Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs SoundPEATS Air5 Pro+ TWS Earbuds: 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

SoundPEATS Air5 Pro+ TWS Earbuds

73Great

$130

Full review data

Score 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
SoundPEATS Air5 Pro+ TWS Earbuds

HearWiki score

Sound

8.6

7.8

Noise cancelling

9.3

7.4

Battery

7.3

4.7

Calls

7.4

7.3

Value

8.3

7.2

Price (USD)

$180

$130

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

Both shipped in 2025. The SoundPEATS Air5 Pro+ TWS Earbuds is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.4 against 5.3, Top codec aptX Lossless against AAC and LE Audio (LC3). The Apple AirPods Pro 3 answers on convenience features: it adds Wireless charging, Wear detection and Water resistance IP57 against IPX5.

AirPods Pro 32025
Air5 Pro+ TWS Earbuds2025

What differsAirPods Pro 3Air5 Pro+ TWS Earbuds

Bluetooth: 5.3; 5.4
Top codec: AAC; aptX Lossless
LE Audio (LC3): No; Yes
Wireless charging: Yes; No
Wear detection: Yes; No
Water resistance: IP57; IPX5

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

Specifications

AirPods Pro 3Air5 Pro+ TWS Earbuds

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $180; $130
HearWiki score: 86; 73
Released: 2025; 2025
Availability: Sold new; Sold new
Driver: 10.7 mm dynamic; 2× 10 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 10.7 mm; 10 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 2
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz; 20 Hz - 40 kHz
Sensitivity: 110 dB/mW; -
Bluetooth: 5.3; 5.4
Codecs: SBC, AAC; SBC, AAC, aptX, LC3, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; Yes
Latency: -; 60 ms
Wireless range: -; 10 m
Battery life: 8 h; 5 h
Battery life (ANC on): 8 h; -
Battery incl. case: -; 30 h
Full charge time: -; 60 min
Quick charge: -; 10 min → 2 h
Wireless charging: Yes; No
Active noise cancelling: Yes; Yes
ANC type: adaptive; adaptive
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; 5 g
Case weight: 44 g; 51.1 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 SoundPEATS Air5 Pro+ TWS Earbuds
Spec	Apple AirPods Pro 3	SoundPEATS Air5 Pro+ TWS Earbuds
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$180	$130
HearWiki score	86 / 100 Outstanding	73 / 100 Great
Released	2025	2025
Audio
Driver	10.7 mm dynamic	2× 10 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	10.7 mm	10 mm
Drivers per side	1	2
Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	20 Hz - 40 kHz
Sensitivity	110 dB/mW	-
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.3	5.4
Codecs	SBC, AAC	SBC, AAC, aptX, LC3, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	Yes
Latency	-	60 ms
Wireless range	-	10 m
Battery
Battery life	8 h	5 h
Battery life (ANC on)	8 h	-
Battery incl. case	-	30 h
Full charge time	-	60 min
Quick charge	-	10 min → 2 h
Wireless charging	Yes	No
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
ANC type	adaptive	adaptive
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	-	Yes
Wear detection	Yes	No
Controls	touch	touch
Voice assistant	Siri	Yes
Design
Weight	5.5 g	5 g
Case weight	44 g	51.1 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)

SoundPEATS Air5 Pro+ TWS Earbuds

The SoundPEATS Air5 Pro+ TWS earbuds offer a rich feature set with adaptive noise cancellation, multipoint connectivity, and support for high-resolution codecs like LDAC and aptX Lossless. They deliver warm, detailed sound and practical convenience in a compact, IPX5-rated design, though battery life per charge is modest. Overall, they provide strong everyday performance and value for their price point.

Pro:Adaptive ANC with transparency mode
Pro:Wide codec support including LDAC and aptX Lossless
Pro:Multipoint Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity

Con:Battery life is limited to about 5 hours per charge
Con:No wireless charging case
Con:Touch controls may require adjustment

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

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