True Wireless
Apple AirPods Pro 3
84Great
$232
Full review dataApple AirPods Pro 3 vs Sennheiser CX: 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
Sennheiser CX
68Good
$130
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
Sennheiser CX
Sound7.0
Battery6.0
Calls8.0
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Sennheiser CX |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $232 | $130 |
| HearWiki score | 84 / 100 · Great | 68 / 100 · Good |
| Released | 2025 | 2021 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 10.7 mm | 7 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz | 5Hz-21kHz |
| Impedance | - | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 110 dB/mW | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, aptX |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | No |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 8 h | 9 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 8 h | - |
| Battery incl. case | 24 h | 27 h |
| Full charge time | - | 90 min |
| Quick charge | 5 minutes in case = about 1 hour listening time | 15 min = 1 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | No |
| ANC type | adaptive | - |
| Transparency mode | Yes | - |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | - | Yes |
| Wear detection | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | touch | touch |
| Voice assistant | Siri | supported |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 10.1 g | 49 g |
| Case weight | 43.99 g | 37 g |
| Water resistance | IP57 | IPX4 |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 3 | 4 |
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
Sennheiser CX
The Sennheiser CX True Wireless earbuds deliver a solid, bass-forward audio experience with dependable connectivity and strong call quality. They offer a good set of features for the price, including app-based EQ, wear detection, and a compact charging case, though their sound lacks the openness of pricier rivals. Overall, they're a competent choice for everyday listening, but increased competition has made them less of a standout in the budget tier.
- Pro:Excellent call clarity with four microphones
- Pro:Customizable sound via app EQ
- Pro:Good battery life with quick charge support
- Con:Sound tuning is bass-heavy and less spacious
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:Design feels somewhat plain and bulky
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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