Apple AirPods Pro 3 Review: Wireless Earbuds with Heart Rate Monitoring

Apple AirPods Pro 3 bring heart rate monitoring and live translation to the forefront of premium earbuds for iPhone users.

A Quick Two-Minute Look at Apple AirPods Pro 3

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 have undoubtedly become one of the most talked-about headphone releases this year—not because they're loud in volume, but because of the buzz they've created in the tech world. Sleek, compact, and still proudly white, these earbuds remain the best companion for iPhone, iPad, or MacBook users, while Android users might feel a few perks slip through their fingers—like seamless device switching and instant battery status checks.

I spent most of my time testing these with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple’s most recent powerhouse that still supports Apple Intelligence features. This is crucial because without it, you miss out on key highlights like Live Translation and customized fitness tips.

One of the first noticeable upgrades? The box now includes five pairs of ear tips, designed to fit snugly and comfortably, thanks to Apple’s magic touch on the speaker casing shape. From my experience and that of a few colleagues, these stay put effortlessly, even during head-shaking moments.

Are these the best in-ear ANC earbuds out there? With heart rate monitoring and Live Translation in the mix, I’d say, absolutely yes.

That said, no product is perfect. My review unit had some hiccups connecting with an iPhone 12 Pro Max, likely because that phone lacks Apple Intelligence support. Also, the reset process got trickier—the traditional button on the case is gone. Now, to factory reset, you need a precise double tap on the case’s front without touching it when opening the lid. It’s fiddly, to say the least.

Battery life also left me a tad unsure. Apple claims up to 8 hours with ANC on—an improvement over the AirPods Pro 2’s 6 hours. But in real life, with features like spatial audio and heart rate monitoring active, I got about 5.5 hours, which is decent but not groundbreaking.

Still, the sound? It’s vibrant and impressive—especially with dynamic head tracking on. The music comes through with style, energy, and a joy that’s hard to beat. Apple’s ANC is whisper-quiet, some of the cleanest I’ve experienced on an iPhone, making these earbuds well worth the price for long flights or daily commutes.

Apple AirPods Pro 3: Price and Release Date

• Released September 9, 2025
• Price: $249 (approximate)
• Available only in white

Interestingly, these earbuds launched at the same $249 price point as the original AirPods Pro and their second iteration, holding steady despite inflation pressures on tech products. This makes them competitive in the premium market segment, especially given their feature set.

Their direct competition includes discounted AirPods Pro 2 (~$160), the pricier Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 ($399), Technics EAH-AZ100 ($299), and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen ($299). Apple has clearly positioned the AirPods Pro 3 aggressively in this space.

Key Specifications of Apple AirPods Pro 3

• Drivers: Custom Apple driver with wide amplitude and new multi-port acoustic architecture
• Active Noise Cancellation: Yes
• Battery Life: Up to 8 hours with ANC on; 6.5 hours with heart rate sensor active; 24 hours total with charging case
• Weight: 5.6g per earbud; 44g case
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 (H2 chip)
• Water Resistance: IP57 rating (dust and water resistant)

Features That Set AirPods Pro 3 Apart

• Live Translation feature (after setup)
• Heart rate monitoring
• Fitness app compatibility caveats

Apple has introduced a game-changer: heart rate monitoring built directly into the AirPods Pro 3. A discreet black strip along the inner stem houses sensors that track over 50 workout types, all without needing an Apple Watch.

Apple describes the technology as a custom photoplethysmographic (PPG) sensor emitting invisible infrared light 256 times per second to measure blood flow absorption.

Compared to the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 (which require both earbuds and green LED lights blinking over 100 times per second), Apple’s approach here is sleeker and arguably more advanced.

While many free fitness apps (like the popular Seven app) currently don’t support direct heart rate input from these AirPods, you can still see your pulse in the Health app or ask Siri to tell you your heart rate on demand—provided you enable the right permissions.

Apple clearly nudges users toward its Fitness app or paid Fitness+ subscription, where heart rate integration and workout tracking come alive with personalized coaching voices and Apple Music syncing.

Live Translation takes some setup (AirPods Pro 3 or newer AirPods, iPhone 15 Pro or newer, iOS 26+, Apple Intelligence enabled, Translation app with language packs, plus the latest AirPods firmware). Once configured, it feels like having James Bond’s earpiece—perfect for chatting with bartenders in foreign lands without the usual language barrier worries.

I tested it with my Spanish-speaking partner; his tennis plans came through flawlessly in English with minimal delay, both in my ears and as live transcriptions on my phone.

Apple also brought back rigorous fit and hearing tests. The “Conversation Awareness” feature lowers music volume and ambient noise when you start talking, making chats smoother. However, some friends and coworkers found the constant wearing of AirPods a bit intrusive—an understandable personal boundary in today’s earbud culture.

• Feature rating: 5 / 5

Sound Quality: Energetic and Immersive

• Pleasant, emotional sound with personalized spatial audio
• Well-textured and spacious vocals
• Not the ultimate in detail, but focused on fun

Apple’s ANC here is nothing short of spectacular—quietly efficient without that eerie vacuum or tunnel effect sometimes found with noise cancellation. I found Adaptive Audio less responsive to subtle sounds than I liked, so I mostly stuck to ANC and Conversation Awareness while working.

The soundstage is wide and lively. Spanish guitar in Daddy Yankee’s Toy Hermoso feels close and textured, then switches to a reggaeton beat that has me nodding along as though I’m in a salsa club rather than at my desk. Spatial audio with head tracking really ups the immersive vibe.

Warm and steady notes in Rema’s FUN come through perfectly, building up energy that had me dancing on my chair again.

While some competitors like Technics EAH-AZ100 and Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 edge out in micro-detail and vocal nuance, the AirPods Pro 3 offer a thrilling and punchy experience. In my opinion, they even outshine Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2nd Gen in delivering high-energy sound.

• Sound quality rating: 4.5 / 5

Design: Comfortable with a Few Quirks

• Much improved fit
• No reset button on the case — a downside
• Software experience could be smoother

The shape and angle of the AirPods Pro 3 stem have changed noticeably. For me, the fit is now rock solid—finally no worries about earbuds falling out even during vigorous head shaking.

IP57 rating means these earbuds are dustproof and waterproof up to 1 meter for 30 minutes—a welcome durability bonus.

The charging case is taller and wider but less deep. The LED indicator is discreet when off, giving the case an elegant finish. However, losing the reset button means resetting is a bit of a dance—double-tapping without opening or touching at the wrong moment.

The software side? You can swipe down Control Center on your iPhone for a quick AirPods control bubble showing listening mode, conversation awareness, and spatial audio settings. Diving deeper into Settings reveals health-focused features, call controls, head gestures, case sound toggles, and auto ear detection.

But with new features scattered across multiple apps—Translation, Health, Fitness—you might wish Apple bundled all AirPods Pro 3 controls into a single dedicated app to avoid hunting through menus.

• Design rating: 4.5 / 5

Value: Premium ANC for iPhone Owners

• Best ANC earbuds for iPhone users
• Not the most original, but arguably the best choice

Taste and value go hand in hand, and for me, the AirPods Pro 3 hit the right notes on several fronts.

First, if you want the best active noise cancellation for your iPhone, these are it. Apple claims double the ANC performance of AirPods Pro 2, and I’m inclined to agree.

Second, the improved battery life is welcome, even if other brands offer longer runtimes. For example, Technics EAH-AZ100 can do up to 12 hours without ANC, while AirPods Pro 3 max out around 10 hours under ideal conditions.

Third, the heart rate monitoring and integration with Apple’s ecosystem add a unique wellness angle, bringing workout data and motivation live to your ears.

The fit is also a big win for those with smaller ears—finally, Apple nailed it.

Overall, despite minor nitpicks about the case and software, these earbuds offer strong value for iPhone users.

• Value rating: 4.5 / 5

Should You Buy Apple AirPods Pro 3?

AirPods Pro 3 Competitors to Consider

Technics EAH-AZ100

If you want slightly better battery life and high-res sound with LDAC support, these stylish earbuds with multi-device connection might catch your eye—even if they don’t monitor heart rate.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

Renowned for immersive audio and excellent noise cancellation on both Android and iPhone, these earbuds are a great pick if you prioritize ANC and want a vibrant look, though they might feel a bit bulky.

Cambridge Audio Melomania A100

Offering premium sound and solid ANC, these do not have heart rate monitoring or live translation, but they shine for integrated Hi-Fi sound lovers and boast longer battery life than Bose options.

How I Tested the Apple AirPods Pro 3

• Used consistently over three weeks
• Tested during walks on a beach, crowded Eurostar train rides, and at home

During my three-week review period, the AirPods Pro 3 accompanied me through podcasts, music, and streaming movies on mixed devices (Apple and Android). From searching for sea glass in coastal counties to navigating packed trains in Paris, these earbuds made my daily routine and travels smoother — especially with live translation and heart rate tracking at my side.

These earbuds bring music to your ears with style and joy, backed by some of the cleanest noise cancellation I've ever experienced.

– Reviewer

FAQ

• What makes AirPods Pro 3 different from previous models?
  The new heart rate monitoring, improved fit, and Live Translation capabilities set the AirPods Pro 3 apart from their predecessors.
• Can AirPods Pro 3 monitor heart rate without an Apple Watch?
  Yes. The earbuds themselves track heart rate using built-in sensors without needing an Apple Watch.
• Do AirPods Pro 3 work well with Android devices?
  They function with Android but miss out on features like seamless device switching and battery status notifications available only on Apple devices.
• How is the battery life with active noise cancellation on?
  Apple claims up to 8 hours, but in real-world use with features active, expect around 5.5 to 6 hours.
• Is Live Translation easy to use?
  After setup, Live Translation works impressively well but requires an iPhone 15 Pro or newer, iOS 26+, and some initial configuration.

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