If you’re a fan of Apple, you’ve probably considered buying the latest generation of AirPods, AirPods 3, but you may be wondering, will my AirPods Pro case fit AirPods 3?

AirPods Pro cases do not fit AirPods 3; although they look fairly similar, the style and dimensions of AirPods Pro and AirPods 3rd generation keep them from being compatible.

This is disappointing news for Apple fans who want to upgrade but don’t want the old products they love to become useless. Keep reading to learn more about AirPods cases and compatibility.

Do AirPods Pro Cases Fit AirPods 3?

Apple is notorious for releasing products that are incompatible with older models. You might remember when Apple released its lightning cable in 2012, and the old charger became obsolete. 

So, it’s not surprising that AirPods 3 are incompatible with all of Apple’s other available AirPods cases due to differences in size and shape, as shown in the table below. 

As you can see, each generation of AirPods or AirPods Pro has slightly different measurements, which makes it impossible for a case from any other generation or style to charge your AirPods.

These discrepancies could be frustrating for many Apple loyalists who already owned AirPods and had hoped to use their cases interchangeably after upgrading to the latest model. 

However, Apple has their reasons for making changes.

What’s New with AirPods 3?

AirPods 3 are certainly an upgrade from AirPods generation 1 or 2, but they still don’t have all the features of AirPods Pro. 

Apple’s biggest boast about AirPods 3 is the battery life. They offer up to 30 hours of listening time (the same as AirPods Pro) with the charging case, compared to 24 hours with AirPods 2. 

AirPods 3 are also sweat and water resistant and are equipped with “Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking,” the same features found on AirPods Pro. 

AirPods 3 have many of the features found in AirPods Pro. Still, there are some features only AirPods Pro offer, like…

  • Active Noise CancellationAdaptive TransparencyTouch Control (as opposed to Force Sensor)Case with speaker and lanyard loop

While the standard AirPods 3 case cannot be charged wirelessly, there is an option to purchase them with a MagSafe charging case similar to AirPods Pro. So, are AirPods 3 worth it?

Are AirPods 3 Worth the Cost?

Apple products don’t necessarily fit everyone’s budget, so if you’re on the hunt for new headphones, you might be asking yourself if AirPods 3 is worth the cost. 

AirPods 3 are undeniably high-quality headphones, but the price tag can seem a little high for some customers. Can they be that great, or are you just paying for the brand name?

Compared to other wireless headphone brands, AirPods 3 aren’t any more expensive than other headphones with the same quality and features, like the Jabra Elite 75t earbuds. 

You should also remember that the price will probably go down. Apple often has deals on their products once a new product is released.  

That’s good news for fans who want to stay loyal to Apple. However, there are definitely cheaper wireless headphone options with great features.

If you get a new pair and want to give away or sell your old pair of AirPods, we have a quick and easy guide to tell you how to transfer ownership of AirPods.

Affordable Alternatives to AirPods

AirPods 3 or AirPods Pro are great if you can afford them, but for headphone users on a budget, some other brands could be a better fit, depending on what you’re looking for. 

For example, the TOZO T6 True Wireless earbuds offer the same 30-hour listening time as AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro, and they’re less than a quarter of the cost of AirPods. 

Or, if you’re looking for some quiet time, the Soundcore Life P3i earbuds offer active noise cancellation similar to AirPods Pro but for about a third of the price.

When it comes to wireless earbuds, you get what you pay for. So, you should consider which features are important to you. You might consider…

  • Sound qualityBattery lifeNoise cancellationWater resistanceComfort

Then you can look for affordable earbuds that have the specific features you want instead of spending extra for features you don’t need. 

You also might consider a more affordable option if you lose your AirPods.

Conclusion

Despite their similar features, AirPods Pro cases do not fit AirPods 3. AirPods 3 are great if you want an upgrade from AirPods 2, but there are cheaper wireless headphones out there as well.