True Wireless
Apple AirPods Pro 3
86Outstanding
$180
Full review dataApple AirPods Pro 3 vs Sennheiser CX Plus SE True Wireless: 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
Sennheiser CX Plus SE True Wireless
67Good
$160
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
- Sennheiser CX Plus SE True Wireless
HearWiki score
86
67
Sound
8.6
7.2
Noise cancelling
9.3
5.5
Battery
7.3
5.0
Calls
7.4
5.6
Value
8.3
-
Price (USD)
$180
$160
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 Sennheiser CX Plus SE True Wireless (2021). Neither is straightforwardly newer: the Apple AirPods Pro 3 brings Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.2 and ANC type Adaptive against Feedback, while the Sennheiser CX Plus SE True Wireless answers with Top codec aptX Adaptive against AAC. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 answers on convenience features: it adds Multipoint pairing and Water resistance IP57 against IPX4.
- AirPods Pro 320254 yr newer
- CX Plus SE True Wireless2021
What differsAirPods Pro 3CX Plus SE True Wireless
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 5.2
- Top codec
- AAC
- aptX Adaptive
- ANC type
- Adaptive
- Feedback
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- No
- Water resistance
- IP57
- IPX4
Platform
Everyday features
Level on: USB-C, Transparency mode, Companion app.
Specifications
AirPods Pro 3CX Plus SE True Wireless
- Type
- True Wireless
- True Wireless
- Price (USD)
- $180
- $160
- HearWiki score
- 86
- 67
- Released
- 2025
- 2021
- Availability
- Sold new
- Still sold new
- 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
- 5 Hz - 21 kHz
- Impedance
- -
- 16 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 110 dB/mW
- 114 dB/mW
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 5.2
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC
- SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- No
- Battery life
- 8 h
- 8 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- 8 h
- -
- Battery incl. case
- -
- 24 h
- Full charge time
- -
- 90 min
- Quick charge
- -
- 10 min → 1 h
- Wireless charging
- Yes
- -
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- Yes
- ANC type
- adaptive
- feedback
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- Yes
- Companion app
- Yes
- Yes
- Custom EQ
- -
- Yes
- Wear detection
- Yes
- -
- Controls
- touch
- touch
- Voice assistant
- Siri
- -
- Weight
- 5.5 g
- 6 g
- Case weight
- 44 g
- -
- Water resistance
- IP57
- IPX4
- USB-C
- Yes
- Yes
- Microphones
- 3
- 4
- Microphone type
- beamforming
- -
- Call noise reduction
- -
- Yes
- Call NR technology
- -
- 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)
Sennheiser CX Plus SE True Wireless
The Sennheiser CX Plus SE True Wireless earbuds deliver a balanced, neutral sound with solid active noise cancellation in a compact, IPX4-rated design. They offer broad codec support including aptX Adaptive, touch controls, and app-based EQ, making them a versatile all-rounder for commuting and everyday listening. While battery life is decent, real-world performance can vary with volume and ANC usage, and some users may find the fit or app experience less than ideal.
- Pro:Balanced, neutral sound signature
- Pro:Effective ANC with transparency mode
- Pro:Broad codec support including aptX Adaptive
- Con:Battery life varies with volume and ANC
- Con:Companion app can be frustrating
- Con:Fit may not suit all ear shapes
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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