True Wireless
Apple AirPods Pro 3
86Outstanding
$180
Full review dataApple AirPods Pro 3 vs KEF Mu3: 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
KEF Mu3
73Great
$100
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
- KEF Mu3
HearWiki score
86
73
Sound
8.6
8.2
Noise cancelling
9.3
7.0
Battery
7.3
5.7
Calls
7.4
5.6
Value
8.3
8.2
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 KEF Mu3 (2021). The Apple AirPods Pro 3 edges ahead on platform, but only just: Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.0. It also adds Multipoint pairing, Wear detection, Companion app and Water resistance IP57 against IPX5.
- AirPods Pro 320254 yr newer
- Mu32021
What differsAirPods Pro 3Mu3
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 5.0
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- No
- Wear detection
- Yes
- No
- Companion app
- Yes
- No
- Water resistance
- IP57
- IPX5
Platform
Everyday features
Level on: Top codec, ANC type, Wireless charging, USB-C, Transparency mode.
Specifications
AirPods Pro 3Mu3
- Type
- True Wireless
- True Wireless
- Price (USD)
- $180
- $100
- HearWiki score
- 86
- 73
- Released
- 2025
- 2021
- Availability
- Sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 10.7 mm dynamic
- 8.2 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 10.7 mm
- 8.2 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Impedance
- -
- 16 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 110 dB/mW
- 104 dB/mW
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 5.0
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC
- SBC, AAC
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- No
- Wireless range
- -
- 10 m
- Battery life
- 8 h
- 9 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- 8 h
- 9 h
- Battery incl. case
- -
- 24 h
- 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
- No
- Custom EQ
- -
- No
- Wear detection
- Yes
- No
- Controls
- touch
- buttons
- Voice assistant
- Siri
- -
- Weight
- 5.5 g
- 5.8 g
- Case weight
- 44 g
- 46.8 g
- Water resistance
- IP57
- IPX5
- 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)
KEF Mu3
The KEF Mu3 true wireless earbuds deliver a balanced, pleasant sound signature in a stylish, comfortable design, with solid battery life and IPX5 water resistance. While they offer adaptive ANC and wireless charging, their feature set is lean—lacking aptX and multipoint—and their noise cancellation and call quality are only average for the price.
- Pro:Balanced, non-fatiguing sound
- Pro:Comfortable and stylish build
- Pro:Good battery life with fast charging
- Con:No aptX or multipoint support
- Con:Average ANC and transparency performance
- Con:Call quality could be better
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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