Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation) vs Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C): which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation) vs Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C), side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
No sub-scores yet - not enough rated reviews.
Specifications
| Spec | Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation) | Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $249 | $125 |
| HearWiki score | Not scored | 84 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2019 | 2022 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | Custom high-excursion Apple driver | dynamic |
| Driver size | 11 mm | 11 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz | 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz |
| Impedance | - | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW | 100 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth version | - | 5.3 |
| Codecs | AAC | SBC, AAC |
| Multipoint pairing | No | No |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 4.5 h | - |
| Battery incl. case | 24 h | 30 h |
| Wireless charging | - | Yes |
| Features | ||
| ANC type | hybrid | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | - | No |
| Wear detection | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | both | both |
| Voice assistant | Siri | Siri |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 5.4 g | 10.6 g |
| Case weight | 45.6 g | 50.8 g |
| Water resistance | IP54 | IP54 |
| Foldable | - | No |
| Detachable cable | No | No |
| USB-C | No | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 4 | - |
What reviewers said
Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation)
These are Apple's premium true wireless earbuds with hybrid active noise cancellation and a transparency mode for ambient sound. They rely on a custom 11mm driver and the H1 chip to deliver adaptive EQ and seamless pairing with Apple devices, though battery life is modest at 4.5 hours per charge. The IP54 rating offers basic sweat and splash resistance, but they lack multipoint Bluetooth and USB-C charging.
- Pro:Effective hybrid noise cancellation
- Pro:Natural-sounding transparency mode
- Pro:Secure fit with multiple ear tip sizes
- Con:Short battery life per charge
- Con:No multipoint connectivity
- Con:Lightning port instead of USB-C
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)
These wireless earbuds deliver strong active noise cancellation and a natural-sounding transparency mode, making them a solid pick for Apple users. With around 6 hours of playback per charge and a case that boosts total listening time to 30 hours, they offer dependable daily use. The IP54 rating adds some protection against sweat and splashes, while Bluetooth 5.3 ensures a stable connection for most devices.
- Pro:Excellent active noise cancellation
- Pro:Natural transparency mode for ambient awareness
- Pro:Decent battery life with case
- Con:No multipoint connection
- Con:Limited to AAC codec
- Con:No custom EQ in app
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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