We have been testing audio products for close to 50 years, and while the AirPods Pro 2 were the first Apple buds to get a five-star rating from us, their successor upped the game once again.
Despite Apple being a notoriously discount-light brand, you can now grab the flagship Apple AirPods Pro 3 for just $199 at Amazon.
If you’re already an Apple user and want the best buds made by the brand, these are a bit of a no-brainer – especially at this price.
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are real box tickers with small improvements across the board over their predecessors, from ANC to sound quality, all adding up. We weren't sure how Apple was going to top the performance of the AirPods Pro 2, but it somehow managed it.
More evolution than revolution, the design has had a tweak with each earpiece smaller than the Pro 2, with the eartip's nozzle angled to point more towards your ear canal.
The tips also come in five different sizes, which all helps when trying to find the best fit. They are a touch thicker and firmer, too, for your ultimate comfort combo.
Features on the earbuds stems have also been carried over from the Pro 2. That includes codec support that is limited to SBC and AAC, but this isn't the end of the world.
And while you will get eight hours of battery life on a single charge, which is good for a pair of buds that does so much, power from the case has dropped from 30 hours on the Pro 2 to 24 hours on the Pro 3.
Our expert testers were quickly distracted by the quality of the Pro 3's noise-cancelling, saying: “We took the Pro 3 with us on a trip to France, and found that they shave off a greater amount of mid and low-frequency noise during the flight. The deep rumble of the airplane’s engine noise was damped down further than when listened to through the Pro 2, while the general chatter from people and announcements from the pilot were quieter through the new earbuds on full ANC mode.”
The Pro 3 also feature a revamped ‘multiport acoustic architecture’, which promises more precise airflow control to deliver greater bass and a wider soundstage.
Further in our full review, our testers say: “It only takes a few minutes of comparisons to discover that the AirPods Pro 3 take a sonic step forward in every way, too. The Pro 3 sound clearer and more detailed; they are more spacious-sounding and more dynamic, too.”
Sonically, they are up there with the very best. If you’re already an Apple user, you might be looking to invest or considering an upgrade – and what better time than when there's a discount (which, in Apple's world, can be few and far between)? Grab them now for just $199 at Amazon.
MORE:
Read our full Apple AirPods Pro 3 review
Our pick of the best wireless earbuds you can buy
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