Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro: 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 6 of 7 measures.

Apple AirPods Pro 3
Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro

HearWiki score

Sound

8.6

7.3

Noise cancelling

9.3

6.6

Battery

7.3

6.3

Calls

7.4

6.7

Value

8.3

4.6

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 Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro (2022). Neither is straightforwardly newer: the Apple AirPods Pro 3 brings Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.2, while the Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro answers with Top codec LHDC against AAC. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 answers on convenience features: it adds Water resistance IP57 against IP55.

AirPods Pro 320253 yr newer
Buds 3T Pro2022

What differsAirPods Pro 3Buds 3T Pro

Bluetooth: 5.3; 5.2
Top codec: AAC; LHDC
Water resistance: IP57; IP55

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

Specifications

AirPods Pro 3Buds 3T Pro

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $180; $160
HearWiki score: 86; 65
Released: 2025; 2022
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 - 20 kHz
Sound signature: -; neutral
Impedance: -; 32 Ω
Sensitivity: 110 dB/mW; -
Bluetooth: 5.3; 5.2
Codecs: SBC, AAC; SBC, AAC, LHDC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; Yes
Latency: -; 69 ms
Wireless range: -; 10 m
Battery life: 8 h; 6 h
Battery life (ANC on): 8 h; 5 h
Battery incl. case: -; 24 h
Full charge time: -; 70 min
Wireless charging: Yes; Yes
Active noise cancelling: Yes; Yes
ANC type: adaptive; adaptive
Transparency mode: Yes; Yes
Companion app: Yes; Yes
Custom EQ: -; No
Wear detection: Yes; Yes
Controls: touch; buttons
Voice assistant: Siri; -
Weight: 5.5 g; 9.8 g
Case weight: 44 g; 51 g
Water resistance: IP57; IP55
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Connector: -; USB-C
Microphones: 3; 3
Microphone type: beamforming; -
Call noise reduction: -; Yes
Call NR technology: -; noise-cancelling mic

Specification comparison of Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro
Spec	Apple AirPods Pro 3	Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$180	$160
HearWiki score	86 / 100 Outstanding	65 / 100 Good
Released	2025	2022
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 - 20 kHz
Sound signature	-	neutral
Impedance	-	32 Ω
Sensitivity	110 dB/mW	-
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.3	5.2
Codecs	SBC, AAC	SBC, AAC, LHDC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	Yes
Latency	-	69 ms
Wireless range	-	10 m
Battery
Battery life	8 h	6 h
Battery life (ANC on)	8 h	5 h
Battery incl. case	-	24 h
Full charge time	-	70 min
Wireless charging	Yes	Yes
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
ANC type	adaptive	adaptive
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	-	No
Wear detection	Yes	Yes
Controls	touch	buttons
Voice assistant	Siri	-
Design
Weight	5.5 g	9.8 g
Case weight	44 g	51 g
Water resistance	IP57	IP55
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Connector	-	USB-C
Calls
Microphones	3	3
Microphone type	beamforming	-
Call noise reduction	-	Yes
Call NR technology	-	noise-cancelling mic

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)

Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro

The Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro are true wireless earbuds with adaptive active noise cancellation and a compact 10mm dynamic driver. They offer a solid 6-hour playtime on a single charge, extendable to 24 hours with the case, and support multipoint connections for seamless device switching. With an IP55 rating and wireless charging, they're built for everyday durability and convenience.

Pro:Adaptive noise cancellation
Pro:Multipoint connection support
Pro:IP55 water and dust resistance

Con:No custom EQ adjustment
Con:Battery life is average without case
Con:Physical buttons may be less intuitive than touch controls

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

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