Airpods 3 vs Airpods Pro Review : What to Go for?

Apple's new AirPods (3rd generation)—also known as the AirPods 3—have arrived, which means it's time to play Pick Your Pods! Apple's basic AirPods have received a slew of improvements that bring them closer to the immensely popular AirPods Pro.

But which combination is the most cost-effective? What features are unique in the latest AirPods, and what benefits do you get from upgrading to the Pro? The most crucial question is: which pair is best for you? We've laid down a point-by-point comparison of Apple's top buds below, so read on for the answers.

Price

It's good to begin with a simple topic, but even this one has some twists and turns, as the price of Apple's AirPods Pro is now in flux. The original AirPods Pro, which were released in October of 2019, have had some time to settle in well below their $249 MSRP. We've seen these for less than $180 on sale, and they're now on sale for roughly $200 (at the time of posting).

The AirPods 3 (as we'll refer to them from here on) cost $179, and given how new they are, they may not be discounted for a while. That's almost a tie, especially if the Pro buds go to their previous lows. But wait, there's more: Apple is implementing the usual minor-feature pricing hike. The AirPods Pro will soon receive a MagSafe charging upgrade, bringing the "new" AirPods Pro's price to $249. (subject to change; until Apple puts those on sale as well).

The price difference is practically a draw if you can acquire either version of the AirPods Pro on a good sale, but given that this is conditional and subject to big change, we'll give this round to the normal AirPods 3.

Our Favorite: AirPods 3

Design & Fitting

The sleek, thin and trim design of the AirPods 3 is the main selling point. The new AirPods resemble a lot like the AirPods Pro, but with shorter stems and a Force Sensor for controls. To be honest, it's difficult to spot the difference at first glance.

The buds are nearly identical in weight (the original AirPods weigh 4.2 grammes versus the Pro's 5), take up nearly the same amount of space, and the main difference is the AirPods Pro's larger case (it's a little bigger and wider). The AirPods 3 buds, like the Pro, are now water-resistant to IPX4, which includes their MagSafe-compatible charging case (the Pro's case isn't listed as water-resistant, and the original version isn't MagSafe ready).

The AirPods Pro have slick, magnetic ear tips, which were a first for Apple buds, while the AirPods 3 have a slightly shaved-down version of the one-size-fits-some plastic shells. There are plenty of other similarities that we'll go over in the Features section, but there is a place that really sets these buds apart in their heads, so to speak: the AirPods Pro have slick, magnetic ear tips, which were a first for Apple buds.

Now, which of them is preferable is a lot more contentious than I expected. My brother claims that the plastic-pod fit is the only earbud that fits his ears, and I'm sure he's not alone. That's fine, and if you disagree, feel free to do so, but because my brother isn't authoring this piece, I get to make the final decision. It's either ear tips or bust for me.

Because of the many size possibilities, the AirPods Pro's ear tips are anticipated to be more comfortable and stable for most ears, and they also allow for a better seal for increased audio performance while maintaining a semi-open sensation. As a result, despite the fact that designs are almost similar in both of them, I'm going with the AirPods Pro's ultra-comfy fit.

Our Favorite: AirPods Pro

Controls & Features

Because these two models have so many aspects in common, it's easier to start with what they have in common. Both earbuds come with a slew of accessories tailored to Apple fans, and it all starts when you open the case.

The AirPods (as well as Apple's Beats buds) appear on your iPhone as soon as you open the packaging is a fantastic way to get things started. Microsoft and Google have their own versions, but they're not as straightforward as Apple's.

Apple AirPods Pro (R)­ – TechRadar

 Both of these AirPods versions use the H1 chip, which allows you to smoothly switch between Apple devices when signed in to iCloud. It isn't always perfect, but it is generally accurate and a useful feature for those who work from home.

The AirPods Pro include one key feature that the AirPods 3 don't have.

When compared to headphones that just enable Bluetooth tracking, the AirPods share the same "Find My" capability as the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max with iOS 15, allowing you to follow your buds with greater accuracy and over longer distances from your iPhone. You may also set up separation alerts to be notified if your earbuds go missing.

Both pairs have a Force Sensor on the stems for playing/ pausing, skipping songs, and summoning Siri (which you can also perform with a simple "Hey, Siri" voice command). While I wish either pair had inbuilt volume controls, "Hey, Siri" makes this, as well as a slew of other features, rather simple. With a recent iPhone, it's especially quick. Other advantages include the option to use only one bud at a time and sensors that automatically halt when you remove them (the new AirPods even have an improved in-ear detector).

The AirPods Pro has one (or more) feature that the AirPods 3 lacks, and it's a major one: ambient sound modes like active noise cancellation and transparency mode. The AirPods Pro include both of these features, as well as some seriously excellent noise cancellation for a pair of buds that are so light and comfortable. That's a major flaw in the AirPods 3, and one that we see increasingly frequently in mid-tier devices like Samsung's Galaxy Buds 2.

Given the AirPods 3's open-style design, it would have been a tall order, but it's still something we'd expect from earbuds that cost close to $200.

 Our Favorite: AirPods Pro

Battery Life

Because the battery is the AirPods Pro's main flaw, upgrading it was an easy win for the new AirPods. The AirPods 3 offer a better battery duration of 6 hours per charge with up to 30 hours away from the outlet, which is by no means a coup when compared to other competitors. With ANC, the AirPods Pro last only 4.5 hours, and the case lasts for a total of 24 hours.

Here's a catch: Active noise cancelling drains more battery life, but a win is a win, and the AirPods 3 take the gold.

Our Favorite: AirPods 3

Sound Quality & Calling Performance

When it comes to calling, callers on the other end found it difficult, if not impossible, to distinguish between calls made with the AirPods 3 and calls made with the AirPods Pro in our tests. That is to say, they both sounded wonderful, which is a huge plus for people who talk on the phone a lot.

When it comes to listening, the AirPods 3 have some fascinating new features borrowed from the AirPods Pro, such as Adaptive EQ, which uses an inside microphone to continuously measure frequencies and modify the sound for your individual fit, and Spatial Audio.

The most well-known is arguably Spatial Audio, albeit its applications are somewhat limited. It's aimed to give compatible material, such as TV and movies mixed in Dolby Atmos on services like Apple TV+ and Disney+, a more hemispheric soundstage. Also, to enjoy the Dolby Atmos Music via Apple's music service.

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While the function does give some extra realism to Dolby Atmos film content, it's the head tracking that's most intriguing when it comes to music. It helps you to attach the soundstage to the source device. It keeps the soundscape centred on the device whenever you turn your head, allowing you to virtually explore the aural region. This helps to isolate instruments in the soundstage and gives your listening experience a more lively sense.

It's fantastic that Apple has included these functions in the AirPods 3, and the new bespoke drivers and amplifiers in these buds have undoubtedly increased music quality over prior AirPods models. They are, however, still rather constrained, and a large part of this is due to the open-shell design. The AirPods 3 can't give the same level of comfy feeling, sleek body, or any detail as compared to the AirPods Pro.

Not everything, but some parts are defined by how well they fit together; the better the seal, the greater the sound. While there are many similar attributes at play in this race, the AirPods Pro comfortably win on sound.

Our Favorite: AirPods Pro

Who is the Winner?

While the AirPods 3 put up a good fight, borrowing several features from the AirPods Pro, it's evident that the Pro buds are the winners. Not only do the AirPods Pro earn more awards overall, but they're also a better deal when they're on sale.

The thing to highlight here is that if your ears are the type where only the plastic shells would suffice, the AirPods 3 may literally be a better fit. In that case, consider whether the new features are sufficient to make them a better investment than the less expensive AirPods 2, which are now available for $129 or less.

Otherwise, the AirPods Pro are the clear victors when it comes to the greatest Apple buds.