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Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Denon AH-C840NCW: which should you buy?

Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Denon AH-C840NCW, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.

Score breakdown

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

Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads on 6 of 7 measures.

  • Apple AirPods Pro 3
  • Denon AH-C840NCW
HearWiki score
86
-
Sound
8.6
-
Noise cancelling
9.3
-
Battery
7.3
-
Calls
7.4
-
Value
8.3
-
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?

New platform

Both shipped in 2025. The Denon AH-C840NCW is the newer platform here: Top codec LC3 against AAC and LE Audio (LC3). The Apple AirPods Pro 3 answers on convenience features: it adds Water resistance IP57 against IPX4.

  • AirPods Pro 32025
  • AH-C840NCW2025
What differsAirPods Pro 3AH-C840NCW

Platform

Top codec
AAC
LC3
LE Audio (LC3)
No
Yes

Everyday features

Water resistance
IP57
IPX4

Level on: Bluetooth, ANC type, Multipoint pairing, Wireless charging, Transparency mode, Companion app.

Specifications

AirPods Pro 3AH-C840NCW
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$180
$160
HearWiki score
86
Not scored
Released
2025
2025
Availability
Sold new
Sold new
Driver
10.7 mm dynamic
12 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
10.7 mm
12 mm
Drivers per side
1
-
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
-
Sensitivity
110 dB/mW
-
Bluetooth
5.3
5.3
Codecs
SBC, AAC
SBC, AAC, LC3
Multipoint pairing
Yes
Yes
Battery life
8 h
10 h
Battery life (ANC on)
8 h
7 h
Battery incl. case
-
35 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
-
Weight
5.5 g
5.1 g
Case weight
44 g
54 g
Water resistance
IP57
IPX4
USB-C
Yes
-
Microphones
3
2
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)

Denon AH-C840NCW

The Denon AH-C840NCW true wireless earbuds combine adaptive hybrid noise cancellation with a 12mm dynamic driver for a rich, signature sound. They offer a robust feature set including Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint connectivity, a transparency mode, wireless charging, and an IPX4 rating for sweat and splash resistance. With up to 10 hours of playback on a single charge and 35 hours total with the case, these earbuds are built for extended listening sessions.

  • Pro:Adaptive hybrid ANC effectively reduces ambient noise
  • Pro:Comfortable 5.1g earbud weight with IPX4 water resistance
  • Pro:Wireless charging case and quick charge feature for convenience
  • Con:Battery life drops to 7 hours with ANC enabled
  • Con:No mention of high-resolution audio codecs like LDAC or aptX
  • 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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New comparisonApple AirPods Pro 3Denon AH-C840NCW