Side by side
AirPods 4 vs AirPods Pro 3
Quick verdict
Choose the AirPods 4 if you dislike ear tips and want light, open-fit earbuds. Choose the AirPods Pro 3 for much stronger noise cancelling, a secure fit and health features.
| Criterion | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Noise cancelling | AirPods Pro 3 | Sealed fit, much stronger ANC |
| Comfort | AirPods 4 | No ear tips, light open fit |
| Battery | AirPods Pro 3 | Longer listening time |
| Health | AirPods Pro 3 | Heart rate sensing, hearing features |
| Water resistance | AirPods Pro 3 | IP57 vs IP54 |
| Value | AirPods 4 | Clearly cheaper |
At a glance
| Feature | AirPods 4 | AirPods Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Fit | Open, no ear tips | In-ear with silicone tips (five sizes) |
| Noise cancelling | Only on the ANC version, moderate | Strong |
| Chip | H2 | H2 |
| Heart rate sensor | No | Yes |
| Hearing aid and test | No | Yes |
| Water resistance | IP54 | IP57 |
| Case | USB-C | USB-C, Find My with speaker |
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Which one should you buy?
Mister Magelo’s verdict
If you mainly listen at home or at the office and find ear tips uncomfortable, the AirPods 4 are the better and cheaper choice. If you fly, commute or train, the AirPods Pro 3 are worth the extra money for noise cancelling, fit and health features.
Independent recommendation · Retailers can’t pay for rankingChoose AirPods 4 if…
- ear tips feel uncomfortable to you
- you want to stay aware of your surroundings
- you want the cheaper option
Choose AirPods Pro 3 if…
- you fly or commute and want quiet
- you exercise and want a secure fit and heart rate tracking
- you want hearing health features
Questions and answers
Do AirPods 4 have noise cancelling?
Only the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. Because they have no ear tips, the effect is clearly weaker than on the AirPods Pro 3.
Can AirPods Pro 3 replace a fitness tracker?
They can measure heart rate during workouts and share it with the Fitness app, but they do not track sleep or all-day activity like a watch.