Apple AirPods 3 Review: Are They Worth the Hype?

When the first generation of Apple AirPods debuted in 2016, audiences were initially skeptical, with some media outlets even calling them “oversized earrings.” But since then, AirPods have grown to be the undisputed king of the wireless earbud category, having sold more than 150 million units by the end of 2023. I’ve been an Apple earbud user for years, but hadn’t yet tried out the iconic AirPods, so I was curious to find out if they’re worth the hype. Read on for my review of the AirPods 3.

Unboxing and first impressions

The AirPods 3 feature the same beautiful and elegant design that has become a hallmark of Apple’s products.

Upon opening the clean, bright white outer box, I found a small white case that houses the AirPods. The case is similar in size and shape to a pack of dental floss, so it’s lightweight and portable. The case also operates as a charger for the AirPods, and can hold a charge even while unplugged. To charge the case, you can connect to any lightning charger, similar to your iPhone. On the outside of the case is a tiny light that indicates your charge is full or needs a boost.

Upon opening the charging case, the AirPods fit snugly tucked inside. These AirPods look similar to previous generations of AirPods, and if you’re used to the way Apple’s wired headphones feel in your ears, these will probably fit about the same. The case also features a strong magnetic closing mechanism so your Airpods are always secure. The AirPods 3 are constructed with a magnet at the bottom, allowing them to snap quickly and safely into the case.

Pros and cons

As a brand, Apple has always prided itself on the power of simplicity, and the AirPods 3 continue that tradition. The charging case is clean and lovely, and the earbuds are very lightweight and easy to transport. They include exciting features, like the ability to add spatial audio with fixed and head-tracked options—and they provide 30 hours of listening time on full charge. They’re also competitively priced. And like the AirPods Pro, the Apple AirPods 3 include custom high-excursion Apple drivers, which make the AirPods come alive sonically.

However, I found myself initially underwhelmed with the sound performance of the AirPods 3, until I found a way to boost the frequencies. Following this discovery, the level of sound customization began to feel unique. The AirPods are actually loaded with features and functions. For example, once I began to use the options for Tune Audio, I began to appreciate the potential sound capability of the AirPods 3. The Balanced Tune option offers a thick and well-rounded bass sound which offers great frequency response for music, while the Vocal Range setting highlights middle frequencies which are useful for things like podcasts.

While the number of options Apple provides can be overwhelming at first, it becomes a lot easier once you determine where to find all these adjustments. One quick way is to swipe down at the top right of your home iPhone screen to reveal the control center. At this point you’ll see that an option has been added for Speaker, denoted with a small ear icon. From there just click on Headphone Audio Settings and you’ll see options for Balanced Tone, Vocal Range, and Brightness. From there you can quickly adjust which frequencies are highlighted and transform your audio to fit your needs, offering a great deal of flexibility.

Price

The AirPods 3 retail for $169.00 at Apple, and are also available at a wide range of retailers for the same price, including Amazon, Target, and Walmart. Depending on the time of year, you’ll often see these go on sale—especially during back-to-school sales.

Specifications

• Drivers: Custom high-excursion Apple drivers
• Active noise cancellation: None
• Battery life: Up to 30 hours of listening time with charging case; up to 6 hours of listening time on a single charge
• Weight: 0.15 ounce (4.28 grams), 1.34 ounces (37.91 grams) with charging case
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0
• Frequency range: 5-21,000 Hz
• Waterproofing: Water- and sweat-resistant (IPX4)

Key features

• Customization

The AirPods 3 allow for a ton of customization. You can easily find yourself changing tune options depending on your environment and what you’re doing. It’s an incredible feature to have at your disposal. Also unique is the ability to add Spatial Audio, with Fixed and Head Tracked options. This truly offers another dimension of audio potential.

• Wireless charging

Unlike some competitors such as the Beat Fits Pro, the AirPods 3 wireless earbuds have wireless charging capability. Using a MagSafe charger, which is sold separately, you can charge your AirPods wirelessly by placing them on the plugged-in MagSafe platform.

• Price

The AirPods 3 are priced competitively, and considering the number of features included, they feel like a great deal.

• Style

These AirPods are sleek and stylish, and I appreciate the minimalist design.

• Battery

Offering a significant upgrade from previous generations, the AirPods 3 can provide 30 hours of listening time, compared to the 24 hours with the AirPods 2. The 30 hours of listening time from the AirPods 3 is equal to that of AirPods Max, which is impressive.

Apple Airpods 3: Are these a good fit for you?

The AirPods 3 are offered at a competitive price, and are comfortable and functional for everyday use.

The fit of the AirPods 3 was good overall. Though I can’t say they never fell out, they did feel secure and they mostly stayed in place. Unlike the AirPods Pro, the AirPods 3 don't have any sort of ANC (Active Noise Canceling). Since I enjoy a little outside noise while wearing earbuds, this was not an issue for me, but some users may want that completely isolated feel.

However, with water resistance and wireless charging, the AirPods 3 definitely feel like an upgrade over the AirPods and Airpods 2, making them worth the money. Despite small deficiencies, the AirPods 3 provides 30 hours of playback time, dynamic sound capabilities, and sleek design. Once I began using the AirPods 3, it was difficult to take them off.

Performance

• Sound

Offering a number of ways to customize your audio, the AirPods 3 provide excellent sound. The introduction of options like Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking adds a cinematic feel and differentiate the Airpods 3 from the AiPods 2.

• Battery

The battery life offers a whopping 30 hours of listening time. The charging case is small and mobile, so you’re more likely to feel comfortable taking it on the go.

• Bluetooth range

The Bluetooth range comes in at up to 50 feet, which provides plenty of freedom to roam.

• Microphone

These AirPods feature three microphones per earbud — two dual beamforming microphones and one inward-facing microphone.

• Voice calling performance

With three separate microphones per ear, the AirPods 3 creates incredibly smooth calls.

• Quality of controls

Unlike AirPods 2, the stem of the AirPods 3 allows you to hold down to access Siri, press three times to skip back on a track, and press once to mute or unmute a call. These additions feel like a huge and necessary addition for the AirPods 3.

• Design

The AirPods 3 have the potential for wireless charging, which feels like a clear step forward from the previous AirPods 2. Simply place on a MagSafe charger (sold separately) to get going and it’s one less wire you must worry about.

Design and build quality

As with most Apple products, the AirPods 3 are seamlessly designed and feel as if they're made to last. Unlike the AirPods 2, the Airpods 3 have three separate microphones per earphone, which means phone calls feel very natural. Also unlike the AirPod 2s, both the AirPods 3 and its separate charging case are IPX4 water-resistant. This should give you some relief when you need headphones for working out at the gym, or peace of mind if you get caught in the rain. However, these aren't actually waterproof, so they shouldn't be completely submerged.

Another new feature unique to the Airpods 3 and Airpods Pro is Spatial Audio. This feature tracks head movements and feels like a more modern version of surround sound. This feature often works best in situations like watching a film and is worth checking out.

AirPods 3rd generation compared to AirPods 2nd generation

The AirPods 3 provide a significant step forward from the AirPods 2. They feature an impressive bump in battery life—over 15% increased listening time per charge. They also feature increased microphones to help with calls, the addition of water resistance, and adaptive EQ.

While the AirPods 2 now come at a discounted price, they also lack many of these features, making the AirPods 3 worth the upgrade for me.

Final verdict

Packed with tons of features, and offered at an affordable price, the AirPods 3 are my new favorite way to experience audio. They feature improved battery life from previous versions, and up to four hours of talk with a single charge. I also thought that the Adaptive EQ was helpful in quickly dialing up custom audio settings. Spatial Audio with head tracking, which is not available on the AirPods 1 or 2, creates a truly immersive feel and offers a 3-dimensional effect to your audio.

Unlike the AirPods Pro, the AirPods 3 does not have active noise canceling (ANC), or conversation awareness. While this feature would be helpful at times, it’s also not something that I felt was necessary for average day-to-day use. This is one of the most feature-packed AirPods Apple has made to date, with a manageable size and weight, and a reasonable price point. These are all-around great earbuds that quickly became a key part of my daily routine.