The AirPods 3 in-ear headphones have a lot in common with their big brother - the AirPods Pro - and not just externally. The small, white earplugs are packed with the latest technology and convince with two functions: 3D audio and dynamic head tracking. Who is the AirPods entry-level model for and who should choose the Pro version? And how well can you get along without the active noise cancellation with the AirPods? In my AirPods 3 review, I tested the in-ears extensively and share my experiences with you.

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The AirPods 3 are long-time users: in the small white ones Apple Headphones seem familiar. They have the same shape as their big brother - the AirPods Pro (test) and from a purely visual point of view, they are strongly based on older in-ear headphone models. Compared to its direct predecessor - the AirPods 2 (test) - the small earplugs have made a technical and optical quantum leap.

One new function in particular stands out, that of the manufacturer Apple is also the most heavily advertised and which is also on board with other new headphones such as the AirPods Max (test): The 3D audio with dynamic head tracking, which can be switched on with the new wireless headphone models and, in my opinion, for a completely new sound experience provides:

Sound from different directions. 3D audio with dynamic head tracking brings sound all around you. So you can experience music, TV shows, films and more in three dimensions and immerse yourself in sound that comes from all directions. It's like being in your own concert hall or in your personal cinema.

Apple.com

And you have to say very clearly: The manufacturer keeps the promises of the AirPods 3 with the 3D audio function. You really feel like you're right in the concert hall, or like the artist is right next to you. In my AirPods 3 test, the function shows its best side - including the dynamic head tracking, it creates a sound that is both unusual and particularly pleasant.

Is that enough reason to buy and how do the small in-ear headphones fare in everyday life, during sports and when travelling? In my AirPods 3 test, I checked the headphones extensively and tried them out for all their strengths and weaknesses.

Overview: AirPods 3 test - ideal headphones for travel

• The AirPods 3 are the entry-level headphones from the popular in-ear Bluetooth headphones series by Apple.
• Compared to the AirPods Pro, the AirPods 3 have no active noise suppression and have no attachments (silicone tips).
• With the help of spatial audio (3D audio) and the detection of head movements, the AirPods Pro create a three-dimensional surround sound that has never been known before.
• The design of the AirPods 3 has been further developed compared to the normal AirPods of the 2nd generation and the headphones have been made much more compact
• I have the AirPods 3 in everyday life, when doing sports - especially when Jog - and tested intensively on my trip - I'll tell you about my experiences and test results here.

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AirPods 3 test - my first impression in everyday life, during sports and when travelling

My first impression in my AirPods 3 test is quite different. At first glance, the small and white headphones look extremely similar to the AirPods Pro - the shape is identical, but the white silicone tips in front of the speaker are missing. Apart from that, they look completely identical. However, a direct comparison shows that the new charging case is also slightly smaller overall than its sister model. And as a pleasant surprise, it is immediately apparent that the new charging case is equipped with Magsafe and can be magnetically attached to the corresponding charging stations.

Overall, however, the first impression is a bit sobering: If you look at the specifications of the AirPods 3, you can immediately see that they are technically very close to the AirPods Pro. This is also clear in the table of product characteristics of the AirPods below. So it became clear to me relatively quickly for my AirPods 3 test:

The new 3rd generation AirPods are not a fundamentally new model, but this Apple Headphones entry-level model that is technically based on the older Pro model. You have to think differently here: If you compare the direct predecessor, the AirPods 2 with the AirPods 3, the situation looks completely different: Then the model has made a quantum leap in both design and technology.

And so the advantages also show in the first sound test. The AirPods 3 in combination with Apple Music Lossless, 3D Audio (Spatial Audio) and Dynamic Head Tracking (detection of head movements) provide excellent, rich sound. Beginners get a lot of sound for their money here. The small, white headphones in my AirPods 3 test made me happy right from the start. However, one question remains unanswered for now: How much is the active noise reduction missing in this model?

AirPods 3 review - product features

AirPods 3	Features
noise cancellation	Active Noise Canceling (ANC)
Audio Properties	3D audio with dynamic head tracking, adaptive EQ, special high excursion Apple Woofer and special amplifier with a large dynamic range
Sensors	Two beamforming microphones, inward-facing microphone, two optical sensors, skin detection sensor, accelerometer with motion detection, accelerometer with speech recognition and a pressure sensor
Processor	H1 headphone chip
water resistance	Protected against sweat and water (IPX4)
Battery life	depends heavily on usage - up to 6 hours of playback on one charge, 5 hours with 3D audio - up to 30 hours of playback with intermediate charges in the charging case - five minutes of recharging in the charging case increases the playback time by up to an hour
Weight	4,28 grams per earbud, 37,91 grams for the charging case
charging Case	Charge with MagSafe charger, Qi certified chargers or the Lightning connector
send email now	Bluetooth 5.0
What's in the box	AirPods 3, wireless charging case and Lightning to USB ‑ C cable

AirPods Pro test - product features

AirPods Pro	Features
noise cancellation	Active Noise Canceling (ANC)
Audio Properties	Active noise cancellation, transparency mode, adaptive EQ, ventilation for pressure equalization, high excursion Apple Woofer and special amplifier with a large dynamic range
Sensors	Two beamforming microphones, inward-facing microphone, two optical sensors, accelerometer with motion detection, accelerometer with speech recognition, and a pressure sensor
Processor	H1 headphone chip
water resistance	Protected against sweat and water (IPX4)
Battery life	depends heavily on usage - up to 4,5 hours of playback with one charge, 5 hours without ANC use - up to 24 hours of playback with intermediate charges in the charging case - five minutes of recharging in the charging case increases the playback time by up to one hour
Weight	5,4 grams per earbud, 45,6 grams for the charging case
charging Case	Charge with MagSafe charger, Qi certified chargers or the Lightning connector
send email now	Bluetooth 5.0
What's in the box	AirPods Pro, wireless charging case, silicone tips in three sizes and Lightning on USB-C cable

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AirPods 3 test: with 3D audio, but without active noise cancellation

Four features of the new AirPods 3 in particular make the headphones stand out from their predecessors - the 2nd generation AirPods. On the one hand there is the 3D audio, on the other hand the purely passive noise suppression, the extended battery life and the new Magsafe housing. How are these new properties presented in the AirPods 3 test?

1. Passive noise cancellation of the AirPods 3 in the test

The AirPods 3 don't have active noise cancellation - and that bothers me personally. The noise suppression of the 3rd generation AirPods is based simply on the passive sound-insulating effect while wearing. And that is extremely low. There is simply too little in everyday life. Whether in traffic, flying or in the office - I personally prefer strong active noise suppression. At this point, however, I also have to consider that my hearing is very sensitive and I have now heard enough users who are of the opinion that the passive noise suppression of the AirPods 3 is more than sufficient.

2. Lossless audio, 3D audio, spatial audio and Dolby Atmos: new sound settings for the AirPods 3

To a whole new level Apple the AirPods 3 lifted by introducing sound settings and sound quality settings with a series of updates. These new features bring the sound quality of the various Apple Headphones to a new level. The newly introduced quality settings include at least the AirPods Pro, AirPods Max and AirPods 3:

• Lossless Audio and High Res Lossless Audio: The entire Apple Music catalog is marked with ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec) encoded in resolutions from 16 bit / 44,1 kHz (CD quality) to 24 bit / 192 kHz. It has to be said, however, that the hearing can hardly perceive the difference to conventional AAC. This setting has hardly any real effect on the sound.
• 3D audio (spatial audio) and Dolby Atmos: the sound seems to come from different directions and creates a sense of space. The effect is really clearly audible. You can also switch it off if you wish and then you will hear the clear difference.
• Dynamic head tracking: the sound appears to come from a different direction when you turn your head. In my AirPods Pro test, there was a strong effect here that is really a pleasure for the ears.

Using these new audio functions, the manufacturer has Apple the sound quality of the AirPods 3 headphones has been raised to a new level. 3D audio (spatial audio) in particular makes a much more audible difference. You really get the feeling that the sound is coming from different directions. This feeling is reinforced by the dynamic head tracking, as the sound changes direction when you turn your head.

3. AirPods 3 test: charging case now with Magsafe and longer battery life

It was more by chance that I came across the information that the AirPods 3 have recently been delivered with a charging case that supports Magsafe. It has to be said, however, that it was possible to charge devices that were already supported on Magsafe chargers, but that they were not held in place by magnets. For example, you could place the wireless charging case on the older AirPods Pro on a Magsafe storage device - it just didn't hold on magnetically. at Apple By the way, newly purchased AirPods Pro have also been equipped with a Magsafe charging case for some time.

4. Longer battery life with the AirPods 3 in the test

In addition, the battery life of the AirPods 3 has not been outstanding, but has improved noticeably. Charging with a compatible Magsafe charger enables a charging case with which the AirPods 3 can be operated for up to 30 hours. And after just five minutes in the case, the batteries are charged enough to be able to listen for more than an additional hour. When the small, white earplugs are fully charged, up to six hours of listening time are now possible - but only when 3D audio is switched off and the batteries are fully charged. For example, you can also activate the fact that the batteries are not fully charged and the battery of the AirPods 3 is thereby conserved.

Interim conclusion - solid sound quality in the AirPods 3 test

The conventional AirPods 3 deliver excellent sound. With the introduction of Lossless Audio, 3D Audio, Spatial Audio, Dolby Atmos and dynamic head tracking Apple the quality of the sound reproduction has been raised to a new level. For beginners who do not expect more than balanced sound from their in-ear headphones, the small white earplugs have proven to be an excellent choice in our AirPods 3 test. In particular, the combination of 3D audio (spatial audio) and dynamic head tracking made it possible to significantly increase the fun factor in my AirPods 3 test.

What is missing, however, is and remains active noise suppression: Regardless of whether you are using kitchen appliances, the neighbors are noisy, walking along a busy street or sitting on an airplane - in everyday life there are a number of moments when you want to switch off the background noise. And the active noise suppression ANC is missing on this model.

AirPods 3 review: Buy in-ears on Amazon

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AirPods 3 test travel - with 3D audio around the world?

For my AirPods Pro test, I was in Thailand and tried the little earplugs there. Neither humidity nor heat could harm the in-ear headphones nor my sweat when jogging at over 30 degrees Celsius. I tested the AirPods 3 extensively on a trip to Egypt - on a plane, at 32 degrees Celsius, in the sun, sand and salt water. And I have to say: Okay, my AirPods 3 test shows that for many, many travelers and vacationers, the small white earplugs will be ideal on vacation and when traveling. In principle, no one needs more headphones if they were lying on the beach lounger with wired earplugs a few years ago. You have to say so clearly.

It looks different if you really feel like quiet and perfect sound on vacation. You get excellent sound with the AirPods 3, as my experience shows. But what you don't get is the rest. When it is loud at the pool or on the beach, you are still in the middle instead of just there. The passive noise suppression is mediocre, as the AirPods 3 only provide average sealing due to their construction without silicone tips.

AirPods 3 test during sports and jogging - this is how the in-ears perform in the test

I had severe difficulties with the AirPods 2 when doing sports and especially when jogging. The small earplugs kept slipping while jogging and you actually had to adjust them the whole time. Especially when you started sweating, the AirPods 2 couldn't stay in your ear at all. That was super uncomfortable. There was a positive surprise with the AirPods Pro. Thanks to the silicone tips, they sit firmly in the ear. And what about the AirPods 3?

Manufacturers Apple seems to have learned from the mistakes and now the entry-level AirPods sit really well in the ear when exercising. This may be because the case is more rounded and adapts better to the shape of the ear. In addition, the AirPods 3 are finally water-resistant - very important for athletes who sweat a lot. But the hold of the AirPods Pro with silicone tips remains unbeatable, I am also convinced after the AirPods 3 test. In this respect: improvement, yes, but not the top spot in the test.

AirPods 3 test: making calls is now much more pleasant

Making calls with the AirPods 3 is as comfortable as ever. I have been using the small plugs for every phone call since the first generation. You can move around freely and - depending on which connection you are using on the phone, such as WhatsApp or FaceTime - you have the feeling that the person you are talking to is standing right in front of you. And the AirPods 1 are also fun for the other party when making calls, because thanks to their microphones they also deliver excellent voice quality to the other party.

Strengths and weaknesses in the AirPods 3 test

I believe that the AirPods 3 will be extremely popular with many users and that customer satisfaction with these small in-ear headphones will be extremely high. I just don't belong to the target group for this model and so I can only say what it is like: I wouldn't buy the AirPods 3 after mine - my wife loves her AirPods 3 and is absolutely thrilled with it. She says the passive noise cancellation of the AirPods 3 is sufficient and that she also wants to hear something of her surroundings when she is on the move. This shows how subtle such assessments are: I want to block out the surrounding noise as much as possible when I'm out and about.

So basically - from my point of view, after my AirPods 3 test - I can say: The small, white in-ear headphones are rock solid, make an excellent sound thanks to 3D audio, are very pleasant to use and it's really fun, to use them. Personally, however, I am a pro user and tend to buy the pro products from Apple - so also with the AirPods. However, if you can do without active noise suppression, you may already have others Apple If you own products like an iPhone or iPad, the AirPods 3 are the ideal headphones for on the go.

Strengths of the AirPods 3

• Excellent sound quality thanks to 3D audio and head tracking.
• Intuitive operation via Force Touch and voice.
• Tight fit in the ear while exercising without pressing.
• Good telephony properties.

AirPods 3 weaknesses

• I am annoyed that the AirPods 3 don't have active noise cancellation.
• The AirPods 3 are currently only available in white - black would be nice.
• The price of 199 euros (RRP including VAT) is for the entry-level model - however, the purchase costs should drop quite quickly thanks to sales and offers.

AirPods 3 compatibility with others Apple Products and third parties

A Bluetooth connection could also be established relatively quickly with the gadgets from. The comprehensive and comprehensive connectivity is one of the great strengths of the new AirPods 3. Unfortunately, no third-party provider has even come close to it to date. Even my large high-end headphones, which in this context correspond to the latest standards and support AirPlay 2, often have to be paired again - you first have to go into the Bluetooth settings to establish the connection. The AirPods 3, on the other hand, are virtually instantly connected to all devices. Unfortunately, I cannot yet say whether pairing the AirPods 3 with third-party products works as well. 

AirPods 3 alternatives – The AirPods Pro in particular are worth a look

There are currently a lot of AirPods 3 alternatives on the market. The large and powerful over-ear headphones such as the AirPods Max or the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX from the premium segment are of course the first choice, especially for at home. And for on the go there are numerous attractive in-ear headphone models that are also very appealing and already offer active noise canceling. However, the coherent overall package of the AirPods 3 ensures that the small plugs do not have to hide from the competition. In terms of price, with an RRP of 199 euros (price including 19% VAT), they are in the good average of entry-level in-ear headphones - even if the price initially feels quite high.

AirPods - best sellers

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FAQs AirPods Max - the most important questions and answers about the different Apple AirPods models

Before you buy your first AirPods - AirPods, AirPods Pro or AirPods Max, you have many questions about the small and powerful in-ear headphones that you can use to listen to music in everyday life, while exercising and when traveling. I have therefore put together the most important questions and answers about the various AirPods models for you.

1. FAQs - AirPods Pro test: the most important questions and answers about in-ear headphones

2. FAQs - AirPods test: the most important questions and answers about in-ear headphones

3. FAQs - AirPods Max test: the most important questions and answers about over-ear headphones

AirPods 3 test: headphones in combination with Apple Watch use

One of the most pleasant things about the AirPods 3 is that it is so easy to use Apple Watch let connect. Anyone who has previously listened to some music or an audio book on the Apple-Smartwatch can - at least as far as music, audio books and telephony are concerned - that iPhone or otherwise Smartphone leave it in your pocket. The headphones are on the Apple Watch displayed automatically and can be easily selected and connected. A cumbersome, manual connection via Bluetooth does not have to take place, as I was able to determine in the AirPods 3 test. That makes everyday mobile life much easier - on the way to the office, when jogging and on the plane, the smartphone can stay in the pocket much more often. 

Conclusion - AirPods 3 test: The entry-level model should be ideal for many users: inside and out

My conclusion of the AirPods 3 test is clear: The small in-ear headphones are awesome and an absolute buy. Especially when traveling, the AirPods 3 show their strengths to the full, as my detailed AirPods 3 review has shown. Regardless of whether you are listening to your favorite playlist or a good audio book - the small in-ear headphones score particularly well with their 3D audio and dynamic head tracking.

AirPods 3 review - which in-ear headphones do you use or have you already bought AirPods? Share your experiences in the comments.