True Wireless
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)
76Great
$220
Full review dataApple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) vs Apple AirPods Pro 3: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Apple AirPods Pro 3 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 86. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Apple AirPods Pro 3 - Outstanding overall at around $179.
True Wireless
Apple AirPods Pro 3
86Outstanding
$180
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads on 7 of 7 measures.
- Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)
- Apple AirPods Pro 3
HearWiki score
76
86
Sound
8.4
8.6
Noise cancelling
8.5
9.3
Battery
6.7
7.3
Calls
6.8
7.4
Value
6.6
8.3
Price (USD)
$220
$180
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
Same generation
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 is 3 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. The platform is level; the newer hardware shows up in convenience features instead - the Apple AirPods Pro 3 adds Multipoint pairing and Water resistance IP57 against IP54. For 3 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)2022
- AirPods Pro 320253 yr newer
What differsAirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)AirPods Pro 3
- Multipoint pairing
- No
- Yes
- Water resistance
- IP54
- IP57
Everyday features
Level on: Bluetooth, Top codec, Wireless charging, USB-C, Wear detection, Transparency mode, Companion app.
Specifications
AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)AirPods Pro 3
- Type
- True Wireless
- True Wireless
- Price (USD)
- $220
- $180
- HearWiki score
- 76
- 86
- Released
- 2022
- 2025
- Availability
- Discontinued
- Sold new
- Driver
- 11 mm dynamic
- 10.7 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 11 mm
- 10.7 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Impedance
- 16 Ω
- -
- Sensitivity
- 100 dB/mW
- 110 dB/mW
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 5.3
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC
- SBC, AAC
- Multipoint pairing
- No
- Yes
- Battery life
- 6 h
- 8 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- -
- 8 h
- Wireless charging
- Yes
- Yes
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- Yes
- ANC type
- -
- adaptive
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- Yes
- Companion app
- Yes
- Yes
- Custom EQ
- No
- -
- Wear detection
- Yes
- Yes
- Controls
- touch
- touch
- Voice assistant
- Siri
- Siri
- Weight
- 5.3 g
- 5.5 g
- Case weight
- 50.8 g
- 44 g
- Water resistance
- IP54
- IP57
- Foldable
- No
- -
- Detachable cable
- No
- -
- USB-C
- Yes
- Yes
- Microphones
- 3
- 3
- Microphone type
- beamforming
- beamforming
What reviewers said
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) are premium wireless earbuds with strong active noise cancellation and a natural-sounding transparency mode. They offer 6 hours of playback per charge, with a total of 30 hours via the wireless charging case, and are designed for seamless use with Apple devices thanks to Bluetooth 5.3 and touch controls. Their IP54 rating and lightweight build make them a versatile choice for daily use, though they lack multipoint connectivity and custom EQ options.
- Pro:Excellent active noise cancellation
- Pro:Superb transparency mode for ambient awareness
- Pro:Seamless integration with Apple devices
- Con:Battery life is modest at 6 hours
- Con:No multipoint Bluetooth connection
- Con:No custom EQ in the app
Apple AirPods Pro 3
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are premium true wireless earbuds that combine adaptive active noise cancellation with a comfortable, secure fit. They deliver clear calls, robust battery life, and a balanced sound profile, all wrapped in an IP57-rated design that handles water and dust. With Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint connectivity, and wireless charging, they offer a polished experience for Apple and non-Apple users alike.
- Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:Clear call quality with beamforming mics
- Pro:Strong battery life of 8 hours with ANC on
- Con:Fit may be tricky for some ears
- Con:Premium price point
- Con:Limited codec support (SBC, AAC only)
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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