Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Technics EAH-AZ80: 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 5 of 7 measures.

Apple AirPods Pro 3
Technics EAH-AZ80

HearWiki score

Sound

8.6

Noise cancelling

9.3

7.8

Battery

7.3

6.9

Calls

7.4

7.1

Value

8.3

9.0

Price (USD)

$180

$200

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 Technics EAH-AZ80 (2023). Neither is straightforwardly newer: the Apple AirPods Pro 3 brings ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid, while the Technics EAH-AZ80 answers with Top codec LDAC against AAC. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 answers on convenience features: it adds Water resistance IP57 against IPX4.

AirPods Pro 320252 yr newer
EAH-AZ802023

What differsAirPods Pro 3EAH-AZ80

Top codec: AAC; LDAC
ANC type: Adaptive; Hybrid
Water resistance: IP57; IPX4

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

Specifications

AirPods Pro 3EAH-AZ80

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $180; $200
HearWiki score: 86; 79
Released: 2025; 2023
Availability: Sold new; Still sold new
Driver: 10.7 mm dynamic; 10 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 10.7 mm; 10 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz; 20 Hz - 40 kHz
Sensitivity: 110 dB/mW; -
Bluetooth: 5.3; 5.3
Codecs: SBC, AAC; SBC, AAC, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; Yes
Wireless range: -; 10 m
Battery life: 8 h; 7.5 h
Battery life (ANC on): 8 h; 7 h
Battery incl. case: -; 24 h
Full charge time: -; 120 min
Quick charge: -; 15 min → 1.2 h
Wireless charging: Yes; Yes
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; 7 g
Case weight: 44 g; 50 g
Water resistance: IP57; IPX4
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Microphones: 3; 8
Microphone type: beamforming; MEMS

Specification comparison of Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Technics EAH-AZ80
Spec	Apple AirPods Pro 3	Technics EAH-AZ80
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$180	$200
HearWiki score	86 / 100 Outstanding	79 / 100 Great
Released	2025	2023
Audio
Driver	10.7 mm dynamic	10 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	10.7 mm	10 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	20 Hz - 40 kHz
Sensitivity	110 dB/mW	-
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.3	5.3
Codecs	SBC, AAC	SBC, AAC, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	Yes
Wireless range	-	10 m
Battery
Battery life	8 h	7.5 h
Battery life (ANC on)	8 h	7 h
Battery incl. case	-	24 h
Full charge time	-	120 min
Quick charge	-	15 min → 1.2 h
Wireless charging	Yes	Yes
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	7 g
Case weight	44 g	50 g
Water resistance	IP57	IPX4
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Calls
Microphones	3	8
Microphone type	beamforming	MEMS

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)

Technics EAH-AZ80

The Technics EAH-AZ80 are premium wireless earbuds that deliver high-fidelity audio with support for LDAC, SBC, and AAC codecs, alongside hybrid active noise cancellation and a transparency mode. They feature an 8-microphone array for clear calls and Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint connectivity for up to three devices, all in a comfortable, IPX4-rated design with wireless charging. With a 10 mm dynamic driver and a 20 Hz to 40 kHz frequency response, these earbuds aim for a rich, detailed listening experience.

Pro:Excellent sound quality with LDAC support
Pro:Hybrid ANC and transparency mode for versatile listening
Pro:Multipoint connection for up to three devices

Con:Battery life is modest at 7 hours with ANC
Con:Touch controls may require adjustment
Con:Price is on the higher side for the feature set

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

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