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

IP ratings is the rank of protection offered by a casing, against solids and liquids. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value represents protection against solids such as dust, followed by the one that refers to resistance against liquids (sweat).

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

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a weight of 8.56g . We take in account a lower weight better because lighter devices are more comfortable to move with.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), at 10.6g weigh more than the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) by 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 matter since they don't have cables. This is a key distinction as some wireless earbuds have wires connecting the 2 earbuds together.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) also is true wireless since it doesn't have cables linking the pair of earbuds together.

Sweat Resistance

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

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) are resistant to sweat

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)'s resistance to sweat makes both devices good for use during 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, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience.

Both Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) 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 more advanced kind of tech to reduce ambient sounds. ANC works when, it listens to the sound pattern of incoming noise and then generates a mirror signal to cancel it out. In simple terms, it's like having +1 (sound from your surrounding) and adding -1 (inverted noise) to make 0 therefore "diluting" the noise.

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have Active Noise Cancellation enabling you to listen at lower levels of volume, good for your ears as you don't have to crank up the device volume to overcome background noise.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) too have ANC which makes either of the earbuds ideal for flights and rush hour commutes. Each operate with different noise cancellation modes, pick the mode that you prefer for 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 well in place, this creates an acoustic covering that reduces your environment sounds well as preventing the earbuds music from leaking out at the same.

Both Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), and Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have passive noise reduction this implies that they limit 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. A driver unit is basically a mini speaker that makes sound in the earbuds, its size corellates with the loudness of the device.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) driver unit is 11mm in diameter, making both devices 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 usually have difficulty producing high frequencies so it's true that, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not mean that they produce 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 inidcates how well a particular audio component produces low frequencies that can be heard, and if it makes any changes to the signal while at it.

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 measures if and how well an audio device produces high human frequencies and if it makes any 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 listening time. The effect is barely noticeable at first, but over time, your wireless earbuds will no longer play for long like they used to.

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 Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s case is said to have a charge of 30 hours. A charging case with a longer battery life allows 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 requires 0.3 hours to fully charge the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)'s battery. It is highly adivsable 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 place down on a compatible charging pad.

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

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 notifies you when the earbuds has a low battery. Its lights display the charging state of your earbuds and case.

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

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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 allows data transfers 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

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a 10meters distance to connect 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 that is 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 a similar bit rate.

Being the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) will work well with your MacBook. If you intend on using these with Android you need to pay even closer attention to codec support for if they only have AAC they won't provide the best audio quality possible, 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 device to filter out background sounds.

Has A Noise-Canceling Microphone

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

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) use a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are intended to reduce noise from the earbuds' sound.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) too have a noise-canceling 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) ✓

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient noises so that they can still be heard even while wearing the earbuds

Has In/On-Ear Detection

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

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when removed from your ears so that the music is paused.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) too 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, Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) have a find earbuds feature.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) also have the find earbuds feature. Use the device app on your phone to play an alarm from your earbuds 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 amount of time it takes to fully charge a device.

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 thirty minutes.

Multipoint Count

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

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support multipoint of 2 connections, this feature allows you to link to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. Say, you can switch calls from one device to another without having to 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 is useful because you can be on one call without missing notifications from another device.

Has A Mute Function

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

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

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) too have this function. The mute function means that you unilaterally turn off the earbuds' microphone, but you can still hear the other party talk.

Control Panel Placed On A Device

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

With the Apple AirPods (3rd Gen), so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the earbuds.

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

Warranty Period

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

The 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) ✓

Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) support voice prompts. Automatically receive information through audio messages, say if there is a problem with the connection.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) also have voice prompts .i.e the device notifies you when the battery is running low, and you need to recharge them.

Travel Bag Is Included

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

The Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) come with a special case. Carrying earbuds openly, or putting them inside your pockets without a cover may easily damage them.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) too have a case included, which offers safe transportation.

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