Three models, a price difference of 430 euros – and all three contain the same chip. The justification for the higher price isn't listed under "Processor" in the data sheet, but rather in the noise cancellation, battery life, and health features. Only one of these features is available on a single model.
Apple's headphone lineup has consisted of three current models since September 2026: the AirPods 5 starting at €149, the AirPods Pro 3 for €249, and the AirPods Max 2 starting at €579. The AirPods 4 have been discontinued, and the entry-level model is now called the AirPods 5 – which, for the first time, features active noise cancellation as standard, a feature previously only available on the more expensive models. The information in this text is taken from the German datasheets for the AirPods 5, the AirPods Pro 3, and the AirPods Max 2. The differences in noise cancellation between the models have changed with the new generation – details can be found in the direct comparison between the AirPods 5 and AirPods Pro 3.
Key Facts at a Glance
- All three models use the H2 chip – the Max 2 has had it in every earcup since this generation.
- Hearing test, hearing aid function and hearing protection according to EN 352 are exclusively available with the AirPods Pro 3, as is heart rate measurement during workouts.
- Only the AirPods Max 2 support lossless audio over USB-C – the two in-ear models lack this feature.
- AirPods 5 and Pro 3 are IP57-rated for dust, sweat, and water resistance; Apple does not specify a protection rating for the Max 2.
- The AirPods 5 come in two versions that differ in battery life and operation – not just in the charging case.
A direct comparison of the three models
| Feature | AirPods 5 | AirPods Pro 3 | AirPods Max 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 149 euros (169 with wireless charging case) | 249 euros | from 579 euros |
| Design | open, without ear inserts | In-ear headphones with five ear tip sizes | Over-ear |
| Chip | H2 | H2, ultra-wideband chip in the case | H2 per ear cup |
| Weight | 4.3 g per earphone | 5.55 g per earphone | 386.2 g |
| Protection class | IP57 | IP57 | – |
| Battery life with ANC | 4 hrs (5 hrs) | 8 hours. | 20 hours |
| With charging case | 20 hrs (22 hrs) | 24 hours | – |
| 5 minutes charging | approx. 1 hour. | approx. 1 hour. | approx. 1.5 hours. |
| Hearing health | – | Hearing test, hearing aid, hearing protection | – |
| Heart rate | – | in the workout | – |
| Lossless audio | – | – | via USB-C |
| Live translation | Yes | Yes | Yes, from iOS 26.4 onwards. |
| Charging cable included | no | no | Yes |
AirPods 5: Noise cancellation at no extra cost
The most noticeable change in this generation isn't in the spec sheet, but in the product lineup. With the AirPods 4, Apple offered two separate models – one with and one without Active Noise Cancellation. With the AirPods 5, it's a standard feature, along with Adaptive Audio, Transparency mode, conversation detection, and voice isolation. Apple claims the noise cancellation is up to 1.5 times better than the AirPods 4 with ANC, as measured according to IEC 60268-24.
The design remains open, without silicone tips. This is the main difference to the Pro series and a matter of comfort, not features: those who find ear tips bothersome still get noise cancellation here. The downside is physical – without a seal in the ear canal, the passive noise isolation on which the Pro models rely is absent.
When buying, a second question arises that is more important than the name suggests. The version with the wireless charging case costs €20 more and offers three things: one additional hour of playtime per charge, two additional hours in total with the case, and a pressure sensor with swipe gestures for volume control. Without this gesture, there is no volume control on the earbuds. Neither version includes a USB-C cable.
AirPods Pro 3: The only model with health features
The Pro 3 is the model whose datasheet contains sections completely absent from the other two. Under "Hearing Health," Apple lists the hearing test, the hearing aid function including automatic conversation amplification, and the hearing protection, which, when EN-352 protection is activated, meets the corresponding standard. These features are intended for users 18 years and older and require a paired iPhone or iPad.
In addition, there's a heart rate monitor for workouts that sends data to the fitness app or compatible third-party apps. This reduces battery life: instead of 8 hours, it's then 6.5. Using the hearing aid function in transparency mode extends the battery life to up to 10 hours.
The biggest difference is in noise cancellation: Apple claims the Pro 3 cancels up to three times more noise than the AirPods 5, and four times more than the first AirPods Pro. Five ear tip sizes, including XXS, are included – an unusually large number, and in practice, a prerequisite for achieving these claims. For details on what the current generation has gained over its predecessors, see our comparison of the Pro generations.
AirPods Max 2: Long battery life and lossless sound
The Max 2 are the only over-ear model and, at 386.2 grams, weigh around 45 times as much as a single AirPod. However, they offer two features that no in-ear model provides.
The first point is battery life: 20 hours with active noise cancellation on a single charge. This is exactly what the AirPods 5 achieve with their charging case – only without the need for a charging stop. Five minutes of charging provides about an hour and a half, while the two in-ear models last about an hour. There is no separate charging case; the Smart Case simply extends battery life through its low power consumption in standby mode.
The second feature is lossless audio with extremely low latency over USB-C. Apple lists it exclusively in the Max 2 specifications, and the corresponding cable is included with only one of the three models. Nine microphones, an Apple-designed dynamic driver, and the Digital Crown for volume control complete the package. We've detailed the sound improvements compared to the first generation in our Max 2 audio enhancements article.
One point is missing from the data sheet and should be clear before buying: Apple doesn't specify a dust or moisture protection rating for the Max 2. While the AirPods 5 and Pro 3 are rated IP57, the Max 2 has no such rating. This makes it less than ideal for outdoor sports.
What the price premiums actually buy
There are two price jumps between the three models: 100 euros from the AirPods 5 to the Pro 3, and another 330 euros to the Max 2. These two jumps buy completely different things.
The first upgrade buys features that can't be added later: triple noise cancellation, hearing health features, a heart rate monitor, and double the battery life per charge. Considering the €100 price difference, this is the most comprehensive package in the entire range.
The second upgrade buys you design and sound quality – over-ear instead of in-ear, lossless audio via cable, 20 hours of continuous use. It also takes away features that the cheaper models offer: the IP rating, heart rate monitoring, and everything else related to hearing health. The higher price is therefore not an upgrade in the sense of "more of everything," but rather a change of product type.
Which model is worthwhile for whom?
For most people, the AirPods 5 are sufficient – and the version with the wireless charging case is the more practical of the two, because the volume control on the earbuds is more relevant in everyday use than wireless charging. They are suitable for anyone who doesn't like ear tips and are the lightest model in the range.
The AirPods Pro 3 are the choice if any of three points apply: you want true silence on the train or plane, you exercise and want to measure your heart rate without an additional device, or the hearing-related features are important to you. The last point carries the most weight because no other Apple product can cover it.
The AirPods Max 2 are worthwhile for long listening sessions at a desk, for lossless playback via cable, and for anyone who generally finds in-ear headphones uncomfortable. They are overkill as sports or commuter headphones.
For all three models: Once paired, they automatically switch between devices on the same Apple account. Instructions on how to set up and reset them can be found in our guide for all AirPods models.
This time, the chip is not the dividing line
With Apple, you can usually tell how a product range is structured by the chip generation. Here, that's misleading: the H2 chip is in all three models, and since this generation, it's also in the Max 2, which previously used the older H1. Choosing based on the chip is pointless.
The real difference lies in the additional features included – a skin detection sensor and a heart rate monitor in the Pro 3, nine microphones and a dynamic driver in the Max 2, and two beamforming microphones in all models. And in the design, which, in any case, is more important for everyday use than any number on the spec sheet.
In practical terms, this means: The €100 difference between the entry-level and the Pro models is the amount worth considering. The €330 difference is a decision for a different type of headphones, not necessarily a better model of the same type. Which of the three are on your shortlist – and what's the deciding factor for you: quiet listening on the go or superior sound quality at home? Let us know your reasoning in the comments.
Frequently Asked Questions: AirPods Buying Guide
For most people, the AirPods 5, starting at €149, are sufficient – they come standard with active noise cancellation since this generation. The AirPods Pro 3, at €249, are worth it if you need three times stronger noise cancellation, heart rate monitoring during workouts, or features related to hearing health. The AirPods Max 2, starting at €579, are over-ear headphones for long listening sessions and lossless audio playback via cable.
Three things for an extra 20 euros: one more hour of battery life per charge (5 instead of 4 hours with ANC), two more hours total with the case (22 instead of 20), and the pressure sensor with swipe gesture for volume control. Without this gesture, the volume cannot be changed on the earbuds. The case also has a speaker for Find My.
Yes, and at no extra cost. With the AirPods 4, there was a separate, more expensive model for this. Apple claims the noise cancellation is up to 1.5 times better than the AirPods 4 with ANC, measured according to IEC 60268-24. However, because the AirPods 5 are open-back and don't seal the ear canal, they lack the passive noise isolation of the Pro models.
Only the AirPods Pro 3. The sensor is intended for workouts with the Fitness app and compatible third-party apps and requires an iPhone with iOS 26 or later. It reduces battery life: instead of up to 8 hours, it's only 6.5 hours with active measurement.
Only the AirPods Pro 3 offer this. They are the only current model to feature a hearing test, a hearing aid function with automatic conversation amplification, and hearing protection according to EN 352. These features are intended for people aged 18 and over with mild to moderate hearing loss. With the active hearing aid function in Transparency mode, the battery lasts up to 10 hours.
Only the AirPods Max 2 support this, and only via a wired USB-C connection. The necessary cable is included – uniquely among the three models. Apple doesn't list lossless audio in the specifications for the AirPods 5 and Pro 3; a USB-C cable isn't included either.
None. AirPods 5 and Pro 3 are IP57-rated for dust, sweat, and water resistance – intended for outdoor sports, not swimming. Apple does not specify an IP rating for AirPods Max 2. In any case, the protection is not permanent and diminishes over time; the headphones should not be charged while wet.
