Apple
Apple AirPods Pro 3
$249
Released 2025-09
Best Wireless Earbuds · head-to-head
Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Nothing Ear (2024)
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Nothing Ear (2024) is cheaper at $149. Every spec and price links to its source.
Nothing
Nothing Ear (2024)
$149Cheaper
Released 2024-04
Which is better: the Apple AirPods Pro 3 or Nothing Ear (2024)?
The Nothing Ear (2024) wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The Nothing Ear (2024) is the cheaper at $149. The Nothing Ear (2024) both leads on specs and costs less — the straightforward pick.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Nothing Ear (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $249 | $149 |
| Brand | Apple | Nothing |
| Released | 2025-09 | 2024-04 |
| ANC | Yes | Yes |
| Driver (mm) | — | 11 |
| Battery buds hr | 8 | 5 |
| Battery case hr | 24 | 24 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| IP rating | IP57 | IP54 |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LHDC 5.0 |
| Weight per bud (g) | 5.55 | 4.6 |
| Release | 2025-09 | 2024-04 |
Sources — Apple AirPods Pro 3: apple.com (verified 2026-06-15). Nothing Ear (2024): us.nothing.tech (verified 2026-06-15).
What's the difference between the Apple AirPods Pro 3 and Nothing Ear (2024)?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (4 of 9). Matching specs are omitted.
- Battery buds hr: Apple AirPods Pro 3 8 vs Nothing Ear (2024) 5
- IP rating: Apple AirPods Pro 3 IP57 vs Nothing Ear (2024) IP54
- Codecs: Apple AirPods Pro 3 SBC, AAC vs Nothing Ear (2024) SBC, AAC, LDAC, LHDC 5.0
- Weight per bud (g): Apple AirPods Pro 3 5.55 vs Nothing Ear (2024) 4.6
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Apple AirPods Pro 3
The AirPods Pro 3 set a new bar for in-ear noise cancellation. SoundGuys measured ~90% noise reduction (about 40 dB), the best they have ever tested in earbuds, beating Sony's WF-1000XM5 and Bose's QC Ultra, plus a big battery jump to 8h42m with ANC. Main gripes: no EQ, weak Android support. (2 sourced reviews, 2 lab-tested.)
Praised: Class-leading, best-ever-measured ANC (~90% / ~40 dB noise reduction); Long battery life with ANC on (8h 42min, 24h with case); Durable IP57 rating and improved, more secure fit.
Flagged: No EQ / equalizer controls; Poor Android support; limited codecs (SBC/AAC only, no aptX/LDAC); Live Translation still in beta and unrefined.
Nothing Ear (2024)
No sourced tester review yet.