Apple AirPods Pro 3
Our verdict · The easiest win for anyone in the Apple ecosystem: pocketable, seamless and now noticeably tougher and longer-lasting.
Buy it if
He already uses an iPhone and wants pocketable earbuds for workouts, commuting and calls.
Skip it if
He's an Android user, or wants the fullest sound and EQ control of a premium over-ear set.
Where to get it
Apple AirPods Pro 3
£219
Indicative price at the time of review.
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If he has an iPhone, the AirPods Pro 3 are the most frictionless gift here: instant pairing, hands-free Siri and seamless switching between his Apple devices. Launched in September 2025 at £219, they upgrade the previous generation with an IP57 dust and water resistance rating (up from IP54), up to 8 hours of playback with noise cancelling on, and a heart-rate sensor Apple has added for workouts. They rank below the Sony set for outright sound and feature customisation, but they win on portability and convenience, and they are noticeably cheaper. The honest trade-off is ecosystem lock-in: the best features lean on an iPhone, so for an Android user a set like Sony's own earbuds is a better buy. Choose these for a partner who lives on his phone and wants earbuds for the commute, the gym and calls in one.
The good & the bad
Pros
- Effortless pairing and switching across Apple devices
- IP57 dust/water rating and up to 8 hrs ANC playback, per Apple
- Added heart-rate sensing makes them useful for workouts
Cons
- Best features rely on an iPhone; less compelling for Android users
- Small in-ear form isn't for everyone versus over-ears
How it compares
| Pick | WATTB Score | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.Sony WH-1000XM6 Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones | 92/100 | From £349 (RRP £399) | overall |
| 2.Apple AirPods Pro 3This pick | 90/100 | £219 | iPhone owners |
| 3.Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024, 12th generation) | 88/100 | From around £130 (RRP £159.99) | book lovers |
| 4.LEGO Technic McLaren MCL39 F1 Car (42228) | 86/100 | £199.99 | F1 fans and builders |
| 5.Glenfiddich 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (70cl) | 87/100 | ~£35–£40 (indicative) | affordable classic |
Good to know
- Price
- £219
- Type
- In-ear wireless, active noise cancelling
- Chip
- Apple H2
- Battery
- Up to 8 hrs (ANC on)
- Durability
- IP57 dust and water resistance
- Extras
- Heart-rate sensing, Adaptive Audio
Researched by WATTB
- Published
- 13 September 2026
- Updated
- 13 September 2026
- Last verified
- 13 September 2026
- Sources
- 8 sources
We research and rank options from public data, official information and published reviews. How we research →
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