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Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs JLab Epic Sport ANC 3: 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 4 of 7 measures.

  • Apple AirPods Pro 3
  • JLab Epic Sport ANC 3
HearWiki score
86
80
Sound
8.6
8.1
Noise cancelling
9.3
5.9
Battery
7.3
9.3
Calls
7.4
6.3
Value
8.3
9.0
Price (USD)
$180
$100

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 JLab Epic Sport ANC 3 (2024). The JLab Epic Sport ANC 3 edges ahead on platform, but only just: Top codec LDAC against AAC. It also adds Water resistance IP66 against IP57.

  • AirPods Pro 320251 yr newer
  • Epic Sport ANC 32024
What differsAirPods Pro 3Epic Sport ANC 3

Platform

Top codec
AAC
LDAC

Everyday features

Water resistance
IP57
IP66

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

Specifications

AirPods Pro 3Epic Sport ANC 3
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$180
$100
HearWiki score
86
80
Released
2025
2024
Availability
Sold new
Still sold new
Driver
10.7 mm dynamic
2-driver hybrid
Driver type
dynamic
hybrid
Driver size
10.7 mm
10 mm
Drivers per side
1
2
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
20 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance
-
16 Ω
Sensitivity
110 dB/mW
-
Bluetooth
5.3
5.3
Codecs
SBC, AAC
SBC, AAC, LDAC
Multipoint pairing
Yes
Yes
Wireless range
-
9 m
Battery life
8 h
12 h
Battery life (ANC on)
8 h
10 h
Battery incl. case
-
56 h
Full charge time
-
120 min
Quick charge
-
10 min → 2 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
Yes
Controls
touch
touch
Voice assistant
Siri
Yes
Weight
5.5 g
16.8 g
Case weight
44 g
60.6 g
Water resistance
IP57
IP66
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Microphones
3
6
Microphone type
beamforming
MEMS
Mic sensitivity
-
-38 dBV

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)

JLab Epic Sport ANC 3

The JLab Epic Sport ANC 3 are rugged, workout-ready true wireless earbuds that pack adaptive noise cancellation, LDAC support, and multipoint connectivity into a secure IP66-rated design. With a hybrid dual-driver setup, long battery life, and wireless charging, they offer a strong feature set for the price, making them a versatile choice for active Android users.

  • Pro:Secure, sweatproof IP66 build ideal for workouts
  • Pro:Adaptive ANC with effective transparency mode
  • Pro:LDAC support for high-resolution audio on Android
  • Con:Battery life drops noticeably with ANC enabled
  • Con:Touch controls may take time to master
  • Con:Bulky case may not suit all pockets

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 3JLab Epic Sport ANC 3