Apple AirPods Pro 3

The AirPods Pro 3 deliver standout ANC at 89th percentile and add heart rate sensing plus Live Translation for iPhone users. Sound quality is mediocre at 28th percentile, and battery life is underwhelming at 20th percentile. Prices in Canada range from CAD 264 to CAD 330, so shop around. Buy them for the Apple ecosystem features, not for critical music listening.

Let's talk about that ANC claim first. Apple says up to 2x more noise cancellation than the AirPods Pro 2, and our data backs up the improvement. At 89th percentile, these are one of the best on the market for blocking out the world. On a busy street or a loud train, the difference is noticeable. The transparency mode is also solid, letting in just enough ambient sound without feeling artificial. If you commute or work in a noisy office, this is the feature that justifies the price.

But here's the trade-off: sound quality is where these stumble. At 28th percentile, the audio performance is mediocre compared to other true wireless earbuds in this price range. The bass has punch, and the highs are clear without being harsh, but the overall tuning feels safe. Apple's Adaptive EQ does a decent job adjusting to your ear shape, but it can't fix the fact that the drivers just aren't as detailed as what you get from Sony or Technics. For podcasts and casual listening, it's fine. For critical music listening, you'll notice the difference.

The Sony WF-1000XM6 is the most direct competitor, and it's a tough matchup for Apple. Sony's earbuds consistently rank higher for sound quality and comfort in our database, and they offer comparable ANC performance. If music is your priority, Sony wins. The Technics EAH-AZ100 is another strong option, with excellent audio tuning and a more comfortable fit for many users. Both of these are better pure audio products than the AirPods Pro 3.

Where Apple wins is ecosystem integration. The heart rate sensing, Move ring, and Workout Buddy features are exclusive to iPhone, and they work seamlessly. The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro offer similar health tracking for Android users, but they don't have the same polish. The JLab JBuds Pods ANC and Soundcore P31i are budget alternatives that undercut Apple on price, but they can't match the ANC performance or feature set. If you're an iPhone user who wants one device for calls, workouts, and commuting, the AirPods Pro 3 are the most complete package.

Pricing in Canada is all over the place. You'll find these listed anywhere from CAD 264 to CAD 330 depending on the store, which is a CAD 66 spread. That's a meaningful difference, and it pays to shop around. The best deal in our data comes from the open box listing with a 1-year warranty, which brings the price down to the lower end of that range. If you're buying new, expect to pay closer to the top of that spread.

Is it worth it? If you're an iPhone user who wants the health tracking and translation features, yes. You're getting a lot of functionality in a tiny package. But if you're buying these purely for music, the value proposition gets shaky. The Technics EAH-AZ100 and Sony WF-1000XM6 both deliver better sound quality at similar or lower prices. The AirPods Pro 3 are a great all-rounder for Apple users, but they're not the best audio purchase for everyone.

Apple's AirPods Pro 3 are here, and they're doing that thing Apple does where the spec sheet looks like a modest bump but the actual experience feels like a bigger deal. The headline feature is up to 2x more Active Noise Cancellation than the AirPods Pro 2, which is a bold claim. But the real story is Apple cramming heart rate sensing, Live Translation, and a redesigned fit into the same familiar white buds. This is Apple trying to make the AirPods Pro less of an audio accessory and more of a health and communication device that happens to play music.

Who's this for? iPhone users, mostly. If you're deep in the Apple ecosystem, the integration here is the selling point. The Move ring, step count, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence are iPhone-only features. Android users can technically pair these, but you'd be leaving the most interesting stuff on the table. The five ear tip sizes are a welcome change for people who could never get a good seal with the previous models.

What makes this interesting is the positioning. Apple is betting that noise cancellation, health tracking, and translation features matter more to everyday buyers than raw audio quality. Our database shows the ANC ranking at 89th percentile, which is a standout. But sound quality sits at 28th percentile, which is mediocre. That's a weird combo for a $250+ pair of earbuds, and it tells you exactly where Apple's priorities are.

Android users should skip these. Without an iPhone, you're paying a premium for features you can't use, and the sound quality alone doesn't justify the price. The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Sony WF-1000XM6 are better choices for Android. Audiophiles should also look elsewhere. At 28th percentile for sound quality, these aren't going to satisfy anyone who cares about detailed, accurate audio reproduction. The Technics EAH-AZ100 is a much better pick for critical listening.

If you already own the AirPods Pro 2, there's no compelling reason to upgrade. The improvements are incremental, and the core experience is very similar. Save your money and wait for the next generation. And if you're on a tight budget, the JLab JBuds Pods ANC or Soundcore P31i offer decent ANC and acceptable sound for a fraction of the price.

For iPhone users who want a do-everything pair of earbuds, the AirPods Pro 3 are an easy recommendation. The ANC is genuinely impressive, the health tracking is useful if you work out regularly, and the Live Translation feature is surprisingly handy for travel. The five ear tip sizes also fix one of the biggest complaints about the previous models. If you're coming from standard AirPods or an older pair of earbuds, this is a meaningful upgrade.

But if you already own the AirPods Pro 2, save your money. The improvements are incremental, and the sound quality hasn't changed enough to justify the cost. And if you're an Android user or someone who cares deeply about audio quality, look elsewhere. The Sony WF-1000XM6 and Technics EAH-AZ100 are better music machines, and they cost about the same. The AirPods Pro 3 are a great Apple product, but they're not the best earbuds for everyone.