Pro 3 or Pro 2 AirPods
AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Pro 2: H2 chip, noise cancelling, battery and UK price compared, £200 new or £137.89 renewed, with SoundGuys measurements.
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In the AirPods Pro 3 vs Pro 2 decision, the AirPods Pro 3 are the better earbuds and the AirPods Pro 2 are the cheaper ones. At the time of writing (October 2026) the AirPods Pro 3 cost £200 on Amazon UK, a renewed AirPods Pro 3 costs £159.99 and a renewed AirPods Pro 2 costs £137.89. Both generations use the H2 chip. For rivals, see our best wireless earbuds in the UK guide.
| Situation | Buy | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Long commutes and flights | AirPods Pro 3 | 90% against 83% measured noise reduction |
| Running, gym, rain | AirPods Pro 3 | IP57 against IP54, heart-rate sensing |
| Tightest budget for Apple ANC | AirPods Pro 2 (renewed) | £137.89, H2 chip, hearing aid |
| Best price per hour of battery | AirPods Pro 3 (renewed) | £18.39 per measured hour |
| Already own AirPods Pro 2 | Keep them | Upgrade only for a worn battery |
How much do the AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Pro 2 cost in the UK?
The AirPods Pro 3 cost £200 on Amazon UK at the time of writing (October 2026), £19 below Apple's £219 UK price. The AirPods Pro 2 are listed on Amazon UK as renewed pairs, at £137.89 for the USB-C MagSafe case. TechRadar put the AirPods Pro 2 UK launch price at £229.
| Model | Price (October 2026) | Gap to AirPods Pro 3 at £200 |
|---|---|---|
| AirPods Pro 3 | £200.00 (Apple UK: £219) | n/a |
| AirPods Pro 3 (Renewed) | £159.99 | £40.01 less |
| AirPods Pro 2 USB-C (Renewed) | £137.89 | £62.11 less |
Renewed pairs are refurbished units sold through Amazon Renewed, so battery condition varies by unit. Battery wear is the main ageing factor in AirPods; our guide to how long AirPods last covers it.
What are the differences between AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3?
The AirPods Pro 3 change the fit, the sensors and the endurance, and keep the chip. Apple and SoundGuys document seven differences.
| Feature | AirPods Pro 3 | AirPods Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | H2 | H2 |
| Ear tips | Five sizes, XXS to L, foam-infused | Four sizes, XS to L, silicone |
| Measured noise reduction (SoundGuys) | 90% average | 83% average |
| Rated battery per charge (Apple) | 8 h (ANC on) | 6 h (ANC on) |
| Measured battery (SoundGuys) | 8 h 42 min | 5 h 43 min |
| Water and dust resistance | IP57 | IP54 |
| Heart-rate sensing | Yes | No |
| Hearing test and hearing aid | Yes | Yes |
| Case | MagSafe, touch panel, U2 chip | MagSafe, button pairing |
SoundGuys described the sound difference as not extremely stark: the AirPods Pro 3 have a reworked acoustic chamber and extra treble energy around 10 to 14 kHz, and the AirPods Pro 2 have slightly more bass. In a SoundGuys reader poll of 1,797 votes, 81 percent preferred the microphone sample of the AirPods Pro 3.
Do the AirPods Pro 3 have an H3 chip?
No. Apple lists the H2 headphone chip for the AirPods Pro 3, the same chip as the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4 and AirPods 5. The upgrades searchers attribute to a newer chip come from hardware around it: foam-infused ear tips, a reworked acoustic chamber, an inward-facing microphone, a heart-rate sensor and updated noise cancelling tuning. Apple rates the AirPods Pro 3 at up to twice the noise cancelling of the AirPods Pro 2.
Is the AirPods Pro 3 noise cancelling better than the Pro 2?
Yes, by 7 percentage points in SoundGuys' measurement. SoundGuys recorded an average 90 percent reduction in ambient sound for the AirPods Pro 3 and 83 percent for the AirPods Pro 2, and called the AirPods Pro 3 the best noise cancelling it had measured in any earbuds. SoundGuys puts the gain closer to 10 dB across frequencies than the doubling Apple claims.
Part of the improvement is fit. The AirPods Pro 3 ship with five ear tip sizes, including XXS, against four on the AirPods Pro 2, and a better seal raises cancelling at low frequencies. Buyers choosing between ANC and no ANC can read are noise-cancelling earbuds worth it.
Which has the better battery life?
The AirPods Pro 3 last about 3 hours longer per charge. SoundGuys measured 8 hours 42 minutes for the AirPods Pro 3 with ANC on and 5 hours 43 minutes for the AirPods Pro 2, a gap of 179 minutes. Apple rates the AirPods Pro 3 at 8 hours per charge and 24 hours with the case, and the AirPods Pro 2 at 6 hours per charge and 30 hours with the case.
Compare Electronic's price-per-hour breakdown
Compare Electronic divided each Amazon UK price at the time of writing (October 2026) by SoundGuys' measured ANC-on battery life.
| Earbuds | Price | Measured hours | £ per measured hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirPods Pro 3 | £200.00 | 8 h 42 min (8.7 h) | £22.99 |
| AirPods Pro 3 (Renewed) | £159.99 | 8 h 42 min (8.7 h) | £18.39 |
| AirPods Pro 2 (Renewed) | £137.89 | 5 h 43 min (5.72 h) | £24.12 |
The renewed AirPods Pro 3 cost the least per hour, and the renewed AirPods Pro 2 cost the most, because their shorter battery life outweighs the lower price. The renewed AirPods Pro 3 cost £22.10 more than the renewed AirPods Pro 2, which is about 12p for each of the 179 extra minutes SoundGuys measured.
Do the AirPods Pro 3 sound and fit better than the Pro 2?
The AirPods Pro 3 fit more securely and sound slightly brighter; the AirPods Pro 2 keep a little more bass. SoundGuys attributes the sound change to a reworked acoustic chamber and a treble lift between 10 and 14 kHz, which older listeners may prefer, and called the difference not extremely stark.
The fit change matters more. The AirPods Pro 3 use foam-infused silicone tips in five sizes, XXS to L, and Apple lists the earbuds at 5.55 g. The AirPods Pro 2 use four silicone sizes, XS to L, at 5.3 g. A smaller ear canal that never sealed with the AirPods Pro 2 gains the most, because the seal sets both bass and noise cancelling.
Is it worth upgrading from AirPods Pro 2 to AirPods Pro 3?
Not for most owners. Upgrading costs £200 and buys 179 extra minutes of measured battery, which is £1.12 per extra minute before any resale, and 7 points of measured noise reduction. SoundGuys called the AirPods Pro 2 a fantastic buy and the AirPods Pro 3 the easy pick for buyers invested in the Apple ecosystem who want the best Apple makes.
- Upgrade: the AirPods Pro 2 battery no longer lasts a commute, the seal never worked, or heart-rate sensing and IP57 matter for training.
- Keep: the pair still lasts a full day and the owner does not run in them. Hearing aid features, Adaptive Audio and the H2 chip are identical.
Apple AirPods Pro 3 - best overall
Apple AirPods Pro 3 specifications
- Noise cancelling: active, 90% average reduction (SoundGuys)
- Chip: Apple H2, Bluetooth 5.3
- Battery: up to 8 hours with ANC, 24 hours with case
- Weight: 5.55 g per earbud
- Water and dust resistance: IP57
- Ear tips: five sizes, XXS to L, foam-infused
- Health: heart-rate sensing, hearing test and hearing aid
- Case: MagSafe, Qi, Apple Watch charger and USB-C, with speaker
The AirPods Pro 3 suit iPhone owners buying new, runners and gym users who need IP57 and heart-rate sensing, and anyone who wants the strongest Apple noise cancelling for travel.
AirPods Pro 3 - pros and cons
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Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C, Renewed) - cheapest Pro
Apple AirPods Pro 2 specifications
- Noise cancelling: active, 83% average reduction (SoundGuys)
- Chip: Apple H2
- Battery: up to 6 hours with ANC, 30 hours with case
- Water and dust resistance: IP54
- Ear tips: four silicone sizes, XS to L
- Health: hearing test and hearing aid, no heart-rate sensor
- Case: MagSafe, Qi, Apple Watch charger and USB-C, with speaker
The AirPods Pro 2 suit iPhone owners who want Adaptive Audio and hearing aid features at the lowest Apple Pro price, for office, study and light commuting.
AirPods Pro 2 - pros and cons
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Apple AirPods Pro 3 (Renewed) - best value
The renewed AirPods Pro 3 give the new model's hardware for £40.01 less than a new pair, at £18.39 per measured hour of battery. Buyers who accept a refurbished unit get the best value in this comparison.
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Radar · 0-100 scores
- AirPods Pro 3
- AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C, Renewed)
- AirPods Pro 3 (Renewed)
- AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Pro 2: full spec sheet
The AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Pro 2 share a chip and a case design, and differ on fit, sensors, battery and durability.
| Spec | AirPods Pro 3 | AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon UK price (October 2026) | £200 new, £159.99 renewed | £137.89 renewed |
| Apple UK price (Pro 2: launch) | £219 | £229 (TechRadar) |
| Chip | H2 | H2 |
| Measured noise reduction (SoundGuys) | 90% | 83% |
| Battery per charge (Apple) | 8 h | 6 h |
| Battery with case (Apple) | 24 h | 30 h |
| Measured battery (SoundGuys) | 8 h 42 min | 5 h 43 min |
| Ear tips | 5 foam-infused sizes | 4 silicone sizes |
| Weight per earbud | 5.55 g | 5.3 g |
| Water and dust resistance | IP57 | IP54 |
| Heart-rate sensing | Yes | No |
| Hearing test and hearing aid | Yes | Yes |
Sony's rival is covered in AirPods Pro 3 vs Sony WF-1000XM6, and the cheaper range in AirPods 4 vs AirPods Pro 3.
What does the extra money buy?
Each step up the price ladder buys measurable battery and noise cancelling. Compare Electronic priced the steps at Amazon UK prices at the time of writing (October 2026).
| Step up | Extra cost | What it buys |
|---|---|---|
| AirPods Pro 2 (renewed) to AirPods Pro 3 (renewed) | £22.10 | 7 points of noise reduction, 179 more measured minutes, IP57, heart rate, five ear tip sizes |
| AirPods Pro 3 (renewed) to AirPods Pro 3 (new) | £40.01 | A new unit with a full-length battery |
| AirPods Pro 2 (renewed) to AirPods Pro 3 (new) | £62.11 | All of the above in a new unit |
The first step is the efficient one. The £40.01 from renewed to new buys condition rather than features.
Who should skip each model?
- Skip the AirPods Pro 3: owners of a healthy AirPods Pro 2 who do not run, and Android users, who lose heart-rate sensing and the settings app.
- Skip the AirPods Pro 2: frequent flyers and gym users, who gain the most from the larger battery, the tighter seal and IP57.
- Skip both: buyers who want an open fit; the AirPods 4 with ANC cost £120.43 at the time of writing (October 2026).
Verdict: AirPods Pro 3 or AirPods Pro 2?
New buyers should choose the AirPods Pro 3at £200 on Amazon UK at the time of writing (October 2026). They measure 90 percent noise reduction against 83 percent, last 8 hours 42 minutes against 5 hours 43 minutes in SoundGuys' measurement, and add IP57 and heart-rate sensing.
Buyers who accept a refurbished unit get the best price per hour from the renewed AirPods Pro 3 at £159.99, and the tightest budget fits the renewed AirPods Pro 2 at £137.89. Our best wireless earbuds UK guide ranks the alternatives.
Frequently asked questions
AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Pro 2: which is better?
The AirPods Pro 3 are better on noise cancelling, battery, fit and durability. SoundGuys measured 90 percent average noise reduction against 83 percent for the AirPods Pro 2, and 8 hours 42 minutes of battery against 5 hours 43 minutes. The AirPods Pro 3 add IP57 protection and heart-rate sensing. The AirPods Pro 2 cost less.
What are the differences between AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3?
The AirPods Pro 3 add five foam-infused ear tip sizes, IP57 protection, heart-rate sensing, 8 hours of rated battery and a reworked acoustic chamber. The AirPods Pro 2 have four silicone tip sizes, IP54, no heart-rate sensor and 6 hours of rated battery. Both use Apple's H2 chip and support hearing aid features.
Do the AirPods Pro 3 have an H3 chip?
No. Apple lists the H2 chip for the AirPods Pro 3, the same chip as the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4 and AirPods 5. The AirPods Pro 3 upgrades come from the foam-infused ear tips, a reworked acoustic chamber, new sensors and updated noise cancelling tuning rather than a new headphone chip.
How much do the AirPods Pro 3 cost in the UK?
Apple's UK price for the AirPods Pro 3 is £219. At the time of writing (October 2026) Amazon UK lists the AirPods Pro 3 at £200, which is £19 less, and a renewed pair at £159.99. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 covers purchases from UK sellers.
How much do the AirPods Pro 2 cost in the UK?
At the time of writing (October 2026) Amazon UK lists a renewed AirPods Pro 2 with a USB-C MagSafe case at £137.89. TechRadar put the previous model's UK launch price at £229. A renewed pair costs £62.11 less than a new AirPods Pro 3 at £200, and £22.10 less than a renewed AirPods Pro 3.
Is it worth upgrading from AirPods Pro 2 to AirPods Pro 3?
Only for specific needs. Owners with a worn AirPods Pro 2 battery, who run or train, or who want heart-rate sensing gain the most. SoundGuys called the sound differences not extremely stark and the AirPods Pro 2 a fantastic buy. A pair that still lasts a full commute is not worth £200.
Are the AirPods Pro 2 still worth buying?
Yes, as a cheaper way into Apple's pro earbuds. The AirPods Pro 2 keep the H2 chip, Adaptive Audio and hearing aid features, and SoundGuys measured 83 percent average noise reduction. At £137.89 renewed on Amazon UK at the time of writing (October 2026), they give up 7 points of cancelling and about 3 hours of battery.