True Wireless
Apple AirPods Pro 3
86Outstanding
$180
Full review dataApple AirPods Pro 3 vs QCY HT01: 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
QCY HT01
50Average
$120
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
- QCY HT01
HearWiki score
86
50
Sound
8.6
6.3
Noise cancelling
9.3
4.8
Battery
7.3
4.8
Calls
7.4
4.0
Value
8.3
2.8
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?
New platform
Apple AirPods Pro 3 (2025) against QCY HT01 (2021). The Apple AirPods Pro 3 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.0 and ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid. It also adds Multipoint pairing, Companion app and Water resistance IP57 against IPX5.
- AirPods Pro 320254 yr newer
- HT012021
What differsAirPods Pro 3HT01
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 5.0
- ANC type
- Adaptive
- Hybrid
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- No
- Companion app
- Yes
- No
- Water resistance
- IP57
- IPX5
Platform
Everyday features
Level on: Top codec, Wireless charging, USB-C, Wear detection, Transparency mode.
Specifications
AirPods Pro 3HT01
- Type
- True Wireless
- True Wireless
- Price (USD)
- $180
- $120
- HearWiki score
- 86
- 50
- Released
- 2025
- 2021
- Availability
- Sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 10.7 mm dynamic
- 7 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 10.7 mm
- 7 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Impedance
- -
- 16 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 110 dB/mW
- -
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 5.0
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC
- SBC, AAC
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- No
- Wireless range
- -
- 10 m
- Battery life
- 8 h
- 6 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- 8 h
- 4.5 h
- Battery incl. case
- -
- 24 h
- Full charge time
- -
- 90 min
- Wireless charging
- Yes
- Yes
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- Yes
- ANC type
- adaptive
- hybrid
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- Yes
- Companion app
- Yes
- No
- Custom EQ
- -
- No
- Wear detection
- Yes
- Yes
- Controls
- touch
- buttons
- Voice assistant
- Siri
- Google Assistant, Siri
- Weight
- 5.5 g
- 5.2 g
- Case weight
- 44 g
- 42.8 g
- Water resistance
- IP57
- IPX5
- Foldable
- -
- No
- Detachable cable
- -
- No
- 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)
QCY HT01
The QCY HT01 is a true wireless earbud with hybrid active noise cancellation and a lightweight 5.2g build, offering around 4.5 hours of playback with ANC enabled and a total of 24 hours with the charging case. It features IPX5 water resistance, wireless charging, and a button-based control scheme with transparency mode, though it lacks multipoint and custom EQ. Sound-wise, it delivers more body in vocals and detailed mids, making it a solid option for those prioritizing vocal clarity over call quality or ANC performance.
- Pro:Detailed mids with good vocal body
- Pro:Lightweight design at just 5.2g per bud
- Pro:Supports wireless charging and USB-C
- Con:Active noise cancellation underperforms
- Con:Call quality is disappointing
- Con:No multipoint connection support
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
Compare something else
Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.