Apple AirPods (3rd generation)

Same great sound, longer battery life, and less costly

Don’t need AirPods Pro noise–canceling? Want to save $80? Then the new AirPods might be Apple’s best true wireless headphones. As with the old AirPods, there’s no in–ear bit; instead these nestle in your ear lobes. It’s exceedingly comfy.

In terms of fit, that depends on the size of your ears, but even with our bigger lugs it was just about right. They aren’t snug, but neither do they feel loose.

Ok, so you don’t get the noise–isolating effect, a la AirPods Pro, and nor do you get transparency. But that might work in your favor — the AirPods reduce external qnoises, but you can still hear stuff — in a busy city, this is a good thing for safety.

You do, however, get the benefits of spatial audio, which improves audio immersion — instruments in music or effects in movies appear to come from all around. That said, these still sound fabulous when it's turned off, Apple's Adaptive EQ dialing the audio in perfectly to elecit the same invigorating, yet balanced sound, as with the Pros.

The AirPods also feature IPX4 sweat and water resistance; a skin–detecting sensor which reacts instantly, pausing/playing if they’re in or out of ear; and a MagSafe charging case that’s smaller and lighter than the Pro's. Force sensors also offer deft control over what you’re listening to.

Apple boasts 6 hours of listening time per charge and 30 hours overall with the case. In testing we actually managed to exceed this claim slightly (with spatial daudio turned off). Impressive.

Apple AirPods 3rd Generation Features

Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, IPX4, MagSafe charging case

Apple AirPods 3rd Generation Price

$179

Awesome sound, awesome fit, awesome battery life. Just awesome headphones.