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Finally: an AirPod that stays in your ear while running

The new Apple AirPods 3 is Apple's best-fitting Bluetooth earbud to date

Photo by: Apple Canada

Like many runners, I was excited to try the original AirPods when they came out in 2016. What a relief not to get tangled up in wires and cords while listening and running. I tried them on a few runs, but found they irritated my ears (when they weren’t falling out). I had no better luck with AirPods Pro. But when it comes to fit, sound quality and battery life, the new AirPods 3 are fantastic. 

Photo: Apple Canada

The fit

The hard plastic headphones are one-size-fits-all, like the original AirPods, but more contoured and a slightly different shape, which certainly worked better for my ears, and those who couldn’t get used to the original AirPods will find the design and comfort significantly improved. The new headphones still protect against sweat and rain.

 

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The sound

Apple’s new “spatial audio” feature in AirPods 3 provides a greatly enhanced sound experience, with a prominent bass, helping you stay immersed in your favourite music and providing great motivation while running.

 

Photo: Apple Canada

The battery life

AirPods 3 provide up to six hours of continuous listening time, and in-case charging adds an additional 30 hours of battery life – an hour more than both the second-generation AirPods and AirPods Pro.

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The verdict

The updated AirPods won’t fall out, and yes, they are finally comfortable. I took these pods on a five-mile run and had no issues. If you are looking for an everyday headphone that can do it all, AirPods 3 is the way to go for its solid sound, above-average battery life and, my favourite feature, its comfortable, secure fit.

The AirPods 3 are available for (CAD) $239 and can be ordered from apple.com/ca/store and in the Apple Store app.

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