Apple AirPods Pro 3 review

AirPods Pro 3 are the easiest recommendation for anyone on an iPhone. Apple says they remove up to 2x more unwanted noise than AirPods Pro 2, helped by new ultra-low-noise microphones, an upgraded acoustic seal and ear tips with a layer of foam-infused microspheres. Five tip sizes, including a new XXS, help smaller ears get a seal. Battery is listed at up to 8 hours with noise cancelling on, and the IP57 rating is the toughest Apple has put on AirPods. The extras are where Apple pulls ahead of most rivals: a hearing aid capability with automatic Conversation Boost, heart rate sensing for workouts, Adaptive Audio that blends cancelling and Transparency, and Live Translation in select languages and regions. At $249 they also cost less than Sony's and Bose's flagships. The catch is that much of this depends on Apple devices, and there is no high-resolution codec, so Android owners should look elsewhere.

Who it is for

iPhone owners who want strong noise cancelling plus hearing health and fitness features in one pair.

Price

$249 at Apple.

$249.00 Frequently Asked Questions Are AirPods Pro 3 covered by insurance benefits?
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 7, 2026.

Key features

• Active Noise Cancellation that Apple says removes up to 2x more unwanted noise than AirPods Pro 2
• Up to 8 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation on a single charge
• Hearing Aid capability with automatic Conversation Boost
• Heart rate sensing for workouts and IP57 dust, sweat and water resistance
• Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness and Live Translation

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Apple calls it the world's best in-ear Active Noise Cancellation
• Strength: First AirPods with an IP57 rating
• Strength: Five ear tip sizes including XXS
• Weakness: Many features need an iPhone and are limited on Android
• Weakness: No high-resolution codec like LDAC
• Weakness: Live Translation is limited to select languages and regions

Key facts

• Price: $249
• Battery with ANC: Up to 8 hours per charge
• Water resistance: IP57
• Noise cancelling: Up to 2x more than AirPods Pro 2, per Apple

Where it ranks

Apple AirPods Pro 3 is No. 2 in our Best Noise Cancelling Earbuds verdict and No. 2 in Best OTC Hearing Aids and No. 1 in Best Wireless Earbuds and No. 2 in Best Workout Earbuds.