Apple - AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) vs Apple - AirPods Pro 3
Between the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) and AirPods Pro 3, the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) comes out ahead in several specs, while the AirPods Pro 3 wins on battery — buds and water resistance. Overall, the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) scores 64.5 and the AirPods Pro 3 scores 69.5 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The AirPods Pro 3 edges ahead on the Mars Score (64.5 vs 69.5), but the 5.0-point gap is small enough that the right pick comes down to which spec advantages matter to you.
The AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) doesn't pull ahead on any single popular-comparison spec — its strengths sit in the spec table groups rather than the headline advantages.
Pick the AirPods Pro 3 if your top frustration with your current device is running out of charge before the day ends — endurance is the lead spec here. Its strongest claims are battery — buds, water resistance.
Both ship with comparable battery — with case, active noise cancellation, driver size, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the AirPods Pro 3 is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Apple - AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) wins
- No decisive advantages.
Why Apple - AirPods Pro 3 wins
- ▲Battery — buds — 33.33% more. 8 h vs 6 h.
- ▲Water resistance: IP57 (vs IP54).
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) | Apple - AirPods Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | in-ear | in-ear |
| Weight per bud | 5.3 g | 5.3 g |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IP54 | IP57lead |
Audio
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) | Apple - AirPods Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Driver sizeⓘ | 11 mm | 11 mm |
| Active noise cancellationⓘ | true | true |
| Transparency mode | true | true |
| Spatial audioⓘ | true | true |
Battery
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) | Apple - AirPods Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery — buds | 6 h | 8 hlead |
| Battery — with case | 30 h | 30 h |
| Wireless case chargingⓘ | true | true |
Connectivity
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) | Apple - AirPods Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetoothⓘ | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Codecs | AAC,SBC | AAC,SBC |
| Multipointⓘ | false | false |
| In-ear detection | true | true |
Frequently asked
Which has longer battery, AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) or AirPods Pro 3?+
AirPods Pro 3 lasts 8h per charge vs 6h.
Do AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) or AirPods Pro 3 support multipoint?+
Neither supports multipoint.
Which has ANC, AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) or AirPods Pro 3?+
Both have active noise cancellation.
Spec-level deep dives
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