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Apple AirPods Pro 3

Superb noise blocking and comfort, best enjoyed with an iPhone

Our score
82/100
The Product Review scoreOur verdict from 12 expert reviews and 32,739 owner ratings and comments. High confidence. Loupe, our mascotLoupe's take: Experts and owners agree on this one. Who's Loupe?
Apple AirPods Pro 3

Photo: Apple

90Expert score12 expert reviews
80Owners score32,739 ratings & comments
71Reliability12% report problems
Based on
See how we scored it

Updated October 26, 2026

The evidence is strong and consistent: all 12 hands-on reviewers praise the noise cancelling, and the expert score of 90 is backed by 469 first-hand owner comments, with 46% praising sound and 44% praising noise cancelling. The recurring catches are iPhone lock-in, flagged by at least 7 of 12 reviewers, no real adjustable EQ (about 6 of 12), and a total case battery that dropped to 24 hours from 30 (4 of 12). Fit splits opinion more than anything else, with 25% of owners praising comfort but 11% complaining, and several reviewers reporting slipping during intense workouts. Evidence is thin on long-term durability (reliability score 71, with 12% of owners mentioning failures), on hearing-aid performance, and on in-flight noise cancelling, which at least one reviewer did not test.

Experts 90Owners 80
ExpertsOwnersEach expert review

What each expert concluded

4.8/5

Excellent earbuds for iPhone owners, with class-leading noise blocking, standout call quality and very long battery life, held back by no EQ adjustment and a reduced feature set on Android.

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5/5

The AirPods Pro 3 are a well-balanced, comfortable and intuitive pair of premium earbuds that improve on the Pro 2 in sound and noise-cancelling, though battery life and strong rivals hold them back from being class-leading.

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~8.5/10

A modest but worthwhile upgrade over the AirPods Pro 2 with a snugger fit, stronger noise cancellation and built-in heart rate tracking, though not a revolution and still behind Bose for noise blocking; Pro 2 owners can skip it.

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8.5/10

Rtings finds the AirPods Pro 3 a strong, comfortable all-rounder with class-leading noise cancellation and a better overall package than the AirPods Pro 2, held back mainly by iOS-locked features, a lack of a real equalizer, and inconsistent mic quality on non-Apple devices.

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7.8/10

A feature-rich, well-priced pair of earbuds that works best for iPhone owners, held back by imperfect fit, a still-immature Live Translation feature, and limited Android support and codecs.

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~9/10

The writer found the AirPods Pro 3 a worthwhile upgrade thanks to stronger noise cancelling, better sound, a snugger fit, and new features like heart rate sensing and Live Translation.

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4.5/5

The writer, after about a year of real-world and lab testing, finds the AirPods Pro 3 a substantial upgrade over the previous model, with standout noise cancellation, better sound and battery life, and an unchanged price, making them an easy recommendation especially for Apple users.

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9/10

The writer finds the AirPods Pro 3 to be the best AirPods yet, with excellent noise canceling and a strong fit and feature set, though the bass-heavy tuning may need adjusting and Android users have comparable alternatives.

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~8/10

The writer considers the AirPods Pro 3 the best AirPods Pro yet, with better noise cancellation, battery life, and water resistance, and recommends them to iPhone owners, though fit during intense workouts, awkward controls, and middling live translation hold them back.

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9/10

The writer, after months of daily use, finds the AirPods Pro 3 to be Apple's most ambitious and capable earbuds, with top-tier noise cancellation, transparency and fit, held back by a few minor flaws and ecosystem lock-in.

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~8.5/10

The AirPods Pro 3 are a well-rounded, feature-rich upgrade over the Pro 2 and the best AirPods for most people, though the redesigned fit may not suit every ear and Pro 2 owners needn't rush to upgrade.

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5/5

The AirPods Pro 3 are a major upgrade over the Pro 2, with a better fit, stronger noise cancellation, longer battery life, and new health and translation features, making them the top pick for noise-cancelling earbuds for people who use other Apple products.

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Verdicts paraphrased; open a card to read the original. How we score

The verdict in 10 seconds

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 at work: noise cancelling headphones on a desk in a busy office

You'll love it if

  • You use an iPhone and other Apple devices
  • You commute, travel, or work somewhere loud and want real quiet
  • You take lots of calls or want workout tracking without a watch

Skip it if

  • You use an Android phone and want the full feature set
  • You like tweaking your sound with a detailed equalizer
  • You do intense, high-impact workouts and need a locked-in fit

What owners rave and rant about

What they rave about

Sound46%
Anc44%
Comfort25%
Battery13%
Value12%

What they rant about

Comfort11%
Connectivity7%
Sound7%
Anc6%
Value5%

Share of 519 owner reviews and comments that mention each topic.

The no-fluff verdict

These are easy, comfortable earbuds that hush the world around you remarkably well and sound full and clear. Noise cancelling is the standout, and calls, workouts, and switching between Apple gadgets all feel effortless. The catch is that much of the magic depends on owning an iPhone, you can't fine-tune the sound much, and the fit doesn't suit every ear. They suit Apple users who commute, travel, or work in noisy places.

We researched 12 expert reviews, analyzed 32,739 owner ratings and comments across 16 sources, and cross-checked them into one verdict, so you don't have to.

Ratings across the web

4.4 / 5
★★★★★17,000 ratingsMay include close variants of this model
4.7 / 5
★★★★★15,220 ratingsCombined across sellers
4.0 / 5
★★★★★156 reviewswalmart.com, bjs.com, ebay.com
3.8 / 5
★★★★★519 owner commentsLong-term owners. Converted to stars from how positive their comments are
How buyers rated it
5★86%
4★7%
3★2%
2★1%
1★5%
15,206 star ratings across retailers

Shop ratings lean positive (happy buyers, brand-moderated stores); forums lean critical (people post problems). Our owners score weighs both equally.

Questions people actually ask

How do the AirPods Pro 3 noise cancelling headphones work?

They combine a tight seal with active electronic cancelling. The foam-lined tips physically block sound, and fast processing adjusts the cancelling as noise around you changes.

Based on: Several reviewers credit the foam-lined tips and faster processing for stronger noise cancelling.

What is noise cancelling in the AirPods Pro 3?

It's a mode that actively quiets outside sound like traffic, subway rumble, and cafe chatter. It's the strongest reason people choose these earbuds.

Based on: All 12 reviewers praise the noise cancelling, and 44% of owners do too.

How does noise cancelling on the AirPods Pro 3 compare to the best?

It's right at the top. It rivals the quietest earbuds around, though a Bose rival may still edge it out for total silence.

Based on: Most reviewers call it class-leading, and 3 of 12 say Bose blocks slightly more.

What are the AirPods Pro 3 noise cancelling headphones like to wear?

Comfortable and secure for most people. A wider range of tip sizes and a deeper fit help them stay put, but some ears find the new shape odd.

Based on: Most reviewers praise the fit; 25% of owners like comfort, 11% complain.

How does the noise cancelling on the AirPods Pro 3 work with Android?

It still works, but you lose a lot. Many extras, such as heart rate tracking, translation, and easy settings, are built around the iPhone.

Based on: At least 7 of 12 reviewers flag limited features on Android.

How much does the Apple AirPods Pro 3 cost?

Usually $179–$249 in the US. Prices move with sales, so check the current price.

Based on: Prices quoted in expert reviews and at Amazon.com.

What does the Apple AirPods Pro 3 cost to run?

Mostly replacement parts and supplies

  • Apple Fitness+ subscription needed for live fitness analytics (price not stated)
  • Optional third-party silicone ear tips, about $25
  • Silicone case recommended for grip on the slippery, scratch-prone case (price not stated)
Based on: Running costs and part lifespans reported in expert reviews.

Has the Apple AirPods Pro 3 been recalled?

No. We found no U.S. safety recalls for this model.

Based on: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall records.
Apple AirPods Pro 3Product Review score 82 · $179–$249
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