With their debut, the official AirPods lineup now looks a little different: the fourth-gen AirPods and their ANC counterpart remain the entry-level models, but now the AirPods Pro 3 are Apple’s most premium earbuds. The AirPods Max, meanwhile, continues to be the company’s only set of over-ears.
Priced at $249, the new AirPods Pro 3 push into fitness territory with a built-in heart rate sensor to track calories burned and over 50 types of workouts via the iPhone’s Fitness app. They also introduce Workout Buddy, a new fitness experience that delivers personalized insights based on your workout history and achievements.
Beyond fitness, Apple has introduced a real-time live translation feature. On the audio front, Apple claims the buds offer improved sound and twice the active noise cancellation (ANC) than their predecessor, thanks to new foam-infused ear tips that should block out noise more effectively (though we’ve yet to put them to the test). The redesigned ear tips themselves are now smaller for improved fit and stability, offer a new fifth XXS size, and boast an upgraded IP57 sweat and water resistance.
They’re all exciting upgrades, especially if you prioritize fitness or simply want the most versatile Apple earbuds. But if you don’t need every new feature, the rest of the lineup still includes excellent — and far more affordable — options. And even though Apple no longer sells the second-gen AirPods Pro directly, you can also still find them at third-party retailers like Amazon for less.
If you’re struggling to decide whether the new AirPods Pro 3 are worth grabbing, we’re here to help. We’ve put together a detailed breakdown of the specs and features below, so you can quickly see which pair of AirPods make the most sense for your lifestyle and budget.
