Apple AirPods 3 Aside from the design change, which should fit most ears better than the AirPods 2nd Generation (though not very small ears), the biggest change is to the sound quality: It's much improved. Also, battery life is better, and the AirPods 3 are officially water-resistant.
Relatively speaking, the AirPods (3rd generation) makes treble notes sound about twice as loud as they do through the second-gen AirPods. Meanwhile, the AirPods (2nd gen) boosts upper-bass notes (100Hz) to make them sound almost two times louder than the third-gen AirPods.
The sound quality has seen some refinement, and the third-gen AirPods are a better gym buddy than their predecessors. Plus you've got longer battery life and nice-to-have features like spatial audio head tracking — even if Apple is overselling it a bit.
The AirPods 2 - or the original AirPods - don't have Adaptive EQ, Active Noise Cancellation or Transparency Mode. They also don't support Apple's Spatial Audio technology or Personalised Spatial Audio, which the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) and AirPods (3rd Generation) do.
The 3 have a longer continuous battery life, a better control scheme, and an IPX4 rating for water resistance.
It's for you and totally worth it. If you are casual or light fitness motivated like jogging or walking or even treadmills, then Apple AirPods 2 or the 3rd generation is good for you. But if you need more features like spatial audio or dynamic head tracking then Apple AirPods 3 is the way to go.
The standard AirPods fit some people's ears perfectly (some people have no trouble running with them), but plenty of people can't get a secure fit. If you're in the latter group, I highly recommend you spend the extra money on the AirPods Pro. The AirPods Pro design simply fits more ears than the original AirPods.
AirPods Pro and AirPods Max Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode. AirPods Pro and AirPods Max have three noise-control modes: Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, and Off. You can switch between them, depending on how much of your surroundings you want to hear.
The verdict. Unquestionably, the AirPods 3 have more innovative technology like the spatial audio feature and adaptive equalizer to create a more immersive experience, with better isolation from the air or wind, better battery life, wireless charging, and new skin and force sensors for extra comfort.
Unfortunately, AirPods 1, AirPods 2, & even the new AirPods 3 only come in one standard size. And since everyone's ears are different from each other, this one-size-fits-all approach may not match your ear profile and will become uncomfortable to wear.
During our reviews, the AirPods 3 achieved the estimated 30 hours of music playback that Apple advertised. That's a step up from the 24-hour battery life of the AirPods Pro. A key reason for this is the AirPods 3's lack of active noise cancellation (ANC).
A liquid ingress protection rating of 4 means that the AirPods Pro 2 can withstand splashes of water from all directions for up to 10 minutes. The AirPods Pro 2 cannot, however, withstand being submerged in water, so you can't take them for a swim.
The second-gen AirPods Pro sound better. Their active noise cancellation is noticeably improved. You can now adjust the volume directly from the earbuds. And the charging case has gained a built-in speaker and pinpoint location tracking that makes it easier to find.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) modestly improves upon the first-generation AirPods Pro and features the same iconic look. Apple's upgraded H2 chip begets better active noise canceling (ANC) and battery life, while the case's U1 chip and integrated speaker lets you precisely locate it from the Find My app.
No pair of noise-canceling headphones will block out 100% of the sound. That just doesn't happen with any of them. If the Bose 700 Headphones block out 90% of sound, I'd say the Apple AirPods Pro block out about 80-85% of sound.
Yes, they do, but not because of a design flaw. AirPods, just like most earbuds, do allow for some level of sound leakage. The extent of this sound escape, however, depends on several factors, like your volume levels, the ear tips' fit, and the nature of the audio you're listening to.
Apple uses their custom active noise cancelling technology for the AirPods Pro. The system is equipped with two microphones, an inward-facing mic and an outward-facing one. The outward-facing mic analyzes and detects noise coming from the outside so that the system can generate an anti-noise waveform to cancel it.
Many people probably just stick the AirPods into their ears with the stem pointing down. However, that keeps them loose, virtually guaranteeing that they'll slip out. After placing the AirPods in your ears, twist them up around 30 degrees so the stem is more horizontal and is sticking out away from your ears.
Apple AirPods 3
Aside from the design change, which should fit most ears better than the AirPods 2nd Generation (though not very small ears), the biggest change is to the sound quality: It's much improved. Also, battery life is better, and the AirPods 3 are officially water-resistant.
Apple AirPods (2nd Generation)
We don't think they're worth getting though because they feel like a work-in-progress compared with the third-generation model. These aging earphones offer much weaker audio performance, don't feature a water-resistance rating, have short battery life, and lack spatial audio support.
AirPods typically last about 2-3 years before most users feel the need to replace them. This short lifespan is because of their lithium-ion batteries. AirPods have proven tough in several durability tests and have shown that they can withstand pressure.
Not only are the AirPods Pro's ear tips likely to be more comfortable and stable for most ears thanks to their multiple size options, but they also allow for a better seal for improved audio performance, while still providing a semi-open feel.
Gently press AirPods in your ears and rotate toward your face. Your AirPods should feel snug and secure.
AirPods Pro and AirPods (3rd generation) aren't designed for use in water sports like swimming, or for showering.