Apple AirPods (3rd Generation)

Less conspicuous design ; IPX4 water resistance ; Improved sound quality

No MagSafe reverse wireless charging from iPhones ; Spatial audio is inconsistent ; They let in a ton of outside noise

Apple’s third-generation AirPods have a new design with shorter stems. They sound better, have IPX4 water resistance, and support spatial audio with head tracking. But there are still reasons to choose the AirPods Pro or AirPods Max instead.

Natural, rich bass depth and crisp, clear highs ; Hands-free Siri voice commands ; Water- and sweat-resistant design ; Wireless and MagSafe charging

In-ear fit can still be inconsistent, resulting in imbalanced stereo image ; Fit doesn’t feel secure enough for rigorous exercise ; No adjustable EQ

Apple’s third-generation AirPods provide notably better bass depth and are more rugged than their predecessor. Despite some improvements to how they fit and some neat sensor tricks, we still aren't wild about their open earbud design.

Slick, but familiar redesign ; Extremely comfortable ; Great audio ; Excellent battery life

A bit expensive ; No active noise cancelling

Tight iPhone integration ; Solid battery life ; Improved audio performance ; Spatial audio is clever ; IPX4 water resistance

Fit won't suit every ear ; No active noise cancellation ; Open design means you hear ambient noise

Portable package ; Good-looking earbuds with small stems ; Comfortable in-ear fit ; Great sound, especially with spatial audio ; IPX4 sweat and water resistance

No active noise cancelling

Adaptive EQ (iOS, Android, Windows)

Poor fit, no isolation

H1 chip

Unless you hate having ear tips inside your ears, we don’t recommend buying these over the Apple AirPods Pro or any other sealing earbuds. Unsealed earbuds have major disadvantages that aren’t just limited to sound quality.

Secure fit ; Spatial Audio ; Big battery

Open-fit style ; No Noise Cancellation ; Tricky pricing