$199.99
Rankings
AirPods Pro 3 deliver industry-leading ANC, a rich feature set including health sensors and live translation, and a comfortable lightweight design, making them a premium choice for Apple users seeking top-tier performance.
Apple EarPods with Lightning connector are wired earbuds designed for iOS devices, offering a comfortable intra-concha fit, clear stereo sound and integrated controls. While they lack ANC and a 3.5 mm jack, they provide solid build quality and sweat resistance for everyday use.
The AirPods 4 deliver solid sound, excellent integration with Apple devices, and a comfortable fit, but they lack ANC and wireless charging. They are best suited for users deep in the Apple ecosystem who value spatial audio and fast charging.
Apple AirPods Pro deliver industry-leading active noise cancellation, spatial audio, and tight integration with iOS devices. They offer a comfortable fit, good call quality, and solid battery life, though the price is high and the battery cannot be replaced.
Apple EarPods with a USB-C plug are wired earbuds that deliver comfortable fit, high-quality audio and an in-line remote with microphone. They lack wireless connectivity and ANC, but provide a modern connector for USB-C devices.
Apple EarPods are a comfortable, low-latency wired solution with solid build quality and universal compatibility, but they lack isolation and high-end sound performance. Ideal for callers and casual listeners who prioritize convenience over audiophile fidelity.
AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) offer top-tier ANC, personalized spatial audio and deep Apple ecosystem integration, delivering a premium experience for iPhone users. Battery life is modest at 6 h with ANC, and the case lacks wireless-charging indicators.
AirPods (3rd Gen) provide a comfortable, lightweight fit, spatial audio and impressive total battery life via a MagSafe case, but lack ANC and rely on a single AAC codec. They integrate tightly with Apple devices and are sweat-resistant, making them a solid everyday choice for iPhone users.
| Attribute | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
— | 4.5 hours | 5 hours | 6 hours | 6 hours | — | 8 hoursbest | — | |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 20 Hzbest | |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 20,000 Hzbest | |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 100 dBbest | |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 32 Ωbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 11 g | 5.4 g | 118 g | 4.28 gbest | 4.28 gbest | 31.75 g | 9.07 g | 12 g |
12 monthsbest | 12 monthsbest | 12 monthsbest | 12 monthsbest | 12 monthsbest | 12 monthsbest | 12 monthsbest | — |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Audio(2) | ||||||||
Active Noise Cancellation | false | true | false | true | false | — | true | false |
Supported Codecs | — | — | AAC-ELD | — | AAC | — | — | — |
Connectivity(1) | ||||||||
Bluetooth Version | — | 5.0 | 5.3 | — | 5.0 | — | — | — |
Build & Design(3) | ||||||||
Weight (g) | 11 g | 5.4 g | 118 g | 4.28 g | 4.28 g | 31.75 g | 9.07 g | 12 g |
IP Rating | — | IPX4 | IP54 | IPX4 | IPX4 | — | — | — |
Ear Tip Sizes | — | Three sizes | — | XS, S, M, L | — | — | 5 | — |
Battery & Power(2) | ||||||||
Battery Life (hours) | — | 4.5 hours | 5 hours | 6 hours | 6 hours | — | 8 hours | — |
Charging Port Type | Lightning | Lightning, Qi, MagSafe | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C | 3.5mm |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers highlight the EarPods' superior fit, clear audio, and tight iOS integration, noting the digital signal processing and reinforced cable make them a solid upgrade over the older 3.5mm version, while pointing out the lack of a 3.5mm jack and ANC as drawbacks.
Users love the comfortable fit and clear audio, appreciate the built-in mic and responsive controls, but frequently complain about the lack of a 3.5mm jack, the inability to charge while listening, and occasional cable wear.
“These fit perfectly and sound great.”
“Back to my roots with these!! Just as great as ever.”
“The bass is amazing - I never knew standard AirPods could sound this good.”
Choose AirPods Pro 2 if you need ANC and transparency; choose AirPods 4 for a more affordable, ANC-free option with solid Apple integration.
AirPods 4 are the clear upgrade over AirPods 3 for users wanting better sound, advanced audio processing, and a more compact, USB-C case.
AirPods Pro 3 offers twice the noise removal and added health features, but at a higher cost.
Professional reviewers consistently praise the AirPods Pro for delivering Apple's best-in-class noise cancellation, a refined ergonomic design, and longer battery life in the second generation.
Everyday users love the seamless pairing, comfortable fit, and the immersive spatial audio experience, while noting the lack of EQ controls, occasional fit discomfort, and the high price.
Professional reviewers praise the sound quality that rivals the AirPods Pro, the comfort of the new contour, and the H2 chip's computational audio, while noting the missing ANC and limited appeal for non-Apple users.
Everyday users love the richer bass, clear call quality, secure fit during workouts, and immersive Spatial Audio, but complain about the lack of ANC, no wireless charging, and case durability.
Professional reviewers commend the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) for their rich, balanced sound and industry-leading ANC, highlighting the Conversation Aware feature and case's built-in speaker, while noting the absence of hi-res codec support and a fixed EQ as drawbacks.
Everyday users rave about the superior noise cancellation, immersive spatial audio and convenience of stem-swipe volume control, but note the lack of EQ customization, case scratches and limited Android features.
Professional reviewers commend the AirPods 3 for delivering noticeably better audio, a more secure fit, and the addition of Spatial Audio and MagSafe charging, while noting the absence of ANC and limited codec support as primary shortcomings.
Everyday users love the effortless pairing, comfort and long battery life, but miss having active noise cancellation and wish for more color options and on-ear volume controls.
Professional reviewers highlight the breakthrough audio performance, best-in-class ANC, and health-focused features, while noting the premium price.
Professional reviewers acknowledge the EarPods as a well-designed, low-cost wired option with excellent ergonomics and reliable remote, while criticizing the modest sound signature and lack of isolation.
Everyday users love the comfort, durability, and reliable remote/mic functionality, but many complain about flat audio, lack of isolation, and cable wear.
