True Wireless
Apple AirPods Pro 3
86Outstanding
$180
Full review dataApple AirPods Pro 3 vs Denon PerL Pro: 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
Denon PerL Pro
76Great
$230
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 6 of 7 measures.
- Apple AirPods Pro 3
- Denon PerL Pro
HearWiki score
86
76
Sound
8.6
8.4
Noise cancelling
9.3
7.4
Battery
7.3
7.0
Calls
7.4
8.0
Value
8.3
7.2
Price (USD)
$180
$230
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 Denon PerL Pro (2023). The Denon PerL Pro edges ahead on platform, but only just: Top codec aptX Lossless against AAC. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 answers on convenience features: it adds Wear detection and Water resistance IP57 against IPX4.
- AirPods Pro 320252 yr newer
- PerL Pro2023
What differsAirPods Pro 3PerL Pro
- Top codec
- AAC
- aptX Lossless
- Wear detection
- Yes
- No
- Water resistance
- IP57
- IPX4
Platform
Everyday features
Level on: Bluetooth, ANC type, Multipoint pairing, Wireless charging, USB-C, Transparency mode, Companion app.
Specifications
AirPods Pro 3PerL Pro
- Type
- True Wireless
- True Wireless
- Price (USD)
- $180
- $230
- HearWiki score
- 86
- 76
- Released
- 2025
- 2023
- Availability
- Sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 10.7 mm dynamic
- 10 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 10.7 mm
- 10 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- 20 Hz - 40 kHz
- Sensitivity
- 110 dB/mW
- -
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 5.3
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC
- SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- Yes
- Battery life
- 8 h
- -
- Battery life (ANC on)
- 8 h
- -
- Battery incl. case
- -
- 24 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
- No
- Controls
- touch
- touch
- Voice assistant
- Siri
- Yes
- Weight
- 5.5 g
- 8.6 g
- Case weight
- 44 g
- 55.5 g
- Water resistance
- IP57
- IPX4
- USB-C
- Yes
- Yes
- Microphones
- 3
- 4
- 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 PerL Pro
The Denon PerL Pro is a premium true wireless earbud that prioritizes personalized audio through an in-app ear-shape test, delivering a spacious and clean sound signature. It combines adaptive noise cancellation, robust wireless codec support, and a comfortable fit, though its battery life and ANC performance may not always match top-tier expectations.
- Pro:Personalized sound tuning via ear-shape test
- Pro:Spacious, clean audio quality
- Pro:Effective adaptive noise cancellation
- Con:Battery life may fall short of advertised figures
- Con:ANC performance can be inconsistent
- Con:Design may feel bulky for some ears
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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