Quick verdict: AirPods Pro 3 are Apple's top earbuds, announced September 9, 2025. Apple says they remove up to twice as much noise as AirPods Pro 2, and they are the first AirPods with a built-in heart rate sensor. For iPhone owners they are an easy recommendation. For Android users, or anyone who puts battery life first, they are a harder sell.
This is a researched review. It is based on Apple's specifications, the Amazon listing and published hands-on reviews, not on our own testing. On the evening of November 10, 2026, AirPods Pro 3 ranked No. 4 on Amazon's Best Sellers list in Electronics.
What's new
The headline change is noise cancellation. Apple claims up to 2x more noise removed than AirPods Pro 2 and 4x more than the original AirPods Pro. TechRadar, which tested them for three weeks, called the noise cancelling "remarkable."
Sound got a refresh too. Apple says a new acoustic architecture improves bass response and vocal clarity. TechRadar described the sound as lively and immersive, while noting that some pricier rivals offer a little more fine detail.
The second big addition is heart rate sensing. Apple says each earbud uses a custom sensor that pulses invisible infrared light 256 times per second to measure blood flow. With an iPhone, that lets you track heart rate and calories for up to 50 workout types in the Fitness app, no Apple Watch required. TechRadar found that at least one third-party workout app it uses didn't read the data, and Apple hadn't published a full list of supported apps. Apple says readings show up in the Health app.
Live Translation is also supported, but it depends on Apple Intelligence. TechRadar lists the requirements as an iPhone 15 Pro or later on iOS 26 with Apple Intelligence turned on, and says setup takes some work.
Fit and design
Apple reshaped the earbuds and now includes ear tips in five sizes. TechRadar reported a much more secure fit than earlier AirPods. The buds and case are rated IP57 for dust and water resistance. One small loss: the button on the back of the case is gone, which makes a factory reset fiddlier.
Battery life: the main trade-off
Apple rates AirPods Pro 3 at up to 8 hours of listening with noise cancelling on, up from 6 hours on AirPods Pro 2. Total listening time with the case is up to 24 hours, according to Apple's specs and TechRadar's spec table, down from up to 30 hours in Apple's AirPods Pro 2 specs, so you will charge the case more often. TechRadar also measured closer to 5.5 hours with all features running.
Who should buy them
Buy them if you use an iPhone, care about noise cancelling and want workout heart rate without a watch. Skip them if you use Android, since features such as automatic switching and quick battery checks depend on Apple devices. Look elsewhere too if you need high-resolution Bluetooth codecs such as LDAC or aptX, which AirPods Pro 3 don't support.
If you already own AirPods Pro 2 and they still work well, the upgrade is mostly about noise cancelling, fit and heart rate. That is a real step up, but not an urgent one.
FAQ
When did AirPods Pro 3 come out?
Apple announced them on September 9, 2025, and they went on sale September 19, 2025.
Do AirPods Pro 3 track heart rate?
Yes. They measure heart rate during workouts and send it to the Fitness and Health apps on iPhone.
How long does the battery last?
Apple says up to 8 hours with noise cancelling on, and about 24 hours in total with the case.
Do AirPods Pro 3 work with Android?
They connect over Bluetooth, but many features, including automatic switching, depend on Apple devices.
Are AirPods Pro 3 waterproof?
They are rated IP57 for dust and water resistance, not fully waterproof.
Sources
- Apple Newsroom: Introducing AirPods Pro 3 (Sept. 9, 2025): noise cancelling claims, heart rate sensor, workout types, release date.
- Apple Support: How to check your heart rate with AirPods Pro 3: how heart rate data reaches Health and Fitness.
- TechRadar: AirPods Pro 3 review (Oct. 24, 2025): fit, battery testing, reset button, codecs, Live Translation requirements, 24-hour case figure.
- Apple: AirPods Pro 3 Tech Specs: up to 24 hours of listening time with the case.
- Apple Support: AirPods Pro 2 Tech Specs: up to 30 hours of listening time with the case.
- Amazon listing for Apple AirPods Pro 3, ASIN B0FQFB8FMG, checked Nov. 10, 2026: listing title, 8-hour and 10-hour battery figures, five ear tip sizes.
- Amazon Best Sellers in Electronics, checked Nov. 10, 2026, 8:37 PM ET, re-checked 8:57 PM ET: ranked No. 4.
