AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro, AirPods 2/3: Which are the best choice this holiday season?
As the follow-up to Apple's popular noise-canceling headphones, the AirPods Pro 2 have a number of smart improvements. This includes features like two times more noise cancellation, adaptive transparency, an upgraded charging case with Find My tracking, a speaker, a lanyard loop, and much more. Read on to find out how AirPods Pro 2 compare to AirPods Pro, AirPods 3, and AirPods 2.
AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro, AirPods 2/3: In-depth comparison
Key features
The new AirPods Pro 2 have a lot of new and helpful features. This list is led by two times more active noise cancellation, a new feature called "adaptive transparency," better audio quality and microphones, and a brand-new MagSafe charging case with Find My, a speaker, and other features.
AirPods Pro 2 | AirPods Pro | AirPods 3 | AirPods 2 |
| Active noise cancellation |  – 2x more than orig. AirPods Pro | |  |
| Adaptive transparency mode | | | |
| Transparency mode | – | | |
| Adaptive EQ | | | |
| Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking | | | |
| IPX4 sweat and water-resistant (buds and case) | | | |
| Hey Siri support | | | |
| Automatic switching | | | |
| MagSafe charging case | – | | Optional |
| MagSafe charging case with Find My support, speaker, and lanyard loop | | | |
Apple says, "A new driver and improved acoustic algorithms help Active Noise Cancellation block out more unwanted noise, so you can listen uninterrupted on your commute and when you need to concentrate."
And the H2 chip's new adaptive transparency feature can reduce loud sounds around you up to 48,000 times per second.
The AirPods Pro 2 also has these features and uses new algorithms to process sound faster. This lets them give you even higher-quality sound that is tailored to your ear shape, understand your voice/Siri commands better, and reduce distortion.
Battery life and charging case
Some people might upgrade just for the new MagSafe charging case that comes with AirPods Pro 2.
You get an U1 chip that works with Find My to help you find the earphones if you lose them. The case also has a speaker that lets you know when the battery is getting low or if you've lost it. There is also a loop for a lanyard.
When it comes to battery life, the AirPods Pro 2 can be used for 6 hours on a single charge, up from 5 hours with the original AirPods Pro, and 30 hours with the case. The original AirPods Pro could only be used for 24 hours.
AirPods Pro 2 | AirPodsPro | AirPods3 | AirPods 2 |
| Battery on a single charge | Up to 6 hours | Up to 5 hours | Up to 6 hours |
| Talk time on a single charge | Up to 4.5 hours | Up to 3.5 hours | Up to 4 hours |
| Battery with charging case | Up to 30 hours | 24+ hours | Up to 30 hours |
| 5 min. charge = | ~1-hour use | ~1-hour use | ~1-hour use |
| Speaker and Lanyard loop built into charging case | | | |
| MagSafe charging case | | | |
| Charge with MagSafe, Apple Watch puck, Qi, or Lightning |
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Along with MagSafe, Qi, and Lightning, the new AirPods Pro 2 charging case also lets you charge with an Apple Watch charging puck.
Chips and connectivity
Apple says that the new H2 chip is what makes the features above possible. Along with that and the U1 in the charging case, you get Bluetooth 5.3. Previous AirPods models only had Bluetooth 5.0.
AirPods Pro 2 | AirPods Pro | AirPods 3 | AirPods 2 |
| H2 chip | | | |
| H1 chip | – | | |
| U1 chip in charging case | | | |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
Mics, sensors, and audio tech
Some of the new features of the AirPods Pro 2 include a redesigned microphone that faces inward, a swipe-touch volume control that works with the force sensor stems, the skin-detect sensor from the AirPods 3, and a better custom-built driver and amplifier for the H2 chip.
AirPods Pro 2 | AirPods Pro | AirPods3 | AirPods 2 |
| Dual beamforming mics | | | |
| Inward-facing mic | | | |
| Touch control (force + swipe) | | | |
| Force sensor | – | | |
| Orig. touch control (taps) | – | – | – |
| Skin-detect sensor | | | |
| Dual optical sensors | – | | – |
| Motion-detecting accelerometer | | | |
| Speech-detecting accelerometer | | | |
| Custom high-excursion Apple driver | | | |
| Custom high dynamic range amplifier | | | |
| Vent system for pressure equalization | | | |
AirPods Pro 2 fit, size, and weight
AirPods Pro 2 look almost exactly the same as AirPods Pro. But the box now comes with a new pair of ear tips in the XS size.
| Earbud fit/dimensions | AirPods Pro 2 | AirPods Pro | AirPods 3 | AirPods 2 |
| Fit | In-ear (4 silicone tip sizes included) | In-ear (3 silicone tip sizes included) | Outer-ear/universal fit | Outer-ear/universal fit |
| Height | 1.22 in (30.9 mm) | 1.22 in (30.9 mm) | 1.21 in ( 30.79 mm) | 1.59 in (40.5 mm) |
| Width | 0.86 in (21.8 mm) | 0.86 in (21.8 mm) | 0.72 in (18.26 mm) | 0.65 in (16.5 mm) |
| Depth | 0.94 inch (24 mm) | 0.94 inch (24 mm) | 0.76 in (19.21 mm) | 0.71 in (18 mm) |
| Weight | 0.19 oz (5.3 g) | 0.19 oz (5.4 g) | 0.15 oz (4.28 g) | 0.14 oz (4 g) |
AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro and AirPods 3 wrap-up
The price of the AirPods Pro 2 is usually $249, which is the same as the price of the first AirPods Pro.
With features like double the active noise cancellation, new adaptive transparency, longer battery life, an updated MagSafe charging case, and more, the AirPods Pro 2 help Apple keep its position as the most popular earphone maker.
But if you'd rather save money and don't care about missing out on the new features, keep an eye out for better deals on the original AirPods Pro. AirPods 3 are the way to go if an in-ear fit isn't your thing.
Apple, Amazon, Best Buy, and BH Photo are all places you can buy AirPods Pro 2.
Thanks for reading our guide on the differences between AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro, and AirPods 2 and 3.
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