Buying AirPods? Here Are The Key Differences Among Models

It’s nearly impossible to have a discussion about the best headphones without mentioning AirPods. Since bursting onto the scene in 2016, AirPods have only become bigger, better and more popular, with Apple launching models that feature noise cancellation, longer battery life and more.
Now up to their fourth generation — not to mention the addition of AirPods Pro and AirPods Max — keeping track of each model’s nuances can be confusing. There are many similarities: personalized spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, compatibility with Siri and automatic switching between devices, to name a few. But if you’re looking to buy a pair and want to know the differences, we’re here to break it all down.
Below, find our explanation of what sets apart each type of AirPods, and which could be best for you. We’re including all models introduced in 2020 onward. That means the discontinued second generation is missing from this list, since we couldn’t find any in stock following Cyber Monday. (If you ask us, that’s a pretty good reason to add your favorite AirPods to your cart while you still can.)
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Highlights: Contains Apple’s most up-to-date and energy-efficient H2 processing chip, highest ANC rating out of all the earbud models, silicone tips for added comfort, equipped with new “hearing health” mode
Let’s talk about the AirPods Pro 2, which have gained 9,600 5-star Amazon reviews since launching in 2022. (FYI: Right now at Amazon, Target and Walmart, you can still get these on sale for $170, which is the suggested full retail price of third-generation AirPods that have fewer features. If your heart is set on this model, don’t wait too long.)
Made with the H2 chip (which, among other things, is more energy-efficient and helps with active noise cancellation, or ANC), these have more than twice the noise-cancelling power of the newest AirPods 4 model, which we’ll get into later. They also have a transparency mode and adaptive audio, so when you do want to hear your surroundings, you can. The conversation awareness feature even automatically lowers the volume of whatever you’re playing when you start speaking to someone. That’s in addition to the same six-hour listening time as the 3s.
More differences: The Pros are dust-resistant as well as water- and sweat-resistant. You can charge the case wirelessly with a MagSafe charger or use the included USB-C cable. This is also the only AirPods model with silicone tips; you can ensure they fit your ear using the four pairs of different sizes included in the box.
Finally, the Pros debuted a hearing health experience this year that sets these apart. You can use them to take hearing tests and track your data, set up a hearing aid feature if you need it and protect your ears by preventing excessive exposure to loud noise.
Bottom line: These are probably the best deal and greatest value if you can get them at their current sale price of $170.
Highlights: Contains Apple’s most up-to-date H2 processing chip, redesigned shape for better fit in ears, available with or without active noise cancellation, has a shorter battery life compared to predecessors
Next up we have the very newest AirPod model. There are two versions of the AirPods 4, one with ANC ($179 list price) and one without ($129 list price). With ANC, you also get a transparency mode, adaptive audio and the conversation awareness feature. Consumer Reports gave the ANC version a score of 69, for reference. Both versions use the H2 chip and are dust-, water- and sweat-resistant, so even the non-ANC model is an upgrade from its predecessor.
You might assume that the ANC version is extremely similar to the second-generation Pros, but the ANC is where most of the similarities end. One of the interesting upgrades to the 4s is a slight change in shape — like other standard AirPods, they don’t have the Pros’ silicone tips, but they are slimmer and angled differently than the 3s. So if the 3s don’t fit you or keep falling out, but you also don’t like the “stuffed” feeling of wearing tips, you may want to give these a try.
That said, we’d be remiss not to mention the 4s’ slightly shorter battery life: up to five hours on a single charge rather than six for both models, with the same 30-hour life for the USB-C MagSafe charging case. But considering how the 4s’ features are like a mix between the 3s and the Pros, and the relative affordability, you may decide the lost hour is worth it.
Bottom line: These offer some features that are similar to AirPod Pro 2s (and a redesigned ear shape) at a slightly lower price. However, the battery life is not as strong.
Highlights: Over-ear design with optimal noise cancellation, ultra-long battery life, a wide range of color options, older H1 chip, less portable
Prefer an over-ear design? The AirPods Max likely are more your speed. They’re the most expensive of the bunch but also are different enough from the others to be worth the splurge.
The Maxes use the older H1 chip, but testers have previously found that their ANC is actually ever-so-slightly better than the Pros. For reference, the AirPods Max tied for Consumer Reports’ highest score among noise-canceling headphones at 79, while the Pros scored a 72 (though both got full marks in noise reduction and owner satisfaction).
The large ear cups and memory foam cushions provide ultimate comfort and seal in the sound (and keep unwanted sounds out). This model also has the longest battery life of any AirPods, with up to 20 hours of listening time off one charge. When you’re not using them, stick them into the included Smart Case, which preserves the battery life by putting the headphones into an ultra-low power mode.
There are some sacrifices in choosing the Maxes. They’re more expensive, less portable and not water-, sweat- or dust-resistant. But the sound quality is excellent, and for the most fun difference: You can choose a color! There are 10 colors available, including some in the same shades as Apple’s iPhone and MacBook colors if you want to match across devices.
There are two versions of the AirPods Max, one that charges with a USB-C cable and another with a Lightning cable. USB-C tends to charge faster than the Lightning and is a more universal cable but is more expensive.
Bottom line: Apple’s only over-ear design offers optimal noise cancellation and an excellent battery life, but they’re the most expensive option in the lineup and not quite as portable.
Highlights: Equipped with older H1 chip, no ANC, six hours of battery life
Like the affordable second-generation AirPods that we mentioned at the beginning, the third generation of the standard AirPods are also discontinued — but unlike the second-gens, they can still be purchased through third-party retailers like Amazon and Walmart (for now). While they doesn’t offer noise cancellation and use the older H1 chip rather than the H2, there’s still plenty to love about the third gen.
You can listen for up to six hours off of a single charge, and 30 hours before the case itself needs to be charged with a USB-C to Lightning cable, which is included in the box. The 3s are also sweat- and water-resistant.
If you’re not fussed about having the most high-tech pair and want something more affordable with good sound quality and battery life, these may be the way to go. The lack of noise cancellation and the earbuds’ universal fit (rather than being customizable with ear tips like the Pros) are probably the biggest points to consider.
Bottom line: We’d wait for this discontinued model to go on deeper sale, as AirPod Pro 2s and AirPod 4s offer better features at similar prices.