Short answer: the Apple AirPods Pro 3. It ranks #444 of 584 in-ear headphones by sound quality (rated 3.5/5) at $199 and is still sold new; the Apple AirPods Pro 1st Gen ranks #537 (rated 2.6/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
What the Apple AirPods Pro 1st Gen does well: Started the ANC earbud boom with effective noise cancelling, transparency mode, a comfortable fit and seamless iPhone pairing. Watch for: Discontinued and replaced by the Apple AirPods Pro 2.
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 is the better-sounding, tougher pick. Sub-bass sits about 3 dB above the Harman target in hobbyist measurements on squig.link and still reaches 30 Hz with a slight lift, so bass lines and electronic drops carry real rumble. It is rated IP57 against IPX4 for the Apple AirPods Pro 1st Gen. The tradeoff: A 6.4 dB dip near 3.4 kHz pulls vocals and guitars back, while a 6.3 dB peak near 8 kHz and about 6 dB of extra air above 10 kHz can make cymbals and sibilance sound splashy.
Buy the Apple AirPods Pro 3. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Apple AirPods Pro 1st Gen is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Apple AirPods Pro 1st Gen | Apple AirPods Pro 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Discontinued | $199.00 |
| Ranked | #537 of 584 in In-Ear Headphones | #444 of 584 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Connection | True wireless | True wireless |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Weight | 0 lbs (5.4 g) (per earbud) | 0 lbs (5.55 g) per earbud |
| Harman Preference Score | 56 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 68 (median of 5 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.94 dB standard deviation | 2.43 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.11 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.58 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 4.5 hours (earbuds, ANC on), 24 hours with case | 8 hours (24 with case, ANC on, Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IP57 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Sub-bass Extension | - | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Apple AirPods Pro 1st Gen TWS Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Apple AirPods Pro 3, ranked higher, rated 3.5/5, released Sep 2025. See every Apple AirPods Pro generation.
Pros: Started the ANC earbud boom with effective noise cancelling, transparency mode, a comfortable fit and seamless iPhone pairing.
Cons: Discontinued and replaced by the Apple AirPods Pro 2. Crinacle’s measurement gives it a Harman score of only 56 with a 2.94 dB spread, well behind its successor, and codec support stops at AAC.
Full Apple AirPods Pro 1st Gen review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes |
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 4.5 hours (earbuds, ANC on), 24 hours with case |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | True wireless |
| Deviation From Target | 2.94 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 56 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.11 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (5.4 g) (per earbud) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.0 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +2.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 514 Hz | -4.4 dB | 0.68 |
| Peak | 8,903 Hz | +6.0 dB | 1.66 |
| Peak | 183 Hz | +2.0 dB | 0.77 |
| Peak | 4,613 Hz | +3.4 dB | 2.46 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,517 Hz | -1.0 dB | 2.33 |
| Peak | 929 Hz | +1.2 dB | 2.75 |
| Peak | 44 Hz | -0.5 dB | 2.16 |
| Peak | 618 Hz | -0.5 dB | 2.86 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Apple AirPods Pro 3: $199.00 TWS Amazon $199.00 eBay
Older models: the Apple AirPods Pro 2 (ranked higher, rated 4.2/5) and the Apple AirPods Pro 1st Gen (ranked lower, rated 2.6/5). See every Apple AirPods Pro generation.
Pros: Sub-bass sits about 3 dB above the Harman target in hobbyist measurements on squig.link and still reaches 30 Hz with a slight lift, so bass lines and electronic drops carry real rumble. The response stays fairly even overall, with a 2.4 dB standard deviation from target and a gently warm tilt that suits warm and bassy tastes. Active noise cancelling, an IP57 rating that covers dust and immersion, and 8 hours per charge (24 with the case, ANC on) make it an easy everyday pair.
Cons: A 6.4 dB dip near 3.4 kHz pulls vocals and guitars back, while a 6.3 dB peak near 8 kHz and about 6 dB of extra air above 10 kHz can make cymbals and sibilance sound splashy. Codecs stop at SBC and AAC, and the Beats Fit Pro earns a slightly higher rating for less money.
Full Apple AirPods Pro 3 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes |
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (24 with case, ANC on, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | True wireless |
| Deviation From Target | 2.43 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 68 (median of 5 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| IP Rating | IP57 |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.58 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (5.55 g) per earbud |
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