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Apple AirPods Pro 3
Apple · Released September 9, 2025

AirPods Pro 3

The best earbuds for iPhone owners: heart-rate sensing, a hearing-aid mode and IP57

Earbuds
9.3/10What the pros sayOutstandingExpert consensus · Verified Oct 8, 2026See score breakdown ↓
Buying call

iPhone owners should buy AirPods Pro 3: up to 8 hours with ANC (24 with the case, Apple claim), heart-rate tracking during workouts, the FDA-authorized Hearing Aid feature and IP57 dust and water resistance, all for less than Sony's WF-1000XM6. Android users should skip them: hearing health, heart rate and automatic device switching need an iPhone, and there's no LDAC.

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Editor testedHands-on testing and real-world use
Real-world useBased on everyday testing, not a spec sheet
Unbiased reviewIndependent and objective, sources shown
AirPods Pro 3Check priceSee price
Key specs
Connection
Wireless (Bluetooth)
Controls
Press + swipe touch control · Siri · head gestures
Highlights

Specs that matter

Audio
Type
Earbuds
Wear
In-ear / earbuds
Bluetooth
Bluetooth 5.3
Body
Weight
0.2 oz (6 g)
Dimensions
Depth: · Weight: · Depth: 0.86 inch (21.8 mm) · 0.86 inch (21.8 mm) · Width: 0.76 inch (19.2 mm) · 1.86 inches (47.2 mm)
IP rating
IP57
At a glance

Product highlights

Verified attributes, grouped for quick scanning.

AudioEarbuds · In-ear / earbudsBT Bluetooth 5.3
Weight0.2 oz (6 g)Depth: · Weight: · Depth: 0.86 inch (21.8 mm) · 0.86 inch (21.8 mm) · Width: 0.76 inch (19.2 mm) · 1.86 inches (47.2 mm) · IP57
95 attributes · See all specifications
Price & availability

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Buying decision

Should you buy it?

iPhone owners should buy AirPods Pro 3: up to 8 hours with ANC (24 with the case, Apple claim), heart-rate tracking during workouts, the FDA-authorized Hearing Aid feature and IP57 dust and water resistance, all for less than Sony's WF-1000XM6. Android users should skip them: hearing health, heart rate and automatic device switching need an iPhone, and there's no LDAC.

Best for

iPhone owners who want the most seamless ANC earbuds experience.

Not for

Primary Android users, or buyers who need replaceable tips/wings for intense workouts first.

Main strengthReviewers rank the ANC with the best earbuds, with several perfect scores
Main weaknessNo adjustable EQ, a common review gripe
Reasons to buy
Reviewers rank the ANC with the best earbuds, with several perfect scores
Heart-rate sensing during workouts, plus Apple's FDA-authorized Hearing Aid feature
Rated IP57 against dust and water, up from IP54 on AirPods Pro 2
Up to 8 hours with ANC on, 24 with the case (Apple claim)
Reasons to avoid
No adjustable EQ, a common review gripe
Hearing health, heart rate and auto-switching need an iPhone
No LDAC or aptX for Android phones
Occasional connection hiccups in one long-term test
Measured view9.3/10What the pros say · verified oct 8, 2026.
ScoreVerified Oct 8, 2026
Independent coverage

What other reviewers say

Reviews from other sites and creators. They don't change the Gadget Clash score.

Submit your review
What Hi-Fi?5/5
Article · Full reviewApple AirPods Pro 3 reviewKashfia Kabir, Ketan Bharadia · Jan 2026

A clear recommendation, particularly for people using iPhones.

Read on What Hi-Fi? ↗
SoundGuys7.8/10
Article · Full reviewApple AirPods Pro 3 review: Close to perfectHarley Maranan · Nov 2025

Lab and real-world testing find a near-flawless follow-up to the AirPods Pro 2.

Read on SoundGuys ↗
The Verge9/10
Article · Full reviewAirPods Pro 3 review: tripling down on a good thingVictoria Song · Sep 2025

Builds on an already strong formula; an easy upgrade pick.

Read on The Verge ↗
Marques BrownleeAirPods Pro 3 Review: I Understand It Now!Watch on YouTube ↗
Dave2DAirPods Pro 3 Review - AwesomeWatch on YouTube ↗
CNETApple AirPods Pro 3 Review: Bose and Sony Have a Problem! | All Things MobileWatch on YouTube ↗
Head to head

How it stacks up

Open a comparison for the full side-by-side view.

Choose a gadget
Apple AirPods Pro 3
This deviceAirPods Pro 3
VS
Sony WF-1000XM6
AlternativeSony WF-1000XM6
Score
9.38.7
Full comparison
Apple AirPods Pro 3
This deviceAirPods Pro 3
VS
AirPods (1st generation)
AlternativeAirPods (1st generation)
Score
9.3—
Full comparison
Apple AirPods Pro 3
This deviceAirPods Pro 3
VS
AirPods Pro (1st generation)
AlternativeAirPods Pro (1st generation)
Score
9.3—
Full comparison
Same category

Alternatives worth a look

Other phones in the database, with their stored scores and prices.

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AirPods Pro 1 with MagSafe Charging Case—
AppleAirPods Pro 1 with MagSafe Charging CaseFirst-gen AirPods Pro with MagSafe case
AirPods 3—
AppleAirPods 3Open-fit AirPods with Spatial Audio and longer stem force sensor
AirPods Pro (1st generation)—
AppleAirPods Pro (1st generation)Original AirPods Pro with ANC
AirPods (2nd generation)—
AppleAirPods (2nd generation)Basic open AirPods with H1 and "Hey Siri"
Product data

Full specifications

95 attributes, grouped for quick scanning. Verified Oct 8, 2026. Spot a wrong value? Hit the next to it.

Sound

Driver type
Custom high-excursion Apple driver; custom high dynamic range amplifier
Spatial audio
✓
Head tracking
✓

Noise Control

Adaptive ANC
✓
Ambient / transparency
✓

Battery

Battery (ANC on)
8 h
Total with case
Up to 24 hours (ANC on)
Charging port
USB-C
Wireless charging
✓MagSafe, Apple Watch charger, Qi
Quick charge
5 min in case = ~1 hour
Charging case
  • Works with MagSafe charger
  • Apple Watch charger
  • Qi‑certified chargers
  • or USB‑C connector
  • Includes a speaker for use with Find My16
  • Works with MagSafe charger
  • Apple Watch charger
  • Qi‑certified chargers
  • or USB‑C connector
  • Includes a speaker for use with Find My16

Connectivity

Connection
Wireless (Bluetooth)

Microphone

Microphone
Dual beamforming microphones; inward-facing microphone

Controls & Software

Controls
  • Press + swipe touch control
  • Siri
  • head gestures
Voice assistant
✓
Find My
✓

Comfort & Build

Dimensions
Earbud: 30.9 x 19.2 x 27.0 mm; Case: 47.2 x 62.2 x 21.8 mm
Water resistance
IP57 (earbuds and case)
Colors
  • White

Charging Case

Case weight
43.99 g

Sensors

Sensors
  • Dual beamforming microphones
  • Inward-facing microphone
  • Skin-detect sensor
  • Motion-detecting accelerometer
  • Speech-detecting accelerometer
  • Heart rate sensor for workouts
  • Touch control
  • Dual beamforming microphones
  • Inward-facing microphone
  • Skin-detect sensor
  • Motion-detecting accelerometer
  • Speech-detecting accelerometer
  • Heart rate sensor for workouts
  • Touch control

Launch

Released
2025-09-09
Launch price
249
In the box
  • AirPods Pro 3
  • MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C)
  • silicone ear tips (five sizes: XXS-L)
  • Documentation
Vote & discuss

Community says

No reader votes on the AirPods Pro 3 yet. Votes happen on head-to-heads: pick a matchup and say which one you would buy.

AirPods Pro 3No store price yetSpecs