Short answer: the Apple AirPods Pro 3, if you are buying new. The Apple AirPods Pro 2 ranks higher than it (#224 vs #444 of 584 in-ear headphones, 4.2/5 vs 3.5/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Apple AirPods Pro 3 is still sold new at $199.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 is the better-sounding pick. 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 tradeoff: Discontinued and replaced by the Apple AirPods Pro 3.
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 is the tougher option. Sub-bass sits about 3 dB above the Harman target in hobbyist measurements on squig.link and still reaches 30 Hz with a slight lift, so bass lines and electronic drops carry real rumble. It is rated IP57 against IPX4 for the Apple AirPods Pro 2. The tradeoff: A 6.4 dB dip near 3.4 kHz pulls vocals and guitars back, while a 6.3 dB peak near 8 kHz and about 6 dB of extra air above 10 kHz can make cymbals and sibilance sound splashy.
Buy the Apple AirPods Pro 3, since the Apple AirPods Pro 2 is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Apple AirPods Pro 2 | Apple AirPods Pro 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Discontinued | $199.00 |
| Ranked | #224 of 584 in In-Ear Headphones | #444 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 (5.3 g) (per earbud) | 0 lbs (5.55 g) per earbud |
| Harman Preference Score | 76 (measured by HypetheSonics, via AutoEQ) | 68 (median of 5 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.70 dB standard deviation | 2.43 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.19 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.58 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.8 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (earbuds, ANC on), 30 hours with case | 8 hours (24 with case, ANC on, Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IP57 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
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More worthwhile head-to-heads for Apple AirPods Pro 2:
- Apple AirPods Pro 1st Gen vs Apple AirPods Pro 2
- Apple AirPods Pro 1st Gen vs Apple AirPods Pro 3
- Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro
- Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
- Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Sony WF-1000XM5
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 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
Apple AirPods Pro 3: $199.00 TWS Amazon $199.00 eBay
Older models: the Apple AirPods Pro 2 (ranked higher, rated 4.2/5) and the Apple AirPods Pro 1st Gen (ranked lower, rated 2.6/5). See every Apple AirPods Pro generation.
Pros: Sub-bass sits about 3 dB above the Harman target in hobbyist measurements on squig.link and still reaches 30 Hz with a slight lift, so bass lines and electronic drops carry real rumble. The response stays fairly even overall, with a 2.4 dB standard deviation from target and a gently warm tilt that suits warm and bassy tastes. Active noise cancelling, an IP57 rating that covers dust and immersion, and 8 hours per charge (24 with the case, ANC on) make it an easy everyday pair.
Cons: A 6.4 dB dip near 3.4 kHz pulls vocals and guitars back, while a 6.3 dB peak near 8 kHz and about 6 dB of extra air above 10 kHz can make cymbals and sibilance sound splashy. Codecs stop at SBC and AAC, and the Beats Fit Pro earns a slightly higher rating for less money.
Full Apple AirPods Pro 3 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes |
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (24 with case, ANC on, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | True wireless |
| Deviation From Target | 2.43 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 68 (median of 5 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| IP Rating | IP57 |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.58 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (5.55 g) per earbud |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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- Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Apple AirPods Pro 1st Gen
- Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Apple EarPods
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- Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro
- Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Sony WF-1000XM5
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