Apple AirPods ProFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 39 mentions across 12 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment48%
PROS 48%
CONS 52%

Rank based on 39 mentions across 12 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want class-leading active noise cancellation
  • You prefer a punchier, bassier V-shaped sound signature
  • You want secure-fitting tips that stay in during workouts

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You loved the flatter, more natural Pro 2 sound signature
  • You need a built-in, easily accessible EQ without digging into settings
  • You have ears that didn't suit the redesigned tip shape

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choiceBest value
1Budget
EarFun Free
Strong bass and sound qualityGreat value for priceComfortable, secure, low-profile fit
EarFun Free
Strong bass and sound quality
Great value for price
Comfortable, secure, low-profile fit
2Mid
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
3Premium
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
4Premium
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
5Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
6Premium
Lewitt MTP W950
Studio-quality vocal soundMinimal monitor and drum bleedTrusted for regular gig useDistracting large logoHigh price tag
Lewitt MTP W950
Studio-quality vocal sound
Minimal monitor and drum bleed
Trusted for regular gig use
Distracting large logo
High price tag
7Mid
Wharfedale Denton 85
Warm, non-fatiguing soundStrong bass without needing a subwooferExcellent build quality and finishCan be overwhelming at higher volumes in smaller roomsLess precise detail retrieval than pricier speakersPlacement-sensitive for best imaging
Wharfedale Denton 85
Warm, non-fatiguing sound
Strong bass without needing a subwoofer
Excellent build quality and finish
Can be overwhelming at higher volumes in smaller rooms
Less precise detail retrieval than pricier speakers
Placement-sensitive for best imaging
8Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
9Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
10Premium
Sennheiser MKH 8040
High Owner SatisfactionExceptional Sound ClarityGreat for Field RecordingHigh PriceNot Omnidirectional / More MuffledUltrasonic Self-Noise & Wind Rumble
Sennheiser MKH 8040
High Owner Satisfaction
Exceptional Sound Clarity
Great for Field Recording
High Price
Not Omnidirectional / More Muffled
Ultrasonic Self-Noise & Wind Rumble
You are here
31Premium
Apple AirPods Pro
Accessibility EQ workaround improves soundPerceived sound upgrade for many listenersConvenient system-wide mic input switchingNo built-in adjustable EQWorse or less natural sound signatureConfusing mic menu and settings placement
Apple AirPods Pro
Accessibility EQ workaround improves sound
Perceived sound upgrade for many listeners
Convenient system-wide mic input switching
No built-in adjustable EQ
Worse or less natural sound signature
Confusing mic menu and settings placement

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

The new sound tuning divides listeners sharply. Some commenters are furious that Apple changed the sound signature from the 'fantastic and natural' Pro 2 to a bass-heavy, treble-boosted V-curve, arguing it hurts vocal clarity and overall balance. Others strongly disagree, saying the Pro 3 fixed the Pro 2's 'too flat bass' and sounds noticeably better, with deeper bass and improved highs. The disagreement seems tied to fit, ear shape, and personal preference for V-curve tunings common in modern earbuds.

A hidden accessibility setting can rescue the sound for unhappy users. Multiple commenters independently discovered that enabling 'Headphone Accommodations' under Accessibility > Audio & Visual, using a Balanced Tone or adjusting 'boost soft sounds', significantly improves the out-of-box sound, making it 'sound alive like the Pro 2s did.' This suggests much of the criticized tuning is adjustable, but only through a setting many reviewers and buyers don't know exists, since there's no built-in graphic EQ in the Music or Settings app.

Fit, ANC, and physical design earn consistent praise. Users report the new ear tips create a better seal and stay in place during workouts, and the earbuds now snap satisfyingly into the case, addressing a past frustration with dead or disconnected buds. ANC is called 'incredible,' with one listener describing it completely cutting out ambient music in a waiting room. However, the redesigned shape didn't work for everyone; at least one user returned the Pro 3 for a Pro 2 due to comfort issues despite trying multiple tip sizes.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?