AirPods Pro 1 vs AirPods Pro 2: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
The AirPods Pro 1 and the AirPods Pro 2 are two consecutive generations of the same pair. By our tally, the AirPods Pro 2 leads 1 of 3 areas. The battery & charging section is where it pulls furthest ahead of the AirPods Pro 1. Below, each area gets its own look, with the raw numbers in the tables.
At a glance
- Sound & Noise Cancelling Tie
- Battery & Charging AirPods Pro 2 wins
- Features & Connectivity Tie
- Price Tie
- Sound & Noise Cancelling10.0
- Battery & Charging1.7
- Sound & Noise Cancelling10.0
- Battery & Charging4.7
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The AirPods Pro 2 has 1.5 h more listening per charge
When it comes to battery (single charge), the AirPods Pro 2 wins comfortably with 6 h against 4.5 h. Ratings usually assume moderate volume and specific settings, so real results vary.
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The AirPods Pro 2 has 6 h more total battery with the case
It’s a lopsided result (30 h for the AirPods Pro 2, 24 h for the AirPods Pro 1) and one of the main reasons to choose between them. The AirPods Pro 2’s case holds more extra charge, which is handy on trips.
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The AirPods Pro 2 has a tougher IP54 rating
This one is close enough that other factors could outweigh it, but on paper the AirPods Pro 2 leads with IP54 to IPX4. Water resistance ratings describe lab conditions and don’t make the pair safe for swimming unless stated.
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The AirPods Pro 1 has
Only a little separates them: 1.61 oz on the AirPods Pro 1, 1.79 oz on the AirPods Pro 2. Case weight often reflects battery size, so a heavier case can mean more reserve power.
Design & Size
Their weights are close enough to treat as identical in daily use.
Fit & Build
| Spec | AirPods Pro 1 | AirPods Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | In-ear with stem | In-ear with stem |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IP54 (winner) |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | 0.19 oz | 0.19 oz |
| Case weight | 1.61 oz (winner) | 1.79 oz |
Sound & Noise Cancelling
Too close to call
On sound & noise cancelling, the AirPods Pro 1 and the AirPods Pro 2 are effectively level. Net result on sound & noise cancelling: level.
Battery & Charging
AirPods Pro 2 leads
This is one of the AirPods Pro 2’s strongest areas. On battery & charging, the AirPods Pro 1 falls well short. In its favor, the AirPods Pro 2 has 1.5 h more listening per charge. The AirPods Pro 2 runs longer before needing a break, so you’re less likely to be interrupted mid-podcast. If this section decides it for you, choose the AirPods Pro 2.
Battery (single charge)
AirPods Pro 1: 4.5 h AirPods Pro 2: 6 h Longer listening per charge matters on long flights, workdays and road trips.
Battery (with case)
AirPods Pro 1: 24 h AirPods Pro 2: 30 h A bigger total means fewer case charges per week, a small but real convenience.
Features & Connectivity
Too close to call
The features & connectivity section is even. Any gaps here are within the range you’d never notice. Don’t let features & connectivity decide this one; look at the other sections instead.
Full Specifications
Sound & Noise Cancelling
| Spec | AirPods Pro 1 | AirPods Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial audio | Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking (added by firmware) | Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | AirPods Pro 1 | AirPods Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (single charge)Manufacturer rating, ANC on where available | 4.5 h Shortest listening per charge | 6 h (winner) |
| Battery (with case)Manufacturer rating | 24 h | 30 h (winner) |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Charging port | Lightning | USB-C (Lightning on the original 2022 version) |
Features & Connectivity
| Spec | AirPods Pro 1 | AirPods Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 (Apple H1 chip) | Bluetooth 5.3 (Apple H2 chip) |
| Heart-rate sensing | No | No |
| Hearing health features | N/A (not specified) | Hearing Test, Hearing Aid, Hearing Protection |
| Controls | Force sensor on stem | Force sensor, swipe for volume |
Fit & Build
| Spec | AirPods Pro 1 | AirPods Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | In-ear with stem | In-ear with stem |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IP54 (winner) |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | 0.19 oz | 0.19 oz |
| Case weight | 1.61 oz (winner) | 1.79 oz |
Price
| Spec | AirPods Pro 1 | AirPods Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $249 | $249 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
The AirPods Pro 1 and the AirPods Pro 2 launched at the same price, so this comes down to the specs.
All prices are official US launch prices, last checked September 2022. Actual prices at stores may differ.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the AirPods Pro 1 if…
- you want the lighter case (1.61 oz vs 1.79 oz)
- you’re fine skipping this generation’s changes
Choose the AirPods Pro 2 if…
- you want longer listening per charge (6 h vs 4.5 h)
- you travel a lot and rarely want to charge the case (30 h vs 24 h)
- you work out hard or get caught in the rain (IP54 vs IPX4)
- you find that the improvements in the AirPods Pro 2 match what you need
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the AirPods Pro 1 or the AirPods Pro 2?
The AirPods Pro 2 wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless the AirPods Pro 1 you own hasn’t given you a reason to switch.
Should I upgrade from the AirPods Pro 1 to the AirPods Pro 2?
It’s one of the more worthwhile generational jumps: the AirPods Pro 2 offers 1.5 h more listening per charge, 6 h more total battery with the case and a tougher IP54 rating compared with the AirPods Pro 1.
Does the AirPods Pro 1 last longer on a charge than the AirPods Pro 2?
The AirPods Pro 2 does better here. It lists 6 h for battery (single charge), while the AirPods Pro 1 lists 4.5 h.
Is the AirPods Pro 1 lighter than the AirPods Pro 2?
Their weights are practically identical, so neither has a real advantage.
Executive Summary
I like generational matchups because they cut through the marketing, and the AirPods Pro 2 versus the AirPods Pro 1 is a good example. Honestly, 1.5 h more listening per charge on the AirPods Pro 2 does a lot of the persuading for me. I also like that the AirPods Pro 2 brings a tougher IP54 rating. To be fair, the AirPods Pro 1 has, and that’s not nothing.
If a lighter case is your thing, the AirPods Pro 1 fits. If battery & charging matters more, the AirPods Pro 2 makes more sense.
My pick: the AirPods Pro 2 if you’re buying fresh, but I wouldn’t rush to replace a working AirPods Pro 1.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.