AirPods 3 in the test: Everything better - but is the purchase worth it?

I have to admit: No other headphones have ever become my everyday companion in the same extent, as is the case with the AirPods.Since I connected my first couple with the iPhone, I've always had a couple in my pocket.No wonder that I was very excited about the new generation.And that much can be revealed: they have ranked the old models in my everyday life in almost every life.But not in everyone.

Neue Produkt-KategorienApple macht sich bereit für die Zeit nach dem iPhone

AirPods 3 Design: old and new

The tension is great at the first unpacking.With the new design, the third generation AirPods looked very close to the Pro models presented two years ago.And in practice the impression is also preserved: with the shortened bridge and a little more chunkier housing, they are more reminiscent of the Pro models, even in the ear they look much more like from the outside, the charging shell is with the flatter but wider designis also based on the newer models.

Once in the ear you forget that.In contrast to the Pro models, Apple does without the rubber insert, the new AirPods are almost as much in the ear as the predecessors.The wearing comfort remains as usual.If you wear an older and a new AirPod in your ear at the same time, you can feel the minimally larger housing very easily in direct comparison, but it doesn't matter in everyday life.If you have worn the older Airpods comfortably, the new ones also fit perfectly.

Transparent sound

Apart from the seat, the waiver of the rubber insert has a different effect: In contrast to the Pro models, the AirPods 3 do not complete completely.This is probably also due to the fact that Apple is probably the most important feature of the Pro models: The new models do not offer any noise canceling nor the transparency mode, in which surrounding noises are transferred to the headphones via a microphone.

I don't miss the latter in the test either.Because the headphones do not completely complete, I also get the traffic noise or conversations in the area with the plugs in the ear, as long as the music is not too loud.So the headphones are transparent all the time.

Unfortunately, the transparency through the more open design also works in the other direction: if the music, the podcast or the series too loud, this also gets the environment with.When working in otherwise breastfeeding rooms or the train journey, you should hold back with the volume.

AirPods 3: Clear better sound

This is a shame in that the rich sound really invites you to open it up.The new AirPods still do not come to the sound of the Pro models or other top headphones that sound even more differentiated and dynamic.However, the sound has gotten much better compared to the previous models.The basses are not rush, but the heights and the middle of more differentiated, the sound is considerably warmer.From a wide variety of music to series and films to podcasts and phone calls: The Airpods 3 leave little desires in all areas of everyday use.

As a candy, so to speak, support spatial audio.The Apple technology reserved for the expensive Airpods Pro and Max allows you to create a kind of spatial sound in the case of mixed content.The guitar and drums can then be clearly distinguished from each other in music pieces.However, the effect is even more noticeable when watching films or series if, thanks to Dolby Atmos, you could say with your eyes closed, in which part of a room the speaking figure is located or where the explosion came from.Strong: If you move your head away from the screen, the sound also wanders as if I turn away from a source of noise in a room.This is impressive, especially in connection with an AppleTV.

Airpods 3, MacBook Pro and Co: These are Apple's new presentations in pictures 1 of 10

The transparency of the headphones actually led me to a change in my usage behavior in the test.In order to be able to hear my sleeping children anyway, I preferred to do without headphones in the evening, turned the television a little quieter in the otherwise quiet apartment.With the Airpods 3, I always have the feeling that I can hear them: and have since had more of sound effects and dialogue since then.And my woman who was going to bed anyway sleeps calmly.

However, the combination of the way of spatial audio and transparency described above has a bizarre effect: I was not sure more than once whether the sound of a series really came out of the AirPods or whether it simply does not with the output devicewere coupled and yet the speakers were heard.Fortunately, I have always been wrong and my family has not yet been torn out of bed by too loud special effects.

Koppel -joyful - but only with current system

In connection with the AppletV, another big advantage of Apple is also played: Like other AirPods, the third generation can be switched seamlessly from one Apple device to the next when the same account is logged in.The only exception in the test is unfortunately my work-Mac: Because I cannot recreate this for the use of the AirPods, simply refuse the connection when changing.Even though older Apple headphones work without any problems.

Only by manually coupling it on the tip of Apple by Bluetooth, I get a connection.However, with restrictions: Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos are not supported.The change between devices has worked uncomplicated since then.If you rely on an iPhone, iPad or AppletV with older software, you should be prepared for corresponding restrictions.

Permanent runner

Incidentally, Apple has also added in the last relevant point of view: The third generation's AirPods last longer in the test.Almost 6 hours of mixed use such as calls and listening to music when working were usually in it, after a short disappearance in the charging cradle they are used again after a short time.They could then be charged four to five times until the case also had to go to the socket.Apple's promises of up to 6 hours of term and four additional loads in the case are rather exceeded in practice.

If the case has to be loaded, the new AirPods even have an advantage over older Airpods: the new loading case not only supports wireless charging according to the Qi standard, but even Apple's magnetic power supply Magsafe last year.So I can even get the cover on my car holder and supply them with electricity.This is not a killer feature, but a nice extra anyway.With the Airpods Pro, Apple has only been adding a shell for a few weeks, which can also be used.If you want, you can of course continue to use any Lightning power supply for charging.

Conclusion: The best AirPods without Pro

With the new AirPods, Apple has put a shovel on almost every respect compared to the predecessor.They sound better, last longer and offer great extra functions with spatial audio, dolby atmos and the MagSafe case case.This is how you want an upgrade of a successful product.

However, Apple also pays for this well: With a RRP of 199 euros, the new AirPods 20 euros more than its predecessor to start the market.In reality, the price difference is even greater: the AirPods 2 still available is already available for 120 euros.

This makes a purchase recommendation difficult.If the simple AirPods are enough, you save almost 80 euros for the predecessor.If you want spatial audio and co.but it is actually almost more worthwhile to use the Airpods Pro.They even cost the new Magsafe case from 225 euros, but also offer excellent NOISE CANCELING for the low surcharge.It will probably not be long before the new AirPods 3 also falls to a price of 160 euros.And then both in terms of price and the features are a reasonable compromise between entry-level and noble model.

You might also be interested in:

This article contains so-called affiliate links.There is more information here.