EarFun Free Pro 3 Review: The Most Feature-Packed Under-$100 Wireless Earbuds

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We’re well into the 2020s, and the market for true wireless earbuds is more expansive than ever. The past couple of years have been particularly eventful for buds in the under-$100 price category. Features that were previously reserved for pricier true wireless earbuds — from adjustable noise cancellation to audiophile-grade audio streaming — have trickled into impulse-buy territory, so buyers on a tight budget can be picky before upgrading.

I’ve been testing audio gear, especially headphones and earbuds, for over a decade, and my workflow includes a constant stream of incoming new products. The EarFun Free Pro 3 stood out in my rotation by offering a good balance between good design and ergonomics, stellar audio performance, and handy additional features like a water-resistant build and wireless charging-compatible case, all at a great price. The buds cost $80 before additional (and frequent) discounts, but most of the time, it costs just around $60 to snag a set.

With the above highlights in mind, I spent several weeks with the EarFun Free Pro 3 as my go-to wireless buds. Here’s a breakdown of their design, fit, and everyday performance.

SCORES

Sound: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10
Design: 9/10
Battery Performance: 8/10
Overall: 8/10

EarFun Free Pro 3 at a Glance

• Excellent audio performance for the money

• Lightweight and comfy

• IPX5 water- and sweat-resistant

• Up to 7.5 hours of battery life

Sound: 8/10

My most important takeaway about the overall sound quality of the EarFun Free Pro 3 is that the earbuds, while incredibly affordable, don’t sound cheap. Their out-of-the-box sound exceeded my toned-down expectations by presenting an audible harmony between robust bass, vibrant treble, and melodious mid-range.

I was pleasantly surprised by the detail-rich sound I experienced on the Free Pro 3 while streaming my go-to Tidal playlists for evaluating audio gear. As far as true wireless earbuds with double-digit price tags go, this is the most proficient set I have experienced yet. It’s important to note that the buds are a particularly great match for Android phones, thanks to Qualcomm SnapDragon Sound tech.

The sound customization tools available via the Earfun companion app were also abundant, ensuring you or the giftee can adjust the sonic experience depending on the content and your personal preferences. The available tools include quick-access presets for various music and content styles, as well as the option to save your own after creating them via a graphic equalizer.

The EarFun Free Pro 3's noise cancellation is satisfying and sufficient, given its price point. The buds significantly reduced the noise from my colleagues’ chatter, the clack of mechanical keyboards, and the neverending sounds of traffic underneath our third-floor office. After a firmware update, their companion app offers several modes for adjusting the functionality, though I didn’t notice much difference between them.

Once I put the Pro 3 on and played my music playlist for work, I had no trouble concentrating on the task at hand. That said, the earphones understandably couldn’t reach the complete silence generated by much pricier noise-canceling earbuds like the AirPods Pro, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, and the Sony WF-1000XM5. Their ambient mode also left a bit to be desired, but their low price made up for both shortcomings.

Calls sounded crisp and clear on the EarFun Free Pro 3. Participants heard me clearly, courtesy of three microphones built into each earbud. The Bluetooth 5.3 earphones also maintained a rock-solid and simultaneous link to an iPhone 15 Pro Max and a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra — I could toggle between the phones with the buds constantly on my ears. An app-activated gaming mode also ensured the Pro 3 sound was in perfect sync with the onscreen action during my gameplay sessions.

Comfort: 9/10

The Free Pro 3 earbuds are among the comfiest I have experienced in their price range and well beyond. Weighing only 4.5 grams apiece, they are lighter than the latest AirPods Pro — a comfort benchmark for noise-canceling in-ear headphones. Considering how much the buds cost, that’s an impressive feat.

I could spend hours wearing the buds without feeling fatigued. The Pro 3 also stayed in place while I exercised indoors and outside. Their retail package includes five sets of ear tips and three pairs of ear hooks, and it took me just a few minutes to find an optimal fit.

The buds’ touch controls worked well during my testing. I liked being able to customize them to avoid accidental inputs by tapping them once. The companion app offers an elaborate set of options for customizing each bud's single, double, and triple tap, and long press.

Design: 8/10

I like the pleasantly understated design of the EarFun Free Pro 3. The compact buds offer a more discreet fit than the numerous stem-toting offerings in this product category. The IPX5-rated earbuds are also suitable for exercising.

You can order a set in black, blue, and white with cool silver accents, each featuring a matching charging case. The minuscule bundled accessory is another design highlight that impressed me about the product. I could easily fit it in the small pocket of my jeans to keep the Pro 3 within reach.

Battery Performance: 8/10

The Free Pro 3's 6-hour maximum battery life with noise cancellation is excellent, considering how tiny the earbuds are. Switching off the feature extends their endurance to 7.5 hours between trips to the charging case. The buds’ real-life performance was in line with their maker’s claims, so I could spend most of my workdays without charging breaks.

Despite its tiny size, the charging case of the earphones is compatible with wireless charging — a feature that’s not available in many costlier competitors. It holds several additional chargers, so its battery capacity is also surprisingly ample.

Overall: 8/10

The EarFun Free Pro 3 earbuds are handily among the best for the money. With a sleek and durable design, top-notch comfort, and rich sound that’s easy to customize, the buds overdeliver for their under-$100 price, so I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to budget-conscious upgraders or tech gift shoppers. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more feature-rich set for the money.

Consider the maker’s similarly priced Air Pro 3 if you are looking for stem-toting wireless earbuds that won’t break the bank. This iteration has larger audio drivers and longer battery life that make up for their bulkier fit.

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