True Wireless
Apple AirPods Pro 3
86Outstanding
$180
Full review dataApple AirPods Pro 3 vs Beats Studio Buds +: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Apple AirPods Pro 3 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 86. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Apple AirPods Pro 3 - Outstanding overall at around $179.
True Wireless
Beats Studio Buds +
72Great
$170
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads on 5 of 7 measures.
- Apple AirPods Pro 3
- Beats Studio Buds +
HearWiki score
86
72
Sound
8.6
7.2
Noise cancelling
9.3
7.5
Battery
7.3
7.2
Calls
7.4
7.5
Value
8.3
7.3
Price (USD)
$180
$170
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?
Half a step newer
Apple AirPods Pro 3 (2025) against Beats Studio Buds + (2021). The Apple AirPods Pro 3 edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid. It also adds Wireless charging, Wear detection and Water resistance IP57 against IPX4.
- AirPods Pro 320254 yr newer
- Studio Buds +2021
What differsAirPods Pro 3Studio Buds +
- ANC type
- Adaptive
- Hybrid
- Wireless charging
- Yes
- No
- Wear detection
- Yes
- No
- Water resistance
- IP57
- IPX4
Platform
Everyday features
Level on: Bluetooth, Top codec, Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Transparency mode, Companion app.
Specifications
AirPods Pro 3Studio Buds +
- Type
- True Wireless
- True Wireless
- Price (USD)
- $180
- $170
- HearWiki score
- 86
- 72
- Released
- 2025
- 2021
- Availability
- Sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 10.7 mm dynamic
- 8.2 mm driver
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 10.7 mm
- 8.2 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- -
- Sensitivity
- 110 dB/mW
- -
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 5.3
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC
- SBC, AAC
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- Yes
- Battery life
- 8 h
- 9 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- 8 h
- 6 h
- Battery incl. case
- -
- 36 h
- Quick charge
- -
- 5 min → 1 h
- Wireless charging
- Yes
- No
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- Yes
- ANC type
- adaptive
- hybrid
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- Yes
- Companion app
- Yes
- Yes
- Custom EQ
- -
- No
- Wear detection
- Yes
- No
- Controls
- touch
- buttons
- Voice assistant
- Siri
- Siri
- Weight
- 5.5 g
- 5 g
- Case weight
- 44 g
- 49 g
- Water resistance
- IP57
- IPX4
- USB-C
- Yes
- Yes
- Microphones
- 3
- 3
- Microphone type
- beamforming
- -
What reviewers said
Apple AirPods Pro 3
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are premium true wireless earbuds that combine adaptive active noise cancellation with a comfortable, secure fit. They deliver clear calls, robust battery life, and a balanced sound profile, all wrapped in an IP57-rated design that handles water and dust. With Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint connectivity, and wireless charging, they offer a polished experience for Apple and non-Apple users alike.
- Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:Clear call quality with beamforming mics
- Pro:Strong battery life of 8 hours with ANC on
- Con:Fit may be tricky for some ears
- Con:Premium price point
- Con:Limited codec support (SBC, AAC only)
Beats Studio Buds +
These true wireless earbuds offer a well-rounded package with hybrid active noise cancellation, a comfortable fit, and solid battery life, making them a strong pick for daily commutes and travel. They work smoothly across both Apple and Android devices thanks to Bluetooth 5.3 and multipoint support, though they skip premium extras like wireless charging and hi-res codecs. With a transparent design and improved sound over standard AirPods, they serve as a compelling mid-range alternative to pricier flagship models.
- Pro:Effective hybrid ANC with transparency mode
- Pro:Comfortable and stable fit for all-day wear
- Pro:Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint for seamless device switching
- Con:No wireless charging support
- Con:Limited to SBC and AAC codecs, no hi-res audio
- Con:No custom EQ in the companion app
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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