AirPods 4 vs Pro 3: Which Apple Earbuds to Buy in 2025

The Apple ecosystem just got more complicated, and more exciting. Apple's standard AirPods now offer active noise cancellation for an additional $50, bringing them closer to the AirPods Pro than ever before. At the same time, the AirPods Pro 3 move slightly closer to the AirPods 4, adopting a hidden LED indicator and capacitive pairing button, while adding headline features like heart rate monitoring and stronger active noise cancellation. With 25 key differences, the choice is no longer obvious.

Design and fit: Why comfort matters more than you think

Here’s where things get interesting. Apple used over 10,000 ear scans and 100,000 hours of user research to shape the AirPods Pro 3, and it shows. The Pro 3 arrive with a redesigned shape with smaller earbuds that align better with ear canal geometry plus new ear tips that combine silicone with foam for a tighter seal.

That research pays off in daily wear. Apple now includes five different ear tip sizes, including a new extra-extra-small option, so even petite ear canals can get the seal that keeps long sessions comfortable and keeps noise out.

AirPods 4 stick with the open-ear vibe. They’re the smallest AirPods in the current lineup, with a flatter and slimmer earbud design that many find more comfortable than previous generations. The trade-off is clear, a less secure, more open fit compared to the Pro 3 in-ear seal. Slip them in for a walk, not a sprint.

Sound quality: Where the real differences emerge

The audio story splits in two. The AirPods Pro 3 deliver improved bass response, wider soundstage, and clearer vocals through a multiport acoustic design. Apple revised the drivers and their angle to beam sound more directly into ears, so it feels like a little concert, center stage.

In testing, Apple's custom high-excursion drivers have custom high dynamic range amplifiers that handle the thump of hard rock and the hush of acoustic guitar without smearing details. Switch from a bass-heavy track to a vocal-forward ballad and you hear the pivot immediately.

AirPods 4 go another route. Their sound signature is bass-heavy and dark, almost the complete opposite of the AirPods Pro 2's neutral bright tuning. They are not a sonic powerhouse, yet they do include a larger sound hole compared to AirPods 3rd gen, allowing for more consistent sound quality.

So, what do you want to hear? If you lean into electronic or hip-hop, the 4's warmer tilt will land well. If you want accuracy across genres, the Pro 3's balanced presentation wins.

Noise cancellation: The great divide

This is where the 70 dollar price gap shows up fast. The AirPods Pro 3 deliver twice as much noise cancellation as the AirPods Pro 2 and four times more than the original AirPods Pro. The improved seal from new ear tips helps make the ANC setup more precise, tamping down HVAC hum, road noise, and that endless office chatter.

In real use, the Pro 3 make the subway’s constant whir fade to a murmur. Animated conversations still poke through, but less of them. The secret is simple, Apple increased passive noise isolation with the foam-infused ear tips, then the active system cleans up what remains.

AirPods 4 with ANC are different by design. This is the first time noise cancelling was put in open-fit AirPods. They are surprisingly effective with a 6/10 rating, but the AirPods 4 with ANC can block some noise, but not very much versus a sealed in-ear design. The impressive part is that open-ear cancellation works at all.

Battery life and durability: The practical considerations

For everyday use, stamina matters. The AirPods Pro 3 promise 8 hours with ANC on and 10 hours in transparency mode, with 24 hours total including the charging case. That is a notable jump, battery life in ANC mode increased from 6hrs to 8hrs over the previous generation.

AirPods 4 offer 5 hours without ANC or 4 hours with it enabled, and keep the same 30-hour total with the case. You will top them up more often on long days, though the smaller case is easy to pocket.

On toughness, the AirPods Pro 3 sport IP57 water resistance, meaning they're protected against sweat and rain, and should survive being dropped in a sink or puddle. AirPods 4 carry IP54 certification, good for basic protection but not quite the same peace of mind.

If you train outdoors, that gap is confidence you can feel. With the Pro 3, you stop worrying about drizzle and sweat and get on with the run.

Features that set them apart

The AirPods Pro 3 bring fresh tricks. Heart rate sensors in each earbud allow tracking without an Apple Watch, using custom sensors that pulse infrared light 256 times per second. In workouts, accuracy lined up closely with dedicated trackers, within a few beats per minute across easy jogs and harder intervals.

There is also Live Translation in beta, supporting real-time speech translation that works offline and waits for complete sentences. It leans on the H2 chip, Voice Isolation, ANC, and beamforming microphones. Put simply, it feels sci-fi when you are navigating a cafe order in a new country.

AirPods 4 keep the controls simple and familiar. Both models let you play/pause with a squeeze and change tracks with multiple taps, and the Pro 3 take it up a notch by allowing volume adjustment via swipe. Both support Live Translation features, with a more advanced take on the Pro 3.

The neat party trick, head gestures now accept or decline calls with a nod or a shake. Sounds silly until your hands are covered in flour.

Bottom line: Which AirPods should you buy?

Here is where we landed. The AirPods 4 should be the default choice for most prospective buyers. At 179 dollars for the ANC model versus 249 dollars for the AirPods Pro 3, they deliver strong value with surprisingly effective noise cancellation and all-day comfort.

AirPods 4 hit the sweet spot, most of the Pro features without the premium price or potential fit fatigue. They're considered the most comfortable AirPods to date, and for many, comfort beats small audio gains.

There is a catch. You should only buy the AirPods Pro 3 if you're happy with their in-ear fit. They provide better sound quality and active noise cancellation, yet can become uncomfortable during prolonged use.

So pick by priority. If noise cancellation is your main priority, the AirPods Pro 3 deliver 4x better performance than standard AirPods, a gift for frequent flyers and open office dwellers. If you want heart rate monitoring without a watch, the Pro 3's health features can justify the extra spend. For most people who want excellent wireless buds with good ANC and easy comfort, AirPods 4 with ANC are the better value.