Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 is the better pick: it ranks #224 of 584 in-ear headphones by sound quality (rated 4.2/5), against #537 (rated 2.6/5) for the Apple AirPods Pro 1st Gen. If you want one new, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 replaces the Apple AirPods Pro 2 and is rated 3.5/5 at $199.
Why pick the Apple AirPods Pro 1st Gen: Started the ANC earbud boom with effective noise cancelling, transparency mode, a comfortable fit and seamless iPhone pairing. The catch: Discontinued and replaced by the Apple AirPods Pro 2.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 is the better-sounding option. Smooth, natural tuning with a 1.70 dB spread and a Harman score of 76, plus strong noise cancelling, transparency mode and seamless iPhone pairing. Watch for: Discontinued and replaced by the Apple AirPods Pro 3.
Buy the Apple AirPods Pro 2 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the Apple AirPods Pro 3, which replaces the Apple AirPods Pro 2.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Apple AirPods Pro 1st Gen | Apple AirPods Pro 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Ranked | #537 of 584 in In-Ear Headphones | #224 of 584 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Connection | True wireless | True wireless |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Weight | 0 lbs (5.4 g) (per earbud) | 0 lbs (5.3 g) (per earbud) |
| Harman Preference Score | 56 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 76 (measured by HypetheSonics, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.94 dB standard deviation | 1.70 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.11 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.19 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 4.5 hours (earbuds, ANC on), 24 hours with case | 6 hours (earbuds, ANC on), 30 hours with case |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Sub-bass Extension | - | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How Apple AirPods Pro 2 compares with other leading options:
- Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs Apple AirPods Pro 3
- Apple AirPods Pro 1st Gen vs Apple AirPods Pro 3
- Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC vs Nothing Ear
- Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC vs Sony WF-C510
- Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC vs Anker Soundcore Space A40
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Apple AirPods Pro 1st Gen TWS Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Apple AirPods Pro 3, ranked higher, rated 3.5/5, released Sep 2025. See every Apple AirPods Pro generation.
Pros: Started the ANC earbud boom with effective noise cancelling, transparency mode, a comfortable fit and seamless iPhone pairing.
Cons: Discontinued and replaced by the Apple AirPods Pro 2. Crinacle’s measurement gives it a Harman score of only 56 with a 2.94 dB spread, well behind its successor, and codec support stops at AAC.
Full Apple AirPods Pro 1st Gen review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes |
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 4.5 hours (earbuds, ANC on), 24 hours with case |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | True wireless |
| Deviation From Target | 2.94 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 56 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.11 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (5.4 g) (per earbud) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.0 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +2.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 514 Hz | -4.4 dB | 0.68 |
| Peak | 8,903 Hz | +6.0 dB | 1.66 |
| Peak | 183 Hz | +2.0 dB | 0.77 |
| Peak | 4,613 Hz | +3.4 dB | 2.46 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,517 Hz | -1.0 dB | 2.33 |
| Peak | 929 Hz | +1.2 dB | 2.75 |
| Peak | 44 Hz | -0.5 dB | 2.16 |
| Peak | 618 Hz | -0.5 dB | 2.86 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Apple AirPods Pro 2 TWS Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Apple AirPods Pro 3, ranked lower, rated 3.5/5, released Sep 2025. Battery life goes from 6 to 8 hours. Water resistance goes from IPX4 to IP57.
Older model: the Apple AirPods Pro 1st Gen (ranked lower, rated 2.6/5). See every Apple AirPods Pro generation.
Pros: Smooth, natural tuning with a 1.70 dB spread and a Harman score of 76, plus strong noise cancelling, transparency mode and seamless iPhone pairing. The light 5.3 g earbuds are comfortable for long wear.
Cons: Discontinued and replaced by the Apple AirPods Pro 3. Presence sits about 4.5 dB low with a 5.6 dB dip near 2.5 kHz, so vocals can sound slightly distant, and bass is about 2 dB lean. Codec support stops at AAC, which limits Android users.
Full Apple AirPods Pro 2 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes |
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (earbuds, ANC on), 30 hours with case |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | True wireless |
| Deviation From Target | 1.70 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 76 (measured by HypetheSonics, via AutoEQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.19 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (5.3 g) (per earbud) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -3.1 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | -1.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 302 Hz | -1.7 dB | 0.51 |
| Peak | 2,374 Hz | +3.1 dB | 2.32 |
| Peak | 75 Hz | +3.3 dB | 1.05 |
| Peak | 5,218 Hz | +2.5 dB | 2.96 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 6,854 Hz | -0.6 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 428 Hz | -0.6 dB | 4.23 |
| Peak | 314 Hz | +0.4 dB | 3.61 |
| Peak | 978 Hz | +0.4 dB | 4.91 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons