which version is best (not) to buy?

Are you going to buy new AirPods? Nice! You are faced with a tough choice, because there are several types of Apple earplugs available. In this article we therefore compare all AirPods with each other. That way you know which version is best to buy.

Compare AirPods: these are the differences

The first AirPods came on the market in 2017 and we have now reached the third generation. In between, Apple released the AirPods 2, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max.

At the time of writing, Apple still sells four models itself: only the original AirPods from 2017 have fallen off. That is why we compare the four variants that are still available in this article. In a nutshell, these are the main similarities and differences between the different versions.

Feature/Model	AirPods 3	AirPods 2	AirPods Pro	AirPods Max
Kind	In-ear earplugs	In-ear earplugs	In-ear earplugs	Headphones
Introduction year	2021	2019	2019	2020
noise suppression	new	new	Yes	Yes
Transparency mode	new	new	Yes	Yes
Spatial Audio and Adaptive EQ	Yes	new	Yes	Yes
Size *	30.8 x 18.3 x 19.2	40.5 x 16.5 x 18.0	30.9 x 21.8 x 24	187.3 x 168.6 x 83.4
Weight **	4.28	4	5.4	384.8 in total
battery life	Until 6 o’clock	Till 5 o ‘clock	Up to 4.5 hours	Until 8 p.m.
Water resistant	IPX4	new	IPX4	new
Charging case wireless charging	Yes	new	Yes	new
Recommended retail price	199	149	279	629

Appearance: the eye wants something too

The first AirPods were released in 2017 and the AirPods 2 followed in 2019. In the same year, the AirPods Pro, the more expensive and better version of the ‘regular’ AirPods, also appeared. The AirPods 3 hit the market last month.

In addition to earbuds, Apple also makes headphones. Or rather: headphones. So far, there is only one AirPods Max. A first important difference between all types of headsets is the form factor. Do you opt for earplugs, or do you prefer headphones?

All AirPods earbuds are about the same size. They are also very different in weight. That does not apply to the water resistance. The latest AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro have an IPX4 certificate and are therefore not afraid of a (sweat) drop here and there. So you can wear them while exercising. Important to know: is water resistant not same as waterproof. In the article below we explain exactly how it works.

Read more: Explanation: are AirPods waterproof or not?

All AirPods are powered by an H1 chip. For example, they listen to the “Hey Siri” command and you can call someone using just your voice. Bluetooth 5.0 is also present on all earbuds.

The AirPods Pro come with interchangeable ear cushions. That’s great, because it allows you to try which size fits your ears best. Because the AirPods 2 and AirPods 3 are available in one size, you run the risk that they will not fit well in your ears, although we find the AirPods 3 comfortable. You don’t have these problems with the AirPods Max, because you can make the headband shorter or larger according to your preference.

Also interesting: AirPods 3 vs AirPods 2: these are the biggest improvements

Difference in sound

All AirPods sound good, but certainly not the same. In terms of sound quality, the AirPods 3, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max are clearly a step higher than the AirPods 2.

That’s because these models have all kinds of exclusive audio functions on board. Think, for example, of spatial audio (spatial audio), a kind of surround sound through which sound seems to move around you. For example, when a bullet is fired from the left in a movie, you hear it fly past your ears from that direction.

Furthermore, all newer AirPods have Adaptive EQ, an audio technique that adjusts the pitch of sound to the shape of your ear. Would you also like to be able to enjoy active noise cancellation, which filters out background noise so that you can fully concentrate? Then you have to be with the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max.

Also, Transparency mode, which allows you to hear the traffic noise around you while wearing your AirPods, is only available on the two most expensive variants.

Comparing sound is very tricky, but the AirPods Max sounds the best. That makes sense, because the larger ear cups ensure that you are very easily absorbed into the music. Headphones also simply have more space to place all kinds of audio components, such as drivers.

Also read: AirPods vs AirPods Pro: the differences are smaller than ever

Calling and battery life

Do you regularly use your earplugs to make calls? Then you’re probably better off going for the AirPods 3 or AirPods Pro. These earbuds have inward-facing microphones in the housing. That way, the AirPods can reduce noise on the line. The AirPods Max has a total of nine microphones. You can therefore assume that you can always be heard clearly.

When it comes to battery life, the AirPods Max win. The Apple headphones last no less than 20 hours on a single battery charge. The number two is a long time coming, because the AirPods 3 only last 6 hours.

Surprisingly, the most expensive earbuds, the AirPods Pro, last the least. This is mainly due to the presence of audio functions such as active noise reduction. These kinds of features consume energy (but you can also simply turn it off).

Conclusion: Compare AirPods

So, which AirPods should you buy now? The answer to that question mainly depends on your expectations, budget and preferences. The objective best sounding AirPods, the AirPods Max, do not necessarily have to be the best choice for you. That is why we outline per model when we would or would not recommend them.

We recommend the AirPods Max for people who care deeply about sound quality and are not afraid to pay for it. Despite its weight, the headphones are very comfortable and you can easily wear them for several hours in a row. Thanks to audio functions such as noise reduction, it is ideal for working from home.

If you prefer to go for in-ear earplugs, it is best to go for the AirPods 3 or AirPods Pro. We prefer the latter, as the Pro earbuds have interchangeable ear cushions and some exclusive audio features, such as noise cancellation.

Although on paper there is a fairly large price difference (of 80 euros) between the AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro, you can buy the Pro earbuds for much less these days. At the time of writing, for example, they are available for around 220 euros.

The best budget option are of course the AirPods 2. Although these earplugs are certainly not bad, we would recommend saving 50 euros extra and going for the AirPods 3. These offer a lot of added value. Do you care little about features like spatial audio and better sound quality? Then you still get excellent entry-level earplugs with AirPods 2.

Further compare with AirPods?

Do you want to know more about the different AirPods? Then read our reviews. Here we discuss the pros and cons in much more detail.