Here’s how the new AirPods Pro compare to the rest of Apple’s AirPods lineup

Image: Apple

At its "Far Out" event on Wednesday, Apple introduced a new pair of AirPods Pro along with the upcoming iPhone 14 and Apple Watch Ultra. The second-gen AirPods Pro will come with a new H2 chip that Apple claims will cancel up to twice as much noise as its predecessor, as well as a number of other features.

The official lineup includes the second-gen AirPods, the third-gen AirPods, the second-gen AirPods Pro, and the AirPods Max. You can still buy the first-gen AirPods Pro from a number of retailers, despite Apple no longer selling them.

The second-gen AirPods Pro offer a number of improvements over their predecessors, but are they worth the cost? That is a difficult question to answer with such a wide range of prices. We compared each model to help you make a decision. We haven't reviewed the new AirPods Pro yet, but we have published our initial hands-on take on the earbuds, which you can check out here.

Specification	AirPods (second-gen)	AirPods (third-gen)	AirPods Pro (first-gen)	AirPods Pro (second-gen)	AirPods Max
Specification	AirPods (second-gen)	AirPods (third-gen)	AirPods Pro (first-gen)	AirPods Pro (second-gen)	AirPods Max
Active noise canceling / reduction	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Transparency mode	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.0	Bluetooth 5.0	Bluetooth 5.0	Bluetooth 5.3	Bluetooth 5.0
Earbud size (mm)	40.5 x 16.5 x 18.0	30.8 x 18.3 x 19.2	30.9 x 21.8 x 24	30.9 x 21.8 x 24	187.3 x 168.6 x 83.4
Case size (mm)	53.5 x 44.3 x 21.3	46.4 x 54.4 x 21.4	45.2 x 60.6 x 21.7	45.2 x 60.6 x 21.7	134.5
Earbud weight (grams)	4	4.28	5.4	5.3	384.8
Case weight (grams)	38.2	37.91	45.6	50.8	134.5
Battery (earbud)	Up to 5 hours	Up to 6 hours	Up to 4.5 hours	Up to 6 hours	Up to 20 hours
Battery (case)	More than 24 hours	Up to 30 hours	More than 24 hours	Up to 30 hours	N/A
Water resistance earbuds	No	IPX4	IPX4	IPX4	No
Water resistance charging case	No	IPX4	IPX4	IPX4	No
Wired charging	Yes, via Lightning	Yes, via Lightning	Lightning connector	Yes, via Lightning	Yes, via Lightning
Wireless charging	No	Yes, via Qi-certified or MagSafe chargers	Yes, via Qi-certified or MagSafe chargers	Yes, via Qi-certified or MagSafe chargers	No
Included charging cable	Lightning to USB-A	Lightning to USB-C	Lightning to USB-C	Lightning to USB-C	Lightning to USB-C
Price	$129 (usually on sale for $99)	179 (usually on sale for $149.99-$169.99)	$249 (usually on sale for $179)	$249	549 (usually on sale for $479)
Custom chips	Apple H1	Apple H1	Apple H1	Apple H2	Apple H1
Availability	Available now	Available now	Available now	Available for preorder	Available now

Design and build quality

All of the AirPods in Apple's current lineup are in- ear wireless earbuds. The third-gen model and both generations of the AirPods Pro have shorter stems than the second-gen model. Look at the first and second-gen AirPods Pro if you want a good fit. Only the second-gen AirPods Pro have the extra-small size of the replaceable ear tips. If you intend to use the earbuds during intense workout sessions, it may be wise to avoid the second-gen ones as they don't have any sweat and water resistance.

The AirPods Max are a large pair of over- ear headphones that have a curved mesh headband. They are the heavy and biggest in the lineup. You can get the Max in silver, space grey, blue, pink, and green, as well as the earbuds in white.

Charging cases (MagSafe, Lightning, etc.)

The wired charging case and MagSafe compatible model of the earbuds are available from Apple. The MagSafe charging cases are compatible with Apple's MagSafe technology.

The second-gen AirPods with the Lightning Charging Case only give you up to 24 hours of listening time, which is less than the other cases. The Lighting Charging Case is not sweat or water resistant. If you can afford it, you can buy the third-gen AirPods with either a MagSafe Charging Case or a Lightning Charging Case.

Image: Apple

It is hard to find the first-gen AirPods Pro in stock. The case for the newer model of the AirPods has a built-in speaker and Find My support, which makes it easier to keep an eye on it, compared to the older model. You can attach the case to a lanyard with the built in loop.

The smart case for the AirPods Max is designed to preserve battery life by putting the headphones into a very low power state. Apple's Smart Case does a poor job of protecting your headphones, which is why it is not really great. The ear cups are easy to scratch because the case has too many slit. The MagSafe Charging Case is water resistant.

Noise cancellation, spatial audio, and other features

All of Apple's AirPods do a great job when it comes to sound quality, with the exception of the second-gen AirPods Pro, which we haven't tested yet. Some of the features offered by each model make for a better listening experience.

If you are looking for a pair of noise-canceling earbuds, you should check out the AirPods Max or the newer version of the AirPods Pro. Active noise cancellation Silences background noise so you can better focus on what you're listening to They have a transparency mode that allows you to hear ambient sounds around you while listening to music.

Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

Chips are where they differ. The first-gen AirPods Pro is powered by Apple's H1 chip, while the second-gen is powered by Apple's H2 chip. The second-gen AirPods Pro have an improved adaptive transparency mode that should help reduce harsh noises and improve acoustics. We haven't tested Apple's claim that the new AirPods Pro can cancel more noise than the first-gen AirPods Pro.

Image: Apple

The exception of the entry-level AirPods are personalized spatial audio support with dynamic head tracking. The second-gen model lacks the theater-like sound quality of the newer models. The second-gen model doesn't have adaptive EQ, which adjusts output based on your ear shape, and custom high-excursion Apple drivers. A custom high dynamic range amplifier is included in all but the AirPods Max.

The third-gen AirPods and second-gen AirPods Pro don't have dual optical sensors that help detect when they're in. The newer models use a skin detection sensor to determine whether or not your AirPods should play or pause audio.

Microphones

There are two beamforming mics in each ear cup that should help you focus on your voice. Unlike the other earbuds, the second-gen AirPods don't have inward-facing microphones so they can't hear inside of your ear. Nine microphones are used for active noise cancellation and three for voice pickup in the AirPods Max.

Battery life

The AirPods Max have the best battery life. Up to 20 hours of listening time is offered on a single charge with active noise cancellation or transparency mode. Up to 20 hours of video can be played on a single charge with spatial audio. Around 1.5 hours of listening time can be provided by just five minutes of charging.

The second-gen AirPods Pro have the same battery life as the first-gen AirPods Pro, but they are more expensive. The third-gen AirPods and second-gen AirPods Pro have a maximum of six hours of listening time and up to 30 hours with the included charging case, but the new AirPods Pro have up to 5.5 hours of battery life with spatial audio and head tracking turned on.

The second-gen AirPods offer the least amount of battery life in the lineup

The first-gen AirPods Pro gave a maximum of 4.5 hours of listening time with active noise cancellation on and five hours with it off, and up to 24 hours of listening time with the included charging case. You should be able to get around an hour of listening time if you were to charge any of the three models.

The second-gen AirPods have the lowest amount of battery life of the bunch. The older AirPods have up to five hours of listening time on a single charge, and over 24 hours of listening time with the included charging case. The second-gen AirPods need to be in the case for 15 minutes to work.

Controls

The second-gen AirPods Pro are Apple's first earbuds to offer the ability to use a finger. You can adjust the volume on the stem by moving your finger up or down. They still use the same buttons for other settings as their predecessors. You have to click the stem to pause, play, or answer a call on the third-gen AirPods. No matter which model you buy, you will be able to use a voice command.

Image: Apple

Physical controls are offered by the over- ear AirPods Max. Each pair has a Digital Crown larger than the dial on the Apple Watch, as well as a secondary button that can be used to alternate between noise cancellation and transparency modes. There is no power switch. They turn on when put on your head.

Compatibility (and connectivity)

You will be able to switch between your various Apple devices regardless of which AirPods you purchase. The latest Apple products are compatible with all of the AirPods. The second-gen AirPods can be used with older devices like the iPad Mini.

Pricing and availability

The price is the biggest difference between the two models. The second-gen AirPods start at $129 and can be purchased from third-party retailers. You can buy the third-gen AirPods for different prices. The model with the MagSafe charging case goes for $179, while the model with the Lightning Charging Case goes for $169 The third-gen earbuds can be found at Amazon, Target, and other places.

The cheapest model in the AirPods lineup is the AirPods.

• $100 at Amazon
• $100 at Walmart

The newest entry-level AirPods have a new charging case and shorter stems. They have better battery life and are water resistant.

• $150 at Amazon
• $170 at Target

Even though Apple no longer sells them, you can still buy the first-gen AirPods Pro at Walmart for $174 instead of the regular price of $249. The second-gen AirPods Pros are currently available for pre-order for $249, but will likely go on sale as Black Friday approaches. The most expensive pair of AirPods are often on sale for $479.

The new AirPods Pro have better sound quality, better active noise cancellation, and better spatial audio.

• $174 at Walmart
• $180 at Amazon

The new AirPods Pro have the same features as the last-gen model, but include a new H2 chip that can be used for better noise cancellation. The Find My network is supported by the water resistant charging case.

• $249 at Apple
• $249 at Target

The best at noise cancellation can be found in Apple's AirPods Max.

• $429 at Amazon
• $479 at B&H Photo

Which should you buy?

Good sound quality, reliability, and ease of use are some of the benefits of the current AirPods lineup. Depending on your needs and budget, which should you buy?

You should buy the AirPods Max if you want noise canceling headphones. If you are looking for a pair of true wireless earbuds, things get a lot more complicated. The only earbuds that offer active noise cancellation are the AirPods Pro. If you frequently engage in workouts, you might want to consider the third-gen AirPods, as they offer IPX4 sweat and water resistance. The second- and first-gen AirPods Pro have replaceable ear tips, which allow for a more secure fit.

Photo by Becca Farsace / The Verge

The second-gen AirPods Pro has the best noise cancellation. We haven't tested these claims yet, but Apple says they will be able to cancel out more noise than before. If you have small ears, the second-gen AirPods Pro may be the best option.

If you want a more budget-friendly option, the first-gen AirPods Pro are often on sale for around $179.99. It is the same price as the third-gen AirPods and less expensive than the second-gen AirPods. They also have active noise cancellation and replaceable ear tips. Sweat and water resistance, a MagSafe charging case, and greater spatial audio support are some of the features they offer.

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