Trying to choose between Apple's AirPods 3rd Generation ($169) and the AirPods Pro 2 ($249)? Let's break down everything you need to know to make the right choice for your needs and budget.
Wireless earbuds have become essential tech accessories, and Apple's offerings stand out for their tight integration with iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Both the AirPods 3 (released October 2021) and AirPods Pro 2 (released September 2022) represent significant improvements over their predecessors, but they serve different needs.
The key things most people care about are sound quality, comfort, noise handling, and battery life. But there's more to consider, especially if you're invested in Apple's ecosystem.
Apple takes two distinct approaches with these models. The AirPods 3 use an open design that sits in your ear without sealing it. This feels more natural to many people and lets you hear your surroundings easily. I personally prefer this style for office work and home use, as it lets me stay aware of my environment.
The Pro 2 uses silicone tips that seal your ear canal. This creates better sound isolation and enables active noise cancellation (ANC), which electronically removes background noise. The Pro 2 comes with four tip sizes to ensure a good fit. This sealed design is generally better for noisy environments like planes or busy offices.
Both models feature Apple's spatial audio technology, which creates a surround-sound effect for compatible content. It's particularly impressive for movies and TV shows, making them feel more immersive. However, the Pro 2's sealed design and more advanced drivers deliver noticeably better sound quality, especially in the bass frequencies.
This is where the models diverge significantly. The AirPods 3 rely solely on passive noise reduction - basically, they just sit in your ears. For many situations, this is fine, but they won't help much in noisy environments.
The Pro 2 feature active noise cancellation, which uses microphones to detect external noise and create anti-noise waves to cancel it out. They also have Transparency mode, which lets you hear your surroundings clearly when needed. The Pro 2's "Adaptive Audio" feature (added in iOS 17) automatically adjusts between ANC and Transparency based on your environment.
Both models support hands-free "Hey Siri" and automatic device switching between your Apple devices. The Pro 2 adds touch-sensitive volume controls on the stems and more customizable controls overall.
Both models offer similar battery life: about 6 hours per charge, with their cases providing several additional charges for about 30 hours total. In my experience, this is plenty for daily use, though heavy users might need to charge the case every few days.
Both perform well for calls, but the Pro 2's noise-canceling technology gives it an edge in windy or noisy conditions. The beam-forming microphones (which focus on your voice while reducing background noise) work notably better on the Pro 2.
For watching movies and TV shows, both support spatial audio with head tracking, which creates a virtual surround sound experience. The effect is more impressive on the Pro 2 due to its sealed design and better drivers. When watching content on an Apple TV or iPad, the virtual surround sound really adds to the experience.
The $80 price difference between these models is significant, so let's break down the value proposition:
AirPods 3 at $169 are a better value if you:
AirPods Pro 2 at $249 are worth the extra money if you:
Since their release, both models have received software updates adding new features. The Pro 2 particularly benefited from iOS 17's Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness features, which make them even more versatile for daily use.
The Pro 2 recently got a USB-C version, replacing the Lightning connector, making them more convenient if you've already switched to USB-C charging for other devices.
Here's my straightforward advice: if noise cancellation isn't a priority and you like being able to hear your surroundings, save the money and get the AirPods 3. They're excellent for general use and integrate just as seamlessly with Apple devices.
However, if you travel frequently, work in noisy environments, or want the best possible sound quality, the Pro 2 are worth the extra investment. Their noise cancellation is among the best in any wireless earbuds, and the sound quality improvement is noticeable.
Consider your typical use cases:
Remember, both models are excellent at what they do - it's just a matter of matching their capabilities to your needs and budget. Whichever you choose, you'll get seamless Apple integration, good sound quality, and reliable performance.
The nice thing about Apple's ecosystem is that both models will give you the core features most people want: easy pairing, automatic switching between devices, spatial audio, and "Hey Siri" support. The decision really comes down to whether the Pro 2's additional features - primarily noise cancellation and better sound quality - are worth the extra cost for your specific needs.
| Apple AirPods 3rd Generation ($169) | Apple AirPods Pro 2 ($249) |
|---|---|
| Design Type - Affects noise isolation and comfort preferences | |
| Open-ear design | Sealed in-ear with removable tips (4 sizes) |
| Active Noise Cancellation - Critical for commuting or noisy environments | |
| None | Advanced ANC with Adaptive Audio |
| Battery Life - Important for daily use between charges | |
| 6 hours (5 with spatial audio) | 6 hours (5.5 with spatial audio) |
| Water/Sweat Resistance - Matters for exercise and outdoor use | |
| IPX4 (splash resistant) | IP54 (dust and splash resistant) |
| Audio Features - Impacts sound quality and listening experience | |
| Spatial Audio, Adaptive EQ | Spatial Audio, Adaptive EQ, better bass, improved drivers |
| Controls - Affects ease of use and functionality | |
| Force sensor press only | Touch controls including volume, customizable |
| Charging Case - Additional features beyond charging | |
| MagSafe, 30 hour total | MagSafe, Precision Finding, speaker, 30 hour total |
| Fit Security - Important for active use | |
| May fall out during exercise | Secure fit with tips, better for active use |
| Chip - Determines feature set and performance | |
| H1 chip | H2 chip (better processing, more features) |
The AirPods Pro 2 ($249) provide a superior movie-watching experience due to their sealed design and better bass response. While both models support spatial audio for virtual surround sound, the Pro 2's noise cancellation helps create a more immersive experience. The AirPods 3 ($169) still offer good performance but lack the isolation needed for optimal home theater use.
Yes, both the AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro 2 support spatial audio with dynamic head tracking. This creates a virtual surround sound effect when watching movies or listening to compatible content on Apple devices.
Both models offer similar battery life - approximately 6 hours per charge. The AirPods 3 provide 5 hours with spatial audio enabled, while the AirPods Pro 2 last 5.5 hours. Both cases offer about 30 hours of total charging capacity.
For home theater and premium audio use, the AirPods Pro 2 justify their higher price through superior sound quality, noise cancellation, and better bass response. However, if you primarily use them for casual listening, the AirPods 3 offer good value at $80 less.
This depends on personal preference. The AirPods 3 have an open design that some find more comfortable for extended use. The AirPods Pro 2 provide multiple tip sizes for a custom fit, but some users don't like the sealed feeling during long sessions.
Yes, both the AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro 2 integrate seamlessly with Apple TV, offering automatic pairing and spatial audio support. The Pro 2 provide a more theater-like experience due to better isolation and sound quality.
The AirPods Pro 2 deliver notably better sound quality with improved bass response and clarity. The sealed design and advanced drivers provide superior audio compared to the AirPods 3, especially for movies and music.
The AirPods 3 naturally let you hear your surroundings due to their open design. The AirPods Pro 2 offer Transparency Mode, which actively processes external sound when you want to hear your environment.
The AirPods Pro 2 are better for late-night viewing because their noise cancellation and sealed design prevent sound leakage, making them more suitable when others are sleeping. The AirPods 3 may leak more sound at higher volumes.
Yes, both the AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro 2 support automatic switching between Apple devices, making it easy to transition from watching TV to taking a phone call.
The AirPods Pro 2 offer more advanced controls, including touch-sensitive volume adjustment and customizable settings. The AirPods 3 have basic force sensor controls that work well but offer less functionality.
The AirPods 3 might be better for sharing as their one-size design works for most people. The AirPods Pro 2 require proper tip sizing for each user, making them less convenient for sharing during movie watching.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: recordingnow.com - apple.com - youtube.com - bestbuy.com - support.apple.com - apple.com - portableone.com - apple.com - bhphotovideo.com - apple.com - apple.com - recordingnow.com - apple.com - apple.com - cnet.com - hearingreview.com - target.com - support.apple.com - costco.com - cnet.com - quill.com
