Apple AirPods Pro 2 second generation vs. AirPods 2 and 3 models

Main points

• Apple offers three models of AirPods: AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 3, and AirPods 2.
• AirPods Pro 2 are the most expensive and come with features like noise cancellation and personalized volume control.
• The AirPods 3 are a close second in terms of features, while the AirPods 2 are the most affordable option but lack some of the premium features of the other models.

Apple offers several different AirPods models. The most expensive are the AirPods Pro (2nd generation), recently launched in 2022. This is followed by AirPods (3rd generation) launched in 2021 and AirPods (2nd generation) launched in 2019. All three models are still on sale today, but Apple is known to update the AirPods over time. For example, starting in 2023, the second-generation AirPods Pro now come with USB-C.

So, which one should you choose? We will help you solve this problem. Luckily, Apple has divided them into three different categories, so there are entry-level options, mid-range options, and top-of-the-line options. We’ll detail the pros and cons of each option and help you figure out which one is best for you.

• 

  Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation (USB-C)

  The Apple AirPods Pro second generation are Apple’s most expensive option. It comes with USB-C support, great features, and improvements over other similar products.

• 

  Apple AirPods 3

  $149 $169 Save $20

  Even though it’s not the latest AirPods model, Apple still sells them as an affordable alternative. For the price, they’re actually pretty good, and you’ll pay less than half the price of the AirPods Pro 2.

• 

  Apple AirPods 2

  $99 $129 Save $30

  The latest generation of AirPods has some improvements over the second generation, namely in terms of sound quality and overall performance. They do cost more, though, and whether it’s worth it is up to you.

Price, specifications, availability

Apple’s three AirPods are mainly determined by price. AirPods 2 are priced at $130, AirPods 3 are priced at $169, and Apple AirPods Pro 2 are priced at $249 without discounts. So, depending on your budget, which one to choose is mainly tailor-made for you. Luckily, all three versions go on sale fairly frequently, so you can usually pick them up for less than MSRP.

In terms of availability, it’s broad. You can buy AirPods online and in-store at a variety of retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and the Apple Store. They’re even available at carrier stores like Verizon and T-Mobile. Throw a dart across the map and you might be able to buy AirPods where the dart hits.

• 	Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation (USB-C)	Apple AirPods 3	Apple AirPods 2
  Battery Life	Talk time 4.5 hours, listening time 6 hours, 30 hours with protective case	4 hours talk time, 6 hours listening time, 30 hours case	3 hours talk time, 5 hours listening time, 24 hours with case
  Noise reduction	Yes	No	No
  Protection level	IP54	IPX4	not any
  waterproof	IP54 sweat-proof	IPX4 sweatproof	No
  TOLL	Wireless, USB-C	wireless, lightning	Wireless (with compatible housing), lighting
  aspect	45.2 x 60.6 x 21.7 / 50.8g (charging box), 30.9 x 21.8 x 24mm / 5.3g (headphones)	46.4 x 54.4 x 21.4 mm/37.9 g (charging case), 30.8 x 18.3 x 19.2 mm, 4.3 g (headphones)	53.5 x 44.3 x 21.3mm/38.2g (charging case), 40.5 x 16.5 x 18mm/4g (headphones)
  color	white only	white only	white only
  chip	H2 chip and U1 chip in the charging box	H1 chip	H1 chip
  spatial audio	Yes, personalized spatial audio with head tracking	Yes, personalized spatial audio with head tracking	No

Design differences and updates

The design of all three sets of AirPods is very similar, and that’s by design, pardon the pun. The AirPods have a very unique shape, with white, glossy plastic ear tips attached to a metal cap stem. Apple wants to make sure that no matter which pair of headphones you buy, people will know you’re wearing AirPods.

That said, there are some differences. Of the three AirPods, the regular second-generation AirPods have the longest stem. AirPods Pro are the only ones to come with silicone ear tips. There are also smaller details, like the regular AirPods having grilles while the AirPods Pro don’t. However, unless you have a magnifying glass and really pay attention, they are relatively small.

The only other real difference is the charging case. The second-generation AirPods have a taller charging case that accommodates a longer charging pole, and the charging light is located inside. The other two have smaller charging cases with green charging lights located on the outside.

Stem control and availability

All three AirPods support on-device controls, although the implementation differs slightly between each model. With regular AirPods 2, double-clicking the left and right stems lets you launch Siri, skip tracks, go to the previous track, play/pause, and answer calls. Users can customize the controls slightly, but everything is limited to a double click.

The third-generation AirPods and AirPods Pro are more similar in control. One click plays/pauses audio or takes a call, a double click plays the next track, a triple click plays the previous track, and you can set both to activate Siri by holding down the joystick. Again, these are easily customizable.

With AirPods Pro 2, you get two additional controls. Slide your finger up or down to gradually adjust the volume. There’s also a personalized volume setting for better customization of volume. You can also hold down the joystick to switch between noise-canceling, transparency, and adaptive audio modes.

Sound quality and performance

Sound quality depends mainly on the listener, as everyone’s ears are different. However, Apple did include some additional features in its latest AirPods to help tailor the sound to the user’s needs. Additionally, each new version of AirPods comes with tweaked audio drivers that deliver clearer, better overall sound.

The Apple AirPod 2 runs on Apple’s H1 chip, which boasts fast and stable connectivity as well as dual beamforming microphones, dual optical sensors, and motion and voice detection accelerometers. Our review noted that overall performance with music, podcasts, and calls was solid, but that it might struggle in noisy environments. They also come off easily.

The third-generation Apple AirPods have been improved in many ways. They have all the features of AirPods 2, including the H1 chip. However, they added custom high-excursion Apple drivers and custom high dynamic range amplifiers, skin detection sensors, force sensors, IPX4 sweat resistance, and inward-facing microphones. Add to that Apple’s personalized spatial audio and adaptive equalizer, and it’s no wonder our review called it “much better than its predecessor.”

Not surprisingly, the AirPods Pro 2 scored top marks for features and sound quality. It inherits everything from AirPods 3 and adds upgraded H2 chip and U1 chip in the MagSafe charging box. AirPods Pro 2 also adds IP54 sweat and dust resistance, active noise cancellation, transparency mode, conversation awareness, personalized volume, loud noise cancellation, and a ventilation system for pressure equalization.

Both generations of AirPods Pro 2 have added silicone ear tips and a host of software features, making them the best overall choice with the latest firmware and software updates. It’s the latest and greatest in Apple’s lineup, and Apple delivers as much content as possible. Still, all three AirPods sound pretty good for their price range.

Charging case, battery and connections

The price difference affects more than just sound quality. All three AirPods use H1 or H2 chips to connect via Bluetooth. Regular AirPods use Bluetooth 5.0, but AirPods Pro 2 upgrade it to Bluetooth 5.3.

As for the charging case, AirPods 2 uses a regular charging case and connects via a Lightning connector. AirPods 3 are the same, but with the addition of MagSafe wireless charging. The older AirPods Pro 2 used the same charging case as the AirPods 3, but after the release of the iPhone 15, all new versions now use USB-C instead of a Lightning connector.

The battery life of the three sets of AirPods is quite similar. The second-generation AirPods have a listening time of 5 hours and a talk time of 3 hours. With the charging case, the total can be used for about 24 hours. The third-generation AirPods offer extended listening time to 6 hours, talk time to 4 hours, and 30 hours of use on the charging case battery. AirPods Pro 2 are the same as AirPods 3, except you save about half an hour on battery if you use spatial audio.

Aside from the design, this is the least differentiating part of the AirPods. With any of these three options, you get hours of battery life, a solid connection, and plenty of extra charging time in the case.

Conclusion: Which AirPods should you buy?

Well, it’s fairly obvious how the advice works here. If you have the money and want the highest-performance pair of AirPods, the second-generation AirPods Pro 2 are a no-brainer. They have all the extra software and buzzwords Apple can offer. Luckily, our real-world testing shows they’re the highest-performing AirPods for the price to match.

That being said, the AirPods 3 aren’t too far behind in terms of features. You lose the H2 chip and additional features like transparency mode and active noise cancellation. However, you can keep the adaptive equalizer and spatial audio, as well as Apple’s custom drivers. The result is a headset that, while not quite as premium, still sounds pretty good. This is the natural second choice.

The problems started when we got our hands on AirPods 2. AirPods 2 is an improvement over the original AirPods. However, regardless of sales volume, they are only about $40 cheaper than the AirPods 3. At this price gap, we actually recommend putting down the extra money and buying the AirPods 3 anyway. That’s not to say the AirPods 2 are bad. AirPods 3 are $40 more expensive than AirPods 2, so the extra investment is worth it. That said, if you can buy AirPods 2, you’re totally fine. They are still very good.