True Wireless
Apple AirPods Pro 3
86Outstanding
$180
Full review dataApple AirPods Pro 3 vs Dell Pro Plus Earbuds - EB525: 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
Dell Pro Plus Earbuds - EB525
76Great
$190
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
- Dell Pro Plus Earbuds - EB525
HearWiki score
86
76
Sound
8.6
7.0
Noise cancelling
9.3
6.0
Battery
7.3
8.0
Calls
7.4
9.0
Value
8.3
7.0
Price (USD)
$180
$190
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?
Same generation
Dell Pro Plus Earbuds - EB525 (2026) against Apple AirPods Pro 3 (2025). These are the same generation of hardware - nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. The platform is level; the newer hardware shows up in convenience features instead - the Apple AirPods Pro 3 adds Water resistance IP57 against IP54.
- AirPods Pro 32025
- Pro Plus Earbuds - EB52520261 yr newer
What differsAirPods Pro 3Pro Plus Earbuds - EB525
- Water resistance
- IP57
- IP54
Everyday features
Level on: Bluetooth, ANC type, Multipoint pairing, Wireless charging, USB-C, Transparency mode, Companion app.
Specifications
AirPods Pro 3Pro Plus Earbuds - EB525
- Type
- True Wireless
- True Wireless
- Price (USD)
- $180
- $190
- HearWiki score
- 86
- 76
- Released
- 2025
- 2026
- Availability
- Sold new
- Sold new
- Driver
- 10.7 mm dynamic
- 11.6 mm driver
- Driver type
- dynamic
- -
- Driver size
- 10.7 mm
- 11.6 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- -
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Sensitivity
- 110 dB/mW
- 106 dB/mW
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 5.3
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC
- -
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- Yes
- Wireless range
- -
- 30 m
- Battery life
- 8 h
- 8 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- 8 h
- -
- Battery incl. case
- -
- 33 h
- Full charge time
- -
- 120 min
- Quick charge
- -
- 5 min → 1 h
- Wireless charging
- Yes
- Yes
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- Yes
- ANC type
- adaptive
- adaptive
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- Yes
- Companion app
- Yes
- Yes
- Custom EQ
- -
- Yes
- Wear detection
- Yes
- -
- Controls
- touch
- touch
- Voice assistant
- Siri
- Yes
- Weight
- 5.5 g
- 12 g
- Case weight
- 44 g
- 50.4 g
- Water resistance
- IP57
- IP54
- USB-C
- Yes
- Yes
- Microphones
- 3
- -
- Microphone type
- beamforming
- MEMS
- Mic sensitivity
- -
- -35 dBV
- Call noise reduction
- -
- Yes
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)
Dell Pro Plus Earbuds - EB525
The Dell Pro Plus Earbuds EB525 are productivity-focused true wireless earbuds designed for professionals, with a strong emphasis on clear voice calls, multipoint connectivity, and enterprise-friendly features like Teams certification. They offer a comfortable fit and solid battery life, but their sound quality and ANC are adequate rather than exceptional, making them a better fit for work than for critical music listening.
- Pro:Excellent voice call clarity for professional use
- Pro:Seamless multipoint switching and versatile connectivity
- Pro:Comfortable, secure fit for extended wear
- Con:Soundstage is constrained and lacks bass punch for music
- Con:ANC is decent but not class-leading
- Con:Touch controls may require a learning curve
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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