Home Wireless Earbuds Apple Airpods (3Rd Gen) Vs. Apple Airpods Pro (2Nd Gen)

Apple Airpods (3Rd Gen) Vs. Apple Airpods Pro (2Nd Gen) Review

Last updated on Mar 30, 2024   8 minute read
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Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)

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Reasons why you might like the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)

Overall Score 7.3 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating of IPX4
  • Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)
  • Battery Life of 6 hours
  • Number Of Microphones of 6 only
VS
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

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Reasons why you might like the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Overall Score 7.3 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating of IPX4
  • Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)
  • Battery Life of 6 hours
  • Number Of Microphones of 6 only
  • Has Ambient Sound Mode

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Apple Airpods (3Rd Gen) Vs. Apple Airpods Pro (2Nd Gen) Review In Summary

Category Features Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
DESIGN ingress protection (ip) rating IPX4 IPX4
weight 8.56g 10.6g
has no wires or cables ✓ ✓
sweat resistance ✓ ✓
has stereo speakers ✓ ✓
SOUND QUALITY has active noise cancellation (noise control) ✓ ✓
has passive noise reduction ✓ ✓
driver unit size 11mm 11mm
lowest frequency 10Hz 20Hz
highest frequency 20,000Hz 20,000Hz
POWER battery life 6hours 6hours
battery life of charging case 30hours 24hours
charge time 0.3hours 1hours
has wireless charging ✓ ✓
has a battery level indicator ✓ ✓
CONNECTIVITY bluetooth version v5 v5.3
maximum bluetooth range 10meters 10meters
has aac ✓ ✓
MICROPHONE number of microphones 6only 6only
has a noise-canceling microphone ✓ ✓
EXTRAS has ambient sound mode ✗ ✓
has in/on-ear detection ✓ ✓
has find earbuds feature ✓ ✓
supports fast charging ✓ ✓
multipoint count 2only 2only
has a mute function ✓ ✓
control panel placed on a device ✓ ✓
warranty period 1Years ✗
has voice prompts ✓ ✓
travel bag is included ✓ ✓
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Apple Airpods (3Rd Gen) Vs. Apple Airpods Pro (2Nd Gen) Review In Detail

Design

Ingress Protection (Ip) Rating

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) IPX4
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) IPX4

Ingress protection ratings refer to the level of protection given by an enclosure, against solids and liquids. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value refers to protection against solids say dust, followed by the one that refers to resistance against liquids (water).

Having a value of IPX4, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s rating for solids indicates that no data available to specify a protection rating, and of liquids that they can withstand low pressure spray similar to that of a shower head when tilted at 180° for 10 minutes.

In comparison to the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a rating of IPX4 meaning that we are not yet certain of their rating with solids (dust) and that of liquids is that, they both have the same rating against liquids

Weight

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 8.56g
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 10.6g

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a weight of 8.56g . We consider a lower weight better for the reason that lighter devices are easier to carry.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), at 10.6g are heavier than the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) with a difference of 2.04g

Has No Wires Or Cables

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

For a device to be true wireless it must have no cables linking any part of the device together, Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are true wireless for this case since they don't have cables. This is an important distinction as some wireless earbuds have cables connecting the pair of earbuds together.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) also is true wireless because it has no cables connecting the 2 earbuds .

Sweat Resistance

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have sweat resistance

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s resistance to sweat makes both devices good for use while doing sports such as long-distance running, marathons, training in workout bodysuits, etc

Has Stereo Speakers

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have stereo speakers, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) also have stereo speakers

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Sound Quality

Has Active Noise Cancellation (Noise Control)

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

ANC uses advanced kind of tech to actively cancel noise. How it works, it studies the sound pattern of incoming noise and generates a mirror signal to cancel it out. Simply put, it's like taking +1 (noise) then adding -1 (counter sound by the device) to make 0 therefore "diluting" the noise.

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have ANC allowing you to listen at lower levels of volume, causing less ear fatigue since you don't have to crank up the earbuds volume to outcompete background sounds.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) too have Active Noise Cancellation making both devices ideal for flights and rush hour commutes. Each operate with different noise cancellation types, pick the mode that suits your commute or that suites your relaxation time.

Has Passive Noise Reduction

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) sit tightly in place, this creates an acoustic seal that reduces your environment noise and also prevents the device music from leaking out at the same.

Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which implies that both tone down ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out.

Driver Unit Size

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 11mm
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 11mm

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a unit size of 11mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, and can produce better bass. The driver unit is the component that produces sound in the device, its size corellates with the sound produced by the earbuds.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) driver unit is 11mm in diameter, making both Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) similar in how loud their sound can get , a common assumption that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.

However, large drivers find it difficult to produce high frequencies so yeah, larger drivers can generate louder sound, but this does not mean that they deliver better quality sound.

Lowest Frequency

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 10Hz
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 20Hz

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 10Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio component generates low frequencies that can be heard, and if it makes any changes to the signal on its way through.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this implies that Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) can make sound with a juicier bass than the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Highest Frequency

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 20,000Hz
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 20,000Hz

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response tells how well an audio component produces high recognizable frequencies and if it changes to the signal while at it.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, this means that both devices generate equal treble

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Power

Battery Life

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 6hours
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 6hours

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s battery life is 6 hours, these last longer than 5 hours of listening which is considered average before recharge. A device's battery life is given by the manufacturer, and with longer battery life, you get to use it for longer and requires fewer chargings.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s battery life is equal to that of the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) . Every time you recharge your earbuds, they get a little less playing time. The effect is barely noticeable at first, but over time, your wireless earbuds will have shorter listening time.

Battery Life Of Charging Case

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 30hours
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 24hours

The battery life of the charging case is given by the vendor, and the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s case has a charge of 30 hours. A charging case with more battery hours enables you to recharge your earbuds on the go many times before recharging the case itself.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s charging case has a battery life of 24 hours, less than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 6 hours

Charge Time

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 0.3hours
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 1hours

It takes 0.3 hours to fully charge the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s battery. It is recommended to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds for the first time.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) takes 1 hours to fully charge the battery, more than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 0.7 hours

Has Wireless Charging

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), the device supports wireless charging. To charge the device, you simply put down on a supported charging pad.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) also support wireless charging, take note of the charging standard of a device.

Has A Battery Level Indicator

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a battery level indicator, an indicator shows you when the device has a low battery. The battery indicator lights show the charging status of your earbuds and case.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators allow you determine the charging state of your device, if charged fully, or the battery is running low.

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Connectivity

Bluetooth Version

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) v5
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) v5.3

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have Bluetooth version of 5, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that enables data movement between devices placed in close proximity, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) has a Bluetooth version of 5.3, newer than that of Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) . Newer versions provide faster data transfers.

Maximum Bluetooth Range

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 10meters
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 10meters

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a 10meters distance connecting via Bluetooth.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a maximum range of 10meters, equal to that of the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)

Has Aac

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support AAC, a codec used for Bluetooth audio. It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Because it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it can provide better results than other codecs at the same bit rate.

Since its the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) will work fine with your iPad. If you are planning on using these with Android , ensure that they also support aptX HD, LDAC, or LHDC as well.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support AAC as well. Designed to be the successor of the MP3 format, AAC generally achieves higher sound quality than MP3 encoders at the same bit rate.

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Microphone

Number Of Microphones

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 6only
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 6only

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have 6 microphones.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) microphones are 6, equal to that of the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) . More microphones record better sound quality and enable the earbuds to filter out noise.

Has A Noise-Canceling Microphone

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) use a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are intended to filter out background sounds from the desired sound.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) too have a noise-canceling type of microphone. This is useful in noisy areas.

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Extras

Has Ambient Sound Mode

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✗
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient noises to still be heard even when wearing the earbuds

Has In/On-Ear Detection

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when they are removed from your ears .

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support in/on-ear detection, automatically pauses your music, or audiobook when you remove earbuds from your ears improving your listening experience.

Has Find Earbuds Feature

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

When lost in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support the find earbuds feature.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) also have the find earbuds feature. Simply use the device app on your phone to play an alarm from your device to locate them.

Supports Fast Charging

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support fast charging. Most often, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to reduce the time it takes to charge the earbuds.

Also the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support fast charging. It's very similar to regular charging, only that the battery is filling up much faster. Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in just 30 minutes.

Multipoint Count

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 2only
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) 2only

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a multipoint of 2 connections, this feature allows you to link to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. For example, you can seemlessly switch calls from one device to another without manually disconnect and reconnect.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) have a multipoint count of 2, equal to that of the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) . Bluetooth multipoint comes in handy when you can be on one call and not miss notifications from another connected device.

Has A Mute Function

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a mute function, they have the feature to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the device.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) too support this function. The mute function means that you can turn off the device's microphone, but still hear the other party's voice.

Control Panel Placed On A Device

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), so you can easily access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the device.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) too have a control panel on them.

Warranty Period

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 1Years
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✗

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a warranty period of 1 Years, the period of time that warrant free repair and adjustment services in case of a malfunction occurring under normal use following instruction manuals.

Has Voice Prompts

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support voice prompts. With voice prompts, you receive information via audio messages, say if there is an issue with the connection.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) also have voice prompts .i.e the device will notify you if the battery is low, and it's time to recharge the earbuds.

Travel Bag Is Included

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) ✓
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) come with a special pouch. Carrying earbuds openly, or placing them inside your bag without a cover can easily put them at risk of getting damaged.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) also have a case included, which is useful for safe transportation.

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