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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're considering Apple AirPods (3rd generation), you're likely looking for wireless convenience, easy pairing with Apple devices, and a compact form. They're great for on-the-go use, offering open-ear design for ambient awareness, but provide less sound isolation. The Sennheiser HD 250BT headphones, on the other hand, will offer a more secure over-ear fit and potentially better sound quality and battery life at a lower price, but they are bulkier, making them less portable. If you prioritize sound isolation and are budget-conscious, Sennheiser may be the better choice. However, if you prefer seamless integration with Apple products and the convenience of an in-ear design, the AirPods might be worth the extra cost. Keep in mind that AirPods are more suitable for casual listening, whereas Sennheiser headphones could be better for immersive experiences like high-fidelity music or gaming, despite the difference in connectivity latency. 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
- Good for exercise
Advantages of the Sennheiser HD 250BT
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.1
6.5
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is good for music, while the Sennheiser HD 250BT is only fair.
Gaming
5.4
8.8
The Sennheiser HD 250BT is very good for gaming, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
TV and Video
5.5
8.4
The Sennheiser HD 250BT is very good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.0
The Sennheiser HD 250BT is only fair for noise reduction, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Battery
6.0 Hours
25.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has 6 hours of battery life. The Sennheiser HD 250BT has 25 hours of battery life.
Cost
$179
$66
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has a price of $179 and the Sennheiser HD 250BT costs $66.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
7.6
7.2
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and Sennheiser HD 250BT are both good for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.6
8.1
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and Sennheiser HD 250BT are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and Sennheiser HD 250BT both have excellent build quality.
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How the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and the Sennheiser HD 250BT compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods (3rd generation) | Sennheiser HD 250BT |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$179 | $66 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | May 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.2/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 8.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.2/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | 25 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 30 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.3 Grams | 125 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods (3rd generation)
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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."
Sennheiser HD 250BT
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphone Check
Pete Scholßnagel | 2020
"As a lightweight, robust audio provider with a long battery life, the Sennheiser HD 250BT offer a lot for their price: very good Bluetooth codecs, an app connection and an extremely understated design. These headphones may not be among the most comfortable, but they deliver adequate sound – without overdriving or distortion."
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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 Sennheiser
A family-owned company, Sennheiser is a German, high fidelity, audio equipment manufacturer founded in 1945. Their consumer audio division is now owned by the Swiss hearing aid and cochlear implant manufacturer Sonova. Sennheiser offers a wide variety of, very high quality, audio equipment solutions, from headphones to earbuds, full sets of monitoring speakers, amplifiers and microphones. They also make what is widely regarded as the best, and most expensive, headphones in existence, the HE-1 Orpheus, costing a whopping $59,000 dollars.
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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
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.
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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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