Apple launched the second-generation AirPods Pro in September 2022, but that doesn't make the AirPods (3rd generation) that came out in 2021 any less relevant. Both earbuds are significant advancements over their previous generations.

However, you may be perplexed if you're in the market for a new pair of AirPods or wireless earbuds. Below, we've compared the AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro 2 to help you make the best decision.

Design and Features

The stem design of the AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro 2 is nearly identical, but the AirPods 3 does not have silicone tips like the AirPods Pro 2. The design of the AirPods 3 provides a universal fit for everyone, but it lacks flexibility. The stems sport the same skin-detect sensor, so you don't activate them accidentally.

On the contrary, the AirPods Pro 2 design, like its predecessor, includes interchangeable silicone tips and offers an Ear Tip Fit Test to determine the best fit for you; however, the AirPods Pro 2 comes with XS (extra small) tips if you have small ears. The AirPods Pro 2 comes with the latest Bluetooth 5.3, but the AirPods 3 is still stuck with Bluetooth 5.0.

Both AirPods have force sensors that allow you to take action, but only the AirPods Pro 2 allows you to control volume by swiping up and down on the sensor. Furthermore, the AirPods 3 employs the same H1 chip as the previous generation of AirPods, whereas the AirPods Pro 2 uses the newer H2 chip, which provides a better audio experience.

Furthermore, both AirPods support Dolby Atmos, which lets you enable Spatial Audio and Personalized Spatial Audio with your iPhone. Both have additional features such as Adaptive EQ, Dynamic Head Tracking, and Audio Sharing.

The most notable distinction is the ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) on the AirPods Pro 2 with the silicone tips. Because of the new H2 chip, there is a significant improvement over the previous AirPods Pro. According to Apple, the new H2 chip on the AirPods Pro cancels out twice as much noise.

Audio Quality

The AirPods 3 sound better than its previous generation with an overall balanced and detailed audio. It has more bass frequencies and goes loud without silicone tips. If you're upgrading from the original AirPods or AirPods 2, you will notice a slight difference in the audio.

The silicone tips on the AirPods Pro 2 create a seal around your ears, resulting in more bass and treble. However, the new drivers and amplifiers on the AirPods Pro 2 bring deeper bass and crisper highs. Additional features like ANC, Adaptive Transparency, and Conversation Boost, make it sound better than the original AirPods Pro.

Battery Life and Charging Case

While the battery life was better on the AirPods 3 compared to AirPods Pro, the newer AirPods Pro 2 matches its 6 hours of listening time on a single charge and 30 hours with the charging case. If you're in a hurry, you can quickly charge the case for 5 minutes for an hour of music playback.

The AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 3 charging cases support charging with a Lightning cable. But the AirPods Pro 2 supports MagSafe, Qi wireless charging, and even the Apple Watch charging puck. It also has a built-in Find My speaker, a U1 chip for precision finding, and a lanyard loop.

If you want to get MagSafe and Qi wireless charging on the AirPods 3, you'll have to select the MagSafe charger when purchasing it from the Apple Store, and of course, that adds up to the cost, which brings us to the next section.

Price

The AirPods Pro 2 retails for $249, the same as the previous AirPods Pro at launch. On the other hand, the AirPods 3 retails for $179 with the MagSafe Charging Case and $169 with the Lightning Charging Case.

You can personalize both of these AirPods models for free from the Apple Store, but Apple is letting AirPods Pro 2 buyers engrave the charging case with custom Memojis from the iPhone, which is a nice touch.

Although this is Apple's official pricing for its wireless earbuds lineup, third-party resellers can offer it at a lower price. If not the discounted price, you will find some offers that will reduce their price.

Which AirPods Should You Pick?

The AirPods 3 may appear to be a better deal here due to the lower pricing, but you'll be missing out on Active Noise Cancellation, the latest H2 chip, and other features. However, if you don't need ANC or Adaptive Transparency, the AirPods 3 is a great option.

The AirPods Pro 2 has upgraded internals, a newer charging case, and some new features, making it an obvious choice if you have the required budget. Furthermore, whether you want to spend the extra $80 for the AirPods Pro 2's extra features is entirely up to you.

Make an Informed Decision

AirPods is an excellent choice for listening on your Apple devices if you're in the Apple ecosystem. So you'll have seamless integration with your Apple devices, whatever choice you make between the AirPods 3 or the AirPods Pro 2.

However, some third-party sellers are offering the older AirPods Pro closer to the price of AirPods 3, which leads to confusion among potential buyers.