Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2: 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

Apple AirPods Pro 3

86Outstanding

$180

Full review data

True Wireless

Score breakdown

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

Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads on 4 of 7 measures.

Apple AirPods Pro 3
Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2

HearWiki score

Sound

8.6

7.9

Noise cancelling

9.3

8.0

Battery

7.3

9.8

Calls

7.4

6.9

Value

8.3

8.8

Price (USD)

$180

$160

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 3 (2025) against Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2 (2021). Neither is straightforwardly newer: the Apple AirPods Pro 3 brings ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid, while the Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2 answers with Top codec LC3 against AAC and LE Audio (LC3). The Apple AirPods Pro 3 answers on convenience features: it adds Water resistance IP57 against IP55.

AirPods Pro 320254 yr newer
ATH-CKS50TW22021

What differsAirPods Pro 3ATH-CKS50TW2

Top codec: AAC; LC3
LE Audio (LC3): No; Yes
ANC type: Adaptive; Hybrid
Water resistance: IP57; IP55

Level on: Bluetooth, Multipoint pairing, Wireless charging, USB-C, Wear detection, Transparency mode, Companion app.

Specifications

AirPods Pro 3ATH-CKS50TW2

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $180; $160
HearWiki score: 86; 77
Released: 2025; 2021
Availability: Sold new; Still sold new
Driver: 10.7 mm dynamic; 9 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 10.7 mm; 9 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz; 5 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance: -; 20 Ω
Sensitivity: 110 dB/mW; 110 dB/mW
Bluetooth: 5.3; 5.3
Codecs: SBC, AAC; SBC, AAC, LC3
Multipoint pairing: Yes; Yes
Wireless range: -; 10 m
Battery life: 8 h; 25 h
Battery life (ANC on): 8 h; 15 h
Battery incl. case: -; 65 h
Full charge time: -; 150 min
Quick charge: -; 5 min → 1.5 h
Wireless charging: Yes; Yes
Active noise cancelling: Yes; Yes
ANC type: adaptive; hybrid
Transparency mode: Yes; Yes
Companion app: Yes; Yes
Custom EQ: -; Yes
Wear detection: Yes; Yes
Controls: touch; both
Voice assistant: Siri; Google Assistant, Siri
Weight: 5.5 g; 7.2 g
Case weight: 44 g; 51.5 g
Water resistance: IP57; IP55
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Microphones: 3; 2
Microphone type: beamforming; MEMS
Mic sensitivity: -; -38 dBV

Specification comparison of Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2
Spec	Apple AirPods Pro 3	Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$180	$160
HearWiki score	86 / 100 Outstanding	77 / 100 Great
Released	2025	2021
Audio
Driver	10.7 mm dynamic	9 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	10.7 mm	9 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	5 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance	-	20 Ω
Sensitivity	110 dB/mW	110 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.3	5.3
Codecs	SBC, AAC	SBC, AAC, LC3
Multipoint pairing	Yes	Yes
Wireless range	-	10 m
Battery
Battery life	8 h	25 h
Battery life (ANC on)	8 h	15 h
Battery incl. case	-	65 h
Full charge time	-	150 min
Quick charge	-	5 min → 1.5 h
Wireless charging	Yes	Yes
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
ANC type	adaptive	hybrid
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	-	Yes
Wear detection	Yes	Yes
Controls	touch	both
Voice assistant	Siri	Google Assistant, Siri
Design
Weight	5.5 g	7.2 g
Case weight	44 g	51.5 g
Water resistance	IP57	IP55
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Calls
Microphones	3	2
Microphone type	beamforming	MEMS
Mic sensitivity	-	-38 dBV

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)

Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2

The Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2 are wireless earbuds built for marathon listening sessions, offering a claimed 25 hours of playback with ANC active and up to 65 hours with the charging case. They combine robust hybrid noise cancellation, a punchy 9mm driver sound profile, and IP55-rated durability, making them a strong all-rounder for daily use. With Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint connectivity, and wireless charging support, they pack a versatile feature set into a compact, water-resistant design.

Pro:Exceptional battery endurance, including with ANC enabled
Pro:Effective hybrid noise cancellation for the price
Pro:Sturdy IP55 water and dust resistance

Con:Bulky earbud design may not suit all ears
Con:ANC performance is good but not class-leading
Con:Microphone quality is decent but not outstanding

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

Compare something else

Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.

New comparison Apple AirPods Pro 3 Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2