AirPods Pro 3 Review: The Best Earbuds for iPhone Just Got Better

AirPods Pro have been the default earbuds for iPhone owners for years, and the third generation is the biggest update since the originals. Apple rebuilt the fit, pushed noise cancellation much further, added a heart-rate sensor to each earbud and brought in new tricks like Live Translation. The price stayed where it was.

We spent our research time on the things that decide whether earbuds are worth $249: how well they block noise, how they sound, how comfortable they are over a full day, and what you give up compared with cheaper options. Here is the full picture.

Design and fit

At a glance AirPods Pro 3 look familiar: a short stem, a soft ear tip and a compact, pebble-shaped case. Up close the earbud body is smaller and sits deeper in the ear, and Apple now ships five tip sizes, including a new extra-extra-small option. The tips themselves are foam-infused silicone, which gives a softer seal and better passive isolation than the plain silicone tips of earlier models.

The result is a noticeably more secure fit. Earlier AirPods Pro could work loose during a run; the new shape grips better, and Apple has raised water and sweat resistance to IP57 for the earbuds and case. If you have struggled with in-ear buds before, the extra tip size is worth trying before you give up — run the Ear Tip Fit Test in Settings to confirm the seal.

Noise cancellation

This is the headline improvement. Apple says Active Noise Cancellation removes up to twice as much noise as AirPods Pro 2, and the combination of a deeper fit, foam-infused tips and new acoustic architecture makes that believable. Low, constant sounds — engine drone on a plane, road rumble on a bus, air-conditioning in an office — fade almost completely. Mid-range noise such as voices is reduced much further than on most earbuds.

Transparency mode remains the best in the business. It sounds natural rather than processed, and Adaptive Audio blends the two modes automatically based on your surroundings, which is ideal if you move between a quiet office and a noisy street throughout the day. Conversation Awareness lowers your music when you start speaking.

Sound quality

AirPods Pro 3 have a clean, balanced sound with more controlled bass than before. Low notes hit with more weight when the seal is right, vocals are clear and forward, and treble is smooth rather than sparkly. It is a sound signature designed to be pleasant with everything from podcasts to pop, and Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking remains one of the best ways to watch films on an iPhone or iPad.

The limitation is codec support. AirPods use AAC over Bluetooth, so there is no high-resolution or lossless wireless audio. For most listeners on streaming services it is a non-issue, but audiophiles who care about hi-res files will get more out of Sony’s LDAC-capable earbuds on Android.

Heart-rate sensing and fitness

Each earbud now has a small optical heart-rate sensor. Start a workout in the Fitness app or a supported third-party app and AirPods Pro 3 can track heart rate and calories without an Apple Watch. For people who run or train with their phone but do not wear a watch, it is genuinely useful. If you already own an Apple Watch, the watch remains the primary sensor.

Smart features

AirPods Pro 3 are packed with software features that only work on Apple devices:

• Live Translation translates in-person conversations through your iPhone, with the other person’s speech played in your ears.
• Hearing Health includes a clinically validated Hearing Test and a Hearing Aid feature for mild to moderate hearing loss, plus Hearing Protection that reduces loud environmental noise.
• Automatic switching moves audio between your iPhone, iPad and Mac signed in to the same Apple Account.
• Find My with Precision Finding locates the case, which also has a built-in speaker.

On Android the earbuds pair as regular Bluetooth headphones: noise cancellation works, but you lose automatic switching, most settings, heart-rate tracking and the hearing features.

Battery life

Apple rates AirPods Pro 3 for up to 8 hours of listening with noise cancellation on — a meaningful improvement over the previous model per charge. The case holds fewer total recharges than before, so overall battery with the case is a little lower, but most people will never notice: a full day of commuting and calls still leaves plenty in reserve.

AirPods Pro 3 vs the alternatives

Earbuds	Best for	Main trade-off
AirPods Pro 3	iPhone owners who want everything	Price; limited on Android
AirPods 4 (ANC)	People who dislike ear tips	Weaker noise cancelling
Sony WF-1000XM5	Android and hi-res audio	Fewer iPhone integrations
Bose QC Ultra Earbuds	Maximum silence	Larger case and earbuds

Not sure which AirPods fit your budget? Our AirPods buying guide compares every model Apple sells.

Should you buy AirPods Pro 3?

If you use an iPhone, yes. AirPods Pro 3 do everything well and several things better than any other earbuds: noise cancellation is excellent, Transparency mode is unmatched, the fit is more secure, and features like heart-rate sensing and Live Translation add real value. Owners of first-generation AirPods Pro or older will find the upgrade transformative; AirPods Pro 2 owners should upgrade if ANC or fit is a pain point.