AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Pro 2: Which model to buy revealed
At a glance
Our Verdict
The AirPods Pro 3 are a marked improvement over their predecessor, with a heart rate monitor, better battery, and improved water resistance. But the AirPods Pro 2 are still available at a discount and worth buying while you still can.
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Best price today
Best prices today: Apple AirPods Pro 3
$249
The AirPods Pro 2 have been around for three years at this point, with Apple rolling out post-launch features like a USB-C charging case and hearing aid functionality, but it wasn’t until September 2025 that we got a real successor.
The AirPods Pro 3 are, in essence, a subtle improvement in almost every way, from ANC to battery life and with new features like a heart rate monitor. There’s a lot to like, but while you can still buy the AirPods Pro 2 at a significant discount – usually around $199/£199 on Amazon, and sometimes less – should you get the latest AirPods Pro? And if you already own AirPods Pro 2, is it worth considering an upgrade?
Here’s our full comparison of the new AirPods Pro 3 and their predecessor.
AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Pro 2: design and build
At first glance, it’s not immediately obvious what’s changed, but put the two models side by side and things become a little clearer.
On the one hand, the AirPods Pro 3 are slightly lighter and have shorter stems than their older brothers. They’ve been completely redesigned in-house, which we’ll get to, but it’s worth noting that first impressions of the new silicon tips are a bit mixed.
Although Apple gives you five size options in the box (up from three), some users have complained that the new AirPods Pro protrude more from their ears than the previous model.
Eugene Wegmann
As before, it will all depend on preference and ear shape, but it is worth thinking about.
As for the charging case, it is also slightly larger, but still very compact. And, as is tradition, it’s only white for color options, so our dreams of matte black AirPods Pro (or any AirPods) are still on hold for another year.
Eugene Wegmann
AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Pro 2: technical specifications
The AirPods Pro 3 have two hours more battery life than the AirPods Pro 2 (eight hours), there are more ear tips so it’s more likely you’ll be able to find the size that’s right for you, and the newer AirPods Pro are more water resistant.
However, there are more differences in terms of the quality of certain features offered, as we will see below.
| AirPods Pro 2 | AirPods Pro 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249/£229 | $249/£219 |
| Weight (earphones) | 0.19 ounce (5.3 grams) | 0.20 ounce (5.55 grams) |
| Weight (case) | 1.79 ounces (50.8 grams) | 1.55 ounces (43.99 grams) |
| Battery life | 6 hours on earbuds, 24 hours on case | 8 hours on earbuds, 24 hours on case |
| Loading | Charge wirelessly with MagSafe or USB-C | Charge wirelessly with MagSafe or USB-C |
| Ear tips | Yes, three sets | Yes, five sets |
| Noise cancellation | Yes | Yes |
| Conversation Awareness | Yes | Yes |
| Personalized spatial audio with head tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | Tap and swipe | Tap and swipe |
| Water and sweat resistant | Yes, IP54 | Yes, IP57 |
| Find my speaker just in case | Yes | Yes |
AirPods Pro 3 vs. AirPods Pro 2: performance
Reaction to the AirPods Pro 3’s sound quality was also mixed among early adopters, but this author found them much punchier than the second-generation earbuds across all music genres.
Spatial Audio is still there, and while Apple claims it’s been improved, you might have a hard time telling the difference, but the real winner here is for ANC (active noise cancellation) users.
Apple claims it’s twice as good at noise cancellation as the second-generation models and four times better than the first-generation AirPods Pro, and it’s hard to argue with that. Conversation Awareness, the feature that attenuates ANC when you speak, also sees an improvement.
Eugene Wegmann
The controls are the same as on the AirPods Pro 2, meaning you can pause with a single tap, activate ANC with a longer pinch, and swipe to change the volume.
The case is USB-C, which is a good reason to upgrade from older AirPods Pro 2 models that have a Lightning port. You can also charge with MagSafe or an Apple Watch charger.
Speaking of battery, that has seen a considerable increase here. The AirPods Pro 2 had 6 hours of charge in each bud and 24 hours taking into account the case, but the former is improved.
The AirPods Pro 3 earbuds now have 8 hours of charge each, then up to 24 hours with the case. However, you’ll get less battery life with ANC enabled or when using the heart rate sensor for workouts.
AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Pro 2: health and fitness
Speaking of which, the heart rate sensor is perhaps the biggest change to the AirPods Pro 3.
If you also wear an Apple Watch while you exercise, this won’t be a big deal, but otherwise AirPods can record your heart rate during a workout and accurately access calories burned and more.
Finally, the new earbuds have a better sweat and water resistance rating than the AirPods Pro 2. If you wanted to use the AirPods Pro for your workouts but were worried that sweat would cause problems, then you should be fine now. This waterproofing is better, but it’s not waterproof: you definitely can’t wear them to the pool if you plan to.
AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Pro 2: other features
You may have heard about some of the other features that AirPods Pro offers, such as live translation and hearing aid features. Many of these exciting new features are also available on AirPods Pro 2 and, in some cases, standard AirPods.
- Live translation: Hear people speaking in a language and hear translations through your AirPods Pro 2 or 3.
- Hearing aid: AirPods Pro 2 and 3 offer hearing test and hearing aid features.
- Break while sleeping: Pauses what you’re listening to when you fall asleep, works with AirPods Pro 2 and 3 and AirPods 4 as well as select Beats headphones.
- Remote camera: Will work with AirPods Pro 2 and 3 and AirPods 4.
AirPods Pro 3 vs. AirPods Pro 2: price
Despite all the improvements mentioned above, the AirPods Pro 3 will cost you the same amount as their predecessors: $249 if you’re in the US. If you live elsewhere, you could save: UK buyers can get the AirPods Pro 3 for £219, which is £10 less than the AirPods Pro 2.
However, since the AirPods Pro 2 have dropped in price to where they’re still on sale, you may need to balance paying $199/£199 for the older AirPods Pro against paying $50/£20 more for the new models. This is a significant saving if you are in the US and can find the older models at this price. Our advice is that if you find the older models on sale at a discount, grab them!
Should you buy AirPods Pro 3 or AirPods Pro 2?
From battery life to improved ANC, the AirPods Pro 3 are a marked improvement over their predecessor. The heart rate monitor will no doubt be a plus for some, and the improved water resistance is another plus.
If you already own a pair of AirPods Pro 2, there’s no need to rush out and buy a new pair, but if you’ve had yours for a while and the battery is becoming increasingly unreliable, it’s an easy decision to make.
Regardless of the improvements in the newer models, if you find the older AirPods Pro 2 on sale for a decent price, we recommend buying them.
For alternatives to AirPods, see: Best headphones for iPhone.
