AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Pro 2: Which model to buy revealed

Macworld

At a glance

Our Verdict
The AirPods Pro 3 are a clear improvement over the 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 snapping up while you still can.

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AirPods Pro 2 have been around for three years at this point, with Apple rolling out features post-launch like a USB-C charging case and hearing aid functionality, but it wasn’t until September 2025 that we got a true successor.

The AirPods Pro 3 are, in essence, a subtle improvement in just about 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 big discount – usually around $199/£199 on Amazon, and sometimes lower – should you get the newest 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 the 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 get a little clearer.

For one, the AirPods Pro 3 are slightly slimmed down, and have shorter stems than their older brothers. They’ve been entirely redesigned internally, which we’ll come to, but it’s worth noting initial impressions of the new silicon tips are a little mixed.

Despite Apple giving you five sizing options in the box (up from three before), some users have complained that the new AirPods Pro stick further out of their ears than the prior model.




Spot the difference: AirPods Pro 2 actually look quite different to AirPods Pro 3Eugen Wegmann

As before, it’ll all come down to preference and ear shape, but it’s worth considering.

As for the charging case, it’s slightly larger, too, but still very pocketable. And, as is tradition, it’s white-only for color options, so our dreams of matte black AirPods Pro (or any AirPods) are still on hold for another year.




Eugen Wegmann

AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Pro 2: Tech Specs

The AirPods Pro 3 have two more hours battery life than the AirPods Pro 2 at eight hours, there are more ear tips so it is more likely you’ll be able to find the right size for you, and the newer AirPods Pro are more water resistant.

However, there are more differences in terms of the quality of some of the features on offer, as we’ll discuss below.

AirPods Pro 2AirPods Pro 3Price$249/£229$249/£219Weight (Earbuds)0.19 ounce (5.3 grams)0.20 ounce (5.55 grams)Weight (Case)1.79 ounce (50.8 grams)1.55 ounces (43.99 grams)Battery Life6 hours earbuds 24 hrs case8 hours earbuds 24 hours caseChargingWirelessly charge with MagSafe or USB-CWirelessly charge with MagSafe or USB-CEar TipsYes, three setsYes, five setsNoise CancellationYesYesConversation AwarenessYesYesPersonalized Spatial Audio with head trackingYesYesControlsTap and swipeTap and swipeWater/sweat-resistantYes, IP54Yes, IP57Find My speaker in caseYesYes

AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Pro 2: Performance

Reaction to AirPods Pro 3’s sound quality has also been mixed among early adopters, but this writer has found them to be much punchier than the second-generation buds across all genres of music.

Spatial Audio is still here, and while Apple says it’s been improved, you might be hard-pressed to tell the difference, but the real winner here is for ANC (active noise cancellation) users.

Apple says its twice as effective at noise cancellation as the second-gen models, and four times better than the first-gen AirPods Pro, and it’s hard to argue with that. Conversation Awareness, the feature that tones down ANC when you speak, also sees an improvement.




Eugen Wegmann

Controls are the same as on AirPods Pro 2, meaning you can pause with a squeeze, turn on ANC with a longer pinch, and swipe to change volume.

The case is USB-C, which is a good reason to upgrade from older AirPods Pro 2 models that featured a lightning port. You can charge with MagSafe or an Apple Watch charger, too.

Speaking of battery, that’s seen a sizeable boost here. The AirPods Pro 2 had 6 hours of charge in each bud and 24 hours when factoring in the case, but the former is improved.

AirPods Pro 3 buds now have 8 hours of charge each, and then up to 24 hours with the case. You’ll get less battery life with ANC on, or when using the heart rate sensor for workouts, though.

AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Pro 2: Health & Fitness

Speaking of which, the heart rate sensor is perhaps the biggest of the changes for the AirPods Pro 3.

If you are also wearing an Apple Watch while exercising this isn’t going to be a big deal, but if not then the AirPods can record your heart rate during a workout and accurately access calories burned and so on.

Finally, the new buds have a better sweat and water resistance rating than the AirPods Pro 2. If you wanted to use AirPods Pro for workouts but were worried about sweat causing issues, then you should be fine now. That waterproofing is better, but it’s not waterproof: you definitely can’t wear them in the swimming pool if you were thinking of doing so.

AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Pro 2: Other features

You may have heard about some of the other features offered by the AirPods Pro, such as Live translation and the Hearing Aid features. Many of these enticing new features are also available on the AirPods Pro 2, and in some cases on the standard AirPods.

Live Translation: Listen to people speaking in one language and hear translations via your AirPods Pro 2 or 3.

Hearing Aid: AirPods Pro 2 and 3 offer the hearing test and hearing aid features.

Pause when sleeping: Will pause what you are listening to when you fall asleep, works with AirPods Pro 2 and 3 and AirPods 4 as well as some Beats headphones.

Camera remote: Will work with the AirPods Pro 2 and 3 and AirPods 4.

AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Pro 2: Price

Despite all of the aforementioned improvements, the AirPods Pro 3 will set you back the same amount as their predecessors: $249 if you are in the U.S. If you are based elsewhere, you might have a saving: U.K. shoppers can get the AirPods Pro 3 for £219, which is £10 less than the AirPods Pro 2 were.









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However, considering the price of the AirPods Pro 2 have dropped to where they are still on sale, you may be balancing paying $199/£199 for the older AirPods Pro against paying $50/£20 more for the new models. That’s a significant saving if you are in the U.S. and find the older models at that price. Our advice is that if you find the older models on sale at a discount snap them up!









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Should you buy AirPods Pro 3 or AirPods Pro 2?

From battery life to improved ANC, AirPods Pro 3 are a clear improvement on the predecessor. The heart rate monitor will no doubt be a benefit to some, and the improved water resistance is another bonus.

If you already own a pair of AirPods Pro 2, there is no need to rush out and buy a fresh pair, but if you’ve had yours a while and the battery is getting less reliable, 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 at a decent discount, we recommend getting them.

For alternatives to the AirPods see: Best earbuds for iPhone.