Apple AirPods 3 review

Comfort & Fit

Omitting the ear tips was met with mixed opinions from reviewers. Many reported that without the tips, these might not fit everybody. Some also complained that noise cancellation suffered due to the lack of airtight fit.

However, if you do not like the sensation of a regular in-ear earbud tip, that may be a selling point.

Sound

While the Airpods 3 do have better sound than the previous model, reviewers said they’re far from perfect and not the sort of thing an avid audiophile would find appealing. However, the average consumer will likely find the listening experience enjoyable.

If you’re frequently taking calls on the go or looking for a hands-free way to interact with your iPhone, they also commended the Airpods 3’s call clarity.

Wireless Performance

Reviewers were impressed by the new battery-saving skin sensor technology with these earbuds. If the buds do not sense skin, they will not play audio, eliminating the risk of your earbuds playing in your pocket unattended and wasting your battery.

Battery Life

Battery life is tricky for the Apple Airpods 3. Reviewers stated that Apple extended the battery life past the previous Airpods version. However, that all relies on your not using the spatial audio.

Using spatial audio option cuts the battery life in half. While Apple states 30 hours of battery life and roughly 8 hours of actual use, that won't be the case if you take advantage of this highly touted feature.

Noise Cancellation

Because of the unique fit on these Airpods and the lack of ear tips, there’s not enough of a seal to be passively noise cancelling. It does, however, have a small range of noise reduction when it comes to phone calls.

Other Features

Before, you might spend time randomly tapping, hoping to trigger the touch buttons. However, on the new Airpods, there’s a slight divot to give you a physical way to tell where the button is and a clicking sound when activated.

Reviewers agree that these changes provide much more tactile feedback and make the built-in controls more intuitive.

The Takeaway

The fit is different and, in some cases, not for the betterment of the Airpods. However, if you don’t like in-ear earbuds and are looking for an excellent wireless headphone option emphasizing compact size and portability, these may be an attractive option.

Apple improved bass response and sound levelling over the previous generation of Airpods, but if you want to have all of the perks and spatial audio, you’ll need to have an Apple device to use these with.

Tech Radar says, “The Apple AirPods (3rd generation) represent a big step up from their predecessors in terms of audio performance, connectivity, and design - and while they come with a price increase, we think they’re a worthy upgrade if you have the older AirPods. However, we wouldn’t necessarily recommend them for Android users.”

Sound Guys state, “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.”