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HearWiki

Apple AirPods 3 vs OPPO Enco Air5 Pro: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the OPPO Enco Air5 Pro comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 89. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: OPPO Enco Air5 Pro - Outstanding overall at around $69.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

OPPO Enco Air5 Pro leads on 7 of 7 measures.

  • Apple AirPods 3
  • OPPO Enco Air5 Pro
HearWiki score
70
89
Sound
7.0
8.0
Noise cancelling
-
9.0
Battery
7.0
9.0
Calls
6.3
8.0
Value
-
9.0
Price (USD)
$84
$69

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

New platform

OPPO Enco Air5 Pro (2026) against Apple AirPods 3 (2021). The OPPO Enco Air5 Pro is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 6.0 against 5.0, Top codec LHDC against AAC and ANC type Hybrid against None.

  • AirPods 32021
  • Enco Air5 Pro20265 yr newer
What differsAirPods 3Enco Air5 Pro

Platform

Bluetooth
5.0
6.0
Top codec
AAC
LHDC
ANC type
None
Hybrid

Everyday features

Multipoint pairing
No
Yes
Wireless charging
Yes
No
USB-C
No
Yes
Wear detection
Yes
No
Transparency mode
No
Yes
Water resistance
IPX4
IP55

Level on: Custom EQ, Companion app.

Specifications

AirPods 3Enco Air5 Pro
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$84
$69
HearWiki score
70
89
Released
2021
2026
Availability
Still sold new
Sold new
Driver
dynamic
2× 12 mm driver
Driver type
dynamic
-
Driver size
-
12 mm
Drivers per side
1
2
Frequency response
-
20 Hz - 40 kHz
Sensitivity
-
122 dB/mW
Bluetooth
5.0
6.0
Codecs
SBC, AAC
SBC, AAC, LHDC
Multipoint pairing
No
Yes
Latency
-
47 ms
Wireless range
-
10 m
Battery life
6 h
13 h
Battery life (ANC on)
-
7 h
Battery incl. case
30 h
54 h
Full charge time
-
90 min
Quick charge
-
10 min → 2 h
Wireless charging
Yes
No
Active noise cancelling
No
Yes
ANC type
none
hybrid
Transparency mode
No
Yes
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Custom EQ
Yes
Yes
Wear detection
Yes
No
Controls
buttons
touch
Voice assistant
Siri
-
Weight
4.3 g
4.4 g
Case weight
37.9 g
43 g
Water resistance
IPX4
IP55
Foldable
No
-
Detachable cable
No
-
USB-C
No
Yes
Connector
Lightning
-
Microphones
3
3
Microphone type
beamforming
-

What reviewers said

Apple AirPods 3

The Apple AirPods 3 deliver a noticeable step up in audio clarity, detail, and spatial sound compared to earlier models, alongside improved battery life and a more secure fit for many users. They offer solid call quality and seamless integration with Apple devices, but their open design and lack of active noise cancellation mean they won't suit everyone, especially in noisy environments. While the sound is a clear upgrade, it's not class-leading, and the fixed fit may not work for all ear shapes.

  • Pro:Improved sound clarity and detail over previous AirPods
  • Pro:Better battery life than AirPods 2
  • Pro:IPX4 water resistance for workouts and light rain
  • Con:No active noise cancellation
  • Con:Open, non-customizable fit may not seal well for all ears
  • Con:Sound quality is good but not outstanding for the price

OPPO Enco Air5 Pro

The OPPO Enco Air5 Pro are true wireless earbuds with 12mm drivers and hybrid active noise cancellation, offering a versatile listening experience. Bluetooth 6.0, multipoint connectivity, and IP55 water resistance make them practical for daily use.

  • Pro:Effective hybrid ANC for immersive listening
  • Pro:13-hour battery per earbud, 54 hours with case
  • Pro:Supports high-quality LHDC codec
  • Con:No wireless charging, only USB-C
  • Con:Sensitivity at 122 dB may be too high for some
  • Con:Touch controls may be accidentally triggered

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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New comparisonApple AirPods 3OPPO Enco Air5 Pro