True Wireless
Apple AirPods Pro 3
86Outstanding
$180
Full review dataApple AirPods Pro 3 vs JBL Live Beam 4: 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
JBL Live Beam 4
85Outstanding
$240
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
- JBL Live Beam 4
HearWiki score
86
85
Sound
8.6
9.2
Noise cancelling
9.3
7.8
Battery
7.3
9.0
Calls
7.4
6.8
Value
8.3
8.2
Price (USD)
$180
$240
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 JBL Live Beam 4 (2024). The JBL Live Beam 4 edges ahead on platform, but only just: Bluetooth 6.0 against 5.3. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 answers on convenience features: it adds Water resistance IP57 against IP55.
- AirPods Pro 320251 yr newer
- Live Beam 42024
What differsAirPods Pro 3Live Beam 4
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 6.0
- Water resistance
- IP57
- IP55
Platform
Everyday features
Level on: ANC type, Multipoint pairing, Wireless charging, USB-C, Transparency mode, Companion app.
Specifications
AirPods Pro 3Live Beam 4
- Type
- True Wireless
- True Wireless
- Price (USD)
- $180
- $240
- HearWiki score
- 86
- 85
- Released
- 2025
- 2024
- 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
- Impedance
- -
- 16 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 110 dB/mW
- 98 dB/mW
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 6.0
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC
- -
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- Yes
- Battery life
- 8 h
- 12 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- 8 h
- 10 h
- Full charge time
- -
- 120 min
- Quick charge
- -
- 10 min → 4 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
- 9.7 g
- Case weight
- 44 g
- 73 g
- Water resistance
- IP57
- IP55
- USB-C
- Yes
- Yes
- Microphones
- 3
- 6
- Microphone type
- beamforming
- beamforming
- 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)
JBL Live Beam 4
The JBL Live Beam 4 are feature-packed wireless earbuds that deliver lively, well-balanced sound and a snug, secure fit, all wrapped up in a distinctive charging case with a built-in touchscreen for quick control. While they boast long battery life, adaptive noise cancellation, and multipoint connectivity, their call clarity and noise suppression aren't class-leading, and the spatial audio implementation falls short of expectations. Still, for the price, they offer a compelling mix of versatility and performance for everyday listening.
- Pro:Excellent sound quality with punchy bass and clear highs
- Pro:Comfortable, secure fit for extended wear
- Pro:Innovative touchscreen case adds convenient control
- Con:Call quality is mediocre in noisy environments
- Con:Adaptive noise cancellation is not the strongest in its class
- Con:Spatial audio mode sounds artificial and lessens immersion
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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