True Wireless
Apple AirPods Pro 3
84Great
$230
Full review dataApple AirPods Pro 3 vs Nothing Ear (a): which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Apple AirPods Pro 3 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Apple AirPods Pro 3 - Great overall at around $232.
True Wireless
Nothing Ear (a)
78Great
$80
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Apple AirPods Pro 3
Sound8.5
Noise cancelling9.5
Battery8.0
Calls8.5
Value7.5
Nothing Ear (a)
Sound8.0
Noise cancelling7.5
Battery8.5
Calls8.0
Value8.5
Specifications
| Spec | Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Nothing Ear (a) |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $230 | $80 |
| HearWiki score | 84 / 100 · Great | 78 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2025 | 2024 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 10.7 mm | 11 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | - | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 110 dB/mW | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless range | - | 10 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 8 h | 9.5 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 8 h | 5.5 h |
| Battery incl. case | 24 h | 42.5 h |
| Quick charge | 5 minutes in case = about 1 hour listening time | 10 min = 10 h (ANC off) |
| Wireless charging | Yes | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | 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 | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 10.1 g | 4.8 g |
| Case weight | 43.99 g | 39.6 g |
| Water resistance | IP57 | IP54 |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 3 | - |
| Call noise reduction | - | Clear Voice Technology 3.0 |
What reviewers said
Apple AirPods Pro 3
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are premium true wireless earbuds that deliver top-tier active noise cancellation, clear call quality, and a well-balanced sound profile. They offer a robust feature set including adaptive ANC, wireless charging, and IP57 water resistance, though their higher price and somewhat finicky fit may give some buyers pause. Overall, they stand out as a polished, high-performance option for iOS users willing to invest in a premium experience.
- Pro:Excellent active noise cancellation
- Pro:Clear call quality in noisy environments
- Pro:Strong battery life with the charging case
- Con:Fit can be finicky and may lose seal easily
- Con:Premium price point
- Con:Only supports AAC codec
Nothing Ear (a)
The Nothing Ear (a) is a budget-friendly true wireless pair that delivers a warm, immersive sound signature and a distinctive design. It offers a robust feature set for the price, including adaptive ANC, LDAC support, and strong battery life, though its controls and multipoint connectivity can be finicky. Overall, it's a compelling everyday option for those seeking style and solid performance without breaking the bank.
- Pro:Warm, immersive sound
- Pro:Excellent battery life with case
- Pro:Adaptive ANC and transparency mode
- Con:Tricky touch controls
- Con:Multipoint connection issues on Android
- Con:Case lacks wireless charging
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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