All Apple AirPods Compared: A Buyer's 2024 Guide

Choosing the right AirPods can be tricky, especially with so many options available. Whether you’re looking for an affordable pair for everyday listening or premium headphones with top-notch noise cancellation, there’s something for everyone.

This guide will help you navigate the different AirPods models – including all the generations of AirPods vs. AirPods Pro and AirPods Max.

With all AirPods compared side by side, we’ll help you choose the one that fits your needs, whether you want excellent sound quality, long battery life, or active noise cancellation.

All AirPods Compared

AirPods 2: Simple and budget-friendly for basic listening, but the AirPods 4 (standard) offer more features at the same price.
AirPods 3: Good sound and water resistance, but the AirPods 4 (with ANC) offer more for the same price.
AirPods 4 (Standard): Best AirPods on a budget, with modern features.
AirPods 4 (with ANC): Perfect for noisy environments with active noise cancellation.
AirPods Pro 2: Top choice for noise cancellation and extra features.
AirPods Max: Ultimate comfort and long battery life, although they might feel heavy.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

All AirPods Compared
Reviews of All AirPod Generations in 2024
All Apple AirPods Compared
Factors to Consider While Choosing Your New AirPods
Which Model Is Best for You?
The Bottom Line
FAQs
References

Table of Contents

All AirPods Compared
Reviews of All AirPod Generations in 2024
All Apple AirPods Compared

Show Full Guide

Factors to Consider While Choosing Your New AirPods
Which Model Is Best for You?
The Bottom Line
FAQs
References

Reviews of All AirPod Generations in 2024

Let’s have a look at all the AirPod generations available in 2024.

1. AirPods 4th Generation

AirPods 4th Generation Specs

	AirPods 4	AirPods 4 (with Active Noise Cancellation – ANC)
AirPods Price	$129	$179
Battery Life (listening, single charge)	Up to 5 hours	Up to 4 hours (ANC on), up to 5 hours (ANC off)
Bluetooth Version	Bluetooth 5.3	Bluetooth 5.3
Charging Method	USB-C	USB-C and wireless: Apple Watch charger, Qi-certified chargers
Noise Cancellation	No	Yes
Water/Dust Resistance	IP54	IP54
Chipset	H2	H2
Spatial Audio Support	Yes	Yes

AirPods 4th Generation Features, Price, Pros & Cons

The AirPods 4th generation are the newest AirPods so far. They come in two models with a $50 difference: a standard model and one with active noise canceling (ANC).

Shared Features

Both Versions Have:

Voice isolation – reducing background noise to make your voice clearer during calls
Personalized volume – adjusting volume based on your surroundings or preferences
Adaptive EQ – adjusting the sound based on the shape of your ears
Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking – a 3D surround effect that adjusts the sound based on how you move your head

ANC-Version Features

However, the version with ANC has a few more tricks up its sleeve. This version includes:

Adaptive audio – automatically adjusting between noise cancellation and transparency mode based on your environment.
Essentially, it can block out noise when you need to focus but also let you hear what’s going on around you when necessary.
It even has conversation awareness, which lowers the volume when you start talking.
The ANC version also supports wireless charging via Apple Watch chargers and Qi-certified chargers (in addition to the usual USB-C).

Pricing

Apple’s newest AirPods mainly differ in terms of ANC and charging methods. However, the ones with ANC also have a couple of special features, which will cost you a bit more.

	AirPods 4	AirPods 4 (with Active Noise Cancellation – ANC)
AirPods Cost	$129	$179

Who It's Best For

AirPods 4 (Standard): If you’re looking for the latest AirPods with great sound quality but don’t need the noise cancellation, these are the best AirPods for you. You can spend less money to enjoy AirPods – as long as you’re mostly in quiet environments or you’re okay with some background noise.

AirPods 4 (with ANC): If you’re more likely to be in noisy environments like an office or public transport, the ANC version is a better choice. It will let you block out distractions and enjoy your music or podcasts. These latest AirPods have extra features like adaptive audio and conversation awareness, which also help you have more control over your sound. So, if you’re willing to spend the extra $50 for the best AirPod experience, these are for you.

Ultimately, for those asking what are the newest AirPods, the AirPods 4 offer the latest technology at a competitive price.

AirPods 4 (Standard)

Pros

Cheaper price
Offers features like spatial audio, voice isolation, adaptive EQ, and personalized volume
Lightweight and sweat/water-resistant

Cons

No ANC, which can be an issue in noisy places
Only supports USB-C charging
No Find My functionality

AirPods 4 (with ANC)

Pros

Includes ANC
Offers extra features like adaptive audio and conversation awareness
Supports wireless charging
Supports Find My functionality

Cons

More expensive
Slightly heavier because of the added ANC components

2. AirPods 3rd Generation

Apple AirPods 3rd Generation Specs

	Apple AirPods 3 (with MagSafe Charging Case)	Apple AirPods 3 (with Lightning Charging Case)
AirPods Price	$179	$169
Battery Life (listening, single charge)	Up to 6 hours	Up to 6 hours
Bluetooth Version	Bluetooth 5.0	Bluetooth 5.0
Charging Method	USB-C and MagSafe (Apple’s wireless charging system) + Qi-certified chargers	Lightning
Noise Cancellation	No	No
Water/Dust Resistance	IPX4	IPX4
Chipset	H1	H1
Spatial Audio Support	Yes	Yes

AirPods 3rd Generation Features, Price, Pros & Cons

The AirPods 3 Gen comes in two variants: one with a MagSafe Charging Case (i.e., wireless charging) and the other with a Lightning Charging Case (i.e., USB-C).

	AirPods 3 (with MagSafe Charging Case)	AirPods 3 (with Lightning Charging Case)
AirPods Cost	$179	$169

3. AirPods 2nd Generation

AirPods 2nd Generation Specs

	AirPods 2
AirPods Price	$129
Battery Life (listening, single charge)	Up to 5 hours
Bluetooth Version	Bluetooth 5.0
Charging Method	Lightning
Noise Cancellation	No
Water/Dust Resistance	No
Chipset	H1
Spatial Audio Support	No

AirPods 2nd Generation Features, Price, Pros & Cons

Features

The 2nd generation AirPods offer basic features that might feel outdated compared to newer models. They come with Bluetooth 5.0, an H1 chip for fast pairing, and up to 5 hours of listening time on a single charge. However, they don’t include modern features like spatial audio, adaptive EQ, or noise cancellation, which are common in newer AirPods.

One major downside is the lack of water and dust resistance, which makes the AirPods 2 less ideal for workouts or outdoor use. There is also no wireless charging option.

Pricing

At $129, the AirPods 2 price is the same as for the new AirPods 4 (the standard version).

However, the AirPods 4 offer more modern features: spatial audio, adaptive EQ, voice isolation, dust and water resistance, Bluetooth 5.3, and an H2 chip.

Considering this, the value-for-price ratio for the AirPods 2 just doesn’t cut it.

Who It's Best For

The AirPods 2 are simple and reliable for casual listening or making calls. But we’re hard-pressed to recommend them to anyone when the AirPods 4 are the same price with more features.

Unless you prefer an older design or a simpler product, we’d opt for the AirPods 4 over the AirPods 2.

Pros

Familiar design for users who prefer the older, classic AirPods
Reliable for basic use
Good battery life

Cons

Same price as the AirPods 4 (standard), with the AirPods 4 offering significantly more features
No water or dust resistance (unlike AirPods 4)
Limited charging options

4. AirPods Pro 2nd Generation

AirPods Pro 2nd Generation

AirPods Pro 2nd Generation Specs

	AirPods Pro 2
AirPods Price	$249
Battery Life (listening, single charge)	Up to 5.5 hours with spatial audio and head tracking enabled, otherwise up to 6 hours
Bluetooth Version	Bluetooth 5.3
Charging Method	USB-C, MagSafe, Apple Watch charger, Qi-certified chargers
Noise Cancellation	Yes
Water/Dust Resistance	IP54
Chipset	H2
Spatial Audio Support	Yes

AirPods Pro 2nd Generation Features, Price, Pros & Cons

Features

The AirPods Pro Gen 2 offer all the features of the AirPods 4 with ANC. However, they have pro-level ANC (up to 2x more than the AirPods 4 with ANC) and a longer battery life (up to 1 hour more listening time on a single charge).

A particularly unique feature coming to the AirPods 2 Pro in Fall 2024 is the Hearing Health tools, such as the Hearing Test and Hearing Aid functions. So you can take a clinical-grade hearing test and then apply the results to the AirPods Pro Gen 2, making them a software-based hearing aid.

They will amplify sounds around you to make conversations and other noises easier to hear in real-time. There’s even a feature to protect your ears from loud environmental noises, reducing any unexpected background noise (like traffic) while preserving clear audio for music, conversations, or podcasts.

The touch control on the stem also lets you adjust the volume with a swipe, a feature missing from the AirPods 4th generation models.

Pricing

The AirPods Pro 2 are priced at $249, making them $70 more expensive than the AirPods 4 with ANC and $120 more than the AirPods 4 (standard).

Who It's Best For

If you spend a lot of time in very noisy environments and want the best possible ANC, these are the right choice – offering up to 2x more noise cancellation than the AirPods 4 with ANC. If you value extra convenience, they also have a longer battery life and touch volume control.

Thanks to the new hearing health tools, they’re also ideal for anyone who struggles with hearing. However, this feature is not here yet, so we can’t really tell you whether it’s good.

Pros

Pro-level ANC
Touch volume control
Longer battery life
Supports Find My functionality
Hearing health tools (coming Fall 2024)

Cons

Higher price, making them expensive for casual users
The charging case is slightly larger and heavier than usual, which might be inconvenient to carry around in pockets

5. AirPods Max

AirPods-Max-2

AirPods Max Specs

	AirPods Max
AirPods Price	$549
Battery Life (listening, single charge)	Up to 20 hours
Bluetooth Version	Bluetooth 5.0
Charging Method	USB-C
Noise Cancellation	Yes
Water/Dust Resistance	No
Chipset	H1
Spatial Audio Support	Yes

AirPods Max Features, Pricing, Pros & Cons

Features

The AirPods Max stand out due to their over-ear design – they’re headphones, not earphones. Also, with all AirPods compared, they have the longest battery life of up to 20 hours on a single charge.

They have pro-level ANC like the AirPods 2 Pro and personalized spatial audio with dynamic head tracking (like the AirPods 2 Pro and the AirPods 4). However, they do not have adaptive audio, personalized volume, conversation awareness, or voice isolation.

They are also not water or dust-resistant, making them less ideal for workouts. However, their build quality with a metal frame makes them feel sturdy and premium – although it does make them heavier.

Pricing

At $549, the AirPods Max are significantly more expensive than the AirPods 4 with ANC ($179) and the AirPods Pro 2 ($249) – more than double the price.

Who It's Best For

The AirPods Max aren’t really meant to be carried around – they’re much bulkier than earbuds, and they lack water/dust protection.

However, they’re perfect for work: they allow you to enjoy uninterrupted listening thanks to their 20-hour battery life and the comfort provided by the over-ear design.

Pros

Pro-level ANC
Over-ear design
Super long battery life
Comfortable for extended uses

Cons

At $549, they are significantly more expensive than AirPods 4 with ANC ($179) and AirPods Pro 2 ($249)
The over-ear design makes them less portable
No water or dust resistance
Bulkier and heavier

All Apple AirPods Compared

Here are all the AirPods models compared:

AirPod Models	Price ($)	Battery Life (Single Charge)	Bluetooth Version	Charging Method	Noise Cancellation	Water/Dust Resistance	Chipset	Spatial Audio Support
AirPods 4 (Standard)	129	Up to 5 hours	Bluetooth 5.3	USB-C	No	IP54	H2	Yes
AirPods 4 (ANC)	179	Up to 4 hours (ANC on), Up to 5 hours (ANC off)	Bluetooth 5.3	USB-C and wireless: Apple Watch charger, Qi-certified chargers	Yes	IP54	H2	Yes
AirPods 3 (MagSafe)	179	Up to 6 hours	Bluetooth 5.0	USB-C and MagSafe (Apple’s wireless charging system) + Qi-certified chargers	No	IPX4	H1	Yes
AirPods 3 (Lightning)	169	Up to 6 hours	Bluetooth 5.0	Lightning cable	No	IPX4	H1	Yes
AirPods 2	129	Up to 5 hours	Bluetooth 5.0	Lightning cable	No	No	H1	No
AirPods Pro 2	249	Up to 5.5 hours (Spatial Audio on), Up to 6 hours	Bluetooth 5.3	USB-C, MagSafe, Apple Watch charger, Qi-certified chargers	Yes (Pro-level)	IP54	H2	Yes
AirPods Max	549	Up to 20 hours	Bluetooth 5.0	USB-C	Yes (Pro-level)	No	H1	Yes

Factors to Consider While Choosing Your New AirPods

Price: Decide on your budget. Prices range from $129 to $549, depending on the AirPod models and features.
Battery life: If you need longer listening time, the AirPods Max offer up to 20 hours, while the AirPods Pro 2 provides up to 6 hours. AirPods 4 and 3 offer up to 5-6 hours.
Active noise cancellation (ANC): If you often use your AirPods in noisy places, choose models with ANC, like the AirPods 4 with ANC, AirPods Pro 2, or AirPods Max.
Fit & design: With all AirPods compared, consider whether you prefer in-ear (AirPods 4, 3, Pro 2) or over-ear (AirPods Max) models.
Water & dust resistance: If you’re using them for exercise or in wet environments, pick models with water and dust resistance (IP54 for AirPods 4 and Pro 2, IPX4 for AirPods 3).
Charging method: Apple has a bit of a mix when it comes to charging options. There’s USB-C (AirPods 4, AirPods Max), MagSafe (AirPods 3 with MagSafe, AirPods Pro 2), charging via Apple Watch (AirPods 4 with ANC and AirPods Pro 2), and Apple’s lightning cable (AirPods 3, AirPods 2).

Which Model Is Best for You?

Best for Affordability: AirPods 2 & AirPods 4 (Standard)

If you’re looking for an affordable option, the AirPods 2 are priced at $129. However, for the same price, the AirPods 4 (Standard) offer better value with modern features, making them a more well-rounded choice.

Best for Sound Quality: AirPods 4 With ANC & AirPods 3

If you want solid sound quality but don’t need noise cancellation, the AirPods 3 are a decent option with IPX4 water resistance and MagSafe charging for $179. However, for the same price, the AirPods 4 with ANC offer advanced noise cancellation, making them better for use in noisy environments like the office or during commutes.

Best Noise Cancellation & Extra Features: AirPods Pro Gen 2

If you want the best noise cancellation and extra features like hearing health tools, the AirPods Pro Gen 2 are worth considering at $249.

Best for Battery Life & Comfort

For users who need long battery life and comfort for extended listening, the AirPods Max are ideal with their over-ear design and 20-hour battery life. However, they are priced at $549.

The Bottom Line

Choosing the right types of AirPods depends on your budget, lifestyle, and what you need from your earbuds. With all AirPods compared, you can see that each model has its own benefits, designed to meet different user needs.

In the end, the best AirPods for you will depend on your budget and the features you find most important, whether it’s portability, noise cancellation, or overall sound quality.