, Japan is cheaper by NT$69.
For XM6, the NT$69 tax-included price gap would get eaten up by card fees; only if you're in Japan and can also get it tax-free (about ¥54,000 ≈ NT$11,210) does the gap widen to about NT$1,190 — otherwise buying in Taiwan is more convenient for warranty purposes.
Two More Things to Check Before Checkout
Confirm the same generation, color, and standard package — don't mix up the Pro 2 with the Pro 3, or the XM5 with the XM6, in a comparison; US prices don't include sales tax, while Japan and Taiwan prices are tax-included.
Factor in the warranty region, return method, and card fee together: for items where the gap is only a few dozen NT dollars, prioritize buying wherever after-sales service is most convenient.
The gap in one chart
- Sony WH-1000XM6Save NT$69
- Sony WF-1000XM5Taiwan cheaper NT$432
- Apple AirPods Max 2Taiwan cheaper NT$652
- Apple AirPods Pro 3Taiwan cheaper NT$1,395
amounts are converted list prices, without tax-free, card fees or shipping. Full figures are in the table below.
¥59,400 ≈ NT$12,331 · Taiwan NT$12,4001% cheaper in Japan
¥35,750 ≈ NT$7,422 · Taiwan NT$6,9906% cheaper in Taiwan
¥89,800 ≈ NT$18,642 · Taiwan NT$17,9904% cheaper in Taiwan
¥42,800 ≈ NT$8,885 · Taiwan NT$7,49019% cheaper in Taiwan
Price table(4 items)
| Product | Japan list | Converted | Taiwan list | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple AirPods Pro 3AirPods Pro 3 · USB-C | ¥42,800Bic Camera | NT$8,885 | NT$7,490Apple 台灣官方網路商店 | 18.6% cheaper in TaiwanNT$1,395 ·checked 2026-09-11 |
| Apple AirPods Max 2AirPods Max 2 · Blue | ¥89,800Bic Camera | NT$18,642 | NT$17,990Apple 台灣官方網路商店 | 3.6% cheaper in TaiwanNT$652 ·checked 2026-09-11 |
| Sony WH-1000XM6WH-1000XM6 / B | ¥59,400Sony Japan official store | NT$12,331 | NT$12,400Sony 台灣官方商店 | 0.6% cheaper in JapanNT$69 ·checked 2026-09-11 |
| Sony WF-1000XM5WF-1000XM5 / B | ¥35,750Sony Japan official store | NT$7,422 | NT$6,990Sony 台灣官方商店 | 6.2% cheaper in TaiwanNT$432 ·checked 2026-09-11 |
FX: Bank of Taiwan 2026-09-10 spot selling JPY/TWD 0.2076, USD/TWD 31.625.The table excludes tax-free and fees; tax-free estimates follow each product’s stated basis and rate, see the product page.
FAQ
- Where should you buy in-ear headphones?
- Taiwan. The AirPods Pro 3 is NT$1,395 cheaper in Taiwan (18.6%), and the Sony WF-1000XM5 is NT$432 cheaper in Taiwan (6.2%) — plus you get the Taiwan warranty.
- What about over-ear headphones?
- The AirPods Max 2 is NT$652 cheaper in Taiwan; the Sony WH-1000XM6 is only NT$69 cheaper in Japan — only at a tax-free store does the gap reach about NT$1,190, and the warranty stays in Japan.
- Does the AirPods become cheaper in Japan after the tax refund?
- No. After the tax refund, the AirPods Pro 3 comes to about NT$8,078, still more than Taiwan's NT$7,490.
09 · Sources
Ranks, prices and FX keep their source links and check dates; the piece is written with the TravPrice comparison method and has no hands-on review or test score.
- Listed prices
- Japan and Taiwan official or channel list prices for 4 productsChecked through 2026-09-22; each source link is in the price table and product page.
- FX
- Bank of Taiwan FX ↗Bank of Taiwan spot selling reference rate; the US dollar is cross-converted · JPY/TWD 0.2076 · USD/TWD 31.625 · 2026-09-10 23:22:00 (Taiwan time)
- Published and updated
- · updated Comparison basis: official-site/retailer list prices as of 2026-09-11; exchange rate per Bank of Taiwan's spot selling rate on 2026-09-10, 1 JPY = NT$0.2076, 1 USD = NT$31.625. The tax-free estimate is calculated back from the 10% consumption tax. This piece includes no listening or wear testing.
Keep reading
AirPods Pro 3 Actually Saves NT$1,395 in Taiwan! Comparing 4 Apple and Sony Headphones, Only 1 Is Cheaper in Japan
Comparing official-site prices for the same generation, color, and standard bundle: the AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Max 2, and Sony WF-1000XM5 are all cheaper in Taiwan, and only the Sony WH-1000XM6 is cheaper in Japan — by just NT$69. Buying in the US instead, Apple is cheaper there while Sony is cheaper in Japan.
02Topic study4 Checks Before You Order in Japan: AirPods Saves NT$1,395 in Taiwan, the Dripper Costs More After Shipping, Demonstrated With 10 Items
Using 5 HARIO items and 5 Apple and Sony items as examples: the AirPods Pro 3 is NT$1,395 cheaper in Taiwan, the WH-1000XM6 is only NT$69 cheaper in Japan, and the V60 dripper actually costs NT$61 more after shipping. Run all four checks before deciding where to pay.
03Topic studyThe #1 Spot on a Japan Ranking Isn't Always the Cheapest! AirPods Pro 3 Tops the Chart, Yet Saves NT$1,395 in Taiwan: How to Read 2026 Rankings
Bic Camera, @cosme, kakaku.com, and Urecon each rank by a different yardstick. A ranking only narrows the field — the model number, official price, and landed cost are what decide whether to buy. AirPods Pro 3 is No. 1 on Bic Camera's headphone ranking, yet it's NT$1,395 cheaper in Taiwan.
04Theme studyIs It Worth Buying in Japan When You'd Only Save a Few Dollars? 4 Items Show the Fee and Buffer Math
Using four price examples — Sony headphones, sunscreen, clothing, and makeup — this piece shows how extra fees eat into the list-price gap. Plug in your own actual rates to see how much of the gap is left.