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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Choosing between the Apple Earpods and Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 depends on your needs. If you often have calls or meetings, the Earpods have better microphone quality. They're also wired, making them suitable if you're concerned about battery life but unsuitable for exercise. On the other hand, the Outlier Air V3 is wireless, has better build quality, and is sweatproof, making it better for use during exercise. It also supports wireless charging and has a longer battery life, which could be convenient. However, they may not be as comfortable for all users given their stemless, closed design compared to the open design of the Earpods. 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 Earpods
- Good for music
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.8
5.7
The Apple Earpods is good for music, while the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is poor.
Gaming
8.3
5.1
The Apple Earpods is very good for gaming, while the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.4
8.9
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Apple Earpods is good.
TV and Video
7.4
5.4
The Apple Earpods is good for TV and video, while the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.5
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is only fair for noise reduction, while the Apple Earpods is poor.
Battery
N/A
10.0 Hours
The Apple Earpods does not have a battery. The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 has 10 hours of battery life.
Cost
$20
$30
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The Apple Earpods has a price of $20 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 Earpods has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
8.0
7.6
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple Earpods to be very good for phone calls, while the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is good.
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How the Apple Earpods and the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Earpods | Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$20 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Creative Labs | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2012 | June 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.9/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.4/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 8/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 10 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 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 | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.3/10 | 6.8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.6/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6.5 Grams | 5.2 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | In-Line | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Earpods
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Dig into reviews and images
CNN Underscored
Michael Andronico | May 2023
"Apple’s wired buds sound just fine for the price, and their handy inline controls and clear microphone give them an edge on wireless earbuds that are much more expensive. Plus, you never have to worry about running out of battery — or worse, a stray earbud going missing."
Creative Labs Outlier Air V3
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Dig into reviews and images
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 Earpods 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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Why trust us
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.
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.
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