AirPods 2 VS AirPods 3: Full Compare!

Here it is! I go in-depth with the AirPods 3rd-generation and compare them to the existing second-generation AirPods with wireless charging case. Which headphones do you prefer?

SAVE ON AIRPODS 3
Must use this link with promo code APINSIDER 👇

AIRPODS 2 SAVINGS

BEST AIRPODS DEALS 👇
COMPARE AIRPODS PRICES 👇

: ➡

Grab the lowest prices on Apple hardware:

Follow us on social media:

--

--
--

New here? AppleInsider has been around since the 1997 covering anything, and everything Apple. This YouTube channel will give you the best coverage for anything Apple related. New MacBooks? We'll cover them! New iPhones? We got you covered on that as well. Want to get the most out of your new Apple product? We've got videos to help you with that. Make sure to subscribe, comment, and share our videos!

[ALEXX]

Have 2 and 3. Both stay in ear perfectly for me but I find the 3’s are a bit too snug resulting in slight discomfort. 2s are more comfortable. The sound quality is improved on the 3s but not drastically so. The battery on the 3s are much better but I think it’s because my battery has degraded over the near 2 years of heavy use on the 2’s. All in all I think both are great buys. AirPods are a must for me.

[ONS]

The water resistance thing cracks me up. I have the first gen AirPods, and they have gone through the wash like 3 times and still work perfectly fine.

[telengardforever]

If Gen3 had the same exact fit as Gen2, then I would go with it. But as it stands, I get a perfect fit with Gen2. The newer Gen3 just look too different and probably won't fit my ear as well.

[wasssuuuppp]

Have both, the third gen definitely has a better bass to it (slightly, nothing crazy) but the third gen absolutely kills your ears. If you listen to music a lot they will make you ears hurt a ton. Personally me if I were deciding I’d 100% get the 2nd gen as they don’t make your ears feel like they want to bleed. The battery life may warrant your decision but they charge to 100% so fast so it doesn’t matter. Like literally they get to a 100% after 10 minutes & boom. Get apple care definitely because one may die faster than the other one after a while but we are talking a long time so don’t worry.

[ChristianJosephs]

Got the Airpods 3 today. I returned them instantly without even checking their sound.

It's the fit that Apple didn't get right for some people like me. It hurt already after 1 minute so I don't want to wear them the whole day making calls or doing sports.

Compared them with the Airpods 2 and the second old ones are just comfy. So I live with some less good sound but more comfortability.

[SleezyFall]

I don’t need the video I just read the comments and I know to buy gen 2s

[deusern]

Airpods 2 hands down. They disappear in the ear and sound pleasant. The airpods 3 are uncomfortable in comparison and sound less natural, imo.

[DV]

Still using version 2. I never had a problem with them. I run with them all the time and at times I even forget I have them on. Just depends on the ear 👂
At times I do want an upgrade but I worry they won’t be as comfortable.

[jmo]

Apple screwed up the airpods 3. They made them larger. Airpods 1 and 2 fitted great, never fell off. I could jog, eat food and they stayed in place. With airpods 3, you tilt the head to the side, they fall off. If you open your mouth too much or chew food, they fall off. Apple should have kept the diameter of the airpods 3 the same. All those improvements mean nothing if the airpods 3 cannot stay in your ear.

[colbyzurlini]

I just got the 3’s. They are big. I think the 2’s would be a good fit. He pain from the 3’s did stop after a day or two .

[kwrzesien]

Been daily driving AirPod 2s since they came out, case is in my pocket all day long, usually use one in an ear at a time. Never run out of charge, fit great, all day comfort, never fumble or drop them, superior Bluetooth range walking around my house with phone on the charger.

Have had AirPod 3s since they came out. Far superior music quality, I use them for watching movies and shows always in stereo. Have had complaints about phone call quality (microphone) by the other parties. Bluetooth range much less than 2s, music and calls drop out walking around the adjacent room. Fit feels fine at first but is bothersome after an hour or two. Have fumbled and dropped these almost every day, and had them knocked out of ear more than ever. I feel like the stick needs to be longer to balance the center of gravity properly, and maybe they could have a better bluetooth antennae.

[Rajomega]

Man, very hard to find honest reviews, most reviews on YouTube is indirectly biased because it affects the sales

[kkn]

to be honest my 2’s went to washing mashine for like 5 times and it haven’t damaged them a bit

[plasmichoneytrip]

I just bought an airpod 3 coz my airpod 2 just cuts midway conversation and my warranty already ran out. The fit feels a bit bulkier to the ear at first if you’re used to the gen 2 but u get used to it in a while. As for the sound quality, gen 3 is waaay better!! I used “Sowing the Seeds of Love” by Tears for Fears as a test and the intro is awesome in the 3rd gen!

[francesswashington]

I felt like I was a freak because everyone I knew who had the pros loved the fit but for me it just wasn't right! It was very frustrating... to the point I stopped reaching for them

[gokoz]

Earphone review without sound quality check and mic quality check. Well done

[Anrew]

I had the gen 2s for 5 years and just upgraded to the 3s the fit and quality is so much better.

[utopia]

Thanks for addressing the volume/bulk of the 2 vs. 3. I too like the 2s and doubt the 3s would be as comfortable.

[boop]

just got a pair for my birthday last week
i made sure to ask for 2nd gen, they are very comfortable

[denniss]

So my wife is always asking to use my AirPods while we are at our desks in our office, I’m gonna order a set of these and leave it in her drawer for next time she asks. It’ll be a good surprise.

Thank you for such an informative video! (I’m still rocking the AirPod 2’s)