Apple Makes 3 Different Types of AirPods. Which Should You Buy?

Apple has overhauled its AirPod lineup. We break down the key differences between the two AirPods 4 models and the AirPods Pro.

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By Tucker Bowe

Published September 16, 2024

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Updated October 8, 2024

Apple has shaken up its AirPod line and now sells three different types of wireless earbuds. The AirPods 4 are its most affordable and entry-level wireless earbuds. The AirPods 4 with active noise-cancellation are its midrange models. And its second-generation AirPods Pro (USB-C) are its flagship wireless earbuds.

As of September 2024, Apple has stopped selling its previous entry-level AirPods (2nd-gen) — which had its original stem-shaped design — and its mid-range AirPods (3rd-gen). It no longer sells the AirPods Pro with a Lightning charging port, either.

Of course, you can still buy older AirPods models that have been discontinued from third-party sites like Amazon. And they are still worth buying — especially the AirPods 3 — as you can get a great deal on a pair.

When shopping for AirPods, they all share a number of common features. They all support quick iPhone pairing and hands-free Siri controls, for example.

But the more expensive models look and fit differently, and they have more premium features (such as wireless charging and active noise-cancellation). The more expensive models are going to sound better, too.

How We Tested Apple’s AirPods

airpods comparison — As of September 2024, Apple only sells three AirPod models … but some of its older (now discontinued) models are still worth buying if you can get them for the right price.

We’ve been listening to Apple’s wireless earbuds for years and are able to directly compare each model in terms of smart features (such as fast pairing), sound quality and other more “pro” features like active noise-cancellation and support for spatial audio. Yes, there are definite improvements as you go from the entry-level models to the high-end AirPods Pro.

To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here.

Which AirPods Does Apple Currently Sell?

AirPods 4

Apple AirPods 4

Specs

Release date	September 2024
Charging port	USB-C
Noise-cancellation	No
Does Apple currently sell?	Yes

Pros

The most affordable AirPods that Apple still sells
Same sound quality as the higher-end AirPods Pro with ANC
The smallest charging case of any AirPods

Cons

No active noise-cancellation or transparency mode
Charging case cannot wirelessly charge
Lacks premium features like Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness

$99 at Amazon

$129 (23% off)
$129 at Apple

The AirPods 4 are Apple’s new entry-level wireless earbuds. They have the same open-air design (no silicone ear tips) and sound exactly like the AirPods 4 with active noise-cancellation — both have the same H2 chip and internal acoustic architecture. They share some of the same higher-end features, such as Personalized Volume and support for spatial audio.

Given that they are Apple’s most affordable AirPods, there are some notable tradeoffs. Unlike the AirPods 4 with ANC and AirPods Pro (USB-C), the baseline AirPods 4 don’t have noise-cancellation or transparency modes. They don’t support premium features like Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness, either.

And the charging case doesn’t support wireless charging or have a built-in speaker (which is helpful when trying to locate it with Find My.)

AirPods 4 with No ANC — The AirPods 4 have a similar open-ear design as the AirPods 3 (now discontinued).

AirPods 4 with Active Noise-Cancellation

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise-Cancellation

Specs

Release date	September 2024
Charging port	USB-C
Noise-cancellation	Yes
Does Apple currently sell?	Yes

Pros

The most affordable AirPods with ANC
Support many of the same high-end features as AirPods Pro
The smallest charging case of any AirPods
Case supports wireless charging

Cons

Same sound quality as the higher-end AirPods 4
Noise-cancellation not as good as higher-end AirPods Pro

$179 at Apple
$164 at Amazon

$179 (8% off)

The AirPods 4 with Active Noise-Cancellation are Apple’s midrange wireless earbuds. They have the same open-air design and fit as the entry-level AirPods 4, as well as the exact same sound quality. However, the exact $50 gets you some pretty notable upgrades.

As the name suggests, these midrange wireless earbuds have active noise-cancellation and transparency modes. They’re not on the level of AirPods Pro — Apple claims the ANC on these AirPods 4 is half as powerful — but in my experience, they’ve been pretty darn effective. They also share high-end features previously exclusive to the AirPods Pro, such as Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness.

Finally, the charging case — the smallest of any AirPods — supports wireless charging and has a built-in speaker (for an easier Find My experience).

AirPods 4 ANC — The AirPods 4 with ANC fit similarly to the now-discontinued AirPods 3.

The AirPods 4 with ANC sound great, but the ANC definitely falls short of the AirPods Pro.

AirPods Pro (2nd-Gen, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd-Gen, USB-C)

Specs

Release date	September 2023
Charging port	USB-C
Noise-cancellation	Yes
Does Apple currently sell?	Yes

Pros

The best noise-cancelling and transparency of any AirPods
Excellent sound quality
Advanced features such as personalized Spatial Audio and Adaptive Transparency
Supports hearing aid feature

Cons

Expensive
You might prefer the old Lightning charging port

$189.00 at Amazon

$249.00 (24% off)

The AirPods Pro (USB-C) — which are the only AirPods Pro Apple now sells — are the same size, shape and design as the AirPods Pro released in 2022, but they have a USB-C charging port instead of Lightning, as well as improved dust resistance (IP54 vs IPX4).

These newer models have the same exact sound quality as the 2022-released AirPods Pro, as well as the same noise cancellation and transparency abilities. They pack Apple’s new H2 processing chip that enables them to support personalized Spatial Audio, which helps them deliver more immersive sound.

Thanks to iOS 17, these AirPods Pro support new features like Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness and Personalized Volume.

Note: As of September 2024, the AirPods Pro (2nd-gen) support a “clinical grade” hearing aid feature. Apple is expected to roll it out this fall.

AirPods Pro USB-C — The AirPods Pro with USB-C charging.

The Discontinued AirPods (Still Worth Buying)

AirPods-Compared — Apple has discontinued the AirPods Pro (Lightning), AirPods 3 and AirPods (2nd-gen), all of which are still worth buying from third-party-sites if you can find a good deal.

AirPods 3

Apple AirPods 3

Specs

Release date	October 2021
Charging port	Lightning
Noise cancellation	No
Does Apple currently sell?	No

Pros

More affordable than the Pros
Excellent battery life
Support spatial audio and adaptive EQ
Wireless charging case

Cons

No noise-canceling or transparency modes
No swappable silicone eartips to adjust fit
Discontinued by Apple

$159.00 at Amazon

$169.00 (6% off)

The AirPods 3 — or AirPods (3rd-generation) — were Apple’s original midrange wireless earbuds. They’re only a few years old, and even though Apple discontinued them in fall 2024 (thanks to the introduction of the AirPods 4), they’re definitely still worth buying if you can find them on sale.

Compared to the AirPods Pro, the main downside of the AirPods (3rd-Generation) is that they lack active noise cancellation and transparency modes. They also don’t fit as deep in your ears or stay as secure, because they lack adjustable silicone ear tips.

But other than that, they work mostly the same. They support spatial audio and wireless charging. They’re sweat- and water-resistant. Maybe most significantly, they have one of the best battery lives of any AirPods.

AirPods (2nd-Gen)

Apple AirPods (2nd-Gen)

Specs

Release date	March 2019
Charging port	Lightning
Noise cancellation	No
Does Apple currently sell?	No

Pros

The most affordable AirPods (although Apple no longer sells them)
Support fast iPhone pairing
An exceptionally compact charging case

Cons

No wireless charging
The only AirPods without sweat-resistance
No noise canceling or transparency modes
Discontinued by Apple

$89 at Amazon

$129.00 (31% off)

The AirPods (2nd-gen) were discontinued by Apple in fall 2024 with the introduction of the AirPods 4. It wasn’t a surprise, admittedly, as they hadn’t been updated in almost five years and were quite dated.

Even though Apple doesn’t sell them anymore, you can find them deeply discounted on third-party sites. If you like their fit — they have the same thin-stemmed design as the original AirPods from 2016 — and you get a great deal on them, they’re still worth buying even though they’re pretty old.

As far as features, these AirPods support fast iPhone pairing and work with Apple’s Find My network. They don’t have active noise-cancellation or transparency modes, and lack more premium features (including support for spatial audio.)

These AirPods don’t have a case that wireless charges, either, although you buy one separately (even if it is a bit of a ripoff).

AirPods 2nd Gen — The AirPods (2nd-Gen).

AirPods Pro (2nd-Gen, Lightning)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, 2022)

Specs

Release date	September 2022
Charging port	Lightning
Noise cancellation	Yes
Does Apple currently sell?	No

Pros

The best noise cancellation and transparency of any AirPods (along with 2023 models)
The best sounding AirPods you can buy (along with 2023 models)
Advanced features such as personalized Spatial Audio and Adaptive Transparency
Supports hearing aid feature

Cons

Lack the new USB-C charging port
Still pretty expensive
Don't support lossless audio when paired with Vision Pro

$259.00 at Amazon

Apple no longer sells these 2022-released AirPods Pro, but you can still buy them from third-party sellers like Amazon. They are the same size, shape and design as Apple’s original 2019-released AirPods Pro, but they pack notable internal upgrades.

They were the first AirPods to house Apple’s new H2 processing chip, significantly improving their noise-canceling and transparency abilities. The H2 chip powers personalized Spatial Audio, which is intended to make them sound considerably more immersive. They have a new custom-built driver and amplifier that improves their sound quality.

Additionally, they have on-ear volume controls. And the charging case supports Find My with Precision Finding and has a built-in speaker to help locate it.

Note: As of September 2024, the AirPods Pro (2nd-gen) support a “clinical grade” hearing aid feature. Apple is expected to roll it out this fall.