Short answer: the Nothing Ear. It ranks #339 of 467 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $59; the Apple AirPods Pro 3 ranks #364, rated 3.5/5, and costs $199, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 is the tougher choice. 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 IP54 for the Nothing Ear. 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.
What the Nothing Ear does well: A smooth response in hobbyist measurements on squig.link, at a 1.8 dB standard deviation and a preference score of 71, with every band from 20 Hz to 10 kHz within about 2 dB of target. It supports LDAC Bluetooth, which the Apple AirPods Pro 3 lacks. Watch for: A 6.2 dB dip near 10.5 kHz trims some top end sparkle, and a 4.5 dB peak near 7.9 kHz can add a little edge to sibilance.
Buy the Nothing Ear. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Apple AirPods Pro 3 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Nothing Ear | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.00 | $59.00 |
| Ranked | #364 of 467 in In-Ear Headphones | #339 of 467 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 68 (median of 5 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 71 (median of 2 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.43 dB standard deviation | 1.76 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.58 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.15 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.7 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | True wireless | True wireless |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Weight | 0 lbs (5.55 g) per earbud | 0 lbs (4.62 g) per earbud |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (24 with case, ANC on, Manufacturer specified) | 8.5 hours (40.5 with case, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LHDC 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP57 | IP54 |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 11mm dynamic |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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 3: $199.00 TWS Amazon $199.00 eBay
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 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Nothing Ear: $59.00 TWS Amazon $59.00 eBay
Pros: A smooth response in hobbyist measurements on squig.link, at a 1.8 dB standard deviation and a preference score of 71, with every band from 20 Hz to 10 kHz within about 2 dB of target. A touch of extra low midrange warmth suits warm and bassy tastes without muddying the sound. LDAC and LHDC 5.0 support high bitrate streaming from compatible Android phones, and active noise cancelling, IP54 and 8.5 hours per charge (40.5 with the case) cover the rest.
Cons: A 6.2 dB dip near 10.5 kHz trims some top end sparkle, and a 4.5 dB peak near 7.9 kHz can add a little edge to sibilance. Its high bitrate codecs do nothing on iPhones, which stream over AAC.
Full Nothing Ear review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes |
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 8.5 hours (40.5 with case, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LHDC 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | True wireless |
| Deviation From Target | 1.76 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 11mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 71 (median of 2 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| IP Rating | IP54 |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.15 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (4.62 g) per earbud |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons