My initial review is that the AirPods sound great but are incredibly buggy! Mine just shut down and I have to take them out of my ears to get them started again. The volume control is difficult to use and inconsistent and I can’t get them to handoff to my Mac. Not to mention my iPhone now thinks they don’t belong to me. Disappointed to say the least.
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AirPods 3 vs. AirPods Pro 2 Buyer's Guide
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One is open-ear design, the other is closed. There is a magnitude in usage difference between both types.
I personally love Airpods 3 because I can wear all day, "real" transparency much better than "digital" transparency, and I don't even feel I'm wearing them.
Airpods Pro have their advantage with noise cancellation, but they are not as comfortable or healthy wearing all day as the open-ear Airpods 3.
I personally love Airpods 3 because I can wear all day, "real" transparency much better than "digital" transparency, and I don't even feel I'm wearing them.
Airpods Pro have their advantage with noise cancellation, but they are not as comfortable or healthy wearing all day as the open-ear Airpods 3.
Almost three years after the launch of the first-generation AirPods Pro, Apple unveiled the second-generation model alongside the iPhone 14 lineup and several new Apple Watches. Although the second-generation AirPods Pro feature the same design as their predecessor, they improve on features like Active Noise Cancellation, in-ear detection, and battery life, while introducing new functionality like Adaptive Transparency, volume adjustment touch controls, and precision finding.
In late 2021, Apple announced a major update for its standard AirPods, with the new earbuds featuring Spatial Audio, Adaptive EQ, force sensor controls, sweat and water resistance, MagSafe charging, and more.
Should you consider purchasing the $179 third-generation AirPods, or do you need the higher-end AirPods Pro, which sell for $249? Our guide helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these sets of AirPods is best for you.
Comparing the AirPods and AirPods Pro
The AirPods and AirPods Pro share a large number of important features such as Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, sweat and water resistance, and skin-detect sensors. Even so, there are some meaningful differences between them that are worth highlighting, including design and Active Noise Cancellation.
Differences
Third-Generation 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
Second-Generation AirPods Pro
- 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
Final Thoughts
The standard AirPods are now very similar to the AirPods Pro, offering almost all of the same features at a lower price point. As a result, the third-generation AirPods should be the default choice for most prospective buyers. If you also have AirPods Max, which already offer ANC, and are looking for an additional pair of headphones to use while working out or on the go, the third-generation AirPods are also a good choice.
You should only buy the AirPods Pro if you specifically prefer the fit and improved sound that in-ear silicone tips can provide, or need Active Noise Cancellation. It is also worth buying AirPods Pro if you could make good use of Apple's Conversation Boost accessibility feature. Otherwise, the advancements of the H2 chip, minor battery life improvements, and Adaptive Transparency may not be a worthwhile set of improvements over the standard AirPods.
AirPods Pro frequently see hefty discounts on Amazon and other third-party retailers, so stepping up to the Pro version may be more worth it if you can take advantage of one of those deals. The standard AirPods also often see solid discounts, so it is always worth seeking the best price using our Deals roundup.
Article Link: AirPods 3 vs. AirPods Pro 2 Buyer's Guide
Just got mine and wow. I'm very impressed with them so far.
Really good active noise cancellation.
I'm interested to test out the "conversation boost" - seem like there are a lot of new features!
I tried the AirPods Pro a few months ago, but returned them despite the good discount on them from Amazon because I had a feeling the ANC would be significantly improved because Apple had to because of the competition. All of the rest of the new features is just frosting on my cake. During the brief time I had them, I did notice they stayed better in my ears than the AirPods 2 I tested from a friend a while back. I think for a lot of people the AirPods Pro 2 will be a better option despite the higher price (crossing fingers for a Black Friday discount).
Yeah, same issue here. Returned my AirPods 3 and keep using my AirPods 2 with a scuffed battery (lasts 30 minutes max at this point). Sad they changed the shape...
It would be interesting to hear if anybody who struggles to keep AP3 in their ears finds APP2 better, worse or about the same. Can anyone out there confirm that if I buy the APP2 and keep them (and use them) for up to 14 days, I can return them if they keep falling out. I assume that is the case since the Apple Returns Policy does not make any special reference to AirPods. I know they would tell me in the store, but I am just hatching plans at the moment...
Silicone tips will be much better for most people, comfort wise. It amazes me people can tolerate the traditional Apple design.
I bought the 3rd gen recently. The audio for phone calls was like two tin cans connected by a string. So I exchanged them immediately. The new ones just arrived and exactly the same problem. The music playback is superb but they are worthless for phone calls. I tried them on two different iPhones and reset them, etc...but the result was consistently very bad.
I have every AirPod model but the AirPod 3. The AirPod Pro 2 is a significant improvement. Especially true in regard to its quite amazing noise cancellation.
Compared with my AirPod Pro I can walk about an additional 3 meters further from my Apple TV source before sound significantly degrades. One disappointment: I was hoping that the volume adjustment would work on the AirPods themselves but it seems that it only works with an adjustable BlueTooth source (which the 4K Apple TV is not).
Compared with my AirPod Pro I can walk about an additional 3 meters further from my Apple TV source before sound significantly degrades. One disappointment: I was hoping that the volume adjustment would work on the AirPods themselves but it seems that it only works with an adjustable BlueTooth source (which the 4K Apple TV is not).
Marques Brownlee raves about the improved ANC in his YouTube review. Apparently the upgraded H2 chip makes a huge difference compared to the H1 in the previous generation. . . (Marques is one YouTube reviewer that I trust; we seem to share many of the same performance/quality priorities.)
I noticed that Mark Ellis Reviews also has a vid about the Pro 2. The channel image includes "WOW" so I assume that he is also impressed. . . I'm going to watch it as soon as I post this.
As a cyclist, I think it is extremely unwise to be wearing Airpods, etc. while riding, especially if you are commuting in traffic, no matter how "transparent" they are.
I have both the AP3 and Pro 2. Transparency mode is so good on the Pro 2, that I find myself using them in situations that I would normally use the AP3 or other open ear buds.
For those that don't care for ANC, the AP3 is the better option based on price. I wish the AP3 had the slide volume option though.
For those that don't care for ANC, the AP3 is the better option based on price. I wish the AP3 had the slide volume option though.
This is an apples to oranges comparison. Regular AirPods are basically unusable in noisy environments because they let so much sound in. Potentially fine for a quiet home or an office, but the few times I've tried them while commuting it was just pointless.
AirPods Pro 2 should be everyones choice. They are frequently discounted close to AirPods 3 pricing. It's a total no brainer.
This comparison severely overlooks the differences in sound quality. IMO the Pros are superior and worth the extra money.
The Pros are only worth it if you use your AirPods for hours per day (like I do). 95% of people should get the 3rd gens.
The only real upgrades from the 3rd gens to the Pros are 1) the noise cancellation (overhyped IMO) and 2) the better sound quality. Not worth over $70 more just for those things.
But if you use them a lot, it is worth the upgrade.
The only real upgrades from the 3rd gens to the Pros are 1) the noise cancellation (overhyped IMO) and 2) the better sound quality. Not worth over $70 more just for those things.
But if you use them a lot, it is worth the upgrade.