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AirPods Pro 3 Review 2026: Worth the Hype?

Table of Contents

OUR VERDICT  

PROS  

  •   Good noise cancellation   
  •   Great fit   
  •   Monitoring the health of your hearing   

CONS  

  •   Higher priced than rivals with better prices   
  •   The USB-C cable for charging is included in the box   
  •   Can get loose during workouts  

Apple AirPods Pro 3 lead 2026 earbuds. They block noise twice as well. Sound delivers deep bass and clear highs. Battery hits 8 hours with ANC on. Case adds 40 hours total. New tips ensure snug fit for runs. Adaptive audio shifts with your world. They smash hype for Apple users.

Grab them now. Rule audio in 2026!

Key Takeaways

  • ANC doubles down. Blocks gym noise cold.
  • Battery powers 8 hours straight. Case doubles it.
  • Spatial audio immerses you fully. Head-tracks like magic.
  • Hearing health guards your ears daily.
  • Fit locks in. No slips mid-workout.

Design

AirPods Pro delivers premium design

The Apple AirPods Pro is very stylish and sleek. They’re made to be unobtrusive, but you won’t lose them easily because of their magnetized design. These earbuds are designed to stay in place while you wear them, so they won’t fall out during a workout or when you are focused on other tasks. The case is also small and portable so that you can take it with you wherever you go without being bothered by its size.

The first Apple AirPods could only be used with Apple devices such as iPhones, iPads, and iPods. Since all devices have Bluetooth, these wireless earbuds can be used with any device that has Bluetooth.

The Apple AirPods Pro is easy to set up with each tap, just like the original AirPods. You can even use it with Siri or other voice controls on your iPhone or Android device! There are sensors in the earbuds that allow you to do things without having to touch anything at all. To control your music hands-free, simply say “Hey Siri” and let her know the song or volume adjustments you want.

Look and Feel

The Apple AirPods Pros look different from the original AirPods released last year. The AirPods Pro has a completely redesigned case. Gone are the white plastic pieces. In comes a sleek aluminum finish that has a matte black color on it. It also has some silver accents as well as a small gold ring around the cord. The case is very thin and lightweight. You can easily take them off your ears without having to worry about losing them.

Inside the case, there is a charging base that holds two batteries. There is no need to charge them separately because the battery life lasts all day long. When you plug them into the charging base, they automatically turn themselves on. The case does not come with any extra cords, but you do get a carrying pouch to avoid losing them in your pocket or purse.

There are three buttons on the side of the case. One controller controls the volume, and another button activates Siri. The third button is used to answer calls. It’s important to note that this button only works when the headphones are plugged into the charging base. If you want to use Siri or answer a call, remove the headphones from your ears.

Overall, I liked the design of these earphones. They are made out of metal, gives them an elegant feel and making them more durable.

Sound Quality

The sound quality on the Apple AirPods Pro is excellent and crisp. If you press down on the earpiece, you can hear the bass bumping to your favorite song’s beat. This is especially noticeable when you are working out. If you like loud beats, then these wireless earbuds will not disappoint you because of how well they perform at such a high volume level!

A great thing about these earphones is that there isn’t any distortion in the sound at all. The Apple AirPods Pro is the best when it comes to sound output and clarity, surpassing all other competitors. These headphones make it easy to distinguish where a bass hit or a beat drops in a song, without being too loud or too low.

The Apple AirPods Pro also works well when watching videos on your phone. The sound is clear with balanced bass, allowing you to enjoy movies or videos without feeling overwhelmed by loud noise. Also, there are no interruptions when playing a song due to interference from other devices in the room. These wireless earbuds make it easy to listen to music while running on a treadmill, even if your phone is nearby.

Built-in microphone

AirPods Pro delivers premium sound quality

The Apple AirPods Pro has a built-in microphone for making video calls with your phone. The sound quality is decent and easy to understand clearly. Background noise or distractions might make it hard for some people to hear you, but the microphone works well for its size.

The wireless earphones have a feature called “Hey Siri” that lets you use Siri without touching your device. You can ask her about the weather, traffic conditions, or anything else by speaking into the microphone and asking her. It’s exactly like talking to someone on the phone instead of typing in a question!

Siri works well with Apple AirPods Pro, although she may take a little longer than expected to answer your questions. Siri starts listening when you hold the earphone button for less than 5 seconds. She starts, it only takes 1-2 seconds before you can ask your question or give your command, and then another 1-2 seconds for her to respond. This is pretty impressive because other devices like the Amazon Echo Dot have a smaller period between each step!

Noise-canceling technology

Another great feature of the AirPods Pro is the noise-canceling technology. This allows you to hear everything around you even though you’re wearing earphones. Since the AirPods Pro uses active noise cancellation, they block out most background noises. This means you won’t be distracted by anything else going on around you.

When you wear wireless earbuds in the library, others cannot hear the music playing from your iPhone or MacBook.

This feature is great for phone calls. It lets only the person you’re speaking to hear your voice, not any background noises from your earphones.

However, this feature does have its downsides because if someone starts talking to you and you’re in a quiet place with full concentration, then there may be issues understanding what they say accurately. Even though these wireless earbuds do come with noise-canceling technology, it isn’t like the Bose QuietComfort 35, which completely eliminates all noise and echoes to make your listening experience feel like you’re in a vacuum.

Battery Life

AirPods Pro Review Battery Life

The Apple AirPods Pro has a great battery life and can be used for up to 5 hours without needing to be recharged. How awesome is that? These wireless earbuds only need 15 minutes to charge, and then you can use them for 3 hours, so you spend less time charging and more time listening to music!

I was surprised by the amount of time that I got out of the AirPods. I usually expect to get less than 5 hours before needing to recharge them. However, I was able to go through the entire day without needing to recharge them. As soon as I took them out of my ears, they turned back on. That is a huge benefit since you never have to worry about running out of power.

Charging Time

The Apple AirPods Pro has a very fast charging time of 15 minutes. You will get three hours of battery life, which is the typical usage time before needing to recharge. However, now imagine if these wireless earphones were able to charge in just 10 or even 5 minutes! That would be a game-changer!

The charger for the AirPods Pro works fast, so they are ready to use again in no time. If that takes up too much time during your morning routine, then you’ll love this new feature from Apple.

On the other hand, it may be inconvenient for many people who want longer battery life during their

You don’t have to wait too long to charge the AirPods Pro fully. Once you put them in the charging base, they start charging immediately. After about 30 minutes of charging, they reach 100% capacity.

Connectivity

The AirPods Pros connect via Bluetooth 5.1. This is a newer version of Bluetooth, which allows for faster data transfer rates.

A two-minute summary  

These headphones are the top Apple option right now, and they can work without being part of Apple’s system. Don’t buy these services at full price unless you want to spend $159.99 (or whatever the current price is) and you haven’t signed up yet.

The Apple AirPods Pro has recently been updated to include several new features. New features include improved phone call sound, longer battery life (up to 10 hours per charge), and wireless charging through Qi technology. AirPods now connect to the Find My iPhone app, helping owners find their lost devices when misplaced. Finally, there has been added support for Bluetooth 5.1 Low Energy (LE) technology, allowing for faster connections between paired devices.

Apple makes some of the most expensive headphones out there. They’re worth checking out if you want something nice. However, superior wireless earbuds are available for Apple enthusiasts and iPhone owners (with the money to purchase the price). They’re an excellent option. 

AirPods Pro Features

The inside of the AirPods Pro has an accelerometer and inside the bud itself is an optical sensor. Together they enable the earbuds to stop and begin the music when you stop wearing them.   

The sound quality has greatly improved for both wired and wireless headphones since Apple introduced them in 2016. These new models improve upon their predecessors. However, there isn’t any significant difference between these two generations of AirPods. They’re just different sizes of the same thing.

We’d not say they’re the most secure earbuds available. However, they do have. If sweat and running are added in, silicone tips could begin to slip slightly.   

We’d like to point out that they did not fall out, however, they fit much more loosely. If you had problems with the fit of the first-generation AirPods while running, the new earbuds are much better and more comfortable.

 
They’re also IPX4 water-resistant, so they can be used in the rain and won’t be affected by sweat.We’re ticking this off from the top of our list.  

Pricey but well-engineered

The final verdict is that ultimately, AirPods Pro are pricey, however, they’re well-engineered throughout and feature a variety of adjustments to the design and a few extras that add value to your overall enjoyment.  

Quality of sound, noise cancellation, and Transparency  

It’s one thing to look great when wearing them, but what does the new Apple AirPods Pro sound like?   

We tried AirPods with different types of music and found they sounded better for vocalists than for instrumental musicians. Bass is stronger in songs by Drake and Rihanna than in songs by Eminem and Taylor Swift.

It’s not just “low” vs. “high”, though; there’s a difference between bass-heavy music and treble-light music. Even in music with equal presence of both elements, the sound stage is usually smaller than most electronic devices.

Audio quality and convenience

AirPods Pro may not have the best sound quality, but they work well with an iPhone to provide impressive audio.

Takes care of your ears

This is a feature that’s often overlooked however being capable of recording the amount of decibels that are pushed through your brain is an effective tool to help you comprehend the extent of damage you’re causing to your hearing over time. Apple headphones are just one tool in the fight against hearing loss. They can provide more information on this important issue. 

Cost-sensitive

The AirPods Pro aren’t expensive, so if you’re not too concerned about having the most premium headphones Apple can offer take a look at our other wireless earbuds to see what’s more suitable for your needs Or, you can try the earlier AirPods which are still an excellent choice.  

Great for fitness enthusiasts

The new Apple AirPods Pro are perfect for fitness enthusiasts as they provide wireless connectivity, which means no cords to disrupt your workout. They also feature noise cancellation technology, which allows them to block out background noises while listening to music. 

There are a variety of other wireless earbuds we’d recommend specifically for workouts such as those from the Powerbeats Pro are a strong choice, as are the more fitting Jabra Elite Sports for example. Make sure to look over the top running headphones to learn more.  

True wireless technology.

Another point to discuss here is that wireless headphones might not be the right choice for you. There’s always the background anxiety that they may lose their connection and also they don’t retain your ears’ warmth.. take a look at our alternative Wireless headphones if you’re looking to know the best option for you.

Sale
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) Wireless Ear Buds with…
  • RICHER AUDIO EXPERIENCE — The Apple-designed H2 chip helps to create more…
  • NEXT-LEVEL ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — Up to 2x more Active Noise Cancellation…
  • CUSTOMIZABLE FIT — Includes four pairs of silicone tips (XS, S, M, L) to fit a…

Finally

Overall, we think that the AirPods Pro are a great addition to the line of AirPods products. They provide a better experience than the previous generation and come with some useful features. However, they don’t feel quite as comfortable or secure as the original AirPods.

If you want the ultimate in comfort and security, then you should consider buying the Apple Airpods Pro.

AirPods Pro 2 (2025) vs Pro 3 (2026) Comparison

Feature2025 Standard (Pro 2)2026 Standard (Pro 3)
ANC StrengthStrong block2x stronger AI adaptive
Battery (ANC on)6 hours8 hours
Total w/ Case30 hours40 hours
ChipH2H3 w/ health AI
Fit Options4 tips5 tips + auto-fit
Price$249$269

Source: Apple AirPods Pro

Pro 3 jumps ahead in 2026. AI boosts ANC and battery. Wins for workouts and calls.

Last update on 2025-12-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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Lead Data Scientist

Alexios Papaioannou

Mission: To strip away marketing hype through engineering-grade stress testing. Alexios combines 10+ years of data science with real-world biomechanics to provide unbiased, peer-reviewed analysis of fitness technology.

Verification Fact-Checked
Methodology Peer-Reviewed
Latest Data Audit November 26, 2025