Apple AirPods Pro 3 review

Fit & Noise Cancellation

Start with the tips. They run from XXS to L, and a poor seal can undermine both the bass and the quiet you bought these for. A smaller tip that sits comfortably in one ear need not be the size that works in the other.

RTINGS found more effective noise cancellation than on the Pro 2. That gives a commuter a reason to consider the new pair even if the previous model still works. The deeper position in the ear also makes trying the fit particularly worthwhile for anyone who was sensitive to pressure with the old pair. ¹

Battery & Charging

Apple’s figures favor different generations depending on your routine. A Pro 2 pair is rated for six hours with cancellation, or 30 hours including the USB-C case. The Pro 3 moves that to eight and 24 hours respectively. For a long train journey the newer buds buy time. For short trips throughout a week the older case can last longer.

A workout that uses the built-in heart-rate sensing has a different rating of up to six and a half hours. The buds and charging case are both rated IP57. Dry them before charging.

Sound Quality

RTINGS found the bass and mids tracked its target fairly closely, with more bass weight than the Pro 2 and a less even upper range. Voices should have a solid foundation, but a listener who finds a treble peak tiring has no conventional graphic equalizer for dialing just that range back. ¹

Adjustment starts at the ear rather than at an equalizer screen. Play a familiar voice with the tips fitted, then try the next size if the low end disappears as you move. That is a useful distinction on these earbuds because the change you can make most readily is a physical one.

Connectivity & Controls

A Mac and an iPhone using the same Apple Account can hand playback between them. A work Windows laptop is a different arrangement: it can play Bluetooth audio, but the Apple switching feature does not follow you there. The stem controls are useful regardless of where the phone is in your bag. Press to pause or answer, and swipe the stem for volume instead of taking the phone out on a crowded train.

Charging Case

A traveler who already carries an Apple Watch charger can use it for the case as well. A USB-C cable also works when a charging pad is unavailable. Apple sells the cable separately, so check what is already in the bag before relying on a top-up away from home. The case extends listening time across several sittings; it cannot refill an earbud during the call you are wearing it for.

Alternatives

If your Pro 2 still seals well and each commute leaves plenty of battery, the better cancellation is the reason to audition these. For someone switching between Android and a work laptop, Sony’s WF-1000XM6 deserves a look for its two-device Bluetooth connection.

Verdict

Choose the Pro 3 for a quieter iPhone commute or a longer uninterrupted session. A Pro 2 owner who mostly listens in short bursts can reasonably keep the older pair, particularly if its shallower fit already feels right.