Apple AirPods Pro 3
Exact average 85.5 · 14 printed, 12 estimated · printed scores only: 88
Image: Apple26 professional reviewers tested the Apple AirPods Pro 3, and 22 recommend it. Most praised: noise cancelling and comfort. Most common complaint: controls and app.
Reviewed by The Independent, Expert Reviews, PCMag UK and 23 more
The catch: Shorter total battery with the case.
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What 26 critics said
Highest score first · all converted to 0–100- 95The Independent
Among the best wireless earbuds around, with much stronger noise cancelling, heart-rate tracking, live translation and longer battery, plus a lower launch price than before.
Read The Independent review - 95Expert Reviews
The reviewer loves them, praising near-impenetrable noise cancelling, comfort and accurate heart rate monitoring at a good price.
Read Expert Reviews review - 95PCMag UK
Given the top rating and an Editors' Choice nod, with class-leading noise cancellation, strong sound and standout health features.
Read PCMag UK review - 90WIRED
The reviewer calls these the best AirPods yet, with top-class noise cancelling, better fit, heart rate sensing and live translation.
Read WIRED review - 90AppleInsider
A long-term revisit finds the earbuds still excellent for sound, noise cancelling and Apple integration, with the shorter case battery life the main annoyance.
Read AppleInsider review - 90TechRadar
Nearly flawless noise-cancelling earbuds with strong sound, new health features and good translation tools.
Read TechRadar review - 90Macworld
Small design and build tweaks add up to real gains in fit, battery and noise reduction at an unchanged price.
Read Macworld review - 90The Verge
A clear step up on an already winning formula, with top ANC and sound and smart additions at the same price.
Read The Verge review - 90The Disconnekt
Excellent earbuds with a more secure fit, strong sound and noise cancelling, and a rich feature set that suits Apple users.
Read The Disconnekt review - 85TechGearLab
Lab-tested and ranked first among 21 earbuds, praised for top-tier noise blocking, call clarity, comfort and long battery life.
Read TechGearLab review - 85Engadget
Calls it the biggest update to Apple's earbuds in years, with stronger noise cancelling, better sound, heart-rate tracking and longer battery.
Read Engadget review - 80Android Central
Excellent noise cancelling and sound, but the reviewer finds the fit hit or miss and the upgrade hard to justify.
Read Android Central review - 80How-To Geek
Recommends the earbuds for impressive noise cancelling and improved fit, noting bass-heavy tuning without EQ and Apple-only features.
Read How-To Geek review - 78SoundGuys
Strong all-rounder earbuds with excellent noise cancelling and added hearing-aid and fitness features, mainly valuable to iPhone owners.
Read SoundGuys review - 89est.The Strategist
A fitness editor finds clearly better sound, noise cancelling and fit, calling them a solid upgrade worth the price.
Read The Strategist review - 89est.Good Housekeeping
Enthusiastic about the noise cancelling, sound and fit, and calls the upgrade worthwhile.
Read Good Housekeeping review - 89est.Trusted Reviews
A big step up from the Pro 2 with a more secure fit, better ANC and sound, and an accurate built-in heart rate sensor.
Read Trusted Reviews review - 89est.DC Rainmaker
A fitness-focused test that finds the heart rate accuracy remarkably good and the noise cancelling a big improvement, making them the best option for workout headphones with heart rate.
Read DC Rainmaker review - 85est.Dave2D
The AirPods Pro 3 offer excellent active noise cancellation, a comfortable fit, and impressive microphone quality, though the audio profile is slightly less natural than the previous generation.
Read Dave2D review - 85est.Marques Brownlee
The AirPods Pro 3 offer significant improvements in sound quality, noise cancellation, and fit, making them a top-tier choice for iPhone users.
Read Marques Brownlee review - 83est.The Guardian
Described as an all-round upgrade with excellent noise cancelling, wider sound and good fitness features.
Read The Guardian review - 83est.NBC Select
The reviewer's choice for iPhone users, praising comfort, sound, noise cancelling and workout suitability.
Read NBC Select review - 83est.Business Insider
Recommends them as the best AirPods for most people thanks to strong noise cancelling and features.
Read Business Insider review - 77est.CNN Underscored
The reviewer calls them Apple's best earbuds yet, with a better fit and stronger ANC, but only a modest step up from the Pro 2.
Read CNN Underscored review - 73est.Tom's Guide
A three-month follow-up that credits the stronger noise cancelling but is bothered by fit soreness, lost detail and weak translation.
Read Tom's Guide review - 66est.Techlicious
Tested as an over-the-counter hearing aid, the earbuds improve slightly on the Pro 2 in battery life and fit but still amplify too little and struggle in noise.
Read Techlicious review
"Est." means the outlet printed no score, so we estimated one from its verdict and checked our estimates against ratings outlets print. How we check estimates
Watch a video review
- Dave2D on YouTube ↗Counted in the score: 85
- Marques Brownlee on YouTube ↗Counted in the score: 85
From YouTube channels we vetted by hand. Videos paid for by the brand are never listed.
How it compares
Direct comparisons by professional outlets, exact models only, in our words. Shown as evidence; they never change the critic score.
vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)87
- What Hi-Fi? picks the Apple AirPods Pro 3.
- Pickr (2025) picks the Apple AirPods Pro 3.
- CNET: it depends. Choose this one if: you use Apple devices and want its many extra features, especially on sale.
vs Sony WF-1000XM685
- CNET: it depends. Choose this one if: you use Apple gear, want a safer fit and plenty of extra features.
What critics praise most
What critics dislike most
Other wireless earbuds critics rate highly
Also reviewed, not yet scored
- EarFun OpenJump · 3 reviews so far
- OnePlus Buds 4 · 3 reviews so far
- Skullcandy Method 360 ANC · 3 reviews so far
- Sony WF-1000XM5 · 3 reviews so far
- Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro · 3 reviews so far
Common questions
Is the Apple AirPods Pro 3 worth it?
Most critics think so: 22 of 26 recommend it. Shorter total battery with the case.
Do critics agree about the Apple AirPods Pro 3?
Broad agreement: scores range from 66 (Techlicious) to 95 (The Independent), a spread of 29 points across 26 reviews. Most reviewers land fairly close together.
What do critics dislike about the Apple AirPods Pro 3?
Controls and app (12 of 26 reviews), Battery life (7 of 26 reviews), Fit and comfort (7 of 26 reviews).
What is the best alternative to the Apple AirPods Pro 3?
The Sony WF-C710N (critic score 94), top pick, narrowly.