Ipersonally have run airpots, smartpots, and rootpots (the budget choice) in outdoor applications in the mid atlantic usa. I didn't like the airpots at all. First off they have perhaps 1/10000 the number of holes in them, which is very important. It is the air that creates the airpruning effect, so it stands to reason that if there are more holes for a root to grow out of, there is a much greater chance that the roots will grow out through a hole and become air-pruned. In addition, the hard plastic holes are easily clogged by tiny stones, mulch pieces, etc. With the fabric pot there is always an alternative path to air. Somebody mentioned the insect nesting effect that happens. So true! I had an ant colony in one of mine and when I emptied the pots I noticed all sorts of insect habitations built into the hard plastic holes. Indeed, these could be repackaged as antfarms no problem. Still, one must Keep in mind that I've only used these outdoor.
One last thing: the pot bottom on the airpots is slightly recessed, meaning your soil is separated from the floor of your room by a half inch or so, allowing air to flow under the pot. In outdoor aplications where I am, this is not as desirable as having the pot in close and intimate contact with the cool earth, like the fabric pots.
Unfortunately I never did a true sidebyside. I only tried the 8 gallon airpots alongside the 25 gallon smartpots.
Personally I like the rootpots the best. The price is right and they do the job.