Samsung Galaxy Buds Buds3 Pro

The Buds3 Pro deliver 97th percentile ANC and 99th percentile build quality, which is elite territory. But battery life lands at just 45th percentile with 6 hours per charge. Shop around, prices swing from USD 150 to USD 200 in the US and CAD 153 to CAD 330 in Canada.

The ANC performance is the headline here. At 97th percentile, these are among the best noise-cancelling earbuds we've tested, right up there with the top of the charts. The adaptive ANC adjusts to your environment automatically, and the 6-mic array does double duty for both noise cancellation and voice pickup. Sound quality lands in the 91st percentile, which is a standout result. The 12mm dynamic drivers with a dual-driver configuration push a frequency range of 20Hz to 50kHz, and the 18Ω impedance means they're easy to drive from any Bluetooth source. Hi-Res audio support rounds out the package for anyone who cares about bitrates.

Connectivity is another strong point at 96th percentile. Bluetooth 5.4 is the latest spec, and multipoint means you can stay connected to your laptop and phone simultaneously. The mic performance sits at 81st percentile, which is well above average for calls. Battery is where things get rough. 6 hours on the buds and 18 hours total with the case puts these at 45th percentile, which is about average at best. The 5-minute quick charge for 1 hour of playback helps soften that blow, but it's still a weak spot compared to the rest of the spec sheet.

Against the Sony WF-1000XM6, the Buds3 Pro hold their own on ANC and build quality but fall behind on battery life. The Technics EAH-AZ100 is another strong competitor with excellent sound, though the Samsung's 99th percentile build quality gives it an edge in durability. The Apple AirPods Pro 3rd Generation will win over iPhone users with ecosystem integration, but the Buds3 Pro's IP57 rating beats Apple's typical IPX4. The Nothing Buds 2 and JLab JBuds Pods ANC are budget alternatives that can't touch the Samsung's ANC or build numbers, but they cost significantly less. If battery life is your top priority, the Sony or Technics options will serve you better.

Pricing is all over the place depending on where you shop. In the US, you'll find these ranging from USD 150 to USD 200 across two listings, which is a USD 50 spread for the exact same earbuds. The lower end of that range is where these start to make real sense. In Canada, the spread is even wilder, from CAD 153 to CAD 330, a CAD 177 gap that means you really need to shop around before pulling the trigger. The CAD 153 listing is the obvious sweet spot if you're north of the border. At the low end of these ranges, you're getting 97th percentile ANC and 99th percentile build quality for less than half the price of some flagship competitors.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro hit 97th percentile for ANC and 99th for build quality in our database, which puts them in elite territory for noise cancellation and construction. The 12mm dual-driver setup with Hi-Res audio support delivers sound that ranks in the 91st percentile, and the IP57 rating means these can handle sweat, rain, and the occasional accidental dunk. But the battery tells a different story. At 6 hours per charge and 18 hours with the case, these land in the 45th percentile, which is middle of the pack at best for true wireless earbuds in 2024.

Samsung clearly went all-in on the audio and build experience here. The angled nozzle design and leaf-style stem are a departure from the bean shape of the Buds2 Pro, and the transparent case cover is a nice touch. With 6 mics handling calls and noise cancellation, plus Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint, the connectivity story is strong too. But that battery number keeps nagging at us, especially when competitors are pushing 8-10 hours per charge.

If battery life is your top priority, look elsewhere. The 45th percentile battery score means 6 hours per charge, which is underwhelming for long flights or all-day use without access to the case. The comfort ranking of 71st percentile is also a warning sign, the angled nozzle design doesn't suit every ear shape, and the music score of 65.4/100 is the weakest area despite the strong sound hardware. If you're primarily listening to music for hours at a stretch, the Sony WF-1000XM6 or Technics EAH-AZ100 will likely serve you better.

The Galaxy Buds3 Pro are a case study in trade-offs. You're getting some of the best ANC and build quality in the entire true wireless category, paired with genuinely impressive sound hardware. But the 45th percentile battery life is a real compromise, and the comfort score of 71st percentile suggests the new angled design won't work for every ear. If you can find these at the low end of the price range, USD 150 or CAD 153, they're a compelling buy for anyone who prioritizes noise cancellation and durability over marathon battery life. Just don't expect them to last through a full workday without a trip back to the case.