AirPods Pro 3 vs. AirPods 4: Which Earbuds Should You Get?
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If you are shopping for some new Apple earbuds in 2025, you now have three clear paths — and no, we’re not even talking about the AirPods Max.
You can go for the brand new AirPods Pro 3, pick the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, or save some money with the standard AirPods 4. On paper, they look closer than ever. In real life, however, they’re very different.
After taking a look at all these AirPods have to offer, which one should you really choose? Should you save some money or go all out for the better experience? Let’s break it down.
AirPods Pro 3 vs. AirPods 4: Design and Comfort
Both models keep Apple’s glossy white style and short stems, but the shape and size are still pretty different.
The AirPods Pro 3 are a bit smaller this time and ship with five ear-tip sizes, including a new XXS option, which helps with fit if standard tips have never sealed well for you.
Each earbud weighs about 0.20 ounces, and the case weighs about 1.55 ounces. You get a MagSafe Charging Case that supports Qi chargers and Apple Watch chargers, a speaker for Find My, and a lanyard loop. That case is fully water and dust-resistant, too.
On the other hand, the AirPods 4 come in two models. The base set keeps the open fit that rests at the entrance of your ear, and the Active Noise Cancellation version looks the same but seals internally to help cancel noise.
Both weigh a touch less than the AirPods Pro. The standard case is smaller and lighter than the AirPods Pro case as well, with wireless charging on the ANC model.
Overall, if you wear your earbuds for long stretches, the in-ear seal on the AirPods Pro 3 gives you passive isolation along with extra stability during workouts or intense movement.
Durability gets a significant boost this generation. The AirPods Pro 3 are rated IP57 for dust and water resistance, which covers sweat, rain, and dusty trails better than before. AirPods 4 models carry IP54, which still protects against sweat and splashes, just not as well. If you run in all weather or lift in a chalky gym, the stronger AirPods Pro rating is worth keeping in mind. Technically, they’ll even survive a dunk, although we still recommend being careful with them.
AirPods Pro 3 vs. AirPods 4: Cases and Tracking
Finding a lost earbud is easier when the case helps. The AirPods Pro 3 case features a speaker for precision alerts, a lanyard loop, and Apple’s second-generation Ultra Wideband technology, which enhances precision tracking in the Find My app.
The AirPods 4 with ANC include a speaker in the case — but no second-generation Ultra Wideband chip— while the non-ANC case doesn’t have anything to help you find it.
If you’re someone who tends to lose or forget about their AirPods, then the AirPods Pro will be the obvious choice.
AirPods Pro 3 vs. AirPods 4: Controls
Apple kept the squeeze gestures that pause and play, skip, answer calls, and call for Siri across all models.
With that said, the AirPods Pro 3 add a swipe gesture to the stem, so you can raise or lower the sound without reaching for your iPhone.
While the AirPods 4 don’t have swipe gestures, they do support Apple’s Siri Interactions, so you can nod for yes or shake your head for no to control things like phone calls when you can’t reach for the stems.
If you only want a quick and discreet way to control Siri, then the AirPods 4 should be more than fine. However, if you want that feature and still can lower or raise the volume, the AirPods Pro are a must-have.
AirPods Pro 3 vs. AirPods 4: Sound and Noise Control
This is where the lineup stops sharing as many similarities. The AirPods Pro 3 deliver Apple’s strongest in-ear noise cancellation to date, with an improved acoustic design, upgraded microphones, and smarter adaptive processing that removes more background noise than any pair of earbuds in the market, at least according to Apple.
Apple says that ANC is up to two times better than on the AirPods Pro 2 and up to four times better than the first-generation AirPods Pro and AirPods 4 with ANC. Additionally, Adaptive Audio and Transparency Mode also sound more natural, so voices around you feel less processed.
The more premium AirPods 4 also bring Active Noise Cancelation with Adaptive Audio and Transparency, while the base AirPods 4 remove any noise control feature to keep the price low. However, the noise cancellation on the more affordable AirPods is considered on par with the original 2019 AirPods Pro.
This part of the AirPods is a no-brainer. If you don’t care for noise cancellation, the basic AirPods 4 are the ones to get. On the other hand, if you want the best ANC available, the AirPods Pro 3 are the only choice. The AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation will still give you decent ANC, with a lighter touch that doesn’t block out the entire world around you.
AirPods Pro 3 vs. AirPods 4: Health and Hearing Features
Apple has been trying to focus on health for the last few years, and 2025 is no exception. Now, the AirPods Pro 3 add an in-ear heart rate sensor that works during workouts,
This feature uses infrared light and on-device processing to feed live data into the Fitness app. You can start any workout, see your heart rate, and track calories without an Apple Watch. The new setup can even help you close your Move ring with just your iPhone and AirPods. It is a clever twist for runners and fitness junkies who prefer to avoid using a watch when working out. If you do wear an Apple Watch, the AirPods Pro 3 heart sensor will provide a second source of heart rate data for greater accuracy.
The hearing health features that Apple introduced last year for the AirPods Pro 2 are naturally present on the AirPods Pro 3 as well. Just like the previous generation, the new AirPods Pro continue to let you take a hearing test or use them as a hearing aid, provided you live in a country where this feature has been cleared by the health authorities.
Additionally, you can also use the Automatic Conversation Boost feature to hear your conversation better, or use Hearing Protection to automatically lower your AirPods Pro’s volume if you’ve been overusing them.
These are not throwaway extras. The FDA authorized Apple’s hearing aid software pathway last year, which is what opened the door to more accessible hearing help in the AirPods Pro. If you have mild to moderate hearing issues or just want more control in noisy spaces, the AirPods Pro 3 is the only model that will work for you.
AirPods 4 do not include any of these hearing health features. You still get helpful standards like Headphone Accommodations and Live Listen, and you can run basic hearing checks in supported apps, but it’s definitely not the same. That’s an easy way to decide between AirPods if hearing health is a top priority.
AirPods Pro 3 vs. AirPods 4: Performance
All three models run on Apple’s H2 headphone chip, which handles audio processing, low-latency connections, and also ANC and Transparency mode.
The H2 chip is incredibly powerful, which means fast device switching and quick pairing are consistent across the line. The big step up for the AirPods Pro 3 is how far Apple pushed its computational audio this year.
The company redesigned airflow paths inside the earbuds and combined them with new foam-infused tips and better microphones. The result, as we mentioned before, is cleaner bass and clearer vocals at the same volume levels and stronger noise control when the world gets loud.
AirPods Pro 3 vs. AirPods 4: Battery life and Charging
Battery numbers are where the three models are really different, and the most expensive model isn’t consistently the winner.
The AirPods Pro 3 last up to eight hours on a single charge with ANC on, which is a healthy increase over the last generation’s six-hour rating. If you use the new heart rate sensor during a walk or run, the single-charge time drops to about six and a half hours.
If you’re using them as a hearing aid device, the AirPods Pro 3 can go up to ten hours per charge. Additionally, if you add the case, the overall battery life goes up to 24 hours of listening with ANC on. Additionally, a quick, five-minute charge in the case gives roughly an hour of listening time.
The AirPods 4 with ANC last closer to 4 hours per charge with noise canceling on, or 20 hours with the case. If you turn ANC off, those times go up to 5 hours and 30 hours, respectively. That’s the same as what the standard AirPods 4 will give you since they don’t support ANC.
AirPods 4 last around five hours per charge and up to thirty hours with the case. Both versions support quick five-minute charges to give you an hour of additional listening time.
If you need battery power that can last for long excursions, the AirPods 4 are actually the best choice. You’ll get several days of battery life with the charging case. However, you don’t have to settle for the base model to get that endurance — the AirPods 4 with ANC match it when noise cancellation is off, while still giving you the option to turn ANC on when you want it.
Of course, that means you’ll compromise on so many features that the extra battery life might not be worth it. Instead, the AirPods Pro 3 are probably the better choice. You get long battery life — almost double before you need to put them back in the case — and it’s important to keep in mind that Apple doesn’t say how much longer these will last if you turn ANC off, but there’s a good chance you could push them beyond the AirPods 4 if you really had to.
AirPods Pro 3 vs. AirPods 4: Price
This lineup is the most flexible Apple has sold in years. AirPods Pro 3 are priced at $249. AirPods 4 with ANC land at $179, and the standard AirPods 4 start at $129.
The different price ranges let you pick which features you want without paying extra. Sales and discounts will drop the AirPods 4 models’ price even lower at times, making them a strong option for students or if you want a second pair. If you want the full health and hearing stack plus the best ANC, the AirPods Pro 3 price still makes sense.
AirPods Pro 3 vs. AirPods 4: Which One Should You Get?
With both the AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 4 now in Apple’s lineup, the decision comes down to how much you value features like noise cancellation, health tracking, and overall durability.
For anyone who spends a lot of time in noisy environments — whether that’s a daily commute, a busy office, or long flights — the AirPods Pro 3 are hands-down the better choice. The improved Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio, and Transparency mode make them versatile in any situation.
Plus, with the new heart rate sensor, hearing aid functionality, and stronger IP57 water- and dust-resistance, you’re getting more out of your earbuds. They’re now health devices, fitness companions, and hearing protectors all in one package.
The AirPods 4, meanwhile, are ideal for people who don’t need quite as much. If you mostly listen in quieter places, want something lightweight, and would rather save money, the base AirPods 4 are a great choice.
They offer solid sound, Spatial Audio, and Apple’s effortless pairing for a much lower price. If you step up to the AirPods 4 with ANC, you’ll get Adaptive Audio and Transparency mode too, making them a compelling middle ground if you don’t need the AirPods Pro’s extra sensors.
In short, go with the AirPods Pro 3 if you want the full Apple experience, complete with fitness and hearing features you won’t find anywhere else. Or stick with the AirPods 4 if you just want reliable, everyday earbuds that cover the basics well without stretching your budget.
Which AirPods Will you Get?
If you want the best noise canceling, the deepest Apple features, and health tools that go beyond audio, the AirPods Pro 3 are the easy pick. The fit is more secure than past models, the IP rating is stronger, and the case is smarter at finding itself when it goes missing. You pay more, and you get more.
If your budget is tight but you still want modern perks, the AirPods 4 with ANC are the sweet middle. You keep Adaptive Audio and Transparency, Spatial Audio, and Live Translation support when paired with an iPhone that runs Apple Intelligence. Noise canceling is good rather than great, and you lose the hearing aid feature. However, the daily experience still feels premium, especially for the price.
If the goal is simple and trusty earbuds for less, the base AirPods 4 do the job. Battery life with the case is pretty good, the open fit is comfortable, and the H2 chip makes them future-proof for any upcoming firmware update Apple might release. Pick them for podcasts, calls, and playlists in calmer spaces, and save some money for the future.
