EarFun Free Pro 3 review

We’ve long been impressed by EarFun’s affordable audio offerings, and consider the company’s Air and Air Pro 3 entries to be two of the best budget earbuds currently available. Now, we’re putting their latest feature-heavy buds to the test: the Free Pro 3.

This new release boasts high-end specs such as active noise cancellation, Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint technology, customizable sound settings, hi-fi audio support and wireless charging. Not everything performs up to par, though that’s kind of expected from a pair of $79 buds. Still, there’s much to appreciate about these affordable noise-cancellers, specifically when it comes to their audio performance.

Here’s my full breakdown of the EarFun Free Pro 3.

EarFun did not skimp on specs. For starters, you’re getting the brand’s QuietSmart 2.0 Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation, which also includes ambient listening and wind reduction modes (more on performance later). Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive codec produces smooth streaming and reveals more details on music tracks. A new six-mic array is introduced to raise vocal clarity on calls and when using voice assistance. Multipoint technology is onboard to pair the buds with two devices simultaneously. There’s a Game Mode that reduces latency when playing mobile games and watching video content. You can even prioritize connectivity based on audio quality or wireless stability. Other cool features include an EQ for sound personalization, firmware updates, full media controls and a Find Headphones mode. That is a lot to play with.

How the design team stuffed all that functionality into such a small and sleek frame is amazing. Each earbud is covered in sturdy plastic with a matte finish and silver accents that create a nice shimmer effect when exposed to light. The wing tips mold to the inner parts of your ear for optimal fit. IPX5 certification grants sweat and water resistance as well.

As attractive as the buds look, the charging case is sexier. It’s about the size of a standard rubber eraser, so it’s incredibly compact and pocket-friendly. Opening the lid displays the buds handsomely in their docking stations. Build quality isn’t anything to write home about, but it’s durable enough to withstand a fall onto concrete.

One area where EarFun continues to improve is audio. The Free Pro 3 come with 7mm wool composite drivers and a more polished sound profile than previous entries. Sound can be customized in the Ear Audio app by adjusting frequency levels to create your own profile or choosing from 10 surprisingly effective EQs.

The monstrous bassline on Jon Batiste’s “Freedom” amplified the record’s upbeat production and rattled my eardrums without distorting the soundstage. Batiste’s pitch range was on full display and sounded terrific, from the full-bodied low midrange to his smooth falsetto. Horns were blaringly vibrant. Even the light tambourine taps were transparent. The melancholic “Porcelain – Reprise Version” by Moby made for a more impressive listen. Instrumental separation was outstanding with every brass and string instrument reproduced extremely well. The buds also demonstrated superb reverberation that serenely decayed with every note.

AptX Adaptive adds to the Free Pro 3’s value. The codec brings hi-res Bluetooth playback to Android devices by dynamically scaling the data rate from 279 kbps to 420 kbps. Sound is clearer and more detailed with minimal latency. Game Mode can help reduce some lag when Bluetooth 5.3 acts up during YouTube streams.

These tiny buds can hold a charge between 6 to 7.5 hours, depending how you use them. ANC accounts for the low end, while turning off the feature extends playtime. These ratings are pretty accurate. I enjoyed two days of moderate use (about three hours a day) before recharging. A 10-minute quick charge provided 2 hours of listening time. The wireless charging case also holds up to 33 hours of additional battery life.

EarFun’s hybrid active noise cancellation (ANC) technology has been serviceable on past releases. Why it performs so poorly on the Free Pro 3 is unexplainable. I was shocked by how much noise entered the soundscape when sitting on my balcony and walking outside.

Construction and landscaping tools overwhelmed my hearing, along with high-frequency sounds like bird chirping and sirens. The breeze also affected listening and produced harsh sounds. Enabling the Wind Noise Canceling mode (EarFun Audio > Settings > Mode Switching) did nothing. It didn’t offer much silence in my apartment either. My 2-year-old’s cries and wife’s speakerphone chats caught my attention from two rooms away.

On a positive note, Ambient Sound was acceptable for boosting environmental awareness and listening out for people calling my name.

I encountered a few wireless issues when using the buds with my MacBook Pro. The Free Pro 3 required several attempts to pair with my laptop. Keeping the buds in the case while enabling pairing mode did the trick. Once connected, there was noticeable dropout that occurred every 2 minutes when streaming music online, though it seemed to only occur in multipoint mode.

At $79 (and currently as low as $56 after coupons), the Free Pro 3 are a steal for those seeking excellent audio quality and strong features in a stylish design. EarFun’s sound profile combined with aptX Adaptive, and some solid EQ options, makes music more engaging on mobile devices. The spec sheet is longer and stronger than most mid-rangers and flagships, and fitting all that tech into such a tiny frame with water-resistant protection speaks to EarFun’s underrated craftsmanship.

Not everything performs well. Upscale features like ANC and multipoint are some of the worst I’ve tested in the category. Call quality is also another area that needs enhancing; the mics let in too much ambient noise and there’s a lot of muffling.

Nonetheless, these inexpensive buds are a nice holiday stocking stuffer and a sonic upgrade for Android users.