A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Airpods (3rd generation)
Company ProductName Specs




Outlier Pro
Company ProductName Specs




What we think

Chevron down
PerfectRec Logo
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·

If you're looking for earbuds that integrate seamlessly with Apple devices and you value convenience such as quick pairing and hands-free Siri, the Apple AirPods (3rd generation) are a great choice despite the higher cost. On the other hand, if budget is a concern and you want features such as longer battery life or active noise cancelling, which Apple's 3rd generation AirPods do not offer, consider the Creative Labs Outlier Pro. Keep in mind that the Outlier Pro may not offer the same level of integration with Apple devices as 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 (3rd generation)
  • Good for music
Advantages of the Creative Labs Outlier Pro
  • Very good for phone calls
  • Very good for exercise

Key differences

Chevron down

Music

7.1
Airpods (3rd generation)
Outlier Pro
5.9
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is good for music, while the Creative Labs Outlier Pro is poor.

Phone Calls

7.6
Airpods (3rd generation)
Outlier Pro
8.3
The Creative Labs Outlier Pro is very good for phone calls, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is good.

Noise Reduction

2.5
Airpods (3rd generation)
Outlier Pro
8.3
The Creative Labs Outlier Pro is very good for noise reduction, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.

Battery

6.0 Hours
Airpods (3rd generation)
Outlier Pro
10.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has 6 hours of battery life. The Creative Labs Outlier Pro has 10 hours of battery life.

Cost

$179
Airpods (3rd generation)
Outlier Pro
$50
Product image
Product image

$0

$50

$100

$150

$200

$250

The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has a price of $179 and the Creative Labs Outlier Pro costs $50.
Image of Earbuds & Headphones
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones

Key similarities

Chevron down

Gaming

5.4
Airpods (3rd generation)
Outlier Pro
5.3
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and Creative Labs Outlier Pro are both poor for gaming.

Podcasts and Audiobooks

8.6
Airpods (3rd generation)
Outlier Pro
8.9
The Creative Labs Outlier Pro and Apple Airpods (3rd generation) are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks.

TV and Video

5.5
Airpods (3rd generation)
Outlier Pro
5.5
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and Creative Labs Outlier Pro are both poor for TV and video.

Build Quality

9.0
Airpods (3rd generation)
Outlier Pro
9.0
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and Creative Labs Outlier Pro both have excellent build quality.

Give feedback

We’re constantly working to improve.

How the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and the Creative Labs Outlier Pro compare to other earbuds and headphones

Chevron down

Spec Comparison

Chevron down
Apple Airpods (3rd generation)Creative Labs Outlier Pro
Apple Airpods (3rd generation)Creative Labs Outlier Pro

GENERAL

Price
$179
$50
Brand
AppleCreative Labs
Release Date
October 1, 2021April 1, 2022
Form Factor
EarbudsEarbuds
Connectivity
WirelessWireless

SOUND

Music Score
7.2/105.9/10
Phone Calls Score
7.6/108.3/10
Gaming Score
5.4/105.4/10
TV and Video Score
5.6/105.6/10
Exercise Score
7.2/108/10

PERFORMANCE

Battery life
6 Hours10 Hours
Wireless charging
YesYes
Charging time
1.5 Hours1.5 Hours
Bluetooth version
55.2
Case Battery Life
3045

FEATURES

Active Noise Cancelling
NoYes
Noise Reduction Score
2.5/108.4/10
Virtual Surround
YesNo
Android App
NoYes
iOS App
YesYes
Mic Quality
7/108/10

BUILD AND DESIGN

Build Quality
9/109/10
Comfort score
7/107/10
Size
MediumLarge
Weight (headset or single earbud)
4.3 Grams7.2 Grams
Microphone style
IntegratedIntegrated

Shopping

Chevron down

Apple Airpods (3rd generation)

See more

Dig into reviews and images

Sound Guys

Lily Katz, Christian Thomas | February 2023
"The Apple AirPods improves upon the 2019 model with its more ergonomic, yet unsealed, fit, water-resistant build, MagSafe charging case, and advanced software features. You can enjoy a wholly immersive movie experience with the new AirPods' spatial audio with head tracking, and enjoy HD audio during FaceTime calls. Of course, most of these features are limited to Apple hardware."

Creative Labs Outlier Pro

See more

Dig into reviews and images

Forbes

Brad Moon | September 2022
"If you listen to music for extended periods such as commuting and work, and you hate having to pause to charge, give the Creative Outlier Pro wireless earbuds a try. You should be able to enjoy your tunes all day, or longer, without interruption."

Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) or the Creative Labs Outlier Pro

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.

Give feedback

We're constantly perfecting our model

Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in

Chevron down

FAQs

Chevron down

FAQs about earbuds and headphones

Questions about PerfectRec >

Why trust us

Chevron down
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.

By the numbers

108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
123,200
Recommendations made
18,480
Consumer hours saved

About the Earbuds or Headphones team

Joe Golden, Ph.D

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.

Jason Lew

Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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.

Chandradeep Chowdhury

Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.

Luis Torres

Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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.

Featured in

Color LTT LogoGeekwire logo9to5 Mac logoPhone Arena LogoColor Daring Fireball logo