Editorrating 4.2 EarFun Air Pro 3 are well-rounded earbuds under $100 with natural sound and effective ANC. Commuters, students, and casual listeners will find many things to like, sportspeople will miss a more stable fit. EarFun Air Pro 3 true wireless earbuds are the new company’s flagship, replacing the year-old EarFun Air Pro 2. In comparison, they are an all-around improvement. While ditching some features (more on that later), you gain access to a companion app with many more possibilities. They boast the latest Bluetooth 5.3 and LC3 codec, ensuring better low energy (LE) audio quality while using less bandwidth. But let’s go step by step and answer the question of whether EarFun Air Pro 3 are worth buying or not. UPDATE 05/09/2023: We made a frequency response comparison between firmware versions 0.3.5 and 0.4.5. UPDATE 02/10/2023: We made a frequency response comparison between firmware versions 0.3.5/0.3.7 and added new custom EQ settings for ANC OFF and ON modes. UPDATE 02/16/2023: We made ANC, Ambient sound mode, and passive noise isolation measurements so you can better understand how earbuds perform in noisy situations. UPDATE 02/07/2024: We recalculated the passive isolation and ANC averages to better represent their actual performance. Price: We test and evaluate headphones using a standardized 9-point methodology. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Learn more. EarFun Air Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds, Qualcomm® aptX™ Adaptive Sound, 6 Mics CVC… EarFun Air Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds, Qualcomm® aptX™ Adaptive Sound, 6 Mics CVC… $79.99 in stock 2 new from $79.99 1 used from $74.00 as of April 17, 2024 7:05 pm Buy now Amazon.com Pros & Cons: Natural sound (after EQ) Comfortable & lightweight design Customization via companion app Bluetooth 5.3, LC3 codec, & multipoint Excellent battery life of over 8 hours per charge Effective active noise cancellation & ambient sound mode Not stable enough for sports activities Background hiss when in ANC mode Category ratings: Editorrating 4.2 By HeadphonesAddict Userratings 4.9 User Ratings: 9 Category Sound Comfort & Fit Durability Battery Features Noise Isolation Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Value Our rating 4.0 4.0 4.0 5.0 4.5 3.0 4.0 4.5 5.0 User rating 4.3 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 RATE THIS MODEL User Rating _._ No Rating 1.0 Bad 1.5 Meh 2.0 Acceptable 2.5 Average 3.0 Good 3.5 Almost great 4.0 Great 4.5 Almost Perfect 5.0 Fantastic User Rating _._ No Rating 1.0 Bad 1.5 Meh 2.0 Acceptable 2.5 Average 3.0 Good 3.5 Almost great 4.0 Great 4.5 Almost Perfect 5.0 Fantastic User Rating _._ No Rating 1.0 Bad 1.5 Meh 2.0 Acceptable 2.5 Average 3.0 Good 3.5 Almost great 4.0 Great 4.5 Almost Perfect 5.0 Fantastic User Rating _._ No Rating 1.0 Bad 1.5 Meh 2.0 Acceptable 2.5 Average 3.0 Good 3.5 Almost great 4.0 Great 4.5 Almost Perfect 5.0 Fantastic User Rating _._ No Rating 1.0 Bad 1.5 Meh 2.0 Acceptable 2.5 Average 3.0 Good 3.5 Almost great 4.0 Great 4.5 Almost Perfect 5.0 Fantastic User Rating _._ No Rating 1.0 Bad 1.5 Meh 2.0 Acceptable 2.5 Average 3.0 Good 3.5 Almost great 4.0 Great 4.5 Almost Perfect 5.0 Fantastic User Rating _._ No Rating 1.0 Bad 1.5 Meh 2.0 Acceptable 2.5 Average 3.0 Good 3.5 Almost great 4.0 Great 4.5 Almost Perfect 5.0 Fantastic User Rating _._ No Rating 1.0 Bad 1.5 Meh 2.0 Acceptable 2.5 Average 3.0 Good 3.5 Almost great 4.0 Great 4.5 Almost Perfect 5.0 Fantastic User Rating _._ No Rating 1.0 Bad 1.5 Meh 2.0 Acceptable 2.5 Average 3.0 Good 3.5 Almost great 4.0 Great 4.5 Almost Perfect 5.0 Fantastic CONTENTS (show more) EarFun Air Pro 3 related: Best budget wireless headphones Sound 4.0 Great In short: EarFun Air Pro 3, out of the box, have a muted, bassy sound that you can quickly fix with the EarFun Audio app. While they lack the airiness of more expensive models, they sound excellent for under $100. Here’s a video of EarFun Air Pro 3 audio sample. So, you can hear the difference between EarFun Air Pro 3 sound quality and neutral sound: EarFun Air Pro 3 sound comparison EarFun Air Pro 3 Sound Quality Test – HeadphonesAddict Learn how to understand sound comparisons. To nobody’s surprise, EarFun added a bass boost to their new Air Pro 3. However, compared to Air Pro 2 or Free Pro 2, they aren’t as boosted in the treble, making their sound slightly darker. Thankfully, like all “Pro” models, you get a technically well-performing driver. On top of that, you can drastically improve the sound quality using EQ inside the EarFun app. EarFun Air Pro 3 frequency response When using ANC, the latest firmware version 0.3.7 lowered the mid-bass but boosted everything else. Without ANC, the bass has dropped significantly with new firmware 0.3.7, but again you can see other frequencies boosted. The latest 0.4.5 firmware slightly improves the sound when using ANC. You can still use the same custom EQ below. Bass: Boosted but still controlled There is a clear difference between a sloppy bass performance (Antlion Kimura Solo) and a tight, controlled one. Fortunately, EarFun Air Pro 3 have the latter. Despite their boost, which is between 5dB to 8dB above the neutral target (depending on whether you use ANC), bass notes still feel nicely articulate and fast. Sure, the bass punch is on the thumpy rather than the tactile side. However, a non-demanding user will still enjoy bass guitar licks and fast drumming on rock or metal tracks. Thump comes in handy with electronic and pop music genres, reaching deep into the rumbly sub-bass. However, all this energy likes to spill into the midrange, making the sound warm and muffled at times. In ANC OFF mode, lowering the 63Hz for about -8dB inside the app helps prevent muddy sound without sacrificing the rumble or warmth. Midrange: Very natural (after EQ) While you don’t see many peaks and dips in the mids (with ANC OFF), it sounds recessed. Midrange on the EarFun Air Pro 3 can be a bit recessed, but you can wake it up using EQ in the app. Lowering the bass and adding some energy into high frequencies helps to wake up the mids. The sound gets slightly more dynamic and impactful while guitars start to reveal the gritty distortion that we all know and love. Treble: Decently detailed but lacks resolution This is where the technical performance of the 11mm wool composite driver inside EarFun Air Pro 3 starts to show its limitations. You will still get a well-rounded treble presentation with shimmery, textured cymbals. However, compared to more premium true wireless earbuds, the lack of airiness, clarity, and resolution is noticeable. That said, you will only notice that when listening somewhere quiet. When outdoors, with lots of ambient noises, the differences between the Air Pro 3 and premium buds become negligible. The six-band equalizer settings for EarFun Air Pro 3 without ANC (left) and with ANC (right). Shimmery treble makes for good imaging, with accurate instrumental placement around you. On the other hand, the soundstage is only okay. Nonetheless, it’s big enough to prevent the sound from feeling congested. EarFun Air Pro 3 desperately need equalization. But once you tweak all the settings, you’re holding one of the best-sounding true wireless earbuds under $100. See similar headphones: Top Bluetooth earbuds under $100 Budget noise cancelling headphones Comfort & Fit 4.0 Great EarFun Air Pro 3 have a familiar AirPods-style design that offers superb comfort. On the flip side, they’re only stable enough for regular use rather than workouts. The new Air Pro 3 share a similar design to the previous Air Pro 2. Or better yet, Apple AirPods Pro. Consequently, you can expect a comfortable wearing experience. There are zero sharp spots or edges that would poke into your ears. How do EarFun Air Pro 3 feel in the ears? You barely feel earbuds sitting in your ears. Consequently, it makes you want to readjust them because you think they aren’t sitting in there correctly. But they fit in just fine. And, eventually, you get used to the feeling. The ergonomically rounded shape and soft ear tips result in excellent comfort. How secure are they during physical activity? Regarding fit and security, earbuds can endure typical use cases like home listening, light walking, and commuting. On the other hand, they don’t feel secure enough to stay in during intense workouts. Even running will cause them to slip out of your ears slowly. Inside the case, you get 4 pairs of soft silicone ear tips (2 pairs less than with Air Pro 2) that are easily swappable. Unlike the ones from EarFun Free Pro 2, which tend to start tearing. Durability 4.0 Great EarFun Air Pro 3 don’t look like much, but they should survive everyday use. Thanks to an IPX5 rating, they will also survive heavy sweating. New EarFun Air Pro 3 are just as durable as any other true wireless earbuds. They’re lightweight and made of glossy plastic that’s put together from 3 different pieces. Seams appear well-glued together, so it’s impossible to break them by hand. The circle on top of the stem indicates the location of the touch controls. Earbuds are rated for an IPX5, meaning they can endure heavy sweating and even showering. However, submerging them will damage them permanently. As for the charging case, it’s more squarish than the previous model yet still relatively bulky. It will undoubtedly create bulk in your trousers. Furthermore, it’s fully plastic, with some soft rubber on the inner side of the lid to ensure earbuds don’t get scratched. While the hinge isn’t wobbly, it’s so thin it might be the first thing to break if you drop the case on the floor. Battery 5.0 Perfect EarFun Air Pro 3 lasted 8 hours and 13 minutes in our test, landing among the best true wireless earbuds with ANC for battery life. On top of that, they pack an extra 36 hours inside the case and support fast and Qi wireless charging. EarFun Air Pro 3 Battery Comparison With the new EarFun Air Pro 3 you get a better battery life than expected, lasting 1 hour more than advertised and much more than most true wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation on the market. In our test, at 50% volume, and with ANC enabled: The earbuds lasted 8 hours and 13 minutes before shutting off. That’s precisely 2 hours more than their predecessor and only 7 minutes away from matching the best earbuds in this category, Jabra Elite 7 Pro. Furthermore, you get all the features that make your life slightly easier. Like the support for Qi wireless charging. They can also do fast charging: Adding 2 hours of playtime in a 10-minute charge. Features 4.5 Almost Perfect EarFun Air Pro 3 earbuds have many well-performing features, from a companion app to clear call quality. The only thing they took away is a play/pause sensor. It’s nice to see well-working features in more affordable earbuds. The first page and all settings inside the EarFun app. EarFun Air Pro 3 aren’t the first to do that, but their features perform the best out of all in-ear alternatives under the $100 price range. The most notable addition is a companion app. You now have the option to update firmware, customize controls, and adjust the EQ. Everything that generally only premium earbuds can do. Inside the control customizer, you can individually select what a specific gesture (single, double, or triple taps and long presses) will do unlike some apps that only offer predetermined commands (looking at JBL and Sony). Control customizer inside the EarFun app. Moving forward, a custom 6-band equalizer offers decent freedom in how you want your buds to sound. It’s miles better than whatever JBL, Jaybird, or Sennheiser are offering. On the flip side, this time, you don’t get the proximity sensor for the automatic play/pause feature. But if it means you get all the other features instead, it is a worthy trade-off. Microphone Quality EarFun Air Pro 3 uses 6 microphones and the latest Qualcomm chip to maintain good call quality. EarFun Air Pro 3 Microphone Test Throughout phone calls, you remain understandable, without any clicks or background distortion usually present in wireless headphones. However, your voice comes through very thin. Again, not a significant issue, but those 6 microphones could’ve done slightly better. It seems like the ambient noise reduction is where the new chip proves its worth. The mic will keep your voice muffle-free, even when speaking next to a busy road. Overall, the Air Pro 3 are more than suitable for making quick phone and maybe video calls. But if you’re a businessperson, look elsewhere. It’s hard to see, but you get 2 mics near the ear tip, and one on the bottom of the stem. Noise Isolation 3.0 Good EarFun Air Pro 3 have a very gentle and shallow fit, so they pass through more outside noise than your average in-ear headphones. However, playing some music masks most of the external noise. Measured average noise isolation10,81 dBA EarFun earbuds aren’t the best when it comes to passive noise isolation. EarFun Air Pro 3 are no exception, as they are only average at blocking external sounds. Based on the blue target line, earbuds start to isolate only from 1kHz upwards. Because ear tips are wider, they might prevent themselves from going deeper into your ear canal. Consequently, they block less of what’s happening around you. Therefore, you have to play some music to fully mask outside distractions. Here’s a table of how effective is EarFun Air Pro 3’s passive noise isolation at blocking specific frequencies: FrequencyNoise reductiondB SPLNoise reductiondBA (A-weighted)90 Hz1,8 dB-18,8 dBA200 Hz2,2 dB-8,6 dBA400 Hz5 dB0,2 dBA600 Hz4,7 dB2,5 dBA1 kHz10,2 dB10,2 dBA2 kHz16,8 dB18 dBA4 kHz26,9 dB27,9 dBA6 kHz14,2 dB14,3 dBA10 kHz28 dB25,5 dBA15 kHz15,5 dB9,5 dBAAverage10,81 dBAA-weighted values from the International standard IEC 61672:2003 What about sound leakage? Sound leakage can only be problematic if you listen in a quiet room, like in a library. Otherwise, people on public transport should hear your music, even at higher volumes. Noise Cancelling 4.0 Great EarFun Air Pro 3 offer an excellent active noise cancellation performance, matching the best at their price range and getting close to premium models. Even transparency mode works excellently. Measured average noise cancellation18,38 dBA EarFun Air Pro 3 active noise cancelling test EarFun Air Pro 3 ANC Test – HeadphonesAddict The Air Pro 2 model already have excellent ANC for the price, but EarFun Air Pro 3 manage to go slightly further. Their active noise cancellation outperforms the Sony WF-1000XM4 (that cost $250) in cabin noise test. Meaning they eliminate low-frequency noises and some of the highs. A thick blue line represents ambient noise, with the red line showing the reduction of it when you enable ANC on EarFun Air Pro 3. On the other hand, Sony’s are still slightly better with higher frequencies, which was evident in the traffic noise test. As suggested by our ANC measurements below, EarFun’s new earbuds (red) beat Sony’s best TWS buds (green) in low frequencies right up to midrange, where they switch turns. This is outstanding performance for under $100. Moreover, their performance is almost identical to the Edifier W240TN, our recommendation for the best ANC earbuds under $100. Here’s the table with EarFun Air Pro 3 ANC test results: FrequencyNoise cancellationdB SPLNoise cancellationdBA (A-weighted)90 Hz29,1 dB8,5 dBA200 Hz42,8 dB32 dBA400 Hz34,6 dB29,8 dBA600 Hz20 dB17,8 dBA1 kHz12,7 dB12,7 dBA2 kHz15,2 dB16,4 dBA4 kHz26,9 dB27,9 dBA6 kHz14,9 dB15 dBA10 kHz27,5 dB25 dBA15 kHz13,2 dB7,2 dBAAverage18,38 dBAA-weighted values from the International standard IEC 61672:2003 Nonetheless, it depends on the situation, and we would happily use EarFun on our next trip. However, if you plan to use ANC somewhere quiet, you can hear some background hiss. EarFun Air Pro 3 have an impressive active noise cancelling performance for the price. How good is the ambient sound mode? The transparency mode on EarFun Air Pro 3 works very naturally. That means it doesn’t overly amplify the ambient sounds but keeps them at the same loudness as if you were to speak without earbuds. In that regard, they are very similar to the abovementioned Edifier, keeping the voices full. Rather than boosting and making them thin like on Sony’s. EarFun Air Pro 3 boost the entire midrange, which makes voices sound more natural and full. Bluetooth 4.5 Almost Perfect EarFun Air Pro 3 offer robust Bluetooth 5.3, the new LC3 codec, a Game Mode, and a stable connection. They even support multipoint but provide only an average connection range. So far, only a few wireless headphones have Bluetooth 5.3, the latest version of the Bluetooth standard. It should provide a more robust connection but not necessarily the longest. The latter is quite evident in EarFun Air Pro 3. In our indoor Bluetooth range test: Earbuds kept working right when we wanted to pass the second brick wall at the 40-feet mark. That range is in line with the earbud’s specifications, but others last much longer. To conserve energy, you can use each earbud independently in mono mode. How to pair EarFun Air Pro 3? When pairing for the first time, you unpeel the plastic on the connectors, put the buds in the case, and close and reopen the lid. You will see flashing blue LEDs on the buds, indicating the pairing process has been initiated. If you want to pair them to a second device, place them in the case and hold the button in the middle until you see LEDs on the buds flashing in blue. A button between the two earbuds is used to initiate the pairing process and reset the buds. Moreover, EarFun Air Pro 3 support multipoint. You can simultaneously connect them to two devices (your phone and a laptop), and earbuds will automatically switch to a device that plays audio. What Bluetooth Codecs Do They Use? With Bluetooth 5.3, LC3 has become a new standard Bluetooth codec for Bluetooth devices. It offers better LE audio quality at lower bandwidth, which also means the quality doesn’t deteriorate as much with range. Overall, EarFun Air Pro 3 earbuds have SBC, AAC, LC3, aptX, and aptX Adaptive. Strangely though, our Android smartphone doesn’t show that earbuds support SBC or AAC in the Developer options. However, without having one of those two codecs, these buds can’t work with iOS. So they must support it. Is There an Audio Lag? You shouldn’t see any lag when watching videos on YouTube or social media. In contrast, a noticeable lag occurs when you fire up a mobile game. Thankfully, earbuds come equipped with a low latency mode (Game Mode), reducing the lag to 55 milliseconds. Thanks to the Game Mode, you can use EarFun Air Pro 3 for competitive gaming. Should You Get EarFun Air Pro 3? 4.5 Almost Perfect If you’re looking for all-around useful and well-performing true wireless earbuds that don’t break the bank, EarFun Air Pro 3 should be on your shortlist. They are perfect for commuters, students, and people who seek natural-sounding tuning (after EQ) and good overall technical performance under $100. On the other hand, sportspeople might want to look elsewhere. Earbuds have everything but a secure fit. Although, if you usually wear AirPods 2 or AirPods 3 and don’t mind the fit, these may also work for you. EarFun Air Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds, Qualcomm® aptX™ Adaptive Sound, 6 Mics CVC… EarFun Air Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds, Qualcomm® aptX™ Adaptive Sound, 6 Mics CVC… $79.99 in stock 2 new from $79.99 1 used from $74.00 as of April 17, 2024 7:05 pm Buy now Amazon.com How do EarFun Air Pro 3 compare to the competition? EarFun have a slightly better sound quality (after EQ) than the competition. They boast excellent 8-hour battery life for ANC earbuds, beating most competitors. Active noise cancellation performance is better than most, or at least matched by the best in this price range. Earbuds have an IPX5 rating, about on par with similarly priced ANC earbuds. They’re equally as comfy as some of the comfiest competitors. But they’re easily beaten in stability for exercising. EarFun Air Pro 3 alternatives Edifier W240TN The W240TN have a similarly dynamic and fun sound but a worse treble extension, making it darker in comparison. Both earbuds are similarly comfy and lack a secure fit, and thread blows in active noise-canceling performance. However, Edifier buds have slightly worse battery life at 6 hours per charge and only support the SBC codec. Edifier W240TN review 1MORE Comfobuds Mini They have a pretty balanced sound (if you keep the ANC turned off) but are not as clear and natural as EarFun’s. Moreover, their ANC isn’t as strong in comparison, with the battery only lasting around 5.5 hours. However, they’re much comfier and stable, suitable for working out and even sleeping if you like to listen to white noise in your bed. 1MORE Comfobuds Mini review EarFun Air Pro 2 Previous-gen Air Pro 2 have a more distinct V-shaped sound signature than Air Pro 3, but you can’t tweak it due to the lack of app support. ANC is quite strong on both, with the new version having a slight edge. Both suffer from a small background noise when using the feature. Furthermore, Air Pro 2 lack customizability but has a proximity sensor. And cost $30 less than Air Pro 3. EarFun Air Pro 2 review What’s in the Box? EarFun Air Pro 3 true wireless earbuds Charging case USB-C charging cable 4 pairs of silicone ear tips (S, M, L, XL) User manual Swab for cleaning earbuds Specifications Type: True wireless Connection: Bluetooth 5.3 Back design: Closed-back Drivers: 11mm wool composite dynamic Frequency range: n/a Impedance: n/a Weight: 1.8 ounces (52 grams) with case Mic & Controls: Yes Water resistance: IPX5 Battery life: 8h + 36h in case Charging time: 1h – quick charge – USB-C & Qi charging Active noise cancelling: Yes Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, LC3 Wireless range: 40 feet (12.2 meters) Microphone: 6-mic array Peter SusicFrom a childhood fascination with sound, Peter’s passion has evolved into a relentless pursuit of the finest headphones. He’s an audio expert with over 5 years of experience in testing both audiophile and consumer-grade headphones. Quote: “After many years, I can confidently tell which headphones are good and which are terrible.” Find his honest opinion in his reviews.
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