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HearWiki

Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Urbanista Palo Alto: 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.

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
  • Urbanista Palo Alto
HearWiki score
86
64
Sound
8.6
6.3
Noise cancelling
9.3
6.0
Battery
7.3
8.1
Calls
7.4
7.1
Value
8.3
6.8
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?

Half a step newer

Apple AirPods Pro 3 (2025) against Urbanista Palo Alto (2024). The Apple AirPods Pro 3 edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid. It also adds Water resistance IP57 against IP54.

  • AirPods Pro 320251 yr newer
  • Palo Alto2024
What differsAirPods Pro 3Palo Alto

Platform

ANC type
Adaptive
Hybrid

Everyday features

Water resistance
IP57
IP54

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

Specifications

AirPods Pro 3Palo Alto
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$180
$99
HearWiki score
86
64
Released
2025
2024
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
-
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Sound signature
-
bass-heavy
Impedance
-
16 Ω
Sensitivity
110 dB/mW
104 dB/mW
Bluetooth
5.3
5.3
Codecs
SBC, AAC
SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing
Yes
Yes
Battery life
8 h
8 h
Battery life (ANC on)
8 h
6 h
Battery incl. case
-
45 h
Full charge time
-
90 min
Quick charge
-
10 min → 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
5 g
Case weight
44 g
46.5 g
Water resistance
IP57
IP54
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Connector
-
USB-C
Microphones
3
6
Microphone type
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)

Urbanista Palo Alto

The Urbanista Palo Alto true wireless earbuds offer a stylish, compact build with hybrid active noise cancellation and a bass-forward sound profile. They pack modern conveniences like Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint, wireless charging, and an IP54 rating, though their performance is tempered by a few usability quirks. Overall, they provide a decent feature set for the price, but the experience is not without its frustrations.

  • Pro:Sleek and lightweight design
  • Pro:Strong bass response
  • Pro:Hybrid ANC with transparency mode
  • Con:Finicky wireless charging alignment
  • Con:Loud voice prompts
  • Con:App experience feels limited

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

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