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Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs FiiO FW3: which should you buy?

Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs FiiO FW3, 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
  • FiiO FW3
HearWiki score
86
-
Sound
8.6
-
Noise cancelling
9.3
-
Battery
7.3
-
Calls
7.4
-
Value
8.3
-
Price (USD)
$180
$130

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 FiiO FW3 (2021). Neither is straightforwardly newer: the Apple AirPods Pro 3 brings Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.0 and ANC type Adaptive against None, while the FiiO FW3 answers with Top codec LHDC against AAC. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 answers on convenience features: it adds Multipoint pairing, Transparency mode and Water resistance (IP57).

  • AirPods Pro 320254 yr newer
  • FW32021
What differsAirPods Pro 3FW3

Platform

Bluetooth
5.3
5.0
Top codec
AAC
LHDC
ANC type
Adaptive
None

Everyday features

Multipoint pairing
Yes
No
Transparency mode
Yes
No
Water resistance
IP57
Not rated

Level on: USB-C, Companion app.

Specifications

AirPods Pro 3FW3
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$180
$130
HearWiki score
86
Not scored
Released
2025
2021
Availability
Sold new
Discontinued
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 - 20 kHz
Impedance
-
32 Ω
Sensitivity
110 dB/mW
106 dB/mW
Bluetooth
5.3
5.0
Codecs
SBC, AAC
aptX Adaptive, LHDC
Multipoint pairing
Yes
No
Latency
-
100 ms
Wireless range
-
10 m
Battery life
8 h
21 h
Battery life (ANC on)
8 h
-
Full charge time
-
100 min
Wireless charging
Yes
-
Active noise cancelling
Yes
No
ANC type
adaptive
none
Transparency mode
Yes
No
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Custom EQ
-
Yes
Wear detection
Yes
-
Controls
touch
buttons
Voice assistant
Siri
Yes
Weight
5.5 g
60 g
Case weight
44 g
44.8 g
Water resistance
IP57
none
Foldable
-
No
Detachable cable
-
No
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Microphones
3
-
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)

FiiO FW3

The FiiO FW3 true wireless earbuds prioritize sound quality with a 10mm carbon-based dynamic driver and support for high-resolution LHDC and aptX Adaptive codecs. They come with a 10-band parametric EQ and a low-latency gaming mode, though they lack ANC and water resistance. With a total battery life of up to 21 hours, they are a solid choice for audiophiles on a budget.

  • Pro:Supports high-quality LHDC and aptX Adaptive codecs
  • Pro:Includes a 10-band parametric EQ for customization
  • Pro:Low-latency gaming mode for better sync
  • Con:No active noise cancellation
  • Con:No water resistance rating
  • Con:No multipoint connectivity

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 3FiiO FW3