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Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Yamaha TW-E5A: which should you buy?

Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Yamaha TW-E5A, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.

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
  • Yamaha TW-E5A
HearWiki score
86
-
Sound
8.6
-
Noise cancelling
9.3
-
Battery
7.3
-
Calls
7.4
-
Value
8.3
-
Price (USD)
$180
$150

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

Apple AirPods Pro 3 (2025) against Yamaha TW-E5A (2020). The Apple AirPods Pro 3 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.0 and ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds Water resistance IP57 against IPX5.

  • AirPods Pro 320255 yr newer
  • TW-E5A2020
What differsAirPods Pro 3TW-E5A

Platform

Bluetooth
5.3
5.0
ANC type
Adaptive
None

Everyday features

Water resistance
IP57
IPX5

Level on: Top codec, USB-C, Transparency mode, Companion app.

Specifications

AirPods Pro 3TW-E5A
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$180
$150
HearWiki score
86
Not scored
Released
2025
2020
Availability
Sold new
Discontinued
Driver
10.7 mm dynamic
6.2 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
10.7 mm
6.2 mm
Drivers per side
1
-
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Sensitivity
110 dB/mW
-
Bluetooth
5.3
5.0
Codecs
SBC, AAC
SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing
Yes
-
Wireless range
-
10 m
Battery life
8 h
26 h
Battery life (ANC on)
8 h
-
Full charge time
-
120 min
Wireless charging
Yes
-
Active noise cancelling
Yes
No
ANC type
adaptive
-
Transparency mode
Yes
Yes
Companion app
Yes
Yes
Wear detection
Yes
-
Controls
touch
buttons
Voice assistant
Siri
Google Assistant, Siri
Weight
5.5 g
7.1 g
Case weight
44 g
-
Water resistance
IP57
IPX5
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Microphones
3
2
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)

Yamaha TW-E5A

The Yamaha TW-E5A are true wireless earbuds designed for everyday listening, offering a compact 6.2mm dynamic driver and IPX5 water resistance for workouts or commutes. They provide up to 26 hours of total battery life with the charging case, support Bluetooth 5.0 with SBC, AAC, and aptX codecs, and include Yamaha's Listening Care feature to optimize sound at lower volumes. A transparency mode and app support round out the package, though there's no active noise cancellation.

  • Pro:Long total battery life of 26 hours with the case
  • Pro:IPX5 water resistance for sweat and light rain
  • Pro:Supports both AAC and aptX codecs for better wireless audio
  • Con:No active noise cancellation, so isolation is limited
  • Con:Physical buttons may require a firm press, causing discomfort
  • Con:Charging case takes about two hours to fully recharge

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

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New comparisonApple AirPods Pro 3Yamaha TW-E5A