Comparison of AirPods 1, 2 and 3: design, features, prices and more

Comparison chart

As in any comparison worth its salt, the technical data is relevant. To the point of being decisive? It depends. In the following sections we will analyze in more detail what these specifications imply in practice, but first it is convenient to know them on paper.

* The second generation AirPods have two possible versions, one with charging only via Lightning and another that also allows wireless charging. Currently, Apple only markets the version that allows charging only via Lightning.

Design level differences

The design and comfort of these headphones is not trivial. That it is finally a decisive factor in the choice of one or the other is in the end more personal, but we also think it is interesting to assess what their differential points are. And it is that, even between the first and second generation AirPods, we can find differences.

Evolution in its form factor

First and second generation AirPods, referring to headphones as such, are a kind of wireless EarPods . These were (and are) the classic wired headphones that the company integrated into the box of its iPhone. Therefore they maintain that retro design in a way, giving all the comforts of Bluetooth headphones. There is absolutely no aesthetic difference between them, although we do find that the AirPods 2 case has an LED on the front that the AirPods 1 have inside.

For its part, the third generation AirPods are similar to the AirPods Pro, but without pads . A more typical form factor of in-eaer headphones, but that nevertheless does not require the use of those mentioned pads and therefore they adapt better to the types of ear that a priori suffer more with them. The case does not change in essence, although it becomes thinner and taller than that of its predecessors.

Do they fall out of the ears? Are they good for sports?

The morphology of the ears can vary a lot and even the same person can have different sensations in one than in another. For this reason, there is no general and conclusive answer to the first question. And it is that, we can find who the AirPods 1 and 2 were wrong and yet they feel comfortable with the 3. The opposite happens to others, also having people who feel comfortable with anyone and even with none.

And that is why in the end the sporting theme depends on that comfort, since if they fall out of your ears in a normal way, doing sports you will be causing them to fall even more due to the jogging that is usually had in practically any activity physical. It is advisable that you try to test them before buying them or, if you buy them in an Apple Store, you can return them within 14 days.

Now, even if they fit you well, you should know that the AirPods 3 are the most advisable for sports activity due to their resistance to water and sweat. The AirPods 1 and 2 do not tend to be damaged by these elements, but in the end their durability is not as guaranteed in this area as the others. With AirPods 3 you can even make running under the rain without worry.

Sound and overall performance of AirPods

Changes in sound quality

We start from the basis that they are not high-end headphones and that therefore we are going to find a very high sound fidelity. In the end, the technological limitations of Bluetooth prevent that today you can have an experience in them the same as with cable. Now, focusing only on wireless headphones of this type, they are three great headphones.

Comparing them between them, which is at the end of what we are dealing with here, to say that in the end all three have a very balanced audio range, without distortions and that they ultimately offer a great quality to listen to music or enjoy other content such as podcasts, series , movies or audiobooks. Between AirPods 1 and 2 there are hardly any differences despite the change of chip from W1 to H1. Technically there are, but we assure you that they are practically imperceptible.

In the AirPods 3 we already find intelligent equalization , which is not that the previous ones did not carry it out, but in these a system has been implemented that improves it significantly. There is no exaggerated difference with respect to its predecessors, but the improvement is evident and having a style that fits more inside the ear, makes a much deeper sound feel.

The mic goes limp in all three

Here we do find a substantial difference between the AirPods 1, 2 and 3. In the first generation the sound pickup is very bad, with excessive distortions and even cuts. In the following, it has been improved in this aspect, although they still do not shine.

You cannot ask much of a Bluetooth microphone either, and more when it is away from the mouth, but we can tell you that in the end it is enough to make calls and to be heard closely. Now, if you expect to record audio for podcast or something similar , we assure you that they are not by far a recommended option.

Do you have any noise cancellation?

To get to the point, no, neither have this functionality that is still exclusive to the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max. Now what is the reason they don’t have? Well, first of all, a factor that, despite being unpopular, makes perfect sense from a business point of view. And it is that Apple is compensated to add this as a differential factor between its range of headphones.

On the other hand, to guarantee good active noise cancellation, a specific design is required that works in its favor and the AirPods 1 and 2 do not have it. The AirPods 3, being more in-ear, do have a certain passive cancellation , but not enough even at the level of the ‘Pro’. Not having pads makes this even more difficult.

Other important features

The autonomy of these AirPods, their additional functions and compatibility with devices are other key elements to highlight about them and that we analyze in these next sections.

How long does the battery last?

The autonomy that these headphones promise, both themselves and their own case, is marked by the following data:

• Autonomy with uninterrupted playback:
  • AirPods (1st gen.): 5 hours
  • AirPods (2nd gen.): 5 hours
  • AirPods (3rd gen.): 6 hours
• Total autonomy with case charges:
  • AirPods (1st gen.): More than 24 hours
  • AirPods (2nd gen.): More than 24 hours
  • AirPods (3rd gen.): More than 24 hours
• 15 minutes of recharging is equivalent to:
  • AirPods (1st gen.): 3 more hours of playtime
  • AirPods (2nd gen.): 3 more hours of playtime
  • AirPods (3rd gen.): 4 more hours of playtime

Regarding the autonomy of the case , it must be said that it does not consume excessive battery by itself, only when it has to recharge the headphones. With a daily use of between 2 and 4 hours of the AirPods, the case should be recharged 1 time a week and even 1 time every week and a half in the case of the AirPods 3, being an element to not worry about in all of them.

Now, there is something to keep in mind about the battery deterioration in the AirPods 1 and that is, unfortunately, they tend to wear out very quickly. In a year of intensive use, the autonomy can be greatly reduced to the point of being reduced to almost half of the data specified above. In the next two generations there is also deterioration, something logical always, but not even close to that level and they are able to last much longer at full capacity fulfilling what was promised.

Additional functionalities

In extra functionalities, the AirPods 3 win from the street . These, unlike the previous ones, have compatibility with Spatial Audio , that 360º surround sound system that the company introduces for its Apple Music and Apple TV + content, which is available on more and more platforms such as Netflix.

It also has adaptive equalization and a custom amplified and transducer to improve sound quality, as we mentioned in a previous point. It also has a haptic button that is used to control playback, something that in this case the AirPods 1 and 2 do have, although these by means of touches that are not entirely intuitive.

One feature that the AirPods 1 do not have, but that their two successors do have is support for the “Hey Siri” voice command . And yes, in the previous ones you can also use the assistant if it is invoked in other ways, but being able to do it only by voice without touching anything is an interesting plus for the other two.

Device compatibility

In this regard, you should know that, like all AirPods, they are more designed for the ecosystem of Apple devices , having in them special animations and immediate connectivity. However, they also work with Android and Windows computers , acting in the same way as other Bluetooth headphones.

Returning to connectivity with Apple computers, these are the devices you must have to be able to use any of these three generations:

• iPhone :
  • iPhone 5s and later
• iPad:
  • iPad (5th gen.) and later
  • iPad mini 2 and later
  • iPad Air 2 and later
  • iPad Pro (all models)
• iPod:
  • iPod touch (6th gen.) and later
• Apple TV:
  • Apple TV HD and later
• Apple Watch:
  • Apple Watch (all models)
• Mac:
  • MacBook 2015 and later
  • MacBook Air mid-2012 and later
  • MacBook Pro Late 2012 and Later
  • iMac Late 2012 and Later
  • iMac Pro from 2017
  • Mac mini late 2012 and later
  • Mac Pro late 2013 and later

Price and purchase recommendations

As you may have seen in the initial table, the original AirPods are discontinued . Yes, you can still find them in the second-hand market and even hopefully in a store that still has some stock, but it is rare. The rest are still on sale and in the case of the AirPods 2 it should be noted that what is most marketed is the version only with cable charging, the one that allows wireless charging has been discontinued. In any case, there is still stock in many stores.

The AirPods 3 meanwhile have a single version for sale in dozens of stores, including Apple itself. The difference of 50 euros in the price with respect to the ‘2’ can be decisive or not. And it is that in the end it will depend a lot on which ones you feel more comfortable with and if they really compensate you for the additional functions added in this third generation.

Obviously, if you expect us to tell you which ones are better , it is clear that the AirPods 3. Functionally they are the most complete, with an improved battery and significantly better sound quality than their predecessors. However, we cannot ignore what has already been said about comfort and if you are not very demanding, the AirPods 2 are still more than valid headphones and that is why Apple continues to sell them.

What we do not advise you is to buy first generation AirPods, unless it is a new unit at a very good price. And it is that in the end the issue of your battery health can be a problem and taking into account the improvement in the second generation, they end up being much more profitable despite the few differences in aesthetics and sound. If you already have one and you are happy, we do not consider the change necessary, but if you do, it is advisable to make the leap to the third generation model.