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Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Marshall Motif ANC: which should you buy?

Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Marshall Motif ANC, 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 7 of 7 measures.

  • Apple AirPods Pro 3
  • Marshall Motif ANC
HearWiki score
86
-
Sound
8.6
-
Noise cancelling
9.3
-
Battery
7.3
-
Calls
7.4
-
Value
8.3
-
Price (USD)
$180
$200

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 Marshall Motif ANC (2021). The Apple AirPods Pro 3 edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid. It also adds Multipoint pairing, Wear detection and Water resistance IP57 against IPX5.

  • AirPods Pro 320254 yr newer
  • Motif ANC2021
What differsAirPods Pro 3Motif ANC

Platform

ANC type
Adaptive
Hybrid

Everyday features

Multipoint pairing
Yes
No
Wear detection
Yes
No
Water resistance
IP57
IPX5

Level on: Bluetooth, Top codec, Wireless charging, USB-C, Transparency mode, Companion app.

Specifications

AirPods Pro 3Motif ANC
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$180
$200
HearWiki score
86
Not scored
Released
2025
2021
Availability
Sold new
Discontinued
Driver
10.7 mm dynamic
2× 6 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
10.7 mm
6 mm
Drivers per side
1
2
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance
-
16 Ω
Sensitivity
110 dB/mW
106 dB/mW
Bluetooth
5.3
5.3
Codecs
SBC, AAC
SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing
Yes
No
Wireless range
-
10 m
Battery life
8 h
30 h
Battery life (ANC on)
8 h
4.5 h
Full charge time
-
180 min
Quick charge
-
15 min → 1 h
Wireless charging
Yes
Yes
Active noise cancelling
Yes
Yes
ANC type
adaptive
hybrid
Transparency mode
Yes
Yes
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Custom EQ
-
Yes
Wear detection
Yes
No
Controls
touch
touch
Voice assistant
Siri
Yes
Weight
5.5 g
4.3 g
Case weight
44 g
39.5 g
Water resistance
IP57
IPX5
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Model code
-
Motif II A.N.C.
Microphones
3
4
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)

Marshall Motif ANC

The Marshall Motif ANC are true wireless earbuds that deliver a robust 30 hours of total playtime, including 4.5 hours per charge with active noise cancellation engaged. They offer hybrid ANC, a transparency mode, wireless charging, and an IPX5 water-resistant build, all wrapped in Marshall's signature rugged aesthetic with a balanced sound profile. Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity is included, though multipoint is not supported.

  • Pro:Long total battery life with charging case
  • Pro:Hybrid active noise cancellation and transparency mode
  • Pro:Rugged, water-resistant design (IPX5)
  • Con:No multipoint connection
  • Con:Only SBC and AAC codecs supported
  • Con:ANC reduces battery life to 4.5 hours per charge

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

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