Comparison · Earbuds · Desk research
AirPods (2nd generation) vs AirPods Pro (1st generation)
Quick Answer
AirPods (2nd generation, 2019) and AirPods Pro (1st generation, 2019) launched in the same era. Both use Apple’s H1 headphone chip. The stem pair claims up to 5 hours of listening, more than 24 hours with either Lightning or Wireless Charging Case, Hey Siri, and double-tap controls — with no ANC on the Support page. The Pro (1st generation) pair adds ANC, Transparency, Adaptive EQ, IPX4 buds, and silicone tips, at up to 4.5 hours with ANC (5 hours with.
The verdict
AirPods (2nd generation) for open stems and Hey Siri; AirPods Pro (1st generation) for the silicone seal and ANC
Why: Same 2019 checkout class, two jobs. AirPods (2nd generation) keep the stem shape, add the H1 chip, Hey Siri, Bluetooth 5.0, and an optional Wireless Charging Case. AirPods Pro (1st generation) add in-ear tips, ANC, Transparency, Adaptive EQ, and IPX4 buds. Neither Support page publishes an ANC decibel figure.
Buy AirPods (2nd generation) if
You want H1 stem AirPods with Hey Siri and a 5-hour listening claim, and you do not want silicone tips or ANC.
Buy AirPods Pro (1st generation) if
You want used first-gen Pros for Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency, Adaptive EQ, and three-size tips, and you can live with Lightning.
Spec comparison
OEM rows only. AirPods (2nd generation) numbers are from Apple Support — AirPods 2 Tech Specs (year introduced 2019). AirPods Pro (1st generation) numbers are from the Wireless Charging Case and MagSafe Charging Case Support pages. Cells Apple does not publish stay marked.
| Spec | AirPods (2nd generation) | AirPods Pro (1st generation) |
|---|---|---|
| Year introduced (Support) | 2019 | 2019 buds; MagSafe case SKU 2021 |
| Form | Open stem | In-ear with silicone tips (three sizes) |
| Chip | H1 headphone chip | H1 headphone chip |
| ANC / Transparency / Adaptive EQ | Not listed | Active Noise Cancellation; Transparency mode; Adaptive EQ |
| Weight (each bud) | 4 g (0.14 oz) | 5.4 g (0.19 oz) |
| Bud size | 40.5 × 16.5 × 18.0 mm | 30.9 × 21.8 × 24.0 mm |
| Case weight | 38.2 g (1.35 oz) Lightning or Wireless Charging Case | 45.6 g (1.61 oz) |
| Case size | 53.5 × 44.3 × 21.3 mm | 45.2 × 60.6 × 21.7 mm |
| Case charging | Lightning Charging Case (Lightning); or Wireless Charging Case (Qi or Lightning) | Wireless Charging Case (Qi or Lightning); MagSafe SKU (MagSafe, Qi, or Lightning) |
| Listening, single charge | Up to 5 hours | Up to 4.5 hours with ANC (up to 5 hours with ANC and Transparency off) |
| Listening with case | More than 24 hours | More than 24 hours |
| Quick charge | 15 min = up to 3 hours listening | 5 min ≈ 1 hour listening |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Controls | Double-tap; “Hey Siri” | Force sensor; press-and-hold ANC ↔ Transparency; “Hey Siri” |
| Water / sweat | Not listed | IPX4 buds; cases not sweat or water resistant |
| Sensors | Dual beamforming mics; dual optical sensors; motion + speech accelerometers | Dual beamforming mics; inward-facing mic; dual optical sensors; motion + speech accelerometers; force sensor |
| ANC dB | Not published (no ANC row) | Not published |
Who each pair is for
AirPods (2nd generation) are the H1 stem refresh of the original AirPods: Hey Siri, Bluetooth 5.0, and a Wireless Charging Case option without changing the open-ear shape.
AirPods Pro (1st generation) are the 2019 sealed ANC fork. If you do not want tips, you are not shopping Pros.
What’s shared (name H1 on both)
Both Support pages list the H1 headphone chip. That is the whole chip story. The buy decision is stem versus in-ear, not H1 versus H1. AirPods (1st generation) remain the W1 pair on 111855.
Battery and charging
Copy Apple’s mode names. Stems: up to 5 hours; 15 minutes → up to 3 hours; more than 24 hours with either 2nd-generation case. Pro (1st generation): 4.5 hours with ANC / 5 hours with ANC and Transparency off; 5 minutes → around 1 hour; more than 24 hours with the Pro case. Do not paste Pro 2’s 6-hour / 30-hour table onto this page.
ANC and case SKUs
No ANC on AirPods (2nd generation). Pro (1st generation) ANC is a named feature, not a dB rating. Keep the 2nd-generation Wireless Charging Case (38.2 g, Qi or Lightning) separate from the Pro Wireless Charging Case (45.6 g) and the 2021 Pro MagSafe case.
Price
These Support pages do not print a current US MSRP. Date any used or leftover-stock price. This is not a new-buy AirPods 5 / Pro 3 comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Do AirPods (2nd generation) and AirPods Pro (1st generation) share a chip?
Yes — both Support pages list the H1 headphone chip. AirPods (1st generation) are the W1 pair; do not mix that generation into this table.
Do AirPods (2nd generation) have ANC?
No. Apple Support — AirPods 2 Tech Specs does not list Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency, or Adaptive EQ. Those rows belong to AirPods Pro (1st generation).
Wireless Charging Case on which side?
AirPods (2nd generation) Support lists a Lightning Charging Case or a Wireless Charging Case (Qi-certified chargers or Lightning), both 38.2 g. AirPods Pro (1st generation) Wireless Charging Case is a different 45.6 g SKU; the 2021 MagSafe Charging Case adds MagSafe on top of Qi and Lightning.
Hey Siri or double-tap?
AirPods (2nd generation) Support lists double-tap and ‘Hey Siri.’ AirPods Pro (1st generation) lists force-sensor presses and ‘Hey Siri.’ The original AirPods (1st generation) page is double-tap without a Hey Siri row.