AirPods Pro 3 Review: Better Sound, Longer Battery Life, and Enhanced Comfort

AirPods Pro 3 bring subtle yet impactful upgrades in fit, sound quality, and battery life, making them a worthy successor in Apple’s iconic lineup.

A Familiar Favorite Gets a Thoughtful Refresh

Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 have long been heralded as one of the best Apple products in recent memory. Since their debut three years ago, they’ve only improved with each software update, adding nifty features that made daily use a breeze.

At first glance, the AirPods Pro 3 might seem like just a minor tweak: slimmer ear tips? Slightly reshaped earbuds? Now with heartbeat monitoring (though my Apple Watch already does that)? Sounds like an AirPods Pro 2.5 upgrade, right?

Despite sharing the same H2 chip as AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4, these thoughtful enhancements elevate Apple’s flagship earbuds without hiking the price. While I wouldn’t rush to swap out my AirPods Pro 2, it’s clear Apple has crafted another standout product.

The Love-Hate Relationship With Fit

If you’re like me, you know AirPods are a mixed bag. They’re super comfy and simple to use, but the fit has been a sticking point since day one. The AirPods Pro 2 hug ears more snugly than previous models, yet during workouts, I still catch myself adjusting them to avoid losing an earbud.

My secret weapon? Third-party foam ear tips. They create a tighter, more secure seal, boost comfort, and block out more noise — a total game changer for sound quality.

So when Apple announced that AirPods Pro 3 sport “foam-filled” ear tips available in five different sizes (including a new XXS!), I was intrigued. Would these live up to my beloved foam ear tips from AirPods Pro 2?

The answer is yes. These tips look and behave much like traditional silicone ones but with enough foam inside to provide that familiar snug and cozy fit. They seal better, stay put, and block out external noise effectively. And that XXS size? Perfect for my smaller ears.

Heads up: the new ear tips are not compatible with AirPods Pro 2 — Apple redesigned the attachment mechanism to prevent accidental detachment, so mixing and matching won’t work.

Tiny Design Tweaks That Make a Big Difference

Putting the AirPods Pro 3 side by side with their predecessors, you’ll notice the earbuds have a subtly altered shape: a flatter “button” surface here, rounder there. The earbud tips angle more sharply toward the center of the head instead of straight ahead, which really helps them nestle firmly inside your ears.

Thanks to these minor tweaks, combined with the foam-filled tips, the AirPods Pro 3 are the first pair I’ve tried that genuinely stay put during intense workouts — right out of the box. Previously, this was only possible with aftermarket foam tips. Now it’s standard.

Apple also revamped the ventilation system, reportedly improving bass clarity and expanding the soundstage. The earbuds are slightly bigger, and I definitely noticed richer bass tones, likely due to the new tips and adjusted earbud angle.

Heart Rate Monitoring Joins the Party

One of the standout new features is heart rate tracking. Paired with iOS 26 and the Fitness app on your iPhone, you can pick from over 50 different workouts and track your pulse through the AirPods Pro 3 during exercise, much like you would on an Apple Watch (minus swimming).

Apple’s system reads heart rate from both earbuds and your Apple Watch, if you have one, choosing the most accurate data every five seconds.

I usually work out with my Apple Watch on, and honestly, I didn’t see a significant difference between using just the Watch, just the AirPods, or both together. I guess that’s a good sign!

Heart rate monitoring is limited to workout sessions to conserve battery. While Apple Watch remains the better choice for all-day heart rate tracking, this feature is a nice bonus for those who don’t yet own a Watch but want some biometric feedback during exercise.

Sound Quality and Battery: Subtle But Noticeable Upgrades

Sound-wise, AirPods Pro 3 definitely edge out the previous generation — or at least match the AirPods Pro 2 when paired with good third-party foam tips.

If you listen closely, you can pick up a slight boost in noise cancellation, clarity, and bass response. The difference is more apparent when compared to the AirPods Pro 2’s standard silicone tips. However, Apple hasn’t introduced groundbreaking audio tech here — no H3 chip, no LE Audio with LC3 codec, no lossless sound. It’s more like AirPods Pro 2, but refined.

Battery life gets a modest bump too. Apple claims eight hours with noise cancellation on, which matches my real-world experience after several days of testing. Two separate one-hour workouts with active noise canceling and heart rate monitoring drained about 17% of battery, giving roughly six hours of use in a workout-heavy scenario.

By comparison, AirPods Pro 2 last around six hours but offer 24 hours of additional charge via their case, while the AirPods Pro 3 case provides about 16 extra hours.

Final Thoughts: A Smart and Comfortable Upgrade

The AirPods Pro 2 set a high bar, and though the AirPods Pro 3 aren’t revolutionary, they refine the formula beautifully. Better fit, improved sound, longer battery, and the surprise addition of heart-rate monitoring come together without raising the price tag.

If you already own AirPods Pro 2 and have an Apple Watch, investing in some foam ear tips for $20 might get you most of the benefits of the new model. But for everyone else, AirPods Pro 3 come highly recommended — especially if you can snag them with discounts like those that hit the AirPods Pro 2 after launch.

“AirPods Pro 3 are the first pair of earbuds that truly stay put even during intense workouts — right out of the box.”

FAQ

• What’s new in AirPods Pro 3 compared to AirPods Pro 2?
  The biggest changes are the foam-filled ear tips available in five sizes for a better fit, heart rate monitoring during workouts, improved soundstage and bass, and longer battery life.
• Are AirPods Pro 3 ear tips compatible with AirPods Pro 2?
  No, Apple changed the attachment design for a more secure fit, making the new tips incompatible with previous models.
• How accurate is the heart rate monitoring on AirPods Pro 3?
  It’s quite accurate during workouts, reading data from both earbuds and your Apple Watch (if paired) every five seconds and selecting the best reading.
• Does the battery last longer on AirPods Pro 3?
  Yes, you get about eight hours of listening with noise cancellation on, compared to six hours in AirPods Pro 2. The charging case offers slightly less extra charge time though.
• Should I upgrade from AirPods Pro 2 to AirPods Pro 3?
  If you’re happy with your current pair and have foam tips, the upgrade may not be necessary. But if you want enhanced comfort, heartbeat tracking, and improved sound at the same price, the AirPods Pro 3 are worth considering.

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