AirPods 3 vs. AirPods Pro 2 Buyer's Guide

Three years after the launch of the first-generation AirPods Pro, Apple unveiled the second- generation model along with several new Apple Watches. The second-generation AirPods Pro feature the same design as their predecessors, but they improve on features like Active Noise Cancellation, in- ear detection, and battery life.

In late 2021, Apple announced a major update for its standard AirPods, with the new earbuds featuring spatial audio, adaptive audio, force sensor controls, sweat and water resistance, MagSafe charging, and more.

Do you need the higher-end AirPods Pro, which sell for $249, or should you purchase the $179 third- generation AirPods? The guide helps answer the question of which set of AirPods is better for you.

Comparing the AirPods and AirPods Pro

Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, sweat and water resistance, and skin-detect sensors are some of the important features found in the AirPods and AirPods Pro. There are some significant differences between them that are worth highlighting.

Differences

The third generation of AirPods.

• Semi in-ear design
• Force sensor controls
• H1 chip
• Bluetooth 5.0
• Up to 5 hours listening time with Spatial Audio enabled
• Up to 4 hours of talk time with a single charge
• Up to 20 hours of talk time using ‌MagSafe‌ Charging Case
• ‌MagSafe‌ Charging Case with Find My
• ‌MagSafe‌ Charging Case compatible with ‌MagSafe‌ charger, Qi wireless charging mats, and Lightning

The second generation of AirPods.

• In-ear design with silicone ear tips (four sizes)
• Vent system for pressure equalization
• Force sensors and touch controls for volume adjustment
• H2 chip
• Bluetooth 5.3
• Active Noise Cancellation
• Transparency and Adaptive Transparency
• Conversation Boost
• Up to 5.5 hours listening time with with Spatial Audio enabled
• Up to 4.5 hours of talk time with a single charge
• Up to 24 hours of talk time using ‌MagSafe‌ Charging Case
• ‌MagSafe‌ Charging Case with built-in speaker for ‌Find My‌, U1 chip for Precision Tracking, and lanyard loop
• ‌MagSafe‌ Charging Case compatible with Apple Watch charger, ‌MagSafe‌ charger, Qi wireless charging mats, and Lightning

Almost all of the same features are offered by the standard AirPods at a lower price. Most prospective buyers should choose the third- generation AirPods. The third-generation AirPods are a good choice if you want to add an additional pair of headphones to use while you work out or on the go.

If you want the fit and improved sound that in- ear Silicone tips can provide, you should buy the AirPods Pro. If you can use Apple's Conversation boost accessibility feature, you should buy the AirPods Pro. The improvements of the H2 chip, battery life improvements, and adaptive transparency may not be worth the extra cost.

If you can take advantage of the big discounts on third-party retailers like Amazon, it may be worth it to upgrade to the pro version. It is always a good idea to look for the best price on the standard AirPods.