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A hand holds one of the Apple AirPods (3rd generation) to the ear of a head simulator.

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) review

Apple's ubiquitous true wireless earphones get an update.
By
February 15, 2024
7
Apple AirPods (3rd generation)
The bottom line
The Apple AirPods (3rd generation) improves upon the 2019 model with its more ergonomic, yet unsealed, fit, water-resistant build, MagSafe charging case, and advanced software features. You can enjoy a wholly immersive movie experience with the new AirPods' spatial audio with head tracking, and enjoy HD audio during FaceTime calls. Of course, most of these features are limited to Apple hardware, so Android owners can keep moving.

Apple AirPods (3rd generation)

The Apple AirPods (3rd generation) improves upon the 2019 model with its more ergonomic, yet unsealed, fit, water-resistant build, MagSafe charging case, and advanced software features. You can enjoy a wholly immersive movie experience with the new AirPods' spatial audio with head tracking, and enjoy HD audio during FaceTime calls. Of course, most of these features are limited to Apple hardware, so Android owners can keep moving.
What we like
H1 chip
Portable
Adaptive EQ (iOS, Android, Windows)
Spatial Audio with head tracking
MagSafe case with wireless charging
IPX4 rating
What we don't like
Poor fit, no isolation
Sound quality
Features limited to iOS
7
SoundGuys Rating
7.5
User Rating
Rating Metric
Our Rating
User Rating
Sound Quality
8.9
7.1
7.0
Bass
7.5
7.2
7.0
Midrange
9.8
7.6
8.0
Highs
9.5
7.6
8.0
Isolation / Attenuation
0.6
5.7
6.0
Durability / Build Quality
7.0
7.7
8.0
Value
5.9
7.0
7.0
Design
4.8
7.5
8.0
Connectivity
5.0
8.2
8.0
Microphone
6.3
7.1
7.0
Portability
9.5
8.4
8.0
Battery Life
6.3
8.4
8.0
Feature
8.5
7.2
7.0
Comfort
3.9
6.5
7.0
Overall Sound Quality (MDAQS)
8.8
10.0
10.0
Immersiveness (MDAQS)
7.0
-
0.0
Distortion (MDAQS)
7.5
-
0.0
Timbre (MDAQS)
9.5
-
0.0

When you think of true wireless earbuds, the image that comes to mind for most is the Apple AirPods. While this is far and away the best-selling pair of earphones of the last 20 years, its popularity can be a double-edged sword for new consumers. Many assume popularity implies quality or status, but that’s not necessarily true. We spent two weeks with the AirPods (3rd generation) to see if you should pay the premium for the latest model or explore other options.

Editor’s note: this Apple AirPods (3rd generation) review was updated on February 15, 2024, to add more test data to the review.

Apple iPhone and iPad owners will reap the most benefits from the third-generation AirPods. The Apple H1 chip’s advanced features only work when paired with Apple hardware, so if you want to take advantage of all the features you need an iPhone, or iPad.

What is the Apple AirPods (3rd generation) like?

A hand holds a Apple AirPods (3rd generation) earbud by the stem to reveal the open-type fit and embedded sensors with the open case in the background.
The Apple AirPods (3rd generation) has a more rounded speaker element opening meaning a better fit in your outer ear—and a worse fit at the ear canal opening.

If you attempted to blend the AirPods (2019) and AirPods Pro (1st generation) together, the end product would probably look something like the AirPods (3rd generation). The earbuds look almost identical to the AirPods Pro, with shorter stems that are less likely to catch on masks, though the latest buds retain the tip-less design. By now we’re all very familiar with the iconic glossy white design (and no, to our and Bruce Wayne’s discontent, the earbuds are still not available in black), and nothing here really shakes that up.

The charging case also feels like a step between the AirPods Pro and the smaller the AirPods (2019) case, with a wider, but still small design. The earbuds magnetically fit into place, and the case snaps shut with a resounding click. Just like its predecessors, the AirPods (3rd generation) is one of the most portable and pocketable true wireless earbuds around.

The Apple AirPods (3rd generation) open case holds the earbuds and sits on a wood surface.
The new case diverges from previous generations’ cases, more closely mirroring that of the AirPods Pro.

An under-the-radar, but appreciated addition to the new AirPods is a skin-detect sensor, which replaces the optical sensor of older AirPods models. It handles auto-pause/play pretty much the same, but now you can take the earbuds out of your ears and put them in your pocket without resuming playback.

Unfortunately, the AirPods (3rd generation) still takes a one-size-fits-all approach to design. The lack of ear tips will leave many users unable to attain a secure fit, leading to comfort issues and a complete lack of isolation (more on that later).

Sweat and water resistance means finally using AirPods at the gym without worrying about damage. The IPX4 rating allows the AirPods (3rd generation) to handle light splashes of water, but there’s still no water submersion or dust protection, so these aren’t the earbuds for adventure enthusiasts.

How do you control the Apple AirPods (3rd generation)?

A hand holds the AirPods (3rd generation) in the right ear while touching the force sensor stem.
To take advantage of automatic ear detection, you need an iPhone or iPad.

To take control of the Apple AirPods (3rd generation), you have to interact with the force sensor on either earbud’s stem. An oblong divot demarcates the sensor from the non-touch-sensitive part of the stem, so you won’t find yourself randomly tapping to no avail. You can see the touch controls listed below:

Action (stems)Either earbud
One tap
Play/pause
Two taps
Skip forward
Three taps
Previous track
Press and hold
Siri
"Hey Siri"
Change volume, request directions, playback control, receive messages, and more

Unlike the Apple AirPods Pro, the third-generation AirPods lacks Transparency mode to amplify external noise through the headset. This omission makes sense, seeing how you can’t get a seal with the AirPods (3rd generation), but it does mean that the newer Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness will not be features you can enjoy with the base model AirPods. You can use the Settings app to choose which AirPods stem you’d like to use for Siri.

Is there an app for the Apple AirPods (3rd generation)?

A hand holds a Apple AirPods (3rd generation) earbud by the stem to reveal the open-type fit and embedded sensors.
The Apple AirPods (3rd generation) has a slightly angled design that supposedly makes for a more comfortable fit.

The iOS and iPadOS Settings app is the only app that’s officially compatible with any AirPods variant. In other words, only those who own Apple hardware can access things like firmware updates and more premium features like hands-free Siri access and Spatial Audio.

Through the Apple Settings app, you can name your AirPods, choose what happens when you press the force sensor on either earbud stem, and toggle automatic ear detection on or off (on by default). With automatic ear detection on, media pauses and resumes when you remove and insert an earbud. When you remove both buds, playback stops altogether and doesn’t resume when reinserted.

The Apple AirPods (3rd generation) open case holds the earbuds and sits on a wood surface.
The earbuds have bass reflex ports on the top edge. If you force the main nozzle output into the ear canal you don’t get the low-end contribution from the rear port

You can also use the app to choose which microphone the AirPods uses during phone calls and to address Siri (left, right, or automatic). Find My AirPods is another Apple-exclusive feature that can even help identify a single lost AirPods earbud.

How does Spatial Audio work on the Apple AirPods (3rd generation)?

On iOS 15.1, the Apple AirPods (3rd generation) takes Spatial Audio to new levels. Beyond surround sound for tracks mixed in Dolby Atmos in Apple Music, the earbuds can now convert any audio source to surround sound via Spatialize Stereo. In most cases, the regular stereo mix will sound better than with the Spatialize Stereo effects on top.

However, there is one case where the Spatialize Stereo effect is particularly useful: music that has only ever been mixed in mono. Turning on the Spatialize Stereo effect allows you to hear these tracks for the first time in stereo (sort of). The science still isn’t perfect, and we prefer a professional audio engineer’s work over Apple’s algorithm, but it is fun to hear your favorite classics in a new way.

Alongside Spatialize Stereo is the option to use another surround effect that Apple calls Head Tracked, which uses onboard accelerometers to track your head motion. Turn your head to the left, and the AirPods pan the audio to your right earbud, giving the effect of the music staying in one place. It essentially creates a virtual stage in front of you, making the listening experience much closer to being present at an actual live performance.

How do you connect the Apple AirPods (3rd generation) to your phone?

A hand holds the Apple AirPods (3rd generation) case at an angle to display shape of the earbuds.
When you flip open the lid for the first time, the AirPods will automatically begin the pairing process with an iPhone or iPad.

Pairing the AirPods to an Apple device is as simple as ever. Just pop open the lid and tap “Connect” on the pop-up widget and you’re connected via Bluetooth 5.0. The H1 chip syncs the earbuds to your iCloud account for seamless switching from your iPhone to your Macbook or iPad.

If you decide to use the AirPods with an Android phone, you’ll have to manually pair the earbuds to your device. Open the case, press the pairing button on the back, and hold the case near your phone until the AirPods appear in your list of available Bluetooth devices.

As with previous AirPods models, the AirPods (3rd generation) only has Bluetooth codec support for AAC and SBC. While AAC performs well enough on iPhones, it just doesn’t cut it for some Android devices (depending on their hardware). AAC connection quality on Android will vary depending on your device, so you may have to force standard SBC streaming instead. That’s an annoying pill to swallow when there are many cheaper earbuds with high-quality Bluetooth codecs such as aptX.

How long does the battery last on the AirPods (3rd generation)?

A hand pinches the Apple AirPods (3rd generation) charging case to display its plain white exterior and minimalist indentation.
The compact case easily fits in a small pocket or pouch.

Battery life has gradually increased with each new version of the AirPods. In our objective testing of the AirPods (3rd generation), the earbuds lasted 6 hours and 21 minutes on a single charge. That’s a noticeable improvement over the 4 hours and 7 minutes the previous-gen AirPods lasted in our testing, as well as the AirPods Pro which barely lasted over 5 hours (albeit with noise canceling turned on).

An optimized battery charging mode learns your daily charging routine, so the AirPods don’t charge past 80% until you need to use it. This will help preserve the lifespan of the AirPods, but keep in mind that true wireless earbuds aren’t built to last. With every charge cycle, the total battery capacity declines, so you likely won’t get more than a couple of years of daily use from these earbuds.

MagSafe and wireless charging provide new ways to power up the charging case, but it’s yet another thing to buy—the MagSafe charging mat doesn’t come with the third-generation AirPods. Apple still hasn’t fully committed to USB-C, so you’re stuck with a Lightning cable for wired charging. The case provides an additional four charges to the earbuds, for over 30 hours of total listening time. Fast charging also provides a full 60 minutes of battery life from only five minutes of charging in the case.

In general, it takes the earbuds about 10 minutes to reach a 50% charge, and 50 minutes to charge fully in the case. The case itself charges to about 90% within 50 minutes, and then trickle-charges to 100% over the next 50 minutes.

How well does the Apple AirPods (3rd generation) block out noise?

A chart to show that the Apple AirPods (3rd generation) don't attenuate much outside noise at all.
Save for some high-end attenuation, the Apple AirPods (3rd generation) doesn’t really block outside noise well at all.

The AirPods (3rd generation) does virtually nothing to block out background noise. While Apple redrew the silhouette of its third-generation AirPods, the company retained the unsealed fit. Sure, an unsealed ear has its place when you’re running outside or careening through busy city streets and want to hear everything going on around you. However, this open-fit design will negatively impact how your music sounds, if you’re lucky enough to get the earbuds to stay in place.

Typically, earbuds include rubberized ear tips that seal to the ear and yield some degree of passive isolation. With sealed earbuds, you might see some attenuation of sounds below 1kHz, but the AirPods (3rd generation) does no such thing. Since external noise can still make its way to your ear canals, you’ll run into auditory masking—when a loud sound (external noise) makes it hard to hear a relatively quiet sound (your music). Not only is this bad for sound quality, but you may feel compelled to increase the volume to drown out your surroundings, which could cause noise-induced hearing loss.

How does the Apple AirPods (3rd generation) sound?

Overall, the Apple AirPods (3rd generation) sound much better than their predecessors, though the usual caveats about an unsealed design apply.

Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)

The chart below shows how the sound of the PRODUCT was assessed by the Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Score (MDAQS) algorithm from HEAD acoustics.

Apple AIrPods 3rd Generation have surprisingly good audio quality.
Despite the high risk of outside noise ruining your experience, the Apple AirPods (3rd Generation) are quite capable on their own.

We like to preface our objective measurements with Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS) because they do a much better job contextualizing audio quality than a squiggle on a chart. For most people, the Apple AirPods (3rd generation) will sound quite decent, owing to their high-scoring tuning, and excellent distortion scores. Though the immersiveness isn’t anything to write home about, it’s still not too bad for a set of unsealed earbuds. Because this result was collected on a test head and not your head, there may be some variation. However, as MDAQS was built to predict how a large group of listeners would rate an audio product, we feel confident that most people out there will like the sound of the Apple AirPods (3rd generation).

Timbre (MOS-T) represents how faithfully the earbuds reproduce the frequency spectrum and temporal resolution (timing information).

Distortion (MOS-D) represents non-linearities and added noise: higher scores mean cleaner reproduction.

Immersiveness (MOS-I) represents perceived source width and positioning: how well virtual sound sources are defined in three-dimensional space.

See here for an explanation of MDAQS, how it works, and how it was developed.

Objective measurements

A chart shows the AirPods (3rd generation) frequency repsonse relative to the SoundGuys Consumer Curve, showing the buds have a severely under-emphasized sub-bass response.
Bass is always poor with unsealed earphones, and Apple’s AirPods (3rd generation) buds are not immune to this.

Yes, this chart looks bad—and it is in some respects—but in practice, the reality isn’t so grim. For those of you not familiar with frequency response plots, this shows that the Apple AirPods (3rd generation) (cyan) sticks to our target (pink) fairly well outside of the highest highs and the lowest parts of the bass range.

Normally this would be where we tell you that these earphones suffer from a bad fit. That’s partially true, but Apple leaned into the “poor fit” angle and designed less for “earphones” than they did for “small speakers that rest in your ear.” In this way, the frequency response is impressive, even if it’s damned near impossible to get a measurement that looks good. Truth be told, you likely won’t notice a huge change in your music with that dropoff below 50Hz—and to continue with the speaker example, you’d often need a dedicated sub to reach down below 50Hz.

To demonstrate what we mean, play this comparison on the best headphones or speakers you own. We’ve edited some music to demonstrate how a roll off this severe sounds at 50Hz.

Unedited track:

Track with extreme rolloff at 50Hz:

Of course, this only works if your equipment can handle it. If you tried really hard and couldn’t hear the difference between the two samples, guess what? Your current setup has this same (or worse) dropoff! Alternatively, you can’t actually hear the difference because it’s not as bad as it looks on the chart and/or you have some mild hearing loss.

The Apple AirPods (3rd generation) closed case rests against a potted plant on top of a wooden table.
The pocketable case provides an extra four charge cycles.

If you’re a bass-lover, be sure not to press the AirPods (3rd generation) into your ear canal. The unsealed design of the earphones may tempt you to do this, but you’ll find the sound quality actually gets worse, as you’ll lose the bass contribution from the rear port on the top edge. The highs and mids have a relatively higher emphasis than our target—meaning that you’ll hear more high-frequency sounds, ambiance, and effects when they’re present in a mix. The upside here is that you’ll probably perceive more “detail” in your music, as the higher speech formants and harmonics will be much easier to hear, at least if your environment permits.

The news isn’t all bad, however, as you can equalize these earphones a bit if you use the Apple Music EQ settings to alter your sound. On iOS, it alters the sound of the media on your device, and that’s the case here—though Android users are left in the cold unless they have a phone with a system-level EQ or one in their music player.

Apple’s Adaptive EQ feature is built into the AirPods (3rd generation) and works on iOS, Android, and Windows devices. According to Apple, Adaptive EQ measures how the sound signal is delivered to your ear, and makes real-time adjustments to the low and midrange frequencies to compensate for fit. Simply put, Adaptive EQ is meant to get the best performance possible out of the AirPods, no matter where that bar is. Adaptive EQ processing is also found on the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max.

Objective measurements across the AirPods line

So far, the latest AirPods product can’t entirely overcome its physical limitations, and the rounded earphone shape fits worse than its predecessors. It’s not a huge deal when you consider that to get the best performance out of AirPods you need a loose fit, but that still means a higher chance of the earphones simply falling out.

Because sound quality relies so heavily on the AirPods’ ability to reach your ear canals, both the AirPods (2nd generation) and Apple AirPods (3rd generation) have remarkably-similar performance shortcomings.

A plot comparing the frequency responses of the Apple AirPods (3rd generation), the Apple AirPods (2nd generation) and the Apple AirPods Pro.
The latest AirPods model (cyan) has more high-end emphasis than the older AirPods (yellow dashes) and Pro (2nd generation) (white dots) models, and a steep rolloff in the sub-bass.

See the 50Hz mark on the chart above? The drop preceding 50Hz tells you that the AirPods (2nd gen) and AirPods (3rd generation) share a lack of bass extension into the sub-bass region, and that the AirPods Pro has the best bass response of the pack.

Songs like NDA by Billie Eilish, THAT’S WHAT I WANT by Lil Nas X, and Circles by Post Malone might sound like their kick drums, and other low frequency elements are either too quiet or sound a bit different than they should through the AirPods. There may not be as much impact to the beat, but again, it looks way worse on a chart than it sounds in real life.

Of the three earphone-style AirPods models, the AirPods Pro is the best option when it comes to sound quality. With the sealed design, ANC, and Adaptive EQ, the AirPods Pro has a lot less work to do to make your music sound good. It’s not a fair comparison to make, but it’s one that has to be repeated: the tradeoffs in sound quality are substantial when you eschew a seal, not merely because of the seal itself, but because you’re rarely going to be in an ideal listening environment.

How good is the microphone of the Apple AirPods (3rd generation)?

As it is with wireless earphones of any stripe, the microphone isn’t going to be anything to write home about—so a little perspective is needed here. The microphone quality of the Apple AirPods (3rd generation) is about what you’d expect from the product, with adept noise suppression and decent enough quality for phone calls and the like.

The overall quality is very good for wireless earphones—you’re not going to be doing any professional voiceover work with these anytime soon, but that’s okay: that’s not what Apple’s earbuds are for.

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) microphone demo (Street conditions):

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) microphone demo (Windy conditions):

How does the microphone sound to you?

3694 votes

Should you buy the Apple AirPods (3rd generation)?

A masculine person wears the Apple AirPods (3rd generation) against a blue background.
The AirPods (3rd generation) will undoubtedly prove popular among iPhone owners, but there are far better, more comfortable options for less money.

If you’ve read this far, you likely already know whether or not you will buy the Apple AirPods (3rd generation). However, if you’re still on the fence: we don’t recommend buying these earphones over the Apple AirPods Pro unless you cannot stand things inside your ears.

Not only does the AirPods Pro perform better in almost every category (while carrying most of the same features and adding noise cancellation), but you can also upgrade your charging case for the AirPods Pro to the MagSafe version later. Unsealed earphones have enormous disadvantages, not limited to sound quality.

Apple AirPods (3rd Generation)Apple AirPods (3rd Generation)
Apple AirPods (3rd Generation)
H1 chip • Easy for iPhones • Deep Apple integration
MSRP: $195.00
These work with Android, but iPhone users will see the best results
The Apple AirPods (3rd gen) are just a slight upgrade over the second-generation models, but iPhone users will be quite happy with the deep integration and ease of use these earbuds provide.

It’s a big draw to get the latest and greatest thing out there, but the Apple AirPods (3rd generation) may not be it for everyone. These earphones are fine enough, but the main reason to buy them is if you love the old ones and want more of the same with slight improvements. The fact is that plenty of other (cheaper) true wireless earphones don’t suffer the same drawbacks as the AirPods.

AirPods have a habit of winding up discounted during holidays, so if you can get the third-gen AirPods for less than the going rate for the AirPods Pro, it may be worth the coin.

How is the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) different from the AirPods (3rd generation)?

In brief, the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) is a pair of ANC wireless earbuds that closes you off from the world around you. On the other hand, the AirPods (3rd gen) lacks ANC and lets you hear the world around you. You get a completely different listening experience between the two pairs of buds.

A chart depicts the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) frequency response compared to the AirPods (3rd gen), the former of which has more bass.
The AirPods Pro (2nd generation) bass output is easier to hear than from the unsealed AirPods.

The AirPods Pro (2nd gen) has a more consistent frequency response than the AirPods (3rd generation), which under-emphasizes sub-bass and boosts upper midrange frequencies more than our target curve recommends. Because the AirPods Pro (2nd gen) earbuds seal your ear canals and have ANC, you won’t feel like you need to increase the volume so much when walking down city sidewalks.

Apple even improves the charging case with the 2022 AirPods Pro, and it houses the U1 chip, which makes it easy for the FindMy app to locate it precisely. A small speaker sits on the bottom side of the case and emits a sound when you’re trying to find the case. As with the AirPods (3rd generation), the second-gen AirPods Pro case supports Qi wireless and MagSafe charging, along with a wired Lightning connection. You can charge the new AirPods Pro case atop an Apple Watch charger too.

We like the Apple AirPods Pro and feel that it’s the best earbud option for iPhone owners willing to cough up $249 USD.

You can read more about how the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) compares to the Apple AirPods (3rd generation) here.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
Impressive ANC • Comfortable fit • Wireless charging
MSRP: $249.00
One of the best true wireless earbuds for iOS users.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) modestly improve upon the first-generation AirPods Pro and feature the same iconic look. Apple's upgraded H2 chip begets better noise canceling and battery life, while the case's U1 chip and integrated speaker let you precisely locate the case. If you own an iPhone, the AirPods Pro 2 are an obvious choice.

How is the AirPods (3rd generation) different from the AirPods Pro and previous AirPods?

The old and new Apple AirPods (2019) next to each other.
The first and second-generation AirPods share the same unsealed design as the AirPods (3rd generation).

To recap, the Apple AirPods (3rd generation) weds some of the most advanced features of the AirPods line—Spatial Audio with head tracking, an IPX4 build, and automatic device switching—with its most loathed feature: an open-type fit.

Gone are the straight beanpole stems of the first two AirPods generations; Apple drew clear inspiration from its AirPods Pro (1st generation) for the latest AirPods. The first-gen AirPods Pro sounds better than the AirPods (3rd generation), and due to how the AirPods (2nd generation) fits, you’re likely to hear more bass from it compared to the AirPods (3rd generation). Battery life is better with the AirPods (3rd generation) than any others we’ve tested.

You can get a full rundown of how it compares to all the AirPods earbuds below.

Apple AirPods (1st generation)Apple AirPods (2nd generation)Apple AirPods (3rd generation)Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation)Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation w USB)
Size (earbud)
Apple AirPods (1st generation)
40.5 x 16.5 x 18 mm
Apple AirPods (2nd generation)
40.5 x 16.5 x 18 mm
Apple AirPods (3rd generation)
30.8 x 18.3 x 19.2 mm
Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation)
30.9 x 21.8 x 24 mm
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
30.9 x 21.8 x 24 mm
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation w USB)
30.9 x 21.8 x 24 mm
Weight (earbud)
Apple AirPods (1st generation)
4g
Apple AirPods (2nd generation)
4g
Apple AirPods (3rd generation)
4.3g
Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation)
5.4g
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
5.3g
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation w USB)
5.3g
Size (case)
Apple AirPods (1st generation)
44.3 x 21.3 x 53.5 mm
Apple AirPods (2nd generation)
44.3 x 21.3 x 53.5 mm
Apple AirPods (3rd generation)
46.4 x 21.4 x 54.4 mm
Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation)
45.2 x 60.6 x 21.7 mm
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
45.2 x 60.6 x 21.7 mm
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation w USB)
45.2 x 60.6 x 21.7 mm
IP certification (buds)
Apple AirPods (1st generation)
N/A
Apple AirPods (2nd generation)
N/A
Apple AirPods (3rd generation)
IPX4
Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation)
IPX4
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
IPX4
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation w USB)
IPX4
Fit type
Apple AirPods (1st generation)
Open
Apple AirPods (2nd generation)
Open
Apple AirPods (3rd generation)
Open
Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation)
Sealed (three ear tip sizes)
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
Sealed (four ear tip sizes)
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation w USB)
Sealed (four ear tip sizes)
Bluetooth
Apple AirPods (1st generation)
SBC, AAC; Bluetooth 4.2
Apple AirPods (2nd generation)
SBC, AAC; Bluetooth 5.0
Apple AirPods (3rd generation)
SBC, AAC; Bluetooth 5.0
Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation)
SBC, AAC; Bluetooth 5.0
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
SBC, AAC; Bluetooth 5.3
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation w USB)
SBC, AAC; Bluetooth 5.3
Active noise cancellation
Apple AirPods (1st generation)
No
Apple AirPods (2nd generation)
No
Apple AirPods (3rd generation)
No
Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation)
Hybrid ANC
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
Hybrid ANC
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation w USB)
Hybrid ANC
Wireless charging available?
Apple AirPods (1st generation)
No
Apple AirPods (2nd generation)
Yes, with wireless charging case
Apple AirPods (3rd generation)
Yes, compatible with Qi and MagSafe,
Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation)
Yes, compatible with Qi and MagSafe (2021)
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
Yes, compatible with Qi, MagSafe, and Apple Watch chargers
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation w USB)
Yes, compatible with Qi, MagSafe, and Apple Watch chargers
Chipset
Apple AirPods (1st generation)
W1
Apple AirPods (2nd generation)
H1
Apple AirPods (3rd generation)
H1
Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation)
H1
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
H2 (earbuds)
U1 (case)
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation w USB)
H2 (earbuds)
U1 (case)
Touch controls
Apple AirPods (1st generation)
Yes
Apple AirPods (2nd generation)
Yes
Apple AirPods (3rd generation)
Yes, with force sensor
Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation)
Yes, with force sensor
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
Yes, with force sensor and swipes
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation w USB)
Yes, with force sensor and swipes
Connector
Apple AirPods (1st generation)
Lightning
Apple AirPods (2nd generation)
Lightning
Apple AirPods (3rd generation)
Lightning
Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation)
Lightning
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
Lightning
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation w USB)
USB-C
Battery life (75dB SPL)
Apple AirPods (1st generation)
3.5 hours
Apple AirPods (2nd generation)
4.2 hours
Apple AirPods (3rd generation)
6.4 hours
Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation)
5.1 hours
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
5.7 hours
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation w USB)
5.7 hours
Original price (USD)
Apple AirPods (1st generation)
(Discontinued)
Apple AirPods (2nd generation)
$159 USD, $199 USD with wireless charging case
Apple AirPods (3rd generation)
$179 USD
Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation)
$249 USD
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
$249 USD
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation w USB)
$249 USD

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) vs Sony LinkBuds WF-L900: Which earbuds are better?

The Sony LinkBuds earbuds lay on a leather surface.
The silicone loop fins are really important for getting a secure fit.

The Sony LinkBuds WF-L900 is a nice alternative to the Apple AirPods, because Sony’s earbuds don’t seal to the ear, but they stay in place. Sony does this with its silicone loop fins, or ear wings, that rest against your concha to keep the buds in place. While the LinkBuds is a niche product, we like how it fits and find it much more comfortable than the AirPods. You get the same IPX4 rating, making this a great pair of running earbuds for those who want to remain aware of their surroundings without using mono mode or enabling some transparency mode.

Unlike the AirPods (3rd generation), the LinkBuds case doesn’t support wireless charging, but you do get a standard USB-C charging port. The AirPods has better battery life than the Sony LinkBuds, which lasts 5 hours, 41 minutes on a single charge. Sony’s case provides an extra 12 hours and supports fast charging though.

The Sony LinkBuds lay on a wooden surface next to a Google Pixel 4a running Spotify playing Matilda by alt-J.
If you’re indoors, these earbuds can sound pretty nice.

While neither the AirPods nor the Sony LinkBuds has great sound quality, the AirPods has a much louder bass response than the LinkBuds. Since Sony’s earbuds really don’t create any kind of remote seal to your ear, bass frequencies sound very quiet. This can be good for acoustic or spoken-word content though. The odd frequency response is somewhat forgivable since the LinkBuds isn’t trying to be an audiophile headset and it’s good for what it’s marketed as: earbuds that keep you tapped into your music and your environment.

Ultimately, the choice is yours, but if you value comfort and an open-fit design over all else, you’ll have better luck with the LinkBuds.

Sony LinkBuds WF-L900Sony LinkBuds WF-L900
Sony LinkBuds WF-L900
Comfortable • Novel tap control method • Unique design
MSRP: $179.00
The most unique earbuds you'll ever wear
If you feel you absolutely need a pair of true wireless earbuds that lets you keep tabs on your surroundings to the utmost degree at all times, you should consider the Sony LinkBuds. If you don't feel as strongly about that, it's probably worth looking elsewhere.

What are some alternatives to the third-generation AirPods?

If you must stay within the AirPods family, get the AirPods Pro (1st generation). This has all the same comforts as the AirPods (3rd generation), and is even more comfortable because of the secure fit. You can get it for on the product’s website.

If you want to be AirPods adjacent, consider the noise canceling Beats Fit Pro. Apple owns Beats, and the Fit Pro houses the H1 chip, so you still get to say “Hey Siri” when paired with an iPhone. The Beats Fit Pro reproduces more bass than the AirPods (3rd generation), shares the same IPX4 rating, and works just as well on Android as it does on iOS. You can buy the Beats Fit Pro for $159 at Amazon. For a more compact solution with less powerful ANC, read our Beats Studio Buds review. The Beats Studio Buds is available for $99 at Amazon.

The Bose Sport Earbuds true wireless workout earbuds outside of the open charging case; the earbuds are facing belly-up so the StayHear Max ear tips are in full view.
Lily Katz / SoundGuys
The Bose Sport Earbuds’ StayHear Max ear tips may not look the most comfortable, but they most certainly are.

Say you own an Android and iOS device and want an OS-agnostic experience. In that case, the Bose Sport Earbuds may be the best option for you. It works with the Bose Music app, which is available on any platform, and fits securely thanks to the cushy ear stays. Unfortunately, you can’t customize the sound through the app, but the default sound is quite good and few listeners will feel compelled to alter it. You can purchase the Bose Sport Earbuds for $165 at Amazon.

Frequently asked questions about the Apple AirPods (3rd generation)

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 varies wildly from the AirPods (3rd generation), mainly because the Buds 2 seals to the ear and lacks stems. With the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2, you get active noise canceling, which is better than the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro, and an IPX2 rating instead of the AirPods’ IPX4 rating.

You can’t access firmware updates for the Buds 2 if you have an iPhone, and you can’t access firmware updates for the AirPods without an iPhone. You can, however, access firmware updates for the Buds 2 with a non-Samsung Android device. To learn more, read our Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 vs AirPods (3rd generation) article.

A woman wears the Shokz OpenRun bone conduction headphones in red.
Lily Katz / SoundGuys
If you want the best sound, be sure to place the earbud-like pieces directly on your cheekbones.

If you’re not interested in the Sony LinkBuds, we recommend looking into some bone-conduction headphones. Bone conduction headphones don’t seal to your ears (like some AirPods) and actually leave your ears completely open to the outside world because you place the earpieces on your cheekbones. This technology works because the headset then transmits sound through the bones in your skull into your inner ear, bypassing any interaction with the outer ear and ear canal entrance.

We recommend the Shokz OpenRun or AfterShokz Aeropex. The former is an updated version of the latter from the same company: Shokz changed its name from AfterShokz back in 2021. Both headsets have IP67 ratings, onboard controls, integrated microphones, and support Bluetooth multipoint. They cost about the same, so we recommend whichever one you can find on sale.

No, none of the Apple AirPods support Bluetooth multipoint. However, you can take advantage of automatic device switching between Apple hardware under the same iCloud account. This means when you’re listening to music on your iPhone and start playing a video on your MacBook, the AirPods (3rd generation) will stop playing from your phone and immediately switch to the laptop’s audio output.

The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II case is shut and sitting next to audio equipment.
Edgar Cervantes / SoundGuys
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II is a lot more expensive than the AirPods, so it should come as no surprise that it comes with a handful of notable features that Apple’s earbuds lack. For starters, the QC Earbuds II features very good active noise canceling, which compares very favorably with the nearly open-back fit of AirPods (3rd generation).

However, in terms of basic performance, it’s not a slam dunk in Bose’s favor—the AirPods arguably sounds just as good, and features a better microphone. Battery life isn’t as good, but it’s close. Given the $120 USD price difference, the two shouldn’t be this competitive, especially when the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) also exists.

Make sure you install the latest version of WatchOS to your Apple Watch. Then, on your Apple Watch open the Settings app and tap Bluetooth. Tap AirPods on the Bluetooth screen to connect the AirPods to your Watch.

Make sure you update your Apple TV to the latest version of tvOS. Then go to Settings, and scroll down to Remotes and Devices. Click on Bluetooth, then open your AirPods case. Press and hold the button on the back of your AirPods charging case for 5 seconds until the status light flashes white. Now, select the AirPods in your settings menu on the TV.

It’s certainly possible, but as the devices are so similar neither should be better or worse than the other with an older piece of equipment.

You can get lots of different AirPods cases, ear hooks, ear tips, and more. Check out our full list of the best AirPods accessories.