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Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Nothing Ear (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 5 of 7 measures.

  • Apple AirPods Pro 3
  • Nothing Ear (2)
HearWiki score
86
73
Sound
8.6
7.8
Noise cancelling
9.3
6.4
Battery
7.3
5.7
Calls
7.4
7.4
Value
8.3
-
Price (USD)
$180
$120

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 Nothing Ear (2) (2023). The Nothing Ear (2) edges ahead on platform, but only just: Top codec LHDC against AAC. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 answers on convenience features: it adds Water resistance IP57 against IP54.

  • AirPods Pro 320252 yr newer
  • Ear (2)2023
What differsAirPods Pro 3Ear (2)

Platform

Top codec
AAC
LHDC

Everyday features

Water resistance
IP57
IP54

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

Specifications

AirPods Pro 3Ear (2)
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$180
$120
HearWiki score
86
73
Released
2025
2023
Availability
Sold new
Still sold new
Driver
10.7 mm dynamic
11.6 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
10.7 mm
11.6 mm
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
-
Sensitivity
110 dB/mW
-
Bluetooth
5.3
5.3
Codecs
SBC, AAC
SBC, AAC, LHDC
Multipoint pairing
Yes
Yes
Battery life
8 h
6.3 h
Battery life (ANC on)
8 h
4 h
Battery incl. case
-
36 h
Quick charge
-
10 min → 8 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
-
Weight
5.5 g
4.5 g
Case weight
44 g
51.9 g
Water resistance
IP57
IP54
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Microphones
3
6
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)

Nothing Ear (2)

The Nothing Ear (2) are a well-rounded pair of true wireless earbuds that offer a neutral sound profile, effective adaptive noise cancellation, and a feature set that includes multipoint, wireless charging, and an app with a custom EQ. They bring notable improvements over the first generation, making them a strong value option in their price range, though their battery life is merely average and some advanced features can be finicky in practice.

  • Pro:Neutral, well-balanced sound signature
  • Pro:Effective adaptive ANC and transparency mode
  • Pro:Robust feature set including multipoint, wireless charging, and custom EQ
  • Con:Battery life is only average, especially with ANC on
  • Con:High-res audio mode and multipoint can be inconsistent
  • Con:Sound quality still not top-tier for critical listening

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 3Nothing Ear (2)