Is the Apple AirPods 3 worth the upgrade from the Technics EAH-AZ100?
Verdict
Downgrade
The Apple AirPods 3 actually scores 16.0 points below the Technics EAH-AZ100, so on aggregate review consensus this is a step backwards. It loses ground on sound (9.2 to 7.0) and battery (8.7 to 7.0). On paper: weight 11.8 g to 4.3 g, battery incl. case 28 h to 30 h and microphones 2 to 3. Worth checking: battery life goes 12 h to 6 h and active noise cancelling goes Yes to No. It is at least $166 cheaper, so the lower score comes with a saving. Only worth it if a specific feature above matters more to you than overall quality does.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound9.27.0
- Battery8.77.0
- Calls7.86.3
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | EAH-AZ100 | AirPods 3 | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 12 h | 6 h | |
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | No | |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC | SBC, AAC | |
| Weight | 11.8 g | 4.3 g | |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 | |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | No | |
| Battery incl. case | 28 h | 30 h | |
| Microphones | 2 | 3 | |
| Transparency mode | Yes | No | |
| USB-C | Yes | No | |
| ANC type | hybrid | none | |
| Controls | touch | buttons | |
| Driver | 10 mm dynamic | dynamic |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "EAH-AZ100 to AirPods 3". The other direction is a separate question with a different answer. Scores blend published review verdicts across true wireless and shift as new reviews land, so a marginal call today may not be one next quarter.