AirPods Pro 3

Bought the AirPods Pro 3 on launch day; hears some sound improvements over the Pro 2, with bass still plentiful but more controlled than the Pro 2's tubby low end.

After three years with the AirPods Pro 2, finds the Pro 3 more V-shaped but enjoyable, comparing it to the ATH-M50x, with phenomenal instrument separation and better imaging.

Compared the AirPods Pro 3 with their Pro 2 and at first heard an improvement, but on some songs the Pro 3 bass sounds artificial and even distorted, and the Pro 2 sounds better.

Finds the AirPods Pro 3 better than the Pro 2 in everything except sound: the tips grip better and fit fuller, but the stronger V-shaped tuning is too distracting at low listening volumes.

The AirPods Pro 3 have slightly better noise cancelling, but the harder tips never fit their right ear and the one size that fits hurts after a while, so they are returning them.

Coming from the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds, finds the AirPods Pro 3 better for everyday use, although the Bose stay put better during intense workouts.

On an eight-hour flight and by the pool, their AirPods Pro 3 kept producing a deep humming sound, something they never had with the Pro 2.

Having owned all three AirPods Pro generations, was shocked how poor the Pro 3 sounded on arrival and still disliked it after days with spatial audio on.

The AirPods Pro 3 ANC and sound are great, but they feel uncomfortable for long use, especially while sleeping; the Pro 2 fit them much better.

Returned the AirPods Pro 3 after 17 days because the pressure in their left ear became painful within minutes, and went back to the Pro 2.

Uses the AirPods Pro 3 mainly for frequent travel; the ANC is better and the sound clearer, even if the sound signature is not their favourite.

Had the AirPods Pro 2 since launch but finds the Pro 3 much more enjoyable across genres, keeping music engaging where the Pro 2 sometimes fell flat.

As an owner of many wired IEMs, finds the AirPods Pro 3 not good for music and uses them only for voice, whereas the Pro 2 was fine for both.

Found the AirPods Pro 3 noise cancelling weirdly strong and the fit did not work for them, so they went back to the Pro 2.

Also owns the AirPods Pro 2 and Pixel Buds Pro 2, and says the AirPods Pro 3 have the best fit they have seen on an in-ear, staying put remarkably well.

Noticed their AirPods Pro 3 sounded dramatically better after firmware 8A358, much fuller in the mids while keeping top-class bass.

Owns both AirPods Pro 2 and Pro 3 and sticks with the Pro 3 because of a much wider, more natural soundstage.

Loves their AirPods Pro 3: incredible noise cancelling, a sound they like, and very easy to use.

Preferred the AirPods Pro 3 by a lot over their Sennheiser Momentum 4, with a great midrange, though they would like a little less bass and treble.

Uses the AirPods Pro 3 for a New York commute; very good sound, excellent ANC, and tips that fit better than the Pro 2's.

Loved the AirPods Pro 3 and thought they punched above their price, though the Technics AZ100 has more detail and soundstage.

Owned the AirPods Pro 3 for two months but returned them because they constantly felt loose in the left ear, even after trying every tip size.

Loves the AirPods Pro 3 much more than the Pro 2 and Pro 1; the extra bass punch helps in noisy public places.

The AirPods Pro 3 have great ANC, but sound quality was a letdown: flat mids, narrow soundstage and processed-sounding next to their PX8.

Their AirPods Pro 3 sound really good on the commute with Spatial Audio and Headphone Accommodations.

Owns the AirPods Pro 3 and couldn't be happier: top-tier ANC, they stay in during sweaty workouts, and the battery lasts well.

Replaced their AirPods Pro 2 with the Pro 3 and finds the noise cancelling works really well, better than the 2s.

Their AirPods Pro 3 ANC has been surprisingly bad: wind, AC and voices come through, and the sound is more tinny than their XM5s.

Got the AirPods Pro 3 a few weeks ago after months of ANC bugs on Huawei FreeBuds 5 Pro, and is much more satisfied with both ANC and sound.

Switched to the AirPods Pro 3 after getting them free: ANC and Apple integration are far better than their Technics AZ100, but sound, comfort and EQ are worse.

Uses the AirPods Pro 3 for calls and work; good all around, but their MTW5 sounds way better.

Uses the AirPods Pro 3 more than their EarFun Air Pro 4 for seamless switching across iPhone, Mac and Apple TV, calls and Atmos music.

The AirPods Pro 3 are quite comfortable for in-ears, though they're still aware of them; they pick them for airports and flights, using Adaptive mode and full ANC in the air.

Uses the AirPods Pro 3 on Apple devices for unmatched ANC; they sound much like their JBL Tour Pro 3 but slightly more balanced.

Finds the AirPods Pro 3's eartip design uncomfortable.

Got the AirPods Pro 3 after their Nothing Ear (3) died and is happy using them alongside Nothing Ear (3a).

Switched from the WF-1000XM6 to the $180 AirPods Pro 3: a good fit and great noise cancelling, though they don't sound as good as the Sony.

Bought the AirPods Pro 3 on sale for $150 and finds them insanely impressive: noise cancelling on par with their WH-1000XM6, about 9 hours of battery and an accurate heart-rate sensor, though full functionality needs an iPhone.

“APP3 is insanely impressive. The ANC is on par with my XM6 headphones. 9 hour battery life and super accurate built in heart rate sensor. Got it for 150 on sale.”

Uses AirPods Pro 3 for the commute; the built-in EQ makes them sound pretty alright, but after cutting treble with the 3-band EQ the midbass and ear gain feel lacking.

Uses the AirPods Pro 3 on the go for convenience; the sound is a bit too V-shaped for their taste but fun.

Would keep the AirPods Pro 3 for travel, commuting and work: better ANC and mics than the Pro 2, used in several meetings a day, tiny and great on planes and public transport.

“If we are, I’d keep the AirPods Pro 3 (or possibly the Pro 2). The 3 wins for me because of better ANC and microphones. I’m in several work meetings every day and always use AirPods.”

Used the AirPods Pro 3 for about two weeks with a Pixel 10 and Windows, side by side with the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. Sound is comparable, noise cancelling is better, they connect more reliably and are very comfortable (slight fatigue after three hours), but phone-call mic quality on Android is very poor, almost a dealbreaker.

“MAJOR Airpods con. You can read into this but both the mic quality and voice isolation processing on Airpods is bottom of the barrel on Android. In phone calls, these sound pretty bad.”

Owns the AirPods Pro 3 alongside the WF-1000XM6; the AirPods' noise cancelling causes a weird ear-pressure feeling on flights, and the Sony sounds much better to them.

Kept the AirPods Pro 3 over the WF-1000XM6: tuning good enough out of the box, a much better and more secure fit, hybrid tips that are easy to clean and better pinch controls; better all round for Apple users apart from sound tuning.