Apple AirPods 3 Pro vs AirPods 4 with ANC: Which Apple earbuds should you buy?

Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 4 with ANC take two very different approaches. Both include active noise canceling, Bluetooth 5.3, and deep iOS integration, but they serve different listeners. The AirPods Pro 3 is a fitness-ready, all-in-one companion, while the AirPods 4 with ANC brings noise cancelation to fans of the more traditional, unsealed, stemmed design.

After hands-on testing, here’s how they compare in everyday use, features, connectivity, and sound quality—so you can decide which is worth your money. Let’s break it all down.

What’s it like to use the AirPods Pro 3 compared to the AirPods 4 with ANC?

If you’re deciding between the AirPods Pro 3 and the AirPods 4 with ANC, your comfort preferences and lifestyle will probably influence your decision.

The AirPods Pro 3 offer better ANC, a more secure fit with foam-infused silicone tips, and a slightly refined shape. While this new design works well for some, others may find it uncomfortable during longer listening sessions. Fortunately, you’re provided with five different-sized ear tips. In our testing, they sealed well and stayed put during most activities—though the glossy finish sometimes caused them to slip out during more intense workouts. They’re rated IP57, making them a better pick for sweat, rain, or dust-heavy environments.

Meanwhile, the AirPods 4 with ANC take a different route. They stick with Apple’s iconic open-fit design and feel more comfortable for casual wear. At just 4.3g per earbud, they’re lighter than the Pro 3s and easy to forget you’re wearing. However, the unsealed fit also doesn’t quite stay in place consistently during movement, and they’re only IP54-rated—fine for light use, but not as robust for exercise or the elements. If you already like the feel of traditional AirPods and just want noise cancelation without the sealed fit, the 4s are a familiar step forward.

Do the AirPods Pro 3 or AirPods 4 with ANC have more features?

The AirPods Pro 3 clearly come out ahead regarding raw feature count. These earbuds aren’t just for listening—they double as fitness trackers, clinical-grade hearing aids, and even real-time translators. Heart rate tracking worked well during light exercise, but less so during intense workouts due to shifting fit. I also appreciate the Hearing Assistance features, which could be tuned via Apple’s Health app. Live Translation, while conceptually impressive, still suffers from delays and poor noise isolation in real-world environments.

On the other hand, the AirPods 4 with ANC stick to improving the core AirPods formula. Features like Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness bring a layer of intelligence to how the earbuds handle ambient sound. You can nod or shake your head to respond to Siri prompts, which is neat, though not a game-changer. Their lack of features like heart rate monitoring or hearing enhancement makes them less of a tech Swiss Army knife and simpler to use. Still, if you’re only looking for audio features within iOS, the AirPods 4 might be enough.

How do the AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 4 with ANC connect?

Both earbuds use Bluetooth 5.3 and Apple’s H2 chip, making pairing with iPhones, iPads, and Macs nearly instant. They also integrate with iCloud, so switching between devices—say, from an iPhone call to a MacBook video—happens automatically. The AirPods Pro 3 go further with a U2 chip in the case, enabling ultra-wideband precision tracking in Find My. This makes locating a misplaced case far easier than with the AirPods 4, which only rely on standard Bluetooth tracking.

The AirPods 4 with ANC are equally fast to connect and smoothly handle automatic switching within the Apple ecosystem. Like the Pro 3, they use AAC over Bluetooth, which delivers consistent performance on iPhones but can be less reliable on Android. On non-Apple devices, both models lose their ecosystem perks—like audio sharing and personalized volume—and function more like standard wireless earbuds.

Is battery life better on the AirPods Pro 3 or AirPods 4 with ANC?

Battery life is another area where the AirPods Pro 3 takes the lead. In our tests, they clocked 8 hours and 42 minutes of playback with ANC on—a huge leap from the AirPods Pro 2’s runtime. The included case extends total use further and supports fast charging, Qi wireless, MagSafe, and Apple Watch charging. Five minutes in the case nets around an hour of use, which came in handy during my commute more than once.

The AirPods 4 with ANC lasted 6 hours and 21 minutes in our standard playback test without ANC or Transparency Mode enabled. Once you activate those modes, expect battery life to dip closer to 5 hours. The case supports multiple charging methods like USB-C and wireless, and includes Apple’s Optimized Charging feature to prolong battery health. It’s respectable endurance for open-style buds, but still behind the Pro 3—especially for heavy users.

Do the AirPods Pro 3 or AirPods 4 with ANC block noise better?

The AirPods Pro 3 easily outperforms the AirPods 4 with ANC in noise cancelation. In lab tests, they reduced ambient sound by an average of 90%, ranking among the best ANC earbuds we’ve ever tested. This performance comes not just from Apple’s active noise canceling, but also from superior passive isolation—thanks to the redesigned housing and foam-infused ear tips that create a better seal.

The AirPods 4 with ANC perform admirably for an unsealed design, but physics limit their capabilities. Our measurements showed about 20dB of noise reduction in the mids and highs—not bad, but far from class-leading. They struggle especially with low-end rumble, like subway cars or plane engines. The Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness modes are cool innovations, but even with these, the ANC experience isn’t consistent. If you’re in a quiet office or light street noise, they’re fine. But if silence is a priority, the Pro 3s win, hands down.

Do the AirPods Pro 3 sound better than the AirPods 4 with ANC?

Most people will enjoy the sound quality of both the AirPods Pro 3 and the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference and fit. The AirPods Pro 3 deliver a fuller sound with stronger bass and a more immersive sound thanks to their sealed design and redesigned acoustic chamber. The AirPods 4 with ANC take a different approach—one that trades sub-bass punch for comfort and openness. Both support Apple’s Spatial Audio and head-tracking features, but the Pro 3 offer a more consistent and detailed listening experience overall.

The AirPods Pro 3 use Apple’s Adaptive EQ to tune the sound based on your ear shape and fit, but there’s no way to manually adjust the EQ. Meanwhile, the AirPods 4 with ANC also lack manual EQ, and their open design means bass response is lighter by default.

Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)

Objective Measurements

In our testing, the AirPods Pro 3 proved difficult to measure accurately due to Apple’s Adaptive EQ system, so take its curve with some skepticism. That said, their measured response tracks fairly close to the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve across the low end and midrange. If you prefer a fuller, more bass-forward sound, the AirPods Pro 3 clearly deliver more out of the box.

By contrast, the AirPods 4 with ANC don’t offer as much bass, mainly due to their unsealed fit. Like the standard AirPods before them, the open-type design compromises bass extension, which explains their significant roll-off in the sub-bass region despite an otherwise solid match to our target curve.

Do the AirPods Pro 3 or AirPods 4 with ANC have a better microphone?

The AirPods Pro 3 deliver clear, full voice quality in quiet environments. Zoom calls and voice memos sound detailed, though background chatter can still cut through in noisy settings. Speech remains intelligible even on busy streets, making the Pro 3 a strong pick for indoor or Wi-Fi calls.

The AirPods 4 with ANC perform well, too. While background noise isn’t fully blocked, Apple’s on-device processing helps clean up speech. FaceTime calls benefit from Spatial Audio, which adds a subtle sense of directionality. User feedback rates the mic experience highly, with a median score of 4 out of 5. Both models are solid for everyday use, with the Pro 3 offering slightly better clarity.

AirPods Pro 3 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

AirPods 4 with ANC microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

AirPods Pro 3 microphone demo (Windy conditions):

AirPods 4 with ANC microphone demo (Windy conditions):

AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods 4 with ANC: Price and availability

The AirPods Pro 3 retail for $249, making them a premium offering—but one that includes features like Hearing Aid support, heart rate tracking, and superior ANC. For someone already in Apple’s ecosystem, that price feels justified given the versatility.

In contrast, the AirPods 4 with ANC cost $179, making them more accessible for users who just want better AirPods with active noise cancelation. That $70 savings can be meaningful if you don’t need health tracking or deep ear sealing. Both models are widely available through Apple and major retailers.

Should you get the AirPods Pro 3 or AirPods 4 with ANC?

If you’re looking for the most versatile, feature-rich earbuds Apple makes, the AirPods Pro 3 are the clear winner. They offer industry-leading ANC, strong sound quality, and unique features like heart rate monitoring and hearing assistance. The caveat is that you really need to be in the Apple ecosystem to get full value—and that the fit might still be hit-or-miss depending on your ears.

On the other hand, the AirPods 4 with ANC are best for casual listeners who value comfort and simplicity. They bring ANC to a classic AirPods form factor, perform admirably for unsealed buds, and cost significantly less. However, they lack the sonic performance, noise isolation, and health features of the Pro 3.

Get the AirPods Pro 3 if you want the best ANC, fuller sound, and fitness or accessibility tools. Choose the AirPods 4 with ANC if you prefer open-fit earbuds and want an affordable step-up from standard AirPods.

Alternatively, you can check out our list of the best wireless earbuds for even more options.

Answer our poll below to let us know which of these earbuds you would buy!