True Wireless
Apple AirPods Pro 3
84Great
$230
Full review dataApple AirPods Pro 3 vs Beyerdynamic Free BYRD: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Apple AirPods Pro 3 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Apple AirPods Pro 3 - Great overall at around $232.
True Wireless
Beyerdynamic Free BYRD
78Great
$150
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Apple AirPods Pro 3
Sound8.5
Noise cancelling9.5
Battery8.0
Calls8.5
Value7.5
Beyerdynamic Free BYRD
Sound8.0
Noise cancelling7.0
Battery8.0
Calls6.5
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Beyerdynamic Free BYRD |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $230 | $150 |
| HearWiki score | 84 / 100 · Great | 78 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2025 | 2022 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 10.7 mm | 10 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz | 10Hz-22kHz |
| Sensitivity | 110 dB/mW | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | No |
| Wireless range | - | 10 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 8 h | 11 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 8 h | 8.5 h |
| Battery incl. case | 24 h | 30 h |
| Quick charge | 5 minutes in case = about 1 hour listening time | 10 min = 70 min |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | Yes |
| ANC type | adaptive | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | - | Yes |
| Wear detection | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | touch | touch |
| Voice assistant | Siri | Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 10.1 g | 7 g |
| Case weight | 43.99 g | 60 g |
| Water resistance | IP57 | IPX4 |
| Detachable cable | - | No |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 3 | 2 |
| Call noise reduction | - | Qualcomm cVc |
What reviewers said
Apple AirPods Pro 3
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are premium true wireless earbuds that deliver top-tier active noise cancellation, clear call quality, and a well-balanced sound profile. They offer a robust feature set including adaptive ANC, wireless charging, and IP57 water resistance, though their higher price and somewhat finicky fit may give some buyers pause. Overall, they stand out as a polished, high-performance option for iOS users willing to invest in a premium experience.
- Pro:Excellent active noise cancellation
- Pro:Clear call quality in noisy environments
- Pro:Strong battery life with the charging case
- Con:Fit can be finicky and may lose seal easily
- Con:Premium price point
- Con:Only supports AAC codec
Beyerdynamic Free BYRD
The Beyerdynamic Free BYRD are premium true-wireless earbuds that combine solid audio performance with a robust feature set, including hybrid ANC, transparency mode, and multi-device connectivity. They offer dependable battery life—around eight hours with ANC active and 30 hours total with the case—along with wireless charging and strong codec support, though their larger case and fit may not suit everyone.
- Pro:Strong, detailed sound with dynamic drivers
- Pro:Good battery life, especially with ANC off
- Pro:Hybrid ANC and transparency mode work well
- Con:Case is bulky and not pocket-friendly
- Con:Fit may be tricky for smaller ears
- Con:No wireless charging for the buds themselves
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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