“The AirPods Pro 3 bring exciting upgrades — but are they worth another $250 if you already own the Pro 2?”
Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 have arrived with subtle design changes, stronger noise cancellation, improved battery life, and — most notably — a built-in heart rate sensor. For fitness enthusiasts, that last feature could be a game-changer.
But if you own the AirPods Pro 2, which are now two to three years old depending on the version you bought, the question is simple: are the Pro 3 worth the upgrade?
Both earbuds share many of Apple’s premium features — Live Translation, hearing health tools, Bluetooth 5.3, spatial audio, and the H2 chip — but the real differences lie in smaller, hardware-driven improvements.
Here’s a breakdown to help you decide.
Specifications at a Glance
| Feature | AirPods Pro 3 | AirPods Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | H2 | H2 |
| Battery life | 8 hrs (24 hrs w/ case) | 6 hrs (30 hrs w/ case) |
| Audio modes | ANC, Transparency, Adaptive, Conversation | ANC, Transparency, Adaptive, Conversation |
| IP rating | IP57 | IP54 (USB-C) / IPX4 (Lightning) |
| Hearing Aid mode | Yes | Yes |
| Heart rate sensor | Yes | No |
| Live translation | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Price | $249 | $249 (cheaper on sale) |
Reasons to Buy the AirPods Pro 3
1. You Want All the Health Features
The Pro 3 include hearing health tools such as Hearing Aid mode, hearing protection, and at-home hearing test compatibility — just like the Pro 2.
But the Pro 3 add a heart rate sensor, letting you track heart rate, calories burned, and exercise time directly through the iPhone’s Fitness app. If you work out with earbuds, this is a big win.
2. You Need Better Durability
The Pro 3’s IP57 rating means stronger protection against dust and water compared to the Pro 2.
Pro 2 (Lightning): Only IPX4 — minimal splash resistance.
Pro 2 (USB-C): IP54 — some dust protection, limited water resistance.
Pro 3: Survive submersion in water up to 3 feet for 30 minutes.
Even though you shouldn’t dunk them intentionally, the charging case itself is now water-resistant, something most competing earbuds from Samsung, Bose, and Sony still lack.
3. You Want All-Around Better Performance
Apple quietly improved almost every part of the Pro 3:
Refined shape & new eartips for better fit.
Upgraded 10.7mm drivers & new acoustic architecture for deeper bass.
Improved ANC and Transparency Mode.
Two extra hours of playtime per charge.
New U2 ultra-wideband chip for precise Find My location with iPhone 15 or newer.
These tweaks combine for a noticeably better user experience.
Reasons to Stick with the AirPods Pro 2
1. You Want the Cheaper Option
The Pro 2 are still excellent earbuds — and you can often find them on sale for as low as $179 at retailers like Best Buy or Amazon (though Apple no longer sells them directly).
If you don’t care about heart tracking or upgraded durability, the Pro 2 give you nearly the same core experience for less.
2. You Don’t Need the Extras
For most people, the Pro 2 are still more than enough:
Great sound powered by the same H2 chip.
Solid noise cancellation and Transparency Mode.
Access to Apple’s premium features like spatial audio, Adaptive Audio, and Conversation Mode.
Unless you’re an athlete, frequently exposed to water, or a tech enthusiast who wants the latest, the Pro 2 remain a strong value.
Bottom Line
Buy the AirPods Pro 3 if you want fitness tracking, stronger durability, and the very best performance Apple offers.
Stick with the AirPods Pro 2 if you’re happy with your current pair or want to save money without losing many features.
Both earbuds are excellent — it just depends whether the heart rate sensor, IP57 protection, and improved hardware are worth the upgrade for you.
