Apple AirPods 3 vs Technics EAH-AZ100: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Technics EAH-AZ100 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 86. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Technics EAH-AZ100 - Outstanding overall at around $250.

True Wireless

Score breakdown

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

Technics EAH-AZ100 leads on 6 of 7 measures.

Apple AirPods 3
Technics EAH-AZ100

HearWiki score

Sound

7.0

9.2

Noise cancelling

8.6

Battery

7.0

8.7

Calls

6.3

7.8

Value

8.1

Price (USD)

$84

$250

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

Technics EAH-AZ100 (2025) against Apple AirPods 3 (2021). The Technics EAH-AZ100 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.0, Top codec LC3 against AAC, LE Audio (LC3) and ANC type Hybrid against None. It also adds Multipoint pairing, USB-C and Transparency mode.

AirPods 32021
EAH-AZ10020254 yr newer

What differsAirPods 3EAH-AZ100

Bluetooth: 5.0; 5.3
Top codec: AAC; LC3
LE Audio (LC3): No; Yes
ANC type: None; Hybrid
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
USB-C: No; Yes
Transparency mode: No; Yes

Level on: Wireless charging, Wear detection, Custom EQ, Companion app, Water resistance.

Specifications

AirPods 3EAH-AZ100

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $84; $250
HearWiki score: 70; 86
Released: 2021; 2025
Availability: Still sold new; Sold new
Driver: dynamic; 10 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: -; 10 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: -; 20 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance: -; 16 Ω
Bluetooth: 5.0; 5.3
Codecs: SBC, AAC; SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: No; Yes
Wireless range: -; 10 m
Battery life: 6 h; 12 h
Battery life (ANC on): -; 10 h
Battery incl. case: 30 h; 28 h
Full charge time: -; 120 min
Quick charge: -; 15 min → 1.2 h
Wireless charging: Yes; Yes
Active noise cancelling: No; Yes
ANC type: none; hybrid
Transparency mode: No; Yes
Companion app: Yes; Yes
Custom EQ: Yes; Yes
Wear detection: Yes; Yes
Controls: buttons; touch
Voice assistant: Siri; Yes
Weight: 4.3 g; 11.8 g
Case weight: 37.9 g; 42 g
Water resistance: IPX4; IPX4
Foldable: No; -
Detachable cable: No; -
USB-C: No; Yes
Connector: Lightning; -
Microphones: 3; 2
Microphone type: beamforming; MEMS

Specification comparison of Apple AirPods 3 vs Technics EAH-AZ100
Spec	Apple AirPods 3	Technics EAH-AZ100
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$84	$250
HearWiki score	70 / 100 Good	86 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2021	2025
Audio
Driver	dynamic	10 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	-	10 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	-	20 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance	-	16 Ω
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.0	5.3
Codecs	SBC, AAC	SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	No	Yes
Wireless range	-	10 m
Battery
Battery life	6 h	12 h
Battery life (ANC on)	-	10 h
Battery incl. case	30 h	28 h
Full charge time	-	120 min
Quick charge	-	15 min → 1.2 h
Wireless charging	Yes	Yes
Features
Active noise cancelling	No	Yes
ANC type	none	hybrid
Transparency mode	No	Yes
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	Yes	Yes
Wear detection	Yes	Yes
Controls	buttons	touch
Voice assistant	Siri	Yes
Design
Weight	4.3 g	11.8 g
Case weight	37.9 g	42 g
Water resistance	IPX4	IPX4
Foldable	No	-
Detachable cable	No	-
USB-C	No	Yes
Connector	Lightning	-
Calls
Microphones	3	2
Microphone type	beamforming	MEMS

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

Technics EAH-AZ100

The Technics EAH-AZ100 are premium true wireless earbuds that deliver rich, detailed sound through a 10mm dynamic driver, with support for high-resolution LDAC streaming. They combine effective hybrid active noise cancellation with a comfortable, IPX4-rated design, plus smart features like multipoint pairing and wireless charging for versatile daily use. With up to 12 hours of playtime on a single charge, they are built to last through long listening sessions.

Pro:Excellent sound quality with LDAC support
Pro:Strong hybrid ANC and transparency modes
Pro:Long battery life with wireless charging case

Con:Premium price point
Con:Touch controls may be overly sensitive
Con:No aptX codec support

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

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