The default iPhone earbuds, now with serious noise canceling
Apple AirPods Pro 3
Reviewed by
Eran Yorkovsky · Founder, PickGrade
If you have an iPhone, just buy these. The Pro 3 leap past the Pro 2 on noise canceling, fit more ears with new foam tips, and add a heart-rate sensor and a hearing test, all with effortless Apple switching. Audiophiles may prefer something more neutral.
For iPhone owners, these are the obvious pick, and now they earn it on the merits, not just convenience. The Pro 3 take a real step up in noise canceling, fit far more ears with new foam-tipped silicone, and quietly turn into a health device with an in-ear heart-rate sensor and a clinical-grade hearing test. They're glued to the Apple ecosystem, so Android users should look elsewhere, and a few listeners find the new tuning a touch hyped.
$199.99
$249
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Last reviewed Jun 18, 2026
What we like
- ✓Seamless with Apple devices
- ✓Strong compact noise cancellation
- ✓Improved battery life and hearing features
Trade-offs
- −Live Translation requires an Apple-Intelligence iPhone
- −No charging cable included in the box
- −Audiophile reviewers are split on the tuning - some find it exaggerated rather than natural
- −Early units had reports of a faint static/whine that Apple has been replacing
Best for
iPhone users who want excellent noise cancellation in a pocketable case with seamless switching across Apple devices.
Avoid if
You're mainly on Android or Windows and want full features, or you prefer over-ear comfort and longer battery life.
The three lenses
How we grade →- 8.6/10
Value & Longevity · Eran Yorkovsky
- 8.8/10
Design & Fit · Michal Zucker
- 8.7/10
Health & Environment · Dr. Yocheved Yorkovsky
Score breakdown
- mic calls9.2/10
- noise control9.0/10
- comfort fit8.8/10
- value8.5/10
- sound quality8.5/10
- battery features8.0/10
Specs
- anc
- Active Noise Cancellation + Adaptive Transparency (improved over Pro 2)
- fit
- Foam-infused silicone tips, 5 sizes (XXS-L)
- type
- In-ear true wireless (ANC)
- health
- In-ear heart-rate sensor, hearing test, hearing-aid and hearing-protection modes
- battery
- Up to ~8 hours with ANC; USB-C / Qi charging case
- features
- Live Translation (Apple-Intelligence iPhone required), spatial audio with head tracking
- ecosystem
- Best with iPhone and Apple devices
How we know
High confidenceLast checkedFor iPhone owners, the AirPods Pro 3 are the most complete wireless earbuds you can buy — and now they earn it on the merits, not just convenience. Apple leapfrogged the Pro 2 on the fundamentals, with independent reviewers singling out a big jump in active noise cancellation and one of the best transparency modes available. The extras are genuinely useful this time: an in-ear heart-rate sensor, a validated hearing test with hearing-aid and hearing-protection modes, and Live Translation. A reshaped body and new foam-infused silicone tips — five sizes, including XXS — give a more secure, isolating fit across more ear shapes, battery climbs to about 8 hours with ANC, and a revised mic setup improves calls, all tightly integrated with the Apple ecosystem. The trade-offs are real: Live Translation needs an Apple-Intelligence iPhone, there's no charging cable in the box, and audiophile-leaning reviewers are split on the tuning, with some finding the new sound exaggerated rather than refined. Early units also had reports of a faint static or whine, which Apple has been replacing. For iPhone users who want the best blend of ANC, fit, health features, and seamless pairing in a pocketable bud, they're the clear pick — dedicated listeners chasing the most natural sound may prefer alternatives.
Compare Apple AirPods Pro 3 with the top alternates side-by-side.
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Other expert reviews
Video reviews
MKBHD — MKBHD — AirPods Pro 3 review
From real owners
Human reviews that sharpen our AI grade
- ★★★★★A good buy with a few caveats
Apple AirPods Pro 3 is a good buy, but not a perfect one. I like it, I just think some people should read the details first.
YB · Jul 7, 2026
- ★★★★★Iphone companion
If you're part of the apple ecosystem there's no real alternative.
Dave · Jul 4, 2026
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