AirPods 3 vs AirPods Pro: Which Earbuds Should You Get?

With a suggested retail price of $199, the AirPods 3 are damn close to the AirPods Pro. It is understandable if this causes some doubt when you want to purchase new earplugs. Which of the two should you have now?

To help you with that, I explain in detail in this article what earplugs have to offer the consumer. I look at the unique features of both models, which will hopefully give you a better idea of ​​which one suits you best.

AirPods 3: a Pro without tips?

The biggest difference between the AirPods 3 and the AirPods Pro are the tips. The new model from Apple has been given an open design, which also ensures that the ANC feature is missing. That is certainly the major disadvantage of this cheaper model, but as a consumer you do get some things in return.

Starting with an improved battery life. The battery of the AirPods 3 takes your earbuds in tow for 6 hours, where the AirPods Pro managed to last for five hours. This is the maximum playing time without ANC. If you use the charging case to provide your earbuds with extra charge, it is even possible to last 30 hours on a single charge. A nice difference with the 24 hours that the Pro models can last.

The charging case of the AirPods 3 offers even more advantages. In addition to the IPX4 rating of the earbuds, the box is also resistant to water and sweat this time. As with the new 11mm driver, the earplugs take a small lead over its more expensive competitor.

AirPods Pro: Active Noise cancellation makes all the difference

The AirPods Pro only manage to break even this lead quite quickly thanks to the ANC functionality. Thanks to a perfect cooperation between software and hardware, it is possible to completely isolate yourself from the outside world. Something that these earplugs know to do as one of the best on the market.

Thanks to the functionality, you do of course sacrifice battery life and you certainly have to put down a little more money, but you get a lot in return. Music comes in better, you can hear contacts better during phone calls and Spatial Audio is more impressive. Thanks to the active noise suppression of the AirPods Pro, you experience content differently than when you use the AirPods 3.

AirPods 3 vs AirPods Pro: a matter of taste

So it’s really a matter of taste in that regard. A matter of what you, as a consumer, really think is important. The difference may not be very big, but the AirPods 3 are in theory the cheap option with a suggested retail price of €199. The AirPods Pro cost €279 at Apple and that difference of €80 is quite large. If it is not the case that you can also buy the model from other suppliers for the price of € 219. And that makes the story a little more interesting.

For the difference of €20, it is therefore entirely up to you what you find most important. Example: I am personally a big fan of Active Noise Cancellation, but in-ear earplugs are never comfortable. So for me a reason to choose the AirPods 3 in addition to my ANC headphones. Something that could also apply to you.

It’s the only major difference between the two in my opinion. If you compare the advantages and disadvantages of both earplugs, you can conclude that it is a tie. You can’t go wrong with both the AirPods 3 and the AirPods Pro. So it really is whether you can live with tips or not.