AirPods Pro 3 vs. AirPods 4: Which Apple Earbuds Should You Buy in 2026?

If you are holding onto your old AirPods from 2023 (or earlier), 2026 is officially the year to upgrade. But for the first time in years, the choice isn’t simple.

With the release of the AirPods Pro 3 and the surprisingly powerful AirPods 4 (ANC), Apple has drawn a line in the sand. It’s no longer just about "Pro vs. Standard." It’s about Isolation vs. Comfort.

In this guide, we’ll break down the technical differences, look at what the top reviewers are saying, and help you decide which pair deserves a spot in your pocket.

The Core Difference: The Seal vs. The Open Air

The biggest decision you need to make happens before you even turn them on: Do you want to block out the world, or do you want to live in it?

Placing AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 3 together for comparison.

AirPods Pro 3: The Health & Silence Powerhouse

The Fit: They still use silicone ear tips (now in 5 sizes) to create a physical seal. This is mandatory for their new health features.
The Tech: This is the headline feature of 2026. The Pro 3 features built-in Heart Rate & Hearing Health tracking. They don't just play music; they actively monitor your vitals during a run and can function as clinical-grade hearing aids.
The Sound: The Pro 3 reduces noise by about 90%, compared to the Pro 2's 83%, with the Pro 3 excelling at blocking street noises, airplane engines, and unexpected sounds.

AirPods 4 (ANC): The Invisible Fit

The AirPods 4 essentially killed the "entry-level" vibe. They now feature Active Noise Cancellation in an open-ear design (no silicone tips jamming into your ear canal).

The Fit: Perfect for people who find the Pro tips uncomfortable or "stuffy" after an hour.
The Tech: They run on the H2 chip. You lose the heart rate monitoring and the extreme isolation, but you get about 70% of the Pro experience in a package that feels like wearing nothing.

What The Reviewers Are Saying (2026 Edition)

Don't just take our word for it. The consensus from the major tech voices confirms that the gap between "Pro" and "Regular" has shifted.

MKBHD: "The Truth About AirPods Pro 3" In his recent deep dive, Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) highlighted the sheer power of the H2 chip. He noted that the transparency mode is now so natural it feels like augmented reality for your ears.

"The ANC on the Pro 3 is finally powerful enough to silence a busy coffee shop completely... but the real magic is the health tracking. It’s no longer just an accessory; it’s a necessary health device." — MKBHD

CNET: "The King of Open-Ear Comfort" CNET’s review of the AirPods 4 focused heavily on the comfort factor for all-day wearers.

"I put on the AirPods Pro 3 at the Apple Event and they silenced a crowd of hundreds... but for daily comfort? The AirPods 4 are the ones I forget I'm wearing. They are the best open-ear noise cancelling buds we've ever tested." — CNET

Which One Should You Choose?

Buy the AirPods Pro 3 if: You are a frequent traveler, a gym-goer who wants biometric data without a watch, or someone who needs absolute silence to focus.
Buy the AirPods 4 if: You hate the feeling of silicone tips, you work in an office where you need to hear colleagues occasionally, or you prioritize all-day comfort over total isolation.

Essential Accessories: Protecting Your Investment

Upgrading to the AirPods Pro 3 or AirPods 4 is a significant investment in your daily audio experience. To ensure these devices last well into 2028 (and maintain their trade-in value), the right accessories are not just optional—they are essential.

The glossy white charging case is iconic, but it is also notoriously slippery and prone to micro-scratches the moment it enters your pocket. To increase the lifespan of your new AirPods, consider these two upgrades:

A Precision Cleaning Tool: Dust and lint in the charging port are the #1 killer of AirPods battery life over time. A simple brush tool can keep your contacts clean.
A High-Quality Protective Case: The most effective way to extend the life of your AirPods is to add a layer of impact protection.

This is where VogDUO steps in. We believe that protection shouldn't mean sacrificing style for a bulky, rubber shell.

Our Genuine Leather Series offers a durable shield against drops and daily abrasion, wrapping your technology in natural materials that are built to endure. Unlike plastic cases that crack or yellow over time, our vegetable-tanned leather develops a rich patina, actually looking better as it ages. Learn More Features and Stories behind craftsmanship here.

Shop the VogDUO Leather Collection: Durable Protection for AirPods

A man wearing casual hoodie and a cross-body shoulder bag, hanging VogDUO Leather case for AirPods Pro 3 , smiling.

Let customers speak for us

from 404 reviews

Review on AirPods

I wanted to thank VogDuo for their amazing help. There was some miscomunnication on which case I required. They sent me the wrong case, but very quickly send me the case I needed at no charge, and let me keep the first case they sent as well, all at no charge. This is what I call 5 star service! Oh, what I forgot to mention was that the case is beautifully made!

Wicky el-Effendi

AirPods 4 Leather Case

12/18/2025

Nice quality, just pricey.

Super nice leather case. Sewn well with pretty stitches. Easy to use and fits the AirPods nicely. The protect the AirPods from damage as well as keeps them from getting scuffed up with use and abuse. Good gift to someone who is a little harder on things for protection. It is leather, but I think it is probably double the price that it should be. Based on prices for other similar items, maybe not leather, but just wouldn’t be something I would pay tha price on unless I had money to burn. It is really nice and nicely made, I just can’t justify the price for myself.

Becky B.

12/16/2025

Best case I've gotten so far

This case is made from really good quality leather, and the craftsmanship is well-done. The stitches are great, and nothing is coming apart after constant wear for three weeks. The buckle stays in place, so I know my AirPods case will stay secure, no matter how much it moves around on my keyring. I would recommend this for any air pod user that wants something different to any other silicone case.

Karla Palomino

12/08/2025

Such a nice holder!

This is great quality and such a nice gift idea. It is sleek and classy and very durable. Makes a great Christmas gift!

Cyndie Grijalva

12/01/2025

High quality Case exceeds expectation and fits many styles - definitely gift-worthy

This is an extremely high quality full grain leather iPod case. I'm a professional equestrian and I know my leather and leave me this is quality leather - though I probably buy it some leather conditioner like lexol and effax.It's beautifully put together and with the Bold contrast stitching I'd say it's perfect both for a Bohemian nature look and for a high-end tech bro look - yes I know it's rare they overlap but here they do.It's just genuinely obviously of high quality and it comes in a super adorable packing that is definitely gift Worthy.No cons I can see here except that I think it needs some leather conditioner which should be applied to the bottom side of the leather as the top side has quite a good coat that the conditioner might not penetrate. It's an adorable item that honestly will look perfect in a variety of people's styles and makes a great gift item out of box.Don't mean to be kissing up but it's a genuinely good item and believe me it's definitely hit or miss on Amazon with stuff like this. Case here is definitely a hit.

Wanderin Goat

11/22/2025

Very nice hard, durable leather case for my AirPods and it has a belt loop.

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The Leather Case for AirPods 4 by VogDUO, are a wonderful addition to my AirPods. The functionality is great with a nice fit, that holds them snug and it's made of a very durable, firm leather. The stitching looks like it’ll hold up over time and the belt loop is great for me, as well as the double sided clip to go on my belt loop. I feel like this product offers a lower value currently for the level of quality and what you’re getting.Overall, I’m very happy with this case and what it provides. I’ll be sure to update this review, if I ever start to have problems with it.If you’d find it helpful to see an up-close visual inspection of this product, I recommend you watch my included video in full screen. They say a picture is worth a 1000 words, well it’s a video!You can trust that this review is simply my honest opinion that is attempting to provide you with helpful insight that I wish I had before I picked this product. Hopefully it was helpful in your decision.

Chris Hales

11/19/2025

Premium Leather Case With a Rugged, Lasting Feel

Really nice quality. The leather is a bit tough at first, but with the design it opens fully. It fits snug around the AirPods case, which is great; it doesn’t constantly fall out. The latch feels sturdy and seems like it will hold up to daily use.The opening for the charging port is spacious enough for the plug to fit easily. Mine arrived with a small scratch on it, but I honestly expect the leather to develop more character over time. The rugged, worn-in look will probably end up adding to its charm.

Shannon A

11/16/2025

Very good case

This genuine leather AirPod case for AirPod 4 but I got this for my airpod3 it’s perfectly fit.protection, durability and quality super good. Functional, it’s covered perfectly my AirPod 3rd gen. Very easy to install. 🥰 I love this case. I can hook on my pant or purse very easily. It’s valuable product.

Ferhat T.

11/13/2025

Great Genuine Leather Case for Protection

I like this premium genuine leather case... it is very nice material.It has a secure belt loop design, and offers full protection for AirPods.Other great features are the double-sided access and the status window to check battery levels.This case also offers more protection for airpods.

Gilraen

11/08/2025

Excellent craftmembership

Leather and craftsmanship is excellent and I’m very satisfied and happy with it and I’ll be buying more of this.

Yousuf Ahmed Al Harthi

AirTag Leather Case

11/02/2025

Super buena. La mejor funda que hay para los airpods pro

La mejor funda para airpods pro

Dennis Voss

AirPods Pro 3 Leather Case

10/06/2025

Bought three of these so far

When I bought a tracking collar for my dog, the receivers were in places that guests could see, so I wanted a nice-looking (and thin) charger. These worked perfectly. Last Christmas, my daughter gave me a leather charging stand (which I just realized was made by the same company) with a heavy brick charger. I bought the tan version, and it matched exactly. (They should really ship this with that charger.) These are really thin. They are great for traveling light.

D. Reilly

65W Slim Wall Charger

01/05/2025

I have No Regret buying this.

Of all the Airtag holders that I have acquired, this is the best quality one. The leather is thick and it is well made. The case fully enclosed the Airtag. The edges of this leather case are painted to match the rest of the leather. While it is not waterproof, it is very secure. The other Airtag holders are fine as they are used in different scenarios but this one is my favorite.This Airtag holder does not shout I have an Airtag inside. It conceals the Airtag rather well. It looks almost just like another leather tag. My Coach Bag has a leather hang tag. Some people hang tags and trinkets on their bags. If this holder would come in colorful colors, I bet some ladies would pick them up in a heartbeat.Since it fully enclosed the Airtag, I was worry that it might block the sound generated by the Airtag for locating it. To my surprise that the sound was not muffled much. I was debating if I need to punch a couple of holes on the case. Looks like the case is fine as is.The only issue is cost. It is more expensive than most other Airtag cases but I do think it is worth it. I have no regret buying this.

Retired Old Fart

10/06/2024