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Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs OnePlus Buds 3: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Apple AirPods Pro 3 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 88. 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
  • OnePlus Buds 3
HearWiki score
88
74
Sound
8.6
8.0
Noise cancelling
9.3
6.0
Battery
7.3
7.0
Calls
7.4
8.0
Value
8.3
8.0
Price (USD)
$180
$98

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?

Mixed generations

Apple AirPods Pro 3 (2025) against OnePlus Buds 3 (2024). Neither is straightforwardly newer: the Apple AirPods Pro 3 brings ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid, while the OnePlus Buds 3 answers with Top codec LHDC against AAC. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 answers on convenience features: it adds Wireless charging, Wear detection and Water resistance IP57 against IP55.

  • AirPods Pro 320251 yr newer
  • Buds 32024
What differsAirPods Pro 3Buds 3

Platform

Top codec
AAC
LHDC
ANC type
Adaptive
Hybrid

Everyday features

Wireless charging
Yes
No
Wear detection
Yes
No
Water resistance
IP57
IP55

Level on: Bluetooth, Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Transparency mode, Companion app.

Specifications

AirPods Pro 3Buds 3
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$180
$98
HearWiki score
88
74
Released
2025
2024
Availability
Sold new
Discontinued
Driver
10.7 mm dynamic
2-driver hybrid
Driver type
dynamic
hybrid
Driver size
10.7 mm
11 mm
Drivers per side
1
2
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
15 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance
-
16 Ω
Sensitivity
110 dB/mW
110 dB/mW
Bluetooth
5.3
5.3
Codecs
SBC, AAC
SBC, AAC, LHDC
Multipoint pairing
Yes
Yes
Latency
-
94 ms
Wireless range
-
10 m
Battery life
8 h
10 h
Battery life (ANC on)
8 h
6.5 h
Battery incl. case
-
44 h
Quick charge
-
10 min → 7 h
Wireless charging
Yes
No
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
4.8 g
Case weight
44 g
40.8 g
Water resistance
IP57
IP55
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 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

OnePlus Buds 3

The OnePlus Buds 3 are versatile true wireless earbuds that deliver lively, energetic sound and dependable call quality. They offer adaptive noise cancelling, strong multipoint connectivity, and a comfortable fit, making them a solid everyday option despite their noise cancellation not being the most powerful.

  • Pro:Energetic, engaging sound signature
  • Pro:Clear call quality with multiple microphones
  • Pro:Reliable multipoint Bluetooth connectivity
  • Con:Noise cancelling could be more effective
  • Con:Battery life per charge is modest
  • Con:No wireless charging support

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 3OnePlus Buds 3