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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) offer seamless integration with Apple devices and come with a slightly better overall sound quality. They are compact and lightweight, making them highly portable, and they support wireless charging for convenience. However, they are more expensive and have lower noise isolation and no sweatproof certification, limiting their use in noisy environments and during intense workouts. On the other hand, the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 are more affordable with a longer battery life and better build quality. These are stemless, sweatproof, and have a slightly better microphone, suited for calls and outdoor activities, but offer a somewhat lesser overall sound quality. If cost-effectiveness and versatility during exercise are priorities, and you can compromise slightly on sound quality, the Outlier Air V3 may be the better choice. If seamless device integration and a better sound experience are more important and you're willing to pay a premium, consider the Airpods. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods (2nd generation)
- The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has no clear advantages over the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3.
Advantages of the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Phone Calls
6.9
7.6
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is good for phone calls, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.1
8.9
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 and Apple Airpods (2nd generation) are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.5
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is only fair for noise reduction, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.
Battery
4.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has 4 hours of battery life. The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 has 10 hours of battery life.
Cost
$89
$30
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has a price of $89 and the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 costs $30.
Build Quality
7.6
9.0
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 has excellent build quality, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
5.8
5.7
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) and Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 are both poor for music.
Gaming
4.8
5.1
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 and Apple Airpods (2nd generation) are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.4
5.4
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) and Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 are both poor for TV and video.
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How the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) and the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods (2nd generation) | Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Creative Labs | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2019 | June 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 4.9/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.5/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.8/10 | 8/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 4 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.5 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | 40 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 6.8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.6/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 5.2 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods (2nd generation)
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Creative Labs Outlier Air V3
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Trusted Reviews
Kob Monney | July 2022
"The V3 present the best version of the Outlier Air series yet. The new features such as Active Noise Reduction and Ambient mode are integrated well; the performance of both is as good as you’ll get below £100. The design is less bulky and more comfortable thanks to being smaller and lighter, and the Outlier Air V3 eke out more clarity, detail and definition from music."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) or the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
About Creative Labs
Creative Labs is a Singaporean technology company specialized in the manufacture of multimedia products. They created the world-famous Soundblaster soundcard back in 1989 which was a staple of the gaming community for a long time. Nowadays, besides still marketing their discrete audio systems, they offer a wide array of headphones, gaming headsets and speakers that still preserve that same heritage.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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