Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods 3: which wireless earbuds are better? (2024)

Apple calls AirPods the "most popular wireless headphones in the world" for good reason: these little buds are everywhere. Chances are if you’ve got an Apple device, you’ve thought about getting a pair of AirPods (or already own one). But which AirPod is the right one for you? Because not only are there different models to choose from, but there are different generations, too.

The AirPods 3 are Apple’s standard wireless earbuds without any eartips or ANC, while the AirPods Pro 2 are Apple’s flagship active noise-cancelling (ANC) earbuds that feature swappable eartips, improved sound quality, advanced features and higher price tag.

Below you'll find everything you need to know to decide which pair of two different AirPods are right for you...

AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods 3: price

The Apple AirPods 3 originally retailed for £169 / $179 / AU$279 when they launched in 2021, and oddly, that price (regardless of charging case variant) has remained pretty fixed. In the UK it's even gone upwards to £179 (with occasional deals down to £149), while US buyers can find a pair for $140 or $170.

The flagship AirPods Pro 2 launched in 2022 at £249 / $249 / AU$399, and they dropped in the UK to £229 when the USB-C case replaced the Lightning connector case last year. The Pro 2nd generation buds have received far more tempting discounts recently and can be picked up now for £199 / $190 – which is pretty great value for a five-star flagship pair.

The AirPods 3 are technically the cheaper pair, but a substantial price slash has meant you might be getting more for your money with the slightly newer AirPods Pro 2, which offers more features, better chipset and fit. We can only hope that the successor to the AirPods 3 is better value too.

**Winner: AirPods 3*

AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods 3: design and comfort

The biggest difference between the AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro 2 is the use of eartips. Both AirPods have Apple's now-iconic stem-and-bud design, with the AirPods 3 featuring shorter stems than the older, long-stemmed AirPods 2.

The AirPods 3 don’t have swappable silicone tips like many earbuds do these days, which allow you to change depending on the size of your ears to get the most secure fit and best seal for sound. Instead, the AirPods 3 are a one-size-fits-all approach, which, in our experience, means they don't actually fit very well for everyone.

Meanwhile, the AirPods Pro 2 come with silicone eartips that you can change (there are four sizes) and we find these to be far more useful for finding not just the best fit, but for getting the best sound and ANC quality. A good seal means solid bass and better isolation from the outside world – two areas that the users of AirPods 3 have to compromise on.

Both AirPods are lightweight designs and are comfortable to wear. They operate in the same way too. The stems have a sensor where you can 'pinch' them to play, pause and skip tracks, take calls and, on the Pro 2, press longer to change ANC noise modes. Additionally, AirPods Pro 2 have a touch-capacitive layer on their stems that you can swipe up and down on to control volume, which is a pretty solid quality-of-life improvement, considering how responsive touch control is. The AirPods 3 don't feature on-bud volume controls.

The AirPods 3 have an IPX4 rating for sweat and water resistance, while the Pro 2 add dust resistance with an IP54 rating.

Both charging cases have MagSafe and Qi support for wireless charging. On top of this, the AirPods Pro 2 case is compatible with Apple Watch chargers, has a built-in speaker to emit tones, Precision Finding support for locating a lost case, and a built-in lanyard loop.

**Winner: AirPods Pro 2**

AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods 3: features

The advantage of Apple-made products is that they work seamlessly with iOS devices, which means both the AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro 2 are a breeze to use when connected to an iPhone, iPad or MacBook. They both benefit from quick pairing, support for Siri and automatic switching between devices in an Apple ecosystem.

The biggest difference is that the AirPods Pro 2 feature active noise-cancelling, while the AirPods 3 don't. The Pro 2 are powered by the latest H2 chip, which brings with it massive improvements to ANC, sound quality and battery life compared with the first-gen Pro model. There are optimised acoustic vents and repositioned mics that further aid the Pro 2's sound and ANC qualities, and the flagship model's ability to deliver effective noise-cancelling is vastly improved. With the new Pros, we found they were effective at eliminating background noise to a murmur with ANC on, whether that's the soft hush of background office chatter or the bass-heavy roar of an oncoming train.

Rival class leaders such as the Sony WF-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds push the ANC boundary even further, but we like the open, airy, organic feel of how the AirPods Pro 2 suppress environmental noises. A new adaptive audio feature constantly monitors outside noise to dynamically blend full ANC with Transparency Mode to find the best ANC level for you, and we find it's also effective at damping down sudden loud, harsh noises.

The AirPods 3 run on the older H1 chip, but are no slouches. Like the Pro 2, they also support Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos music tracks, along with dynamic headtracking. Adaptive EQ (that optimises sound quality), Audio Sharing (the ability to play audio simultaneously through two pairs of AirPods) and wear detection (which auto pauses when an AirPod is taken out of an ear) are all features you can enjoy on AirPods Pro 2 as well as AirPods 3. The AirPods Pro 2 include an additional Conversation Mode, which senses when you're speaking and lowers the volume of the music playing so you can have a quick chat. Neat.

All of these features are available provided you're using the AirPods with an iOS device; those with Android devices will miss out on some of these Apple-specific features, but both AirPods will still connect and play music as standard.

The AirPods 3 have great battery life, offering up to six hours on a single charge and increasing to 30 hours in total with the charging case. The AirPods Pro 2 match the AirPods 3’s battery life, offering up the same six and 30 hours respectively.

Of course, the AirPods Pro 2 manage this great battery life with noise-cancelling activated, making the battery life on the new Pros all the more impressive.

**Winner: AirPods Pro 2**

AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods 3: sound quality

The AirPods 3 sound good with a smooth, clear, detailed and tonally even sound. A new low-distortion driver in each bud allows for cleaner, clearer detail, and that tonal neutrality we've always liked in Apple's sound returns here.

We said in our review that they're "now slightly fuller in general, with a bolder bass and smoothed out top end sandwiching a lush midrange. That bottom end is more shapely and precise too, giving basslines a sharper kick and helping to will them along."

But the AirPods Pro 2 sound even better, with greater subtlety, dynamism, rhythmic capability, punch and drive delivering a far more musically satisfying experience. With new custom high-excursive drivers and high dynamic range amplifiers, coupled with the re-positioned vents, the Pro 2 offer a richer, more powerful and more open sound. They're the first in-ear Apple earbuds to receive a five-star rating, and they remain a satisfying, entertaining pair to listen to two years on.

We said in our review: "There’s a superb sense of drive. The AirPods Pro 2 are rhythmically agile and nimble, songs flow with an easy fluidity, and they communicate both high-energy tracks and ones that are more contemplative with ease." Plus they have a wonderful way with voices, sounding natural, nuanced and characterful, while "there are more layers and textures to dynamic shifts, keeping you hooked on a song." For a flagship pair, they're only bettered by the Sony WF-1000XM5 and Bose QC Ultra Earbuds at this price level.

If sound is your top priority, then the AirPods Pro 2 are the easy choice here.

**Winner: AirPods Pro 2**

AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods 3: the verdict

If you're a devout iOS user and don't care much about ANC, then the AirPods 3 are a solid option, giving you the latest features, slick operation and decent sound quality. The fit might not suit all, but spatial audio support and intuitive use with your iPhone will. However, they're still pretty pricey for a pair of wireless earbuds without ANC in today's uber-competitive market.

However, if you want the benefits of convincingly effective ANC, advanced features, better comfort and fit, and superior sound quality, then the AirPods Pro 2 are a no-brainer. With only £/$20-40 between the two models currently, stretching to the flagship pair doesn't feel like much of a stretch at all.

**Winner: AirPods Pro 2**

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