Skip to content
HearWiki

Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2: 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.

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
  • Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2
HearWiki score
86
66
Sound
8.6
7.7
Noise cancelling
9.3
7.1
Battery
7.3
5.4
Calls
7.4
6.8
Value
8.3
4.0
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?

Mixed generations

Apple AirPods Pro 3 (2025) against Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2 (2022). Neither is straightforwardly newer: the Apple AirPods Pro 3 brings Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.2, while the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2 answers with Top codec LDAC against AAC. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 answers on convenience features: it adds Water resistance IP57 against IP54.

  • AirPods Pro 320253 yr newer
  • FreeBuds Pro 22022
What differsAirPods Pro 3FreeBuds Pro 2

Platform

Bluetooth
5.3
5.2
Top codec
AAC
LDAC

Everyday features

Water resistance
IP57
IP54

Level on: Multipoint pairing, Wireless charging, USB-C, Wear detection, Transparency mode, Companion app.

Specifications

AirPods Pro 3FreeBuds Pro 2
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$180
$160
HearWiki score
86
66
Released
2025
2022
Availability
Sold new
Still sold new
Driver
10.7 mm dynamic
2-driver hybrid
Driver type
dynamic
hybrid
Driver size
10.7 mm
11 mm
Drivers per side
1
2
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
14 Hz - 48 kHz
Sensitivity
110 dB/mW
-
Bluetooth
5.3
5.2
Codecs
SBC, AAC
SBC, AAC, LDAC
Multipoint pairing
Yes
Yes
Battery life
8 h
6.5 h
Battery life (ANC on)
8 h
4 h
Battery incl. case
-
30 h
Full charge time
-
60 min
Wireless charging
Yes
Yes
Active noise cancelling
Yes
Yes
ANC type
adaptive
-
Transparency mode
Yes
Yes
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Custom EQ
-
Yes
Wear detection
Yes
Yes
Controls
touch
touch
Voice assistant
Siri
Yes
Weight
5.5 g
6.1 g
Case weight
44 g
52 g
Water resistance
IP57
IP54
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Microphones
3
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)

Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2

The Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2 are premium true wireless earbuds that deliver a technically impressive sound with a dual-driver setup and a wide frequency range. They offer robust active noise cancellation, versatile connectivity including LDAC and multipoint, and a comfortable fit with IP54 durability, though battery life is average at best when ANC is engaged. Overall, they present a strong, feature-rich option in the competitive high-end earbud market.

  • Pro:Excellent sound quality with dual-driver hybrid design
  • Pro:Effective active noise cancellation and transparency mode
  • Pro:Supports LDAC, AAC, and SBC codecs with multipoint
  • Con:Battery life is modest, especially with ANC on
  • Con:Case adds only moderate extra charge compared to rivals
  • Con:No explicit mention of wear detection in specs

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

Compare something else

Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.