Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Realme Buds Air 5 Pro: 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

Apple AirPods Pro 3

86Outstanding

$180

Full review data

True Wireless

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads on 4 of 7 measures.

Apple AirPods Pro 3
Realme Buds Air 5 Pro

HearWiki score

Sound

8.6

7.6

Noise cancelling

9.3

7.2

Battery

7.3

7.5

Calls

7.4

8.2

Value

8.3

6.2

Price (USD)

$180

$99

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 Realme Buds Air 5 Pro (2024). Neither is straightforwardly newer: the Apple AirPods Pro 3 brings ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid, while the Realme Buds Air 5 Pro answers with Top codec LDAC against AAC. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 answers on convenience features: it adds Wireless charging and Water resistance IP57 against IPX5.

AirPods Pro 320251 yr newer
Buds Air 5 Pro2024

What differsAirPods Pro 3Buds Air 5 Pro

Top codec: AAC; LDAC
ANC type: Adaptive; Hybrid
Wireless charging: Yes; No
Water resistance: IP57; IPX5

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

Specifications

AirPods Pro 3Buds Air 5 Pro

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $180; $99
HearWiki score: 86; 73
Released: 2025; 2024
Availability: Sold new; Still sold new
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; 20 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance: -; 32 Ω
Sensitivity: 110 dB/mW; -
Bluetooth: 5.3; 5.3
Codecs: SBC, AAC; SBC, AAC, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; Yes
Latency: -; 40 ms
Wireless range: -; 10 m
Battery life: 8 h; 11 h
Battery life (ANC on): 8 h; 7 h
Battery incl. case: -; 40 h
Full charge time: -; 120 min
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; Yes
Controls: touch; touch
Voice assistant: Siri; Yes
Weight: 5.5 g; 10 g
Case weight: 44 g; -
Water resistance: IP57; IPX5
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Microphones: 3; 6
Microphone type: beamforming; -
Call noise reduction: -; Yes
Call NR technology: -; AI ENC

Specification comparison of Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Realme Buds Air 5 Pro
Spec	Apple AirPods Pro 3	Realme Buds Air 5 Pro
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$180	$99
HearWiki score	86 / 100 Outstanding	73 / 100 Great
Released	2025	2024
Audio
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	20 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance	-	32 Ω
Sensitivity	110 dB/mW	-
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.3	5.3
Codecs	SBC, AAC	SBC, AAC, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	Yes
Latency	-	40 ms
Wireless range	-	10 m
Battery
Battery life	8 h	11 h
Battery life (ANC on)	8 h	7 h
Battery incl. case	-	40 h
Full charge time	-	120 min
Quick charge	-	10 min → 7 h
Wireless charging	Yes	No
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
ANC type	adaptive	hybrid
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	-	Yes
Wear detection	Yes	Yes
Controls	touch	touch
Voice assistant	Siri	Yes
Design
Weight	5.5 g	10 g
Case weight	44 g	-
Water resistance	IP57	IPX5
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Calls
Microphones	3	6
Microphone type	beamforming	-
Call noise reduction	-	Yes
Call NR technology	-	AI ENC

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)

Realme Buds Air 5 Pro

The Realme Buds Air 5 Pro are a feature-packed pair of true wireless earbuds that aim to deliver premium performance at a budget-friendly price. With hybrid active noise cancellation, LDAC support, and a dual-driver setup, they offer a compelling mix of sound quality and functionality for under $100. Their comfortable fit and robust feature set make them a strong contender in the mid-range TWS market.

Pro:Excellent value with premium features like LDAC and hybrid ANC
Pro:Comfortable and secure fit for extended listening sessions
Pro:Strong battery life, especially with the charging case

Con:No wireless charging support
Con:Battery life with ANC enabled is noticeably shorter
Con:Touch controls may be overly sensitive for some users

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

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