Apple makes two earbuds with noise cancellation now. Here's how to decide between the $249 AirPods Pro 3 and the $179 AirPods 4 with ANC.
The $70 Question
AirPods 4 with ANC give you a lot of features for $179. AirPods Pro 3 cost $70 more. Is it worth it?
The Biggest Difference: How They Fit
AirPods Pro 3 have silicone tips that go into your ear canal. They seal, which means better noise blocking and they stay put during workouts.
AirPods 4 use the classic AirPods shape. No ear tips, nothing in your ear canal. Many people find this more comfortable for all-day wear, especially if ear tips bother you.
Noise Cancellation: No Contest
This is where the Pro 3 really earns its premium. They block up to 4x more noise than AirPods 4 with ANC. Part of that is better ANC technology, and part is that the ear tips provide passive blocking that the open design can't match.
If you commute on loud public transit or work in a noisy office, Pro 3 makes a noticeable difference.
Battery Math
Pro 3 gives you 8 hours with ANC on. AirPods 4 with ANC gets 4 hours.
But here's a twist: AirPods 4's case holds more total charge (30 hours vs 24 hours for Pro 3).
What Only Pro 3 Has
- Heart rate tracking during workouts
- Hearing aid feature (FDA-approved)
- Swipe volume control on the stem
- Better water resistance (IP57 vs IP54)
- Better Find My tracking
- More ear tip sizes
What Both Have
- Live Translation
- Spatial Audio with head tracking
- Adaptive Audio
- Transparency mode
- Seamless device switching
Quick Decision Guide
Get AirPods 4 with ANC if you don't love ear tips, want good noise cancellation without needing the best, and prefer to save $70.
Get AirPods Pro 3 if you want maximum noise blocking, plan to work out with them, or want the health features.
Compare prices for both models.
We may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. How ShopSavvy makes money
How we researched this
Where this comes from: this answer draws on the product's published specifications and the reviews ShopSavvy collected for it, alongside prices from 1 retailer in ShopSavvy's price data, most recently seen Oct 16, 2026.
📚More About AirPods Pro 3
Considering the AirPods Pro 3?
Here's our "TLDR" Review
Download ShopSavvy App
Compare prices across tens of thousands of stores, set price alerts, watch for deals by keyword, and much more.
Install ShopSavvy Browser Extension
Compare and track prices automatically while you shop online at thousands of websites.
More Answers
If you're still curious about the AirPods Pro 3, here are some other answers you might find interesting:
- Does AppleCare+ cover AirPods Pro 3?
AppleCare+ for AirPods Pro 3 costs either $29 upfront for two years or $3.99 per month. Given the price of the earbuds ($249), it's relatively inexpensive...
- How do the AirPods Pro 3 touch and squeeze controls work?
The controls on AirPods Pro 3 are squeeze-based, not tap-based. There's a pressure-sensitive area on each stem that you pinch to trigger actions. Here's the...
- What iPhone do I need for all AirPods Pro 3 features?
The answer depends on which features matter to you. For the core AirPods Pro 3 experience—noise cancellation, transparency mode, Adaptive Audio, Spatial Audio,...
- Do AirPods Pro 3 work with Windows PC?
Yes, they work—just like any Bluetooth headphones. You'll hear audio, you can make calls, and the noise cancellation functions. But the experience is...
- How is AirPods Pro 3 sound quality compared to Pro 2?
This is where things get interesting—and divisive. The AirPods Pro 3 don't just sound 'better,' they sound different, and whether that's an improvement depends...
- What charging options does the AirPods Pro 3 case support?
The AirPods Pro 3 case charges four different ways, which means you've probably already got a compatible charger lying around. USB-C is the fastest and most...
- What is Adaptive Audio on AirPods Pro 3?
Adaptive Audio is basically automatic mode switching—the AirPods Pro 3 decide whether you need noise cancellation or transparency and adjust on the fly without...
- How do I find lost AirPods Pro 3?
The AirPods Pro 3 have Apple's best Find My technology yet, and it makes a genuine difference when you can't locate them. The standout feature is Precision...
- Can I use AirPods Pro 2 ear tips on AirPods Pro 3?
Unfortunately, no—and this has annoyed a lot of people. Apple changed the ear tip design for the AirPods Pro 3, using a new attachment mechanism and...
- How does AirPods Pro 3 Spatial Audio work?
Think of Spatial Audio as surround sound for your ears—except instead of needing speakers positioned around a room, the AirPods Pro 3 create the illusion that...
