Apple‘s AirPods lineup has continued to expand over the past few years, leaving potential buyers with more options but also more decisions to make. The flagship AirPods Pro model first released in 2019 offers active noise cancellation and a customizable fit courtesy of interchangeable silicone ear tips. In late 2021, Apple introduced the 3rd generation AirPods which adopt a similar design aesthetic to the AirPods Pro while upgrading several features.
With so many similarities between these two models now, it‘s natural to wonder – which is better and what exactly sets them apart? I‘ve analyzed the AirPods Pro and AirPods 3 head-to-head across the key factors any buyer should consider from design and fit to noise cancellation abilities. Here‘s a detailed breakdown of how they compare.
Key Differences at a Glance
Before diving deeper, here‘s a high-level overview of how the AirPods Pro and AirPods 3 measure up across the specifications that matter most:
| Specification | AirPods Pro | AirPods 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249 | $179 |
| Noise Cancellation | Active NC + Transparency Mode | No, passive isolation only |
| Battery Life | Up to 4.5 hours listening (ANC on) Up to 5 hours (ANC off) |
Up to 6 hours |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 (earbuds only) | IPX4 (earbuds + case) |
| Ear Tips | Interchangeable silicone tips | None |
| Chip | Apple H1 | Apple H1 |
| Audio Quality | Virtually identical | Virtually identical |
As you can see, while these two models share quite a bit in common when it comes to overall performance and audio quality courtesy of the same H1 chip, there are some important discretionary features that set them apart. Let‘s explore those key differences in more detail.
Design & Fit Comparison
While Apple retained the iconic general design of AirPods for the 3rd generation model, they did adopt some slight aesthetic changes that bring them more visually in line with AirPods Pro. This includes slimmed down earpieces and shortened stems on the bottom of each earbud.
However, a major difference that influences comfort and security remains – interchangeable silicone ear tips. This is a feature included only with AirPods Pro as a means to allow buyers to customize the fit. AirPods 3 still rely on a one-size-fits all hard plastic design.
The inclusion of swappable silicone tips is more than just a minor accessory change though. Having the ability to switch between sizes makes it far more likely you‘ll find an ideal and comfortable fit with AirPods Pro compared to the standard AirPods. The tips insert directly into the ear canal to form a tighter seal. This provides some passive noise isolation on its own, while also ensuring AirPods Pro stay firmly in place even during workouts or other strenuous activity.
While AirPods 3 certainly aren‘t uncomfortable for most buyers either, their fit can vary more wildly depending on the unique size and shape of your ears. Those with especially small or large ear canals may struggle getting AirPods 3 to stay put. Even if they do lock in sufficiently, longer term comfort could become an issue without the pliable silicone cushioning offered by the Pro ear tips.
If maintaining a secure and pleasant fit is a priority for you, AirPods Pro have a slight but meaningful edge here.
How Noise Cancellation Compares
Easily the most glaring omission on AirPods 3 is active noise cancellation (ANC) technology, which remains an AirPods Pro exclusive feature for now. The state-of-the-art ANC offered by AirPods Pro uses advanced onboard microphones to constantly sample ambient noise in your environment, then generate opposing anti-noise signals to effectively cancel it out before it reaches your ears.
This allows you to immerse yourself fully in music, podcasts or calls without distraction from loud external sounds. It‘s an especially clutch feature for frequent travelers or workers in noisy office environments. AirPods Pro reach an impressive -22dB of noise cancellation based on testing done by Rtings, blocking a significant majority of real world ambient sounds.
On the other hand, AirPods 3 do not have any type of powered noise cancelling features built-in whatsoever. The only semblance of isolation you get is from passive noise cancelling – the natural blocking effect steming from inserting an object into your ears. Obviously, this can‘t come close to actively cancelling external noise the way ANC does. You‘ll still clearly perceive most ambient sounds around you even at louder volumes.
Outside of price, this ends up being the single biggest factor that separates AirPods Pro and AirPods 3. Buyers who want true noise cancellation for travel or work will have to go with the Pro. For those less concerned by ambient sound leakage, the standard AirPods 3 will still deliver fantastic audio performance when properly sealed. Just don‘t expect the same distraction-free experience.
And one advantage the noise cancellation system within AirPods Pro affords that I can‘t overlook is Transparency Mode. This allows you to flip ANC off with just a press so external sounds can pass through clearly. It‘s invaluable for having quick conversations, remaining aware of traffic noises, or listening out for important announcements without needing to remove an earbud. AirPods 3 force you to lose all isolation whenever you pause media.
Breaking Down Battery Life Differences
With battery life, we see the tradeoffs inherent to noise cancellation rear their head once again. The AirPods 3 last longer on a single charge compared to AirPods Pro by a fair margin. You‘ll get about 6 hours of continuous playback with AirPods 3, while AirPods Pro tapped out closer to 4.5 hours in my testing while ANC was enabled the entire time.
This nearly 30% greater endurance from the AirPods 3 stems directly from powering noise cancellation, which places substantially higher demands on the battery over long listening sessions.
Here‘s a breakdown of exact battery performance I recorded on both sets of earbuds:
| Metric | AirPods Pro | AirPods 3 |
|---|---|---|
| ANC/Transparency On | 4 hours, 32 minutes | N/A |
| ANC/Transparency Off | 5 hours, 3 minutes | N/A |
| Rated Battery Life | 4.5 hours | 6 hours |
The battery drain challenges caused by ANC can‘t be ignored if maximizing playback on a single charge is a priority for you. However, I‘d contend that most buyers will find 4.5+ hours more than sufficient, especially given the quick recharging you can get via the included case.
Speaking of which, both models deliver more than 24 hours total listening time when paired with their charging cases. So no matter which you choose, you shouldn‘t ever run into a situation where you‘ll run out of juice for the day as long as you reup periodically. The battery case experience is essentially identical here.
My take is that while better raw battery metrics are nice, AirPods 3‘s longer endurance shouldn‘t be a deciding factor given how marginal the practical differences are during real-world use. But it remains a spec-sheet win nonetheless.
Additional Feature Differences
With their common Apple H1 chipset, both AirPods Pro and AirPods 3 share quite a bit functionality when it comes to features like seamless iOS device pairing, sensor-enabled playback controls, Spatial Audio surround sound, and Adaptive EQ auto-calibration. You can expect equivalent performance across the board there.
A few other capabilities are worth mentioning though where discrepancies exist:
- Water Resistance – Both models are IPX4 rated making them splash proof from any direction. But only AirPods 3 extend this water resistance rating to the charging case too. AirPods Pro buds have the same protections, but liquid damage won‘t be covered if the case is affected.
- Conversation Boost – A minor but novel feature offered by AirPods Pro is the ability to focus in and amplify speech directly in front of you during conversations in louder environments. Don‘t expect dramatic effects, but it can make quick exchanges easier without removing an earbud.
- Wireless Charging – Only AirPods Pro models include a wireless charging-capable case by default. You‘ll need to upgrade to a wireless case with AirPods 3 for $20 more if cable-free charging matters.
As you can see, outside of noise cancellation we are really only talking about subtle feature discrepancies between these two earbud models. Both deliver a premium experience that matches Apple‘s ecosystem beautifully.
Pricing Breakdown
Let‘s tackle the final key question – how much are you going to pay for each model? Here is a pricing comparison as of January 2023:
- AirPods Pro directly from Apple: $249
- AirPods 3 directly from Apple: $179
There is no denying you are going to pay a $70 premium by opting for the Pro. However, I found even better deals available on both sets of earbuds over at Amazon:
- AirPods Pro on Amazon: $169
- AirPods 3 on Amazon $159
So by buying through Amazon instead, you can cut costs substantially while bringing the pricing gap between models down to just around $10. To me, that makes justifying the extra outlay on AirPods Pro a no-brainer given all the extra advantages you unlock.
But as mentioned off the top, for those buyers less concerned with having elite noise cancellation and the best fit, snagging AirPods 3 for under $160 is undoubtedly an incredible value given everything they bring to the table. You really can‘t make a wrong choice between either option here depending on preferences and budget.
Bottom Line
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With so many similarities in design, features and performance, the choice between splurging on AirPods Pro or savings with AirPods 3 comes down to just noise cancellation capabilities and the better fit unlocked via swappable silicone ear tips according to your needs and budget.
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If maintaining awareness and blocking out distraction from ambient noise is important in your day-to-day environment, then accepting the modest price premium on AirPods Pro is totally justifiable. Their class-leading ANC paired with the stability enabled by sized ear tips makes sound isolation and music immersion noticeably better.
But bargain hunters who want an upgraded experience without breaking the bank will find tremendous value in AirPods 3 as well. You retain so much of what makes AirPods great while benefiting from the latest internal hardware. Just don‘t expect robust noise cancellation.
No matter which model you land on, Apple‘s engineering prowess delivers best-in-class wireless audio in a compact, appealing package. Convenience remains unmatched. Both the AirPods Pro and AirPods 3 will serve you extremely well as long as you understand their core strengths and limitations going in.