Key takeaways
- AirPods 5 bring active noise cancellation to Apple’s cheapest AirPods at $129, with an open-ear design and no ear tips.
- AirPods Pro 3 cost $249 but add ear tips, roughly three times stronger noise cancelling, heart-rate tracking and hearing health features.
- Our verdict: the Pro 3 are better for us, but fit is personal. Try both before you buy.
AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods 5 is the question many Apple fans are asking this month. Apple launched AirPods 5 in September with noise cancellation at the lowest price yet, which makes the choice harder than ever. On paper the Pro 3 win on almost every spec. In real life, the answer depends mostly on one thing: your ears.
We use AirPods Pro with ear tips every day, and we have also tried the open-ear design. Here is our honest take, from someone who wears them to the gym, on the commute and at work.
In this article: Key differences · Ear tips vs open-ear · Noise cancelling · Health features · Which to buy · FAQ
The key differences at a glance
| AirPods Pro 3 | AirPods 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (US) | $249 | $129, or $149 with wireless charging case |
| Design | In-ear with silicone tips | Open-ear, no tips |
| Noise cancelling | About 3x stronger, per Apple | Yes, entry level |
| Heart rate | Yes, during workouts | No |
| Hearing health | Hearing Test, Hearing Aid, Hearing Protection | No |
Ear tips vs open-ear: the biggest decision
This is where most people decide. From our own experience, AirPods Pro with ear tips are simply much better. They seal the ear and block far more noise than open-ear AirPods, and they stay in place.
We tried the open-ear design, and it did not work for us. They kept slipping out, or we had the constant feeling that we needed to push them back in. With ear tips, we have never had that feeling. They have never fallen out, not even at the gym, and we have never lost one.
They are not perfect. On a typical day we wear them for around four hours, on the way to the gym and during training. After that, we sometimes feel a slight soreness where the tips sit in the ear. It is not painful and it does not affect hearing, and it passes very quickly. If you plan to wear earbuds all day long, keep that in mind.
To be fair, many people around us prefer the open-ear AirPods and find ear tips uncomfortable. That is why there is no universal winner here.
Noise cancelling: the best feature in years
In our opinion, active noise cancellation is the best thing to happen to earbuds in recent years, and Apple’s version is among the best we have used. After AirPods Pro, other earbuds often feel like something is missing.
Apple says AirPods Pro 3 offer about three times more noise cancellation than AirPods 5. Is that just a marketing number? No, you can hear it. Try this yourself: put on AirPods 5, turn on noise cancelling, then switch to AirPods Pro 3 with ear tips. The difference is obvious straight away.
Health features: great, if used wisely
AirPods Pro 3 can measure heart rate during workouts and work together with an Apple Watch to keep the data accurate. With iOS 27, the iPhone and AirPods can even give you an Apple Watch-style gym experience without a watch. The Pro 3 also include a five-minute Hearing Test, a Hearing Aid feature and Hearing Protection against loud noise.
We honestly think these features are excellent. The more gadgets around us help protect our health, the better. But there is one important rule: if your device warns you about your heart rate or your hearing, do not ignore it and do not put it off. Go and see a doctor. A gadget can warn you, but it cannot replace a proper check-up.
Which AirPods should you buy?
For us, the choice is easy. We would happily pay whatever extra it costs just to have AirPods Pro. We are Apple fans, and ear tips suit us better.
But we cannot tell you which one is right for you, and neither can anyone else. If we had to give a friend one sentence of advice, it would be this: go to a store, try both, and take the ones that fit your ears. Sound quality is excellent on both. Fit is what makes the difference.
Our one wish for Apple: longer battery life in the charging case. It is the thing we would most like to see improved in the next generation.
AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods 5 FAQ
Do AirPods 5 have noise cancellation?
Yes. AirPods 5 include active noise cancellation, but Apple says the Pro 3 offer about three times more.
Which AirPods are better for the gym?
AirPods Pro 3. Ear tips keep them secure, and they can track heart rate during workouts.
Are ear tips uncomfortable?
It depends on your ears. Some people find them very comfortable, others feel pressure after a few hours. Try them before buying.
Is the Pro 3 worth around $100 more?
If you want the strongest noise cancelling, health features and a secure fit, yes. If ear tips bother you, AirPods 5 are the better choice.
Sources: Apple, 9to5Mac.
