Apple AirPods Pro 3
Apple's firmware support cadence is the longest and most reliable in the category, which matters more over years than any spec. The sealed battery remains the ceiling on its lifespan, as with all TWS.
Consolidated from 116 cited sources across 90 outlets
Where the cited sources landed, as we read them
- 1 glowing source
- 1 enthusiastic source
- 70 positive sources
- 31 mixed sources
- 10 unconvinced sources
Pros & cons
- ✓ longest firmware support cadence
- ✓ best mix of sound, fit and features
- ✓ Measured ANC leader
- ✓ Optimized for iPhone integration
- ✓ Industry-reviewer consensus names it the best wireless earbuds
- ✗ sealed battery limits lifespan
- ✗ Ecosystem lock-in limits compatibility
- ✗ Premium-tier price
- ✗ Fit can be insecure for some ear shapes
- ✗ The Apple premium buys ecosystem lock-in more than it buys sound
The sources behind this ranking
We searched the web and YouTube for what has been published about this product, then read the articles, video transcripts and comments we found.
Evidence 34 articles, 80 video reviews and 2 community sources
1 glowing source
70 positive sources
The third-generation AirPods Pro deliver top-quality noise cancellation, wiping out deep, low-frequency rumble and more complex, higher-frequency sounds. Beyond the improved ANC, Apple's Adaptive Audio mode gives you a more natural way to monitor your surroundings without letting loud noises harm your hearing. The re-tuned audio is still rich but more balanced than before, providing a first-class listening experience. In addition, they include advanced features like live language translation, heart rate monitoring, workout tracking, and a bevy of hearing health tools—all for the same price as the old model.Read I
Today we are checking out Apple's brand new AirPods Pro 3. And these might be the biggest upgrade the Pros have had in a really long timeWatch S
So, our giving the AirPods Pro 3 a perfect 5/5 review score and an Editor’s Choice Award should give you a sense of how much we truly recommend these earbuds. Apple doubled down on active noise canceling (ANC) that’s twice as effective as the AirPods Pro 2 and offers a better fit with memory-foam-infused silicon eartips. Apple’s more secure seal and improved noise-canceling microphones work hand-in-hand, ear-to-ear, for crisper audio and less outside distraction. These are the best-fitting and best-sounding AirPods yet.Read C
And I'll finish up by saying, while I didn't get a new H3 chip, and I was also kind of hoping the charging case would be able to convert into a Bluetooth transceiver, so you could use the buds on a plane with an in-flight entertainment system, but I did get most of what I was looking for in the AirPods Pro 3. The changes may seem a little incremental to some folks, but all the key elements like sound quality, noise cancelling, and voice calling performance have been noticeably leveled up along with the hearing aid mode, which benefits from a slightly better transparency mode and improved battery lifeWatch P
The AirPods Pro 3 represent a significant leap in sound quality and noise cancellation compared with the AirPods Pro 2. That's already a good start, but they also add heart rate tracking and stronger waterproofing to the mix. That earns the newest AirPods Pro model not just our Editors' Choice award but a rare five-star score. It's no exaggeration to say they're among the best noise-cancelling earphones on the market, and significantly better than their predecessors.Read F
So, overall on a scale of 1 to 10, I'm giving the Apple AirPods Pro 3 a major major major goWatch M
AirPods Pro 3 are undoubtedly the best earbuds Apple makes, but there is a case — for me — that they are also the best value of any product I own. I use them everyday, they don’t break down, the features are robust with Find My and the speaker, and should last a long time. For reference, my original AirPods Pro were just replaced by these newest ones, only because the battery life had hit the end of the road. That makes for an absolute bargain in the long run.Read B
And honestly, even if you're not far away from your iPhone, I would highly recommend using your AirPods Pro 3 as the microphone because it's going to sound a lot better than the default mic that's in the iPhoneWatch O
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 aren’t just iterative earbuds—they’re a fundamental leap forward. After 30 days of testing across gyms, flights, and daily commutes, the 2x improved noise cancellation is transformative, heart rate tracking actually works during workouts, and live translation proved genuinely useful during international travel. These are the most feature-complete wireless earbuds we’ve ever tested.Read M
The AirPods Pro 3 are actually discounted already, $239. So, we will leave some links down in the video description below for you guys to check out and use. Um, should you buy the new ones versus the old ones? I think absolutelyWatch C
A friend of mine recently asked me what the best AirPods are, and I told him to get the newest AirPods Pro 3 . I said they had the best sound quality and noise canceling. When I spoke to him a few days later, I was surprised to hear that he’d bought last year’s AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation . In fact, he’d bought one pair for himself and another for his son. I asked him why.Read M
And now with the AirPods Pro 3, Apple has done it again with hands down the best earbuds you can get for $200, which is the Amazon sale price right nowWatch T
Apple has shrunk the buds down and added a new style of silicon tips that fit in the ear and seal better. They're infused with foam to help them fill all the gaps as well, making for potentially better passive noise canceling. That could be what makes the AirPods Pro 3 fit much better in my massive ear cavities, so I never have to worry about them falling out. Upgrade no.1, a winner.Read 9
So, by now we all know how amazing AirPods in general are, and AirPods Pro 3 in particularWatch C
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 deliver one of the most complete in-ear audio experiences available today. From best-in-class noise cancellation to adaptive sound, real-time translation, and built-in heart rate tracking, Apple has created earbuds that are not just about listening, but about enhancing everyday life.Read 9 9to5Mac 9to5Mac · 983K subscribers · Oct 2026
But more specifically, I've been using the AirPods Pro 3 since it released a little over a year ago as my main headphone source for every single situation that I'm in. And as somebody who came from the Pro2s and was questioning whether or not it was worth the upgrade, I can definitively say that the AirPods Pro 3 are definitely worth upgrading if you're still on the Pro 2s even a year laterWatch S
TL;DR Scored on the Audio Score v2026 rubric, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 win with an SR Score of 91 for the best mix of sound, fit, features, and value at $249. The Sony WF-1000XM6 (90) lead on raw noise cancelling; the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) are the sound pick.Read 9
So, I'm just I'm very let down by the AirPods Max 2 at $550, but it makes me very happy and I'm so impressed with the AirPods Pro 3, with how much power, how much sound quality, how much bass, how much battery life, how many smart features, how many health tracking features are in there. It's just mind-blowing what Apple's been able to do with the Pro 3s. It's the reason why it's one of Apple's best-selling products of all timeWatch F Facebook Davinder Singh Sidhu · owner
I have them for 1-2 months now and I can not NOT having them around me all the time , if I don’t have them I feel like I have an arm tight behind my back they are such a good piece of equipment , they make my life much easier both work and not , I recommend them .View post 9
AirPods Pro 3 have been out for about 6–7 months now, and after using them every single day… they might still be the easiest recommendation in techWatch T
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 is an impressive new set of AirPods that manages to take a great thing and make it even better. With improvements to sound quality and active noise cancellation, the Pro 3 stands out as one of the best all-around earbuds we've ever tested.Read G
However, if you're in the market for a new pair of earbuds, there's nothing better than the AirPods Pro 3, both in terms of sound quality and noise cancellation. They have the gadget match seal of approvalWatch I
If you are using the first-generation AirPods Pro or a non-pro AirPods model, I think that AirPods Pro 3 is an incredible upgrade. You will get a big improvement in sound and noise cancellation, plus a large number of new and useful features.Read A
Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 are finally here! After three years of waiting, Apple has delivered a major upgrade to its best-selling earbuds. In this full review, I cover everything new with AirPods Pro 3, including the redesigned fit, improved ANC, better durability, heart rate tracking, live translation, and more.Watch P
The AirPods Pro 3 refine an already impressive formula, making the popular wireless earbuds better than ever with leading noise cancellation, first-rate audio, and a list of compelling features the competition simply can't match.Read A
I find them not only exceptionally comfortable but excellent at blocking out noise.Watch P
The AirPods Pro 3 refine an already impressive formula, making the popular wireless earbuds better than ever with leading noise cancellation, first-rate audio, and a list of compelling features the competition simply can't match.Read T TheUnlockr TheUnlockr · 789K subscribers · Mar 2026
Now, the AirPods Pro 3, I would consider a good upgrade over the AirPods Pro 2, especially if you can get some money back for your Pro 2s. They're just a bit better in every way with some added benefits like that heart rate monitorWatch G
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 remains the easy answer here, thanks to deep integration through the Apple H3 Chip , seamless device switching, and exclusive features like Live Translation through Apple Intelligence .Read M MaybeHeilly MaybeHeilly · 740K subscribers · Oct 2025
How do AirPods Pro feel in your ears? Yeah, they feel comfortable and secureWatch S
We’ve covered this before, and the scores above will be a bit on the rosy side for anyone coming from the Apple AirPods Pro 2 because the sound is different in very specific ways.Read A Andru Edwards Andru Edwards · 677K subscribers · Sept 2025
That's the AirPods Pro 3, and spoiler alert, these are really goodWatch F
For Apple users who want one exceptional pair of earbuds for everything - running, commuting, working - the AirPods Pro 3 are absolutely worth the £219 investment.Read M
But otherwise, Apple AirPods Pro 3 huge win in my opinion, two thumbs up and I'm excited to make comparisons between these and Sony and the Bose and leave a comment about any other ones I should compare toWatch G
The AirPods Pro 3 deliver more bass, better ANC and new features including heart rate monitoring and live translation – a worthwhile upgrade.Read M
So, after a week, I'd say the AirPods Pro 3 is a pretty great updateWatch C
The AirPods Pro 3 improve on our favorite Apple earbuds with stronger ANC, longer battery life and integrated heart rate sensing.Read D
Heck, setting aside any fitness aspects, I just want them for the vastly improved noise cancellation. At someone that spends a ton of time on airplanes, that alone is worth it for me. In any case, once I’m done with these, they’ll go back to Apple.Watch P
It finally feels like a meaningful upgrade.Read S Simple Alpaca Simple Alpaca · 640K subscribers · Oct 2026
If you're trying to get the pair of headphones that is going to be giving you better types of active noise cancellation, without a doubt, the AirPods Pro 3s are definitely going to win there, for sure. So, in terms of that, what I can tell you is I would probably recommend buying something like the AirPods, you know, Pro 3s. These are the best types of headphones you can buy. They're going to be giving you significantly better type of experience thereWatch O
I think personally for me, the AirPods Pro 3 are the ones to go for. I think they're a good balance between the AirPods 4 and the AirPods Max. You get incredible sound quality, you get incredible noise cancellation, and you get great battery life. For me, these are the ones I always pick up and the ones that I useWatch H
These are the AirPods Pro third generation, which means not only do they have two times better active noise cancellations than the previous model, but there's also some very useful features that these AirPods have that are disabled by defaultWatch H
To unlock the full potential of your AirPods pro 3 you must know these 25 features, tips, and tricks. Most people aren't aware of them.Watch N
When I tried them out at um the Apple event, they were just absolutely incredible. You could just truly feel the new upgrade from sound quality and especially the noise cancellation improvements. So, you can see it says track your heart rate, which is the brand new feature as well.Watch B
But to me, other than an AirPods Pro 2 owner who doesn't want to spend more money, I'm telling you, I would get AirPods Pro 3. They are that goodWatch S SoundGuys SoundGuys · 332K subscribers · Oct 2026
Personally, I think the AirPods Pro 3 is worth spending the extra cash for. Sure, the sealed design can be annoying for some ears. I am not one of them. I actually like ear tips, especially because the ear tips allow you to get the best noise cancellation and sound quality Apple has to offerWatch F
So, the AirPods Pro 3 already have a great mic, but if your voice doesn't sound as clear as it should during calls or recordings, here are a few quick ways I've tried by myself that improve the microphone quality. So, first thing is just open settings and go to your AirPod settings, scroll down to microphone.Watch M
To be honest, if you want the TLDR of this 6 month later review, it is if you're an Apple person and you're thinking about get getting the AirPods Pro 3 or the AirPods Pro 2 to be fair or the AirPods 4, just buy them.Watch 6 6 Months Later 6 Months Later · 302K subscribers · Nov 2025
Well, if it were me, I'd go for the AirPods Pro 3 hands down due to their superior noise cancellation, significantly better battery life, better sound, more convenient volume controls, and the hearing protection features. The only people I think should go for the AirPods 4 are those who don't like the fit of the AirPods Pro or want AirPods but don't want to spend the money on the Pros, which at full price I think is definitely fairWatch B
I was blown away and I'm happy to report that the AirPods Pro 3 live up to the hype. Now, I don't know if the ANC is like legitimately twice as good as last generation, but it is noticeably better. Elsewhere, the battery life is noticeably longer. The microphones are significantly better, and you can indeed track your heart rate like in real time.Watch D
So, these are the new AirPods Pro 3s, and they made some pretty big updates with these where they've been redesigned to fit more ears. There's better sound quality, there's better water resistance, and these now have built-in heart rate sensor, just like their recent Power Beats Pro 2os, but these heart rate sensors are way different. More details on that in a second.Watch T Tailosive Tech Tailosive Tech · 267K subscribers · Sept 2025
They found a way to be super comfortable in my ear, and they don't fall out anymore, which was pretty much my last remaining complaint with both AirPods Pro 1, AirPods Pro 2. I don't know if it has something to do with the foam in the ear tips now, but genuinely super comfortable and they don't fall out anymore. Literally like nearperfect productWatch S
So all that in consideration, how would I rate AirPods Pro 3? I don't typically rate devices, like giving it a number or star rating, but with AirPods Pro 3, I'm going to give it like 4.8 stars. I mean, these are almost the perfect earbudsWatch J
For $249—the same price as the AirPods Pro 2—you get a much better transparency mode, better overall sound, and a much crisper, clearer, and more natural hearing aid feature in the AirPods Pro 3Watch C Chase the Summit Chase the Summit · 192K subscribers · Sept 2025
You can see that the trend lines are nearly identical and that the AirPod Pro 3's are within like one or two beats per minute compared to the ECG sensor. This is looking really good. I I would say surprisingly good for earbuds that also have heart rate sensors. Another interesting thing I noticed while wearing the AirPod Pro 3's and no Apple Watch or anything like that is that not only do they collect heart rate data, but they also collect cadence and distance data if you're on a treadmill or if you're running outdoorsWatch I Ira's World Ira's World · 177K subscribers · May 2026
My final verdict would for the AirPods 3 in 2026 feel like one of the biggest upgrades uh Apple has made to um AirPods in years. The sound quality is better, noise cancellation is stronger, battery life improved, and features like heart rate tracking and live translation actually makes these feel smarter and futuristic. Now, if you already own AirPods 2, upgrading them or depending on how much you care about the health or AI features, but if you are coming from older generations from AirPods 1 or regular AirPods Pro, this is These are honestly one of the best wireless AirPods you can buy them right nowWatch T
I also love conversation awareness on AirPods Pro 3Watch K
After three months of real-world testing including travel, workouts, work sessions, and everything in between, they've quietly become one of my most-used Apple products outside my iPhone 17 Pro. Apple made some bold claims about noise cancellation, sound quality, and battery life, and I wanted to see how they actually hold up.Watch T
These are the AirPods Pro 3 and they are truly one of the best Bluetooth headphones that you can buy, especially if you're an Apple user. I've been wearing these headphones every day since they released. They replace my AirPods Pro 2os.Watch T TerryWarfield TerryWarfield · 142K subscribers · Feb 2026
The AirPods Pro Gen 3s have honestly helped me out when it comes to living my life and going about communication and all that stuff, but that doesn't mean that they're without their consWatch P
But if you are looking for a new earbud and you're in the Apple ecosystem, the AirPods Pro 3 are just a no-brainerWatch P Picky Audio Picky Audio · 134K subscribers · Oct 2026
If you're choosing between AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 5, there are many reasons to choose AirPods Pro 3: longer battery life, better sound quality, and significantly better noise cancellation. Plus, you get extra features like heart rate monitors in each earbud, and you can use them as a hearing aid. Personally, I will mostly use AirPods 5, but I will still keep AirPods Pro 3 for when I need stronger noise cancellationWatch C
I found that the ANC and the Beats struggle with blocking out lower and mid-range noise, while the AirPods Pro 3 are just significantly stronger all around. The sound quality on the Pro 3's is amazing as well. Like I said, I am no audio file, but for me, the vocals sound super clear and natural. The bass is nice and punchyWatch T
The AirPods live translation feature has just been released and it's a gamecWatch T
Now, these tips and tricks are going to help unlock hidden features, add functionality, improve the sound quality, and ultimately help your AirPods Pro 3's last longer. Believe me, I was shocked to see just how much these AirPods can doWatch B Ben Aqua Ben Aqua · 28.9K subscribers · Oct 2025
Like, it's not that different, but it's definitely a noticeable decrease in battery life with the case on the AirPods Pro 3. So, overall, are AirPods Pro 3 worth the upgrade? The huge question. In my opinion, yes, they're absolutely worth the upgrade from AirPods Pro 2 and definitely worth the upgrade from the first generationWatch R
When it comes to comfort, the AirPods Pro 3 is one of the best-fitting and most comfortable earbuds. I do find Pro 3 to be more comfortable than the previous AirPods Pro 2. They streamlined the earbud design, and I preferred the hybrid ear tip material as well.Watch G
For me, the AirPods Pro 3 are just reliableWatch R Ryan Ho Ryan Ho · 7.6K subscribers · Sept 2025
Let's compare the AirPods Pro 3 to AirPods Pro 2 and figure out what is better. And this is from an audio files perspective because I listen to a lot of different earbuds, but it definitely is better I think in a lot of waysWatch J
00:22 - AirPods Pro 3 are Better!Watch
31 mixed sources
Sonically, the AirPods Pro 3 deliver a large, bass-forward sound with plenty of impact and a surprisingly tall sense of scale, but they are not the most balanced or detailed true wireless earbuds in their class. The low end is the highlight, while the mids and highs can feel recessed, soft, and lacking in precision. Still, for listeners who want strong ANC, effortless Apple device connectivity, useful smart features, and a fun, powerful sound signature, the AirPods Pro 3 remain one of the most appealing wireless earbuds for everyday use.Read L
And while I stand behind my assessment that Apple unnecessarily boosted the bass on this product, the Beats acquisition was for the brand name, not the sound signature, it is clear that after daily driving them for a couple of months for a longerterm review that you were right. I've now accepted that it is a small price to pay for the plethora of benefits that these bring to the table.Watch S
AirPods Pro 3 weren’t a home run as I and probably many others were expecting. Beyond tonal balance, the AirPods Pro 3 are a substantial improvement in the sound quality department. That’s a big fucking one, though. Combine that with the slightly less natural sounding transparency mode and I’m not quite sure how to feel.Read D
is that whenever I would listen to music and then pop in the old AP2s, AirPod Pro 2s, I preferred the sound from AirPod Pro 2. So, when I got home, I started doing some blind listening tests. I set them up in my bedroom. I was listening with my wife and we both consistently preferred the sound from AP2. And it was not every single track, but the vast majority of them. It was strange.Watch M
There have been recent reports from some people who are experiencing an ongoing static issue with the AirPods Pro 3, so that's something to be aware of. Apple does seem to be replacing affected units for customers who are bothered by the noise, which appears to be audible when ANC is active but no sound is playing.Read Z
They were an upgrade over the AirPods Pro 2, for sure, although not quite as big of an upgrade. And in some areas, they were even a downgrade.Watch A
In reviews, a number of people like the 2’s better in terms sound for music, but the 3’s have other features, ie, better noise cancellation, longer battery life, etc. Plus, the 2’s are only available from 3rd party sellers in the mail. And Apple products often get stolen in the mail with no recourse from anyone!Read M
It's been two months since I upgraded to Apple's AirPods Pro 3 from the Pro Twos, and not everything has been fantastic. In fact, a good amount of people actually returned the new one.Watch S
In short : The AirPods Pro 3 sounds absolutely amazing, impressing with rich and soothing mid-tones, vibrant vocals, and a powerful yet controlled tight bass. Unless you love your music loud. Then the AirPods Pro 3 pushes treble too forward and the sound becomes a bit too shouty.Read 9
Both on the great side, but then also on a little bit of the frustrating side.Watch A
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are very good sounding earbuds that excel in their smooth, weighty sound and their incredible spatial reproduction while beating my Bose QuietComfort headphones in terms of ANC quality.Read A
If you can still find AirPods Pro 2 around for a discount, snatch those up. I don't think there's anything here in the third gen that warrants a must-have upgrade. Especially since the processor is the same, there's little to no chance that the AirPods Pro 3 will get any exclusive features down the line. If you want to get the best AirPods, though, yeah, grab the AirPods Pro 3Watch H Hacker News Hacker News thread
I was hesitant when I got APP3, but was pleasantly surprised by how many longstanding issues with responsiveness and functionality it fixed for me (iPhone 15 Pro Max user).Read thread A
But not everything is an upgrade—battery life is now 8 hours per charge, but the case total drops from 30 hours to 24. Both generations share features like live translation, hearing test/protection, and hearing aid mode.Watch C
The company also promises heightened performance in key areas, although our testers find the improvements to be rather subtle.Read J
Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3 have amazing noise cancellation - but almost… too awesome. Does the sound and fit stack up too? Today we unbox them and find out.Watch M
In my experience Apple scored a hit when it comes to sound and noise cancelation, but a more of a miss when it comes to fit.Read M
It’s been almost two months with Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3, and while most of my first impressions still hold up, there’s been one surprising development — some users are reporting a strange screeching/static noise, especially on flights.Watch T
Apple took some giant steps forward in eras cancellation and fitness tracking, but they've also taken some significant steps back in places that might really surprise you, especially when it comes to sound.Watch C
I think that it sounds worse than the AirPods Pro 2, but I don't think it sounds bad because by all means, I think that this is still kind of a miracle of technology. Everything outside of the AirPods Pro 3 is amazing, but it's just that the sound, yes, I wish that they maybe either stuck to the old tuning or refined it in a way that doesn't try and push up the treble in the way that they've done right nowWatch S
Though Apple has been releasing smash hit after smash hit on the audio side for many years now, the new AirPods Pro 3 have been met by mixed reactions. For some, the sound is too bassy and somehow also shrill, while the earbuds sound perfectly fine to others. So who’s right? The answer is a bit complicated, but still worth teasing out.Watch M
AirPods Pro 2, the sweet spot. AirPods Pro 3, the best tech and possibly the best fit for most people. But there are a couple of issuesWatch T
But then after the first iPhone software update, it seemed like the battery life was just not as good with my AirPods Pro 3 as they were before. That was the first issue that I experienced. The second issue that I had was the same problem that I had with my first generation AirPods Pro, which is low volume.Watch P Picky Audio Picky Audio · 134K subscribers · Oct 2025
The AirPods Pro 3 have the strongest noise cancelling you can get right now on par with the Bose QC Ultra Gen 2. Now, the Pro 2 to the Pro 3, it's definitely not as noticeable of a leap up. Apple advertises it's twice as strong. Again, I don't know. I wouldn't really say it's twice as strong, but it is quite noticeableWatch H
AirPods Pro 3 received a hearing tracker score of 4.1 out of five. Okay, let's pop open the box and see what's inside.Watch J
The AirPods Pro 3, they have been absolutely phenomenal in my opinion and I still stand by what I said in my original video.Watch N
These saw some genuine upgrades from the previous generation especially in the most important areas such as sound quality, ANC, and battery life. However, Apple made one design change to these headphones that have ruined the experience of them for me. The 2nd generation were my all time favorite in-ear headphones and I'm really bummed about this change.Watch H HelloChen HelloChen · 8.1K subscribers · Nov 2025
If you're upgrading from the AirPods Pro 1, $1,000 it is totally worth it. You get better A&C, better fit, and probably a better sound. But if you already own the AirPods Pro 2, I highly recommend you not to upgrade unless the fit and battery life maybe is super important to you. Because in my opinion, for $350, for an additional $350, it needs to be two times better in every category and make my daily life better when I use itWatch I IllegallySighted IllegallySighted · 4.9K subscribers · Sept 2026
So, the microphone quality is definitely an area where I think that Apple could definitely improve on for future versions of these AirPods Pro. The actual audio quality though, overall, is quite goodWatch O
And honestly, after 6 months, I can finally say what lives up to the hype, and then what feels a little bit annoying. So, I'm just going to talk about a real-world use case with the AirPods Pro 3. The good, the weird, and why these might be the most Apple earbuds Apple has ever made.Watch B
If top-tier noise cancellation and battery life matter most to you, these are a strong upgrade.Watch
10 unconvinced sources
But when judged through the lens of livability and sound quality, the AirPods Pro 3 are a major letdown for Resolve and Listener. What could have been a subtle refinement turned into what may be the biggest audio disappointment this year—a product that trades the essentials (comfort and natural tuning) for spectacle and fit security, leaving fans of the AirPods Pro 2 wondering why Apple has seemingly abandoned its best sound signature ever.Read U
>> It So, it didn't work. It didn't work at all. And we pretty much found that out the very first like 5 or 10 minutes we were in there. >> Yes. >> Anna had them in and then What were you noticing? It was first it recognized ambient noise and then asked me to move this the phone closer to the source speaking.Watch S
And this is the main drawback of the Apple AirPods Pro 3: if you listen to your music at a fairly quiet level, the output from the earbuds will be very different from your mental model of what your “expected sound” is. Not everyone likes excessive bass, and I don’t know many people without hearing loss who enjoy extreme emphasis in the highs. It’s uncomfortable, even when it’s not incredibly loud.Read S
But after unboxing and testing them, Linus isn’t impressed with how they sound compared to the AirPods Pro 2.Watch S
For example, members of the Apple community have noted that the earbuds rattle around and often come loose during exercise. Others mention that the longer stems make it feel like the buds are pressing harder against the ear. Some even state that manufacturing errors with the new heart rate sensor are causing chafing against the tragus.Read I
For that, Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 receives a 0 out of 10 for repairability, continuing their abysmal 9 year streakWatch M
Some AirPods Pro 3 Owners Complain About Static NoiseRead D
They struggle significantly in background noiseWatch T
So yeah, unfortunately as someone who really wanted to love the AirPods Pro 3, because I really do love the AirPods Pro 2, it just doesn't doesn't land for me the same way and it's a lot less safe and normal of a listen. Yeah, I have a a little bit of a different opinion, maybe. I think this is just outright terribleWatch D
But what I can show you is what the AirPods Pro 3 primed at 50% volume measure relative to the population average ear, which is this measurement right here. Behind that we have the preference bounds which is the range based on the Harmon research of kind of the upper and lower extent of what people tend to prefer. Somewhere in the middle is closer to ideal and will be what people perceive as neutral. Based off that I think it's very easy to say this is an obviously V-shaped productWatch
3 stance not read sources
Here's my honest review of the Apple AirPods Pro 3 after a month using them every day.Watch A
Comparing the AirPods Pro 3 vs Pro 2? If you're already using the Pro 2, you need to know if the new features are a minor tweak or a major upgrade worth the cost.Watch
Frequently asked questions
It ranks #2 of 24 on our earbuds tier list, in S tier. That placement draws on 116 cited sources across 90 outlets.
10 of the 113 sources with a clear view are critical of it, among them DMS, Doctor Cliff, AuD and Headphones.com. sealed battery limits lifespan. Ecosystem lock-in limits compatibility. Premium-tier price. Fit can be insecure for some ear shapes. The Apple premium buys ecosystem lock-in more than it buys sound.
On our earbuds board, Apple AirPods Pro 3 ranks #2 (S tier) ahead of Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) at #4 (A tier). Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): the current overall winner in mainstream testing, and Bose's warranty and fit hardware have a reasonable multi-year track record. Carries the usual TWS battery-sealed-in-the-shell risk, but it is the safest flagship to own into year three.
Ranked nearby in Earbuds
S tier #1 Sony WF-1000XM6
S tier #3 Technics EAH-AZ100
A tier #4 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
A tier #5 Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
A tier #6 1 of 5 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. CMF Buds 2 Plus
A tier #7 7Hz Salnotes Zero
F tier #21 3 of 7 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
F tier #22 3 of 7 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Apple AirPods 4 with ANC
F tier #23 1 of 2 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. JLab JBuds Mini
F tier #24 3 of 8 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick.