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Apple AirPods 5 vs Apple AirPods Pro 3

Specs, price and the one trade-off that actually decides it — Apple AirPods 5 against Apple AirPods Pro 3, side by side.

Cheaper to start

Apple AirPods 5

Starts about $120 lower.

Rated higher

Apple AirPods Pro 3

9.2 vs 0.0 on our design scale.

Standout

Apple AirPods 5

Custom high-excursion Apple driver

Apple AirPods 5

Apple's first open-ear earbuds with Active Noise Cancellation, alongside a redesigned Transparency mode and Conversation Awareness.

Where it wins, where it doesn't

Pros

  • Custom high-excursion driver and high dynamic range amplifier for high-quality audio
  • Improved Transparency mode and Conversation Awareness for better situational awareness
  • Up to 22 hours of total battery life with the charging case
  • Dust, sweat, and water-resistant (IP57)

Cons

  • Battery life is relatively short at up to 4 hours with ANC enabled
  • Compatibility is limited to Apple devices only

Specifications

  • AccessibilityLive Listen audio Headphone levels Headphone Accommodations
  • Charging CaseAirPods 5: Works with USB-C connector AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case: Works with USB-C connector, Apple Watch charger, or Qi-certified chargers
  • ChipH2 headphone chip
  • ConnectivityBluetooth 5.3 wireless technology
  • ControlsPress once to play or pause media Press once to answer a call or mute or unmute Press once for camera remote Press twice to end a call Press twice to skip forward Press three times to skip back Press and hold to switch between listening modes Swipe up or down to adjust volume (AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case) Say “Hey Siri” or just “Siri” to do things like play a song, make a call, or get directions With Siri Interactions, nod your head yes or gently shake your head no when Siri asks if you want to answer an incoming call, hear a text message, manage notifications, and more
  • Dust, Sweat, and Water ResistantDust, sweat, and water resistant (IP57)
  • SensorsDual beamforming microphones Inward-facing microphone Optical in-ear sensor Motion-detecting accelerometer Speech-detecting accelerometer Force sensor
  • Size and Weight (Each)Height: 1.19 inches (30.2 mm) Width: 0.72 inch (18.3 mm) Depth: 0.71 inch (18.1 mm) Weight: 0.15 ounce (4.3 grams)
  • System RequirementsiPhone models with the latest version of iOS iPad models with the latest version of iPadOS Apple Watch models with the latest version of watchOS Mac models with the latest version of macOS Apple TV models with the latest version of tvOS Apple Vision Pro with the latest version of visionOS
  • Accessibility / Features include / Automatic Conversation Boost when using Hearing Aid feature—
  • Accessibility / Features include / Hearing Aid—
  • Accessibility / Features include / Hearing Protection—
  • Accessibility / Features include / Hearing Test—
  • Accessibility / Features include / Live Listen audio—
  • Audio / Adaptive AudioBlends Transparency and ANC dynamically
  • Audio / Adaptive EQNext-generation Adaptive EQ
  • Audio / ArchitectureNew multiport acoustic architecture
  • Audio / Conversation AwarenessAuto-lowers volume when you start speaking
  • Audio / Spatial AudioPersonalized Spatial Audio (requires iPhone with TrueDepth camera)
  • Audio / Transparency ModeImproved Transparency mode
  • Battery—
  • Battery / With ANCUp to 4 hours per charge (vs 3 hours on AirPods 4)
  • Battery / With Wireless Charging Case + ANCUp to 22 hours total
  • battery_anc_on—
  • battery_transparency—
  • battery_with_case—
  • Case / ChargingWireless charging (Apple Watch chargers, Qi, USB-C)
  • case_charging—
  • DesignOpen-ear form factor; improved dust, sweat, and water resistance (no IP rating published)
  • Hearing Health—
  • In the Box—
  • In the Box / AirPods Pro 3—
  • In the Box / Documentation—
  • In the Box / USB-C Charge Cable—
  • MaterialsAirPods 5 are made with 40% recycled content, including: 100% recycled aluminum in the hinge of the case 100% recycled cobalt in the battery
  • Noise CancellationActive Noise Cancellation in an open-ear design; removes up to 50% more external noise than AirPods 4
  • Siri / Head GesturesNod or shake your head to respond to Siri
  • Size and WeightAirPods 5 (Each): Height: 1.19 inches (30.2 mm), Width: 0.72 inch (18.3 mm), Depth: 0.71 inch (18.1 mm), Weight: 0.15 ounce (4.3 grams), Charging Case (USB-C): Height: 1.82 inches (46.2 mm), Width: 1.97 inches (50.1 mm), Depth: 0.83 inch (21.2 mm), Weight: 1.14 ounces (32.3 grams)
  • Size and Weight (Charging Case)—
  • Size and Weight / AirPods Pro 3 (Each) / Depth—
  • Size and Weight / AirPods Pro 3 (Each) / Height—
  • Size and Weight / AirPods Pro 3 (Each) / Weight—
  • Size and Weight / AirPods Pro 3 (Each) / Width—
  • water_resistance—
  • Year introduced2026
Apple AirPods Pro 3

Apple AirPods Pro 3

Apple's in-ear earbuds at $249, adding heart-rate sensing and an IP57 rating.

Where it wins, where it doesn't

Pros

  • Offers up to 24 hours of listening time with the charging case.
  • Includes advanced audio technologies like personalized spatial audio and adaptive EQ.
  • Dust, sweat, and water-resistant (IP57).

Cons

  • High price point of $249.
  • Requires an Apple device with the latest iOS, iPadOS, or watchOS.
  • Limited appeal to users outside of the Apple ecosystem.

Specifications

  • AccessibilityHearing Test 6, Hearing Aid 6, Automatic Conversation Boost when using Hearing Aid feature 7, Hearing Protection 8, Live Listen audio 23
  • Charging CaseWorks with MagSafe charger, Apple Watch charger, Qi-certified chargers, or USB-C connector
  • ChipApple H2 headphone chip, Apple second-generation Ultra Wideband chip in MagSafe Charging Case
  • ConnectivityBluetooth 5.3 wireless technology
  • ControlsPress once to play or pause media, Press once to answer a call or mute or unmute 11, Press once for camera remote 12, Press twice to end a call, Press twice to skip forward, Press three times to skip back, Press and hold to switch between listening modes, Swipe up or down to adjust volume, Say just “Siri” 13 or “Hey Siri” to do things like play a song, make a call, or get directions, Siri interactions 4
  • Dust, Sweat, and Water ResistantDust, sweat, and water resistant (IP57): AirPods Pro and charging case
  • SensorsDual beamforming microphones, Inward-facing microphone, Skin-detect sensor, Motion-detecting accelerometer, Speech-detecting accelerometer, Heart rate sensor for workouts 10
  • Size and Weight (Each)Height: 1.22 inches (30.9 mm), Width: 0.76 inch (19.2 mm), Depth: 1.06 inches (27.0 mm), Weight: 0.20 ounce (5.55 grams)
  • System RequirementsiPhone models with the latest version of iOS, iPad models with the latest version of iPadOS, Apple Watch models with the latest version of watchOS
  • Accessibility / Features include / Automatic Conversation Boost when using Hearing Aid featureAutomatic Conversation Boost when using Hearing Aid feature
  • Accessibility / Features include / Hearing AidHearing Aid
  • Accessibility / Features include / Hearing ProtectionHearing Protection
  • Accessibility / Features include / Hearing TestHearing Test
  • Accessibility / Features include / Live Listen audioLive Listen audio
  • Audio / Adaptive Audio—
  • Audio / Adaptive EQ—
  • Audio / Architecture—
  • Audio / Conversation Awareness—
  • Audio / Spatial Audio—
  • Audio / Transparency Mode—
  • BatteryUp to 8 hours of listening time on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation enabled (up to 7.5 hours with Spatial Audio and Head Tracking enabled) 17, Up to 6.5 hours of listening time on a single charge with heart rate sensing during workouts 18, Up to 10 hours of listening time on a single charge in Transparency using the Hearing Aid feature 19, Up to 24 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation enabled 21, 5 minutes in the case provides around 1 hour of listening time 22
  • Battery / With ANC—
  • Battery / With Wireless Charging Case + ANC—
  • battery_anc_on8 hours
  • battery_transparency10 hours
  • battery_with_case24 hours
  • Case / Charging—
  • case_chargingUSB-C, Qi wireless, MagSafe, Apple Watch charger
  • Design—
  • Hearing HealthHearing Test 6, Hearing Aid 6, Automatic Conversation Boost when using Hearing Aid feature 7, Hearing Protection 8, Live Translation for communicating across languages 9
  • In the BoxAirPods Pro 3, MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C) with speaker and lanyard loop, Silicone ear tips (five sizes: XXS, XS, S, M, L), Documentation
  • In the Box / AirPods Pro 3AirPods Pro 3
  • In the Box / DocumentationDocumentation
  • In the Box / USB-C Charge CableUSB-C Charge Cable sold separately
  • Materials—
  • Noise Cancellation—
  • Siri / Head Gestures—
  • Size and Weight—
  • Size and Weight (Charging Case)Height: 1.86 inches (47.2 mm), Width: 2.45 inches (62.2 mm), Depth: 0.86 inch (21.8 mm), Weight: 1.55 ounces (43.99 grams)
  • Size and Weight / AirPods Pro 3 (Each) / Depth1.06 inches (27.0 mm)
  • Size and Weight / AirPods Pro 3 (Each) / Height1.22 inches (30.9 mm)
  • Size and Weight / AirPods Pro 3 (Each) / Weight0.20 ounce (5.55 grams)
  • Size and Weight / AirPods Pro 3 (Each) / Width0.76 inch (19.2 mm)
  • water_resistanceIP57
  • Year introduced—