Apple AirPods (3rd Generation)

Small, compact design ; Much improved sound ; Unmatched iOS and macOS integration

No ANC ; Poor in loud environments

The AirPods 3 are an easy recommendation for iPhone users who want a pair of simple, good sounding buds that work well and last for a long time between charges. They’re still missing any sort of noise cancellation and are useless in loud places though,...

Less conspicuous design ; IPX4 water resistance ; Improved sound quality

No MagSafe reverse wireless charging from iPhones ; Spatial audio is inconsistent ; They let in a ton of outside noise

Apple’s third-generation AirPods have a new design with shorter stems. They sound better, have IPX4 water resistance, and support spatial audio with head tracking. But there are still reasons to choose the AirPods Pro or AirPods Max instead.

Dynamic, detailed sound ; Great new design ; Improved battery life ; Outer-ear fit ideal for some…

…But the fit isn't for everyone ; Battery life still average overall ; Sound leaks in ; Smart features are only for iOS

The new AirPods (3rd Gen) sound excellent, and come packed with useful features. As an upgrade to the earlier AirPods, they're exactly what you'd hope for (as long as you don't prefer in-ear tips). But you need to be prepared to live with sound leaking...

Natural, rich bass depth and crisp, clear highs ; Hands-free Siri voice commands ; Water- and sweat-resistant design ; Wireless and MagSafe charging

In-ear fit can still be inconsistent, resulting in imbalanced stereo image ; Fit doesn’t feel secure enough for rigorous exercise ; No adjustable EQ

Apple’s third-generation AirPods provide notably better bass depth and are more rugged than their predecessor. Despite some improvements to how they fit and some neat sensor tricks, we still aren't wild about their open earbud design.

Refreshed design ; Great sound quality ; Excellent convenience features ; Spatial Audio is very good ; Sweat and water resistant ; Good battery life

A little big for our ears ; No active noise-cancellation (ANC) tech

Sitting in the middle of Apple's wireless headphones portfolio, the 3rd Gen AirPods offer a great balance between features and price point, whilst also delivering a refreshed and water-resistant design and great sound quality.

Slick, but familiar redesign ; Extremely comfortable ; Great audio ; Excellent battery life

A bit expensive ; No active noise cancelling

Tight iPhone integration ; Solid battery life ; Improved audio performance ; Spatial audio is clever ; IPX4 water resistance

Fit won't suit every ear ; No active noise cancellation ; Open design means you hear ambient noise

Great sound quality ; Sweat and water resistance ; Long battery life ; Skin-detect sensor very welcome

AirPods Pro aren’t that much more expensive ; No noise cancelling

Apple’s AirPods 3 are a worthy upgrade. But, unless you want to avoid the silicon tips of the AirPods Pro, you may find the Pros aren’t that much more expensive.