True Wireless
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)
83Great
$120
Full review dataApple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) vs Xiaomi Redmi Buds 3: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 83. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) - Great overall at around $125.
True Wireless
Xiaomi Redmi Buds 3
63Average
$20
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) leads on 6 of 7 measures.
- Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)
- Xiaomi Redmi Buds 3
HearWiki score
83
63
Sound
8.5
5.5
Noise cancelling
9.0
-
Battery
7.5
6.5
Calls
8.0
5.0
Value
7.5
7.0
Price (USD)
$120
$20
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?
Mixed generations
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) (2022) against Xiaomi Redmi Buds 3 (2021). Neither is straightforwardly newer: the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) brings Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.2, while the Xiaomi Redmi Buds 3 answers with Top codec aptX against AAC. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) answers on convenience features: it adds Wireless charging.
- AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)20221 yr newer
- Redmi Buds 32021
What differsAirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)Redmi Buds 3
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 5.2
- Top codec
- AAC
- aptX
- Wireless charging
- Yes
- No
Platform
Everyday features
Level on: USB-C, Water resistance.
Specifications
AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)Redmi Buds 3
- Type
- True Wireless
- True Wireless
- Price (USD)
- $120
- $20
- HearWiki score
- 83
- 63
- Released
- 2022
- 2021
- Availability
- Discontinued
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 11 mm dynamic
- 12 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 11 mm
- 12 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- -
- Impedance
- 16 Ω
- 32 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 100 dB/mW
- -
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 5.2
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC
- SBC, AAC, aptX
- Multipoint pairing
- No
- No
- Wireless range
- -
- 10 m
- Battery life
- 6 h
- 5 h
- Battery incl. case
- -
- 20 h
- Quick charge
- -
- 10 min → 1.5 h
- Wireless charging
- Yes
- No
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- No
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- -
- Companion app
- Yes
- -
- Custom EQ
- No
- -
- Wear detection
- Yes
- -
- Controls
- touch
- -
- Voice assistant
- Siri
- -
- Weight
- 5.3 g
- 4.5 g
- Case weight
- 50.8 g
- -
- Water resistance
- IP54
- IP54
- Foldable
- No
- -
- Detachable cable
- No
- -
- USB-C
- Yes
- Yes
- Microphones
- 3
- 2
- Microphone type
- beamforming
- -
- Call noise reduction
- -
- Yes
- Call NR technology
- -
- cVc
What reviewers said
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)
These wireless earbuds deliver strong active noise cancellation and a natural-sounding transparency mode, making them a solid pick for Apple users. With around 6 hours of playback per charge and a case that boosts total listening time to 30 hours, they offer dependable daily use. The IP54 rating adds some protection against sweat and splashes, while Bluetooth 5.3 ensures a stable connection for most devices.
- Pro:Excellent active noise cancellation
- Pro:Natural transparency mode for ambient awareness
- Pro:Decent battery life with case
- Con:No multipoint connection
- Con:Limited to AAC codec
- Con:No custom EQ in app
Xiaomi Redmi Buds 3
The Redmi Buds 3 are an ultra-affordable true wireless option that focus on comfort, lightweight design, and dependable battery life for everyday listening. They deliver a bass-forward sound signature and practical features like quick charging and IP54 sweat resistance, but cut corners on premium extras like noise cancellation and multipoint connectivity. Overall, they suit budget-minded users who value portability and simplicity over high-end performance.
- Pro:Very affordable price point
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable semi-in-ear fit
- Pro:Good battery life with quick charge support
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:Sound is bass-heavy and lacks refinement
- Con:No multipoint connection
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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