ReviewFinder Wireless Headphones

Apple AirPods 3

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Sound quality
Noise cancellation
Comfort
Battery life
Connectivity
Durability
Additional features
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16 Verified Hands-On Reviews

To combat fake reviews we only accept video reviews from verified channels. Each review must show the product and the face of the reviewer.

Expert reviews [16]

82
Total expert reviews: 16
  • with a score: 11
  • without a score: 5
Highest score by Tom's Guide
90
Average score based on 16 reviews
82
Lowest score by wired.co.uk
60

Score distribution:

80-100
60-80
40-60
20-40
0-20
80
The AirPods 3 are a worthy upgrade for iPhone users
The Apple AirPods 3 are a fantastic choice for Apple enthusiasts who want wireless earbuds that offer a seamless experience, with impressive audio performance and a comfortable design. However, they may not be the best option for Android users or those looking for active noise cancellation or hi-res audio support.
+ pros
  • Improved audio performance, connectivity, and design.
  • Optimized for use within the Apple ecosystem.
  • Impressive spatial audio.
  • Easy to use.
  • Comfortable and subtle design.
  • Sweat-resistant and suitable for exercise.
  • Compact and easy-to-open charging case.
  • Well-balanced sound and good sound quality for calls.
  • Support for Spatial Audio.
  • Impressive battery life.
  • Fast pairing and extra features for iOS 15 users.
  • Skin-detect sensor that pauses music playback when the buds are not in your ears.
- cons
  • Lack of noise cancellation and interchangeable eartips.
  • Not the best choice for Android users.
  • Passive noise cancellation is not very effective.
  • Limited audio codec support (SBC and AAC only).
  • May not be a significant upgrade for AirPods Pro owners.
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ReviewFinder: authentic product reviews summarized by a powerful AI engine.

Expert consensus

The Apple AirPods 3 offer a well-balanced sound signature, mixed noise cancellation performance, mixed comfort reviews, decent battery life, and convenient connectivity features, making them suitable for audiobooks, podcasts, and non-bass-heavy music genres, but not ideal for active noise cancellation or intense workouts.

The Apple AirPods 3 have received mixed reviews from experts. In terms of sound quality, the AirPods 3 offer a well-balanced and pleasing sound signature with a lush midrange and improved bass compared to previous generations. However, the bass response is polarizing, with some reviewers praising its warmth and power while others criticize its poor accuracy in reproducing low-bass.

The treble frequencies are bright and detailed, although they can sometimes sound slightly harsh. The Adaptive EQ feature adjusts the sound based on the fit in your ears, but the open-back design may affect the reproduction of low bass. Overall, the AirPods 3 provide a clear and detailed audio experience, making them well-suited for content like audiobooks, podcasts, and non-bass-heavy music genres.

In terms of noise cancellation, the AirPods 3 do not have active noise cancellation (ANC) and have a bad noise isolation performance due to their open-back design. They do not effectively block out external sounds in the bass, mid, or high-pitched ranges. However, they do have some degree of noise reduction and ambient noise isolation, which can enhance phone call quality and provide a more immersive listening experience for music playback.

If you specifically need noise cancellation, the AirPods Pro would be a better choice.

The comfort of the AirPods 3 has received mixed reviews as well. Some users find them significantly more secure and comfortable for extended use compared to previous models, while others experience discomfort or pressure on their ears after prolonged use. The fit and comfort can vary depending on individual ear anatomy.

While the AirPods 3 are designed to provide stability during physical activity or movement, they may not be as secure as earbuds with customizable ear tips or stability fins for intense workouts or running.

The battery life of the AirPods 3 is generally considered to be decent and should be sufficient for most users' needs. They offer up to six hours of listening time on a single charge and have quick charging capabilities. When using noise-cancelling features, the battery life may be slightly affected.

Overall, the AirPods 3 provide a decent battery life that should meet the needs of most users, whether it's for daily use, quick charging, or longer listening sessions.

In terms of connectivity, the AirPods 3 offer adequate Bluetooth connectivity and are compatible with both iOS and Android devices. They can connect to multiple Apple devices simultaneously, allowing for seamless switching between devices. They also offer hands-free Siri activation, Audio Sharing between two sets of AirPods, integration with Apple's Find My network, Group FaceTime with Spatial Audio, automatic device switching, and a connection pop-up feature when near an iPhone.

These features enhance the user experience and make it convenient to use the AirPods 3 in various scenarios.

The AirPods 3 also come with several additional features that enhance the overall user experience, such as touch controls, compatibility with Siri, and the ability to customize settings through the Bluetooth menu on iOS devices. They also have an improved design, longer battery life, and seamless integration with Apple's ecosystem of devices.

Overall, the Apple AirPods 3 provide a range of features that cater to various use cases, including easy navigation, personalized sound, longer battery life, and seamless integration with Apple devices. However, they may not be suitable for users who prioritize active noise cancellation or require a secure fit for intense workouts.

Sound quality

The Apple AirPods 3 offer a well-balanced and pleasing sound signature with improved bass, although the polarizing bass response may not be ideal for all music genres.

The Apple AirPods 3 have a polarizing bass response, with some reviewers praising its warmth and power, while others criticize its poor accuracy in reproducing low-bass. The sound signature of the AirPods 3 is generally described as well-balanced and pleasing, with a lush midrange and improved bass compared to previous generations.

The treble frequencies are bright and detailed, although they can sometimes sound slightly harsh or piercing. The clarity and detail in the sound reproduction are considered good, with vocals and lead instruments being present and accurate. The AirPods 3 come with custom-made low-distortion drivers and high dynamic range amplifiers for improved audio quality.

The Adaptive EQ feature adjusts the sound based on the fit in your ears. The open-back design may affect the reproduction of low bass, but the rest of the sound range is well-balanced and bright. The AirPods 3 are well-suited for content like audiobooks, podcasts, and non-bass-heavy music genres like classical, but may not be ideal for genres like EDM or hip-hop.

Overall, the AirPods 3 provide a clear and detailed audio experience with strengths and weaknesses in bass response.

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Noise cancellation

The Apple AirPods 3 lack active noise cancellation and have poor noise isolation, but offer some noise reduction and ambient noise isolation for improved phone call quality and music playback.

The Apple AirPods 3 do not have active noise cancellation (ANC) and have a bad noise isolation performance due to their open-back design. They do not effectively block out external sounds in the bass, mid, or high-pitched ranges. This means that in moderately noisy environments, external noise can still be heard even at higher volume levels.

However, the AirPods 3 do have some degree of noise reduction and ambient noise isolation, which can enhance phone call quality and provide a more immersive listening experience for music playback. If you specifically need noise cancellation, the AirPods Pro would be a better choice as they feature ANC and better passive noise isolation.

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Comfort

The comfort of the Apple AirPods 3rd generation varies among users, with some finding them secure and comfortable for extended use, while others experience discomfort or pressure after prolonged use.

The Apple AirPods 3rd generation have received mixed reviews regarding comfort. Some users have reported that they find the AirPods 3 to be significantly more secure and comfortable for extended use compared to previous models. They were able to wear them for multiple hours without experiencing discomfort, pressure, or irritation.

The slightly larger earpiece and shorter stem of the AirPods 3 contribute to a snugger fit and improved stability. The design changes, based on extensive user research, aim to cater to different ear sizes and shapes. However, there are also reports from users who found the AirPods 3 less comfortable and experienced discomfort or pressure on their ears after prolonged use.

The fit and comfort of the AirPods 3 can vary depending on individual ear anatomy. While the AirPods 3 are designed to provide stability during physical activity or movement, they may not be as secure as earbuds with customizable ear tips or stability fins for intense workouts or running. Overall, the comfort of the AirPods 3 depends on individual preferences and needs.

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Battery life

The Apple AirPods 3 offer a decent battery life of up to six hours of listening time and up to 30 hours with the charging case, making them suitable for most users' needs.

The battery life of the Apple AirPods 3 is generally considered to be decent and should be sufficient for most users' needs. On a single charge, the AirPods 3 offer up to six hours of listening time or up to four hours of talk time. This makes them suitable for activities such as commuting, working out, or listening to music throughout the day.

The AirPods 3 also have quick charging capabilities, with a five-minute charge in the charging case providing about an hour of playback. This is useful for those times when you need a quick boost of battery life before heading out.

When using noise-cancelling features, the battery life may be slightly affected. With Spatial Audio enabled, the onboard battery life drops to five hours, which is the same as the older AirPods. However, if you disable Spatial Audio, you can expect up to 30 hours of playback with the charging case, which includes multiple charges for the AirPods.

This makes the AirPods 3 suitable for longer listening sessions or travel.

Compared to other wireless earbuds on the market, the AirPods 3's battery life is competitive. They offer six hours of listening time on a single charge and up to 30 hours of total battery life with the charging case. While there are alternatives available that offer longer playtime, the AirPods 3's battery life improvement over the previous generation AirPods is commendable.

Overall, the Apple AirPods 3 provide a decent battery life that should meet the needs of most users, whether it's for daily use, quick charging, or longer listening sessions. However, if you require extended battery life, there are other options available that may better suit your needs.

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Connectivity

The Apple AirPods 3 offer adequate Bluetooth connectivity, compatibility with iOS and Android devices, and a range of around 30 feet, with additional features such as hands-free Siri activation, Audio Sharing, integration with Apple's Find My network, and automatic device switching.

Based on the expert reviews, the Apple AirPods 3 offer adequate Bluetooth connectivity and are compatible with both iOS and Android devices. They have a range of around 30 feet (10 meters), but this can vary depending on environmental factors. The AirPods 3 can connect to multiple Apple devices simultaneously, allowing for seamless switching between devices.

However, multi-device pairing is limited to Apple devices. The AirPods 3 do not have NFC pairing specifically mentioned, but they are designed to work seamlessly with Apple devices.

In terms of connectivity features, the AirPods 3 offer hands-free Siri activation, Audio Sharing between two sets of AirPods, integration with Apple's Find My network, Group FaceTime with Spatial Audio, automatic device switching, and a connection pop-up feature when near an iPhone.

These features enhance the user experience and make it convenient to use the AirPods 3 in various scenarios, such as easily accessing Siri, sharing audio with others, locating the AirPods if lost, and enhancing audio during group calls. Overall, the AirPods 3 provide a comprehensive and convenient connectivity experience for users.

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Additional features

The Apple AirPods 3 offer a range of additional features, including touch controls, Siri compatibility, improved design, longer battery life, and seamless integration with Apple devices, enhancing the overall user experience.

The Apple AirPods 3 have several additional features that enhance the overall user experience. These features include touch controls for easy navigation, compatibility with Apple's voice assistant Siri, and the ability to customize settings through the Bluetooth menu on iOS devices.

Compared to other wireless earbuds, the AirPods 3 stand out with their improved design, featuring a smaller and more comfortable form factor. They also come with unique features such as Spatial Audio, which creates an immersive audio experience, and Adaptive EQ, which optimizes sound delivery based on the shape of your ears.

The AirPods 3 offer longer battery life, allowing for extended listening time, and come with a wireless charging case for added convenience. Reviewers have praised the improved sound quality of the AirPods 3, providing a more enjoyable listening experience.

Furthermore, the AirPods 3 seamlessly integrate with Apple's ecosystem of devices, offering exclusive features and software tricks that enhance the overall user experience.

Overall, the Apple AirPods 3 provide a range of additional features that cater to various use cases, including easy navigation, personalized sound, longer battery life, and seamless integration with Apple devices.

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Position in ranking

We maintain a monthly ranking that sums up expert recommendations for all wireless headphones.

Rank Change Price Headphones
IGN
Tom's Guide
What Hi-Fi
Digital Trends
WIRED
CNET
Wirecutter
PCMag
T3
Rtings.com
1
- $298
Sony WH-1000XM5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones have received positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, connectivity, and durability, making them a top choice for users seeking a premium listening experience.
1
1
1
1
1
2
3
5
7
-
2
- $429
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have received positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, and connectivity, making them a recommended choice for those seeking a versatile and enjoyable listening experience.
4
3
5
2
2
1
-
3
1
1
3
- $524
Apple AirPods Max
The Apple AirPods Max receive positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, and connectivity, making them a top choice for an outstanding audio experience.
8
9
6
3
5
7
-
9
8
-
4
- $299
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are highly praised for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, connectivity, and durability, making them a recommended choice for music enthusiasts who value strong bass and treble, effective noise cancellation, comfort for extended use, and durability for various activities.
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-
-
-
3
11
-
2
3
-
Show all rows
Apple AirPods 3 did not receive any endorsements this month.