AirPods 4 vs AirPods Pro 3

At a glance

Apple's wireless earbud lineup offers distinct choices depending on how you interact with your devices and what you expect from your audio gear. The standard AirPods 4 come in two variants: a base model without active noise cancellation (ANC) and an upgraded version that includes ANC. Meanwhile, the flagship AirPods Pro 3 sit at the top of the in-ear lineup, offering advanced health tracking, superior noise isolation, and longer battery life.

Beyond the price difference, the decision comes down to an open-ear design that lets the world in versus a sealed, silicone-tipped design built to shut the world out. If you are also considering over-ear options, you might want to look at how Apple's larger headphones compare in our Sony WH-1000XM6 vs. Apple AirPods Max 2 comparison, or explore other premium noise-cancelling options in our Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) vs. Sony WH-1000XM6 showdown.

Fit and comfort: AirPods 4, for the ears that hate tips

The most immediate physical difference between these two models is how they sit in your ears. The AirPods 4 continue Apple's traditional open-ear design. They do not use silicone or foam ear tips; instead, they rest gently in the outer ear canal. Independent reviewers at What Hi-Fi? noted that this design is exceptionally lightweight at 4.3 grams per earbud, making them easy to wear for hours without feeling plugged in. However, because they do not form a tight seal, some users may find them less secure during vigorous movement.

The AirPods Pro 3 utilize an in-ear design with newly designed, foam-infused ear tips. Apple includes five different tip sizes in the box (ranging from XXS to L) to help you find a secure fit. Reviewers at PCMag UK found that the Pro 3 offers a much tighter, more stable fit than the AirPods 4, making them the preferred choice for workouts. The trade-off is the "plugged-in" sensation that some users find fatiguing over long listening sessions.

Noise cancelling: Pro 3, by a wide margin

If blocking out the drone of an airplane cabin or a busy office is your primary goal, the AirPods Pro 3 are the clear choice. Because they physically seal the ear canal, they provide excellent passive noise isolation even before the active electronics kick in. Apple claims the Pro 3 delivers up to four times more active noise cancellation than the original AirPods Pro and the AirPods 4 with ANC. Reviewers at PCMag UK noted that the Pro 3 provides leading noise cancellation.

The AirPods 4 with ANC do an admirable job considering their open-ear design. Reviewers at PCMag UK praised them for delivering some of the best active noise cancellation experienced in an open-ear format. However, without a physical seal, external noise inevitably leaks in, meaning they cannot compete with the isolation of the Pro 3.

Sound: Pro 3, mostly because of the seal

The open design of the AirPods 4 limits their acoustic performance. Reviewers at Tom's Guide noted that the AirPods 4 can sound somewhat thin, lacking deep sub-bass and high-end detail, which is common when air and sound escape freely from an unsealed ear canal. They are perfectly adequate for podcasts, casual listening, and phone calls, but they are not audiophile tools.

The AirPods Pro 3 benefit from their sealed design, and reviewers at PCMag UK highlighted their first-rate audio. If music quality is a priority, the Pro 3 provides a significantly more robust and detailed listening experience.

Features: Pro 3 does things the 4 cannot

Both models run on Apple's H2 chip, meaning they share core ecosystem conveniences like automatic switching between Apple devices, "Hey Siri" voice commands, and Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking. Both also support Apple's new Live Translation feature when paired with a compatible iPhone running Apple Intelligence.

However, the AirPods Pro 3 justify their higher price tag with exclusive hardware features:

• Hearing Health: The Pro 3 includes Hearing Test and Hearing Protection features, alongside an FDA-approved Hearing Aid mode.
• Fitness Tracking: A built-in heart rate sensor tracks your pulse and calories burned during workouts, sending the data directly to your Apple devices.
• On-Bud Volume Control: The Pro 3 stems feature a touch-capacitive layer that lets you swipe up or down to adjust volume. The AirPods 4 require you to use your phone or ask Siri to change the volume.

Battery and durability: Pro 3

Battery life is a weak point for the AirPods 4. With ANC enabled, the AirPods 4 with ANC last only about 4 hours on a single charge (5 hours with ANC off). This means you may find yourself placing them back in the charging case more frequently during a long workday.

The AirPods Pro 3 offer double the continuous battery life, delivering up to 8 hours of listening time with ANC turned on. Their MagSafe charging case also supports magnetic alignment on Qi2 and MagSafe chargers, whereas the AirPods 4 case can sit on wireless pads but will not magnetically snap into place.

For durability, the Pro 3 carries an IP57 rating, meaning they are highly resistant to dust and can survive temporary immersion in water. The AirPods 4 carry an IP54 rating, which protects them from sweat and light rain but will not protect them if dropped into water.

Quick answers

Can I use MagSafe chargers with the AirPods 4?

The AirPods 4 with ANC case can charge wirelessly on Qi and Apple Watch chargers, but it does not have the internal magnets to snap onto vertical MagSafe mounts. The base AirPods 4 case only charges via USB-C.

Do the AirPods 4 have ear tips?

No. The AirPods 4 feature an open-ear design that rests in the outer ear without silicone or foam tips.

Can the AirPods Pro 3 track my heart rate?

Yes. The AirPods Pro 3 feature a heart rate sensor that can monitor your pulse during workouts.