There was a time when wired earphones and massive headphones were our only options—the latter was the go-to if you wanted good noise cancellation. Today, though, there are a plethora of options at your disposal, and perhaps none more popular than Apple's AirPods Pro. The first generation was a huge success, the second generation was a major hit, and now, the third. When the AirPods Pro 3 finally arrived on September 19, 2025, the refresh sounded as promising as all the others.
But are they really worth the money? If you're still holding onto a pair of AirPods Pro 2, or even the original Pro model, you might be wondering whether the newest version actually justifies the cost of switching. While the answer largely depends on what you use your earbuds for, the third gen does offer a few upgrades that stand out enough to make a real difference. Here's a closer look at whether an upgrade is worth your money.
The Active Noise Cancellation Improvements
Of course, given that noise cancellation has always been one of the defining features of the AirPods Pro series, Apple didn't skimp on the third generation. According to Apple themselves, the AirPods Pro 3 are two times better at cancelling out noise than the second-generation model and four times as much as the original Pros. You might think that's just a marketing tactic, but users have actually reported hearing a noticeable difference.
Apple credits this improvement to a new multiport acoustic architecture along with ultra-low-noise microphones and foam-infused ear tips that provide better passive isolation before the active cancellation even kicks in. The result is an earbud that blocks out more noise without requiring you to crank up the volume to compensate. Transparency mode gets an upgrade, too, sounding more natural and having less of that artificial or hollow quality that older AirPods models were known for. Thankfully, despite all these improvements, battery life hasn't been sacrificed.
The Redesigned Fit
Anyone who's struggled with their AirPods Pro buds falling out mid-run or feeling loose after a few hours of wear will likely appreciate the redesigned ear tips of the third generation. The result is smaller earbuds that have been repositioned to fit better with our ears' natural geometry. Of course, in saying that, everyone has differently shaped ears, meaning this redesign might not be a perk for all.
But wait—there's more. The new ear tips also come in five sizes rather than four, including a new XXS option for people with narrower ear canals. Combined with the improved internal shape, this should mean fewer instances of the earbuds shifting or slipping out during movement. That means, if you've ever given up on AirPods Pro because they never quite stayed put in your ears, this might make you reconsider.
Built-In Heart Rate Sensing
Like working out? Well, then you'd be pleased to know that for the first time, AirPods Pro now includes a heart rate sensor. By building a custom photoplethysmography sensor into the AirPods Pro 3, it pulses infrared light 256 times per second to measure blood flow, working alongside the earbuds' accelerometer, gyroscope, and GPS data to track your workouts with more precision. This data also feeds directly into the Fitness app on your iPhone, letting you monitor heart rate and calories burned across more than 50 workout types without needing an Apple Watch strapped to your wrist.
This is a huge jump for anyone who's tired of bringing their fitness watch to the gym. Having that sensor built into earbuds means you won't need to bring anything else: you have your music and your tracker, all in one. Apple even introduced a companion feature called Workout Buddy, which uses on-device data to offer personalized, motivational feedback during a session.
One caveat: as great as these perks sound, bear in mind that some of these fitness features require a reasonably recent iPhone and the latest version of iOS to work properly. If you don't have a compatible device, things may not function correctly out of the box. Still, for anyone who exercises regularly and wants one less gadget to manage, this addition alone might tip the scales toward upgrading.
The Bottom Line
Of course, the AirPods Pro 3 aren't an absolute must-buy. With rumors of a new version coming out in late 2026 (or early 2027), you might even want to delay upgrading until the fourth generation is out. But if you're not someone who needs the latest and greatest, and your current buds are already in need of a replacement, getting the Pro 3s brings real, tangible improvements that matter most to everyday users. The stronger noise cancellation alone is worth the extra cash! Ultimately, though, whether the upgrade truly makes sense for you will come down to how you use your earbuds.
