90
Jason Cross
MacWorld
“The improved sound quality and battery life alone are reason to prefer third‑generation AirPods over the second generation, but the design will be an improvement for some users, too.”
Critical Assessment
What Critics Praise
- Greatly improved sound quality
- Longer battery life
- Shorter stems
- Water and sweat resistant
- Spatial Audio with head tracking
- Case stores five extra charges
Points of Contention
- Fit is highly dependent on ear shape
- No stability fins or ear tips
- No volume controls available
- No active noise cancellation
- No interchangeable eartips
Professional Reviews
3 reviews from 3 critics80
Olivia Tambini
TechRadar
“The Apple AirPods (3rd generation) represent a big step up from their predecessors in terms of audio performance, connectivity, and design – and while they come with a price increase, we think they’re a worthy upgrade if you have the older AirPods.”
50
Jake Thauvette, Theresa Ketterling, John Peroramas
RTINGS
The Apple AirPods (3rd generation) are lightweight, water‑resistant earbuds with Adaptive EQ and Spatial Audio that offer solid build quality but lack noise isolation, volume controls, and a secure fit for intense activity. The reviewer finds them comfortable enough for casual use but disappointing for commuting, travel, and office work due to their open‑back design and one‑size‑fits‑all fit.
