AUDIO · REVIEW ROUNDUP
Apple AirPods Pro 3: what the reviews say
By S. Dahani and the RealDigitalTech editorial team
Apple's AirPods Pro 3 cost $249 in the US and add a heart rate sensor and stronger noise cancelling. What Hi-Fi gives 5/5; SoundGuys finds fit and Android support weaker.
© Apple
Quick Take
Key figures
Launch details
The AirPods Pro 3 went on sale on 19 September 2025 at $249 in the US. They sit at the top of Apple's earbud range and succeed the AirPods Pro 2. Apple quotes 8 hours of listening with noise cancelling on and 24 hours with the case, and the box now includes five ear tip sizes, from XXS to L. There is no charging cable in the box, as Tom's Guide notes.
What reviewers agree on
- Noise cancelling: all three outlets find it clearly better than on the previous model; SoundGuys measured an average reduction of about 90%.
- Sound: What Hi-Fi? describes it as spacious, dynamic and clear with voices.
- Heart rate: the built-in sensor tracks workouts, a wellness feature rather than a medical one.
- Battery: SoundGuys measured 8 h 42 min with noise cancelling on, a solid gain over the AirPods Pro 2.
- Apple ecosystem: setup and controls are smooth on an iPhone, but many features are Apple-only.
Where opinions differ
| Topic | Favourable view | Reserved view |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | Tom's Guide calls them "the best AirPods you can buy right now". | SoundGuys sums them up as "jack of all trades, master of some". |
| Fit | The new foam-filled tips feel more secure while walking, says SoundGuys. | SoundGuys says the glossy buds can slip with sweat; What Hi-Fi? warns the shape may not suit all ears. |
| Battery | Tom's Guide lists 8 hours as a strength. | What Hi-Fi? thinks battery life could still be better. |
| Extras | Tom's Guide likes Live Translation and the improved call microphones. | Live Translation needs an iPhone with Apple Intelligence (Tom's Guide) and still needs work (SoundGuys). |
Scores: 5/5 from What Hi-Fi?; 7.8/10 from SoundGuys; Editor's Choice from Tom's Guide.
Reviewer consensus
average of 2 published review scores
Broad agreement- What Hi-Fi?105/5
- SoundGuys7.87.8/10
Scores published by the outlets cited in this article, converted to a 10-point scale. RealDigitalTech did not test this product itself.
Verdict
For iPhone owners, the AirPods Pro 3 are the easy choice: better noise cancelling, better sound and a useful heart rate sensor for workouts, at the same $249 price. Android users should look elsewhere, for example at Sony's WF-1000XM series. Owners of AirPods Pro 2 whose buds already fit well can wait for a discount.
This article analyses reviews published by other outlets, in our own words. RealDigitalTech did not test the AirPods Pro 3 itself.
Sources
How this article was made: our editorial team selected and read the reviews listed above, compared their results and wrote this synthesis, with AI tools assisting the research and drafting. Every figure was checked against the sources, and the article was approved by the publication director. Our AI Disclosure · Our methodology · Report an error: editorial@realdigitaltech.com