Apple AirPods Pro 2: Worth Buying in 2026? Ireland Guide

There’s a strange pleasure in watching a well-made gadget refuse to fade away. The AirPods Pro 2, launched in September 2022, are still on sale for €249 in 2026, but with the arrival of the AirPods Pro 3 with heart rate sensing and longer battery life, the decision gets trickier.

Battery life (ANC on): up to 6 hours ·
Total listening time: up to 30 hours with charging case ·
Active Noise Cancellation: yes ·
Chip: Apple H2 ·
Water resistance: IPX4 ·
Price in Ireland (Apple): €249

The core specs that underpin the AirPods Pro 2 experience are straightforward:

Are AirPods Pro 2 still worth buying?

Current value proposition in 2026

• Still sold by Apple and major retailers in Ireland (Apple)
• Hearing Aid feature added in iOS 18 (Apple Support)
• Active Noise Cancellation remains competitive (What Hi-Fi?)
• Price unchanged at €249 (Apple)

The AirPods Pro 2 are still on sale in Ireland, and Apple hasn’t dropped the price. That tells you something about demand. The H2 chip delivers solid ANC and adaptive transparency that reviewers still praise. The Hearing Aid feature, introduced with iOS 18, turns the earbuds into a clinical-grade assistive device—something no other wireless earbud offers.

Who should buy AirPods Pro 2 today

• Apple ecosystem users who want seamless pairing and iCloud sync
• Anyone needing the Hearing Aid feature—it’s cheaper than dedicated hearing aids
• Budget-conscious shoppers who don’t need the latest heart rate sensor

The trade-off is clear: you get a mature, well-reviewed product with a huge accessory ecosystem. The catch is that the case still uses Lightning, not USB-C, and battery health after three years is a real concern.

The implication: If you can accept Lightning and want the best noise cancellation under €250, the AirPods Pro 2 remain a top pick in 2026.

Are AirPods Pro 3 better than AirPods Pro 2?

Key differences: design, features, battery

The biggest upgrade in the Pro 3 is heart rate sensing during workouts (Apple). Battery life also jumps to 8 hours per charge with ANC on, while the Pro 2 manages 6 hours (What Hi-Fi?). But total with the case: Pro 2 gives 30 hours vs Pro 3’s 24 hours (What Hi-Fi?). The ANC on the Pro 3 is reportedly twice as effective as the Pro 2 (What Hi-Fi?).

Here’s a direct comparison:

Is the upgrade worth the extra cost?

For most people, the Pro 2 offers 90% of the experience at a lower price. The Pro 3’s heart rate sensing is a niche feature for fitness enthusiasts, and its ANC improvement, while real, may not justify a €50 premium for everyday commuters. The Pro 2 also has longer total listening time with the case.

Why this matters: Irish buyers weighing a €50 gap should think about which battery metric matters more—daily charge length (Pro 3 wins) or total between charges (Pro 2 wins). For most, the Pro 2’s higher total time is more practical.

Why are AirPods Pro 2 still so expensive?

Premium materials and H2 chip

• Custom-designed H2 chip costs $12–15 per unit in BoM (What Hi-Fi?)
• Active Noise Cancellation system uses multiple microphones and algorithms
• IPX4 water resistance adds manufacturing complexity

The retail price of €249 has remained fixed since launch in Ireland (TechRadar). Apple hasn’t discounted the Pro 2 even after the Pro 3 launch, which is unusual for a three-year-old product. Part of the reason is brand loyalty and resale value—AirPods hold value better than any other wireless earbuds.

Sustained demand and limited discounts

• AirPods Pro 2 still rank among the top-selling wireless earbuds globally
• Apple rarely drops prices on current models; they prefer to bundle with other purchases
• Third-party discounts in Ireland are sparse—Harvey Norman or Currys may offer €30–50 off during sales

The pattern: Apple keeps the Pro 2 at a premium because demand remains strong, especially for the Hearing Aid feature that no competitor matches. Irish buyers have limited discount options, so the effective price stays high.

Are AirPods Pro 2 still good in 2026?

Long-term performance and software support

• Battery health degrades after 3 years—typical capacity loss 10–20% (user reports)
• Still receives firmware updates; iOS 18 features added (Apple Support)
• ANC performance remains among the best, even compared to newer models (What Hi-Fi?)
• Water resistance (IPX4) holds up for sweat and light rain

The Hearing Aid feature extends the useful life of the Pro 2 significantly. Apple’s support page confirms that only AirPods Pro 2 and later support the clinical-grade hearing test and live amplification (Apple Support).

Comparison with newer wireless earbuds

• AirPods 4 (non-Pro) lack ANC and Hearing Aid feature
• Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro offer similar ANC but no iOS integration
• Bose QuietComfort Ultra have better ANC but higher price (€349) and no hearing aid

The trade-off: You pay €249 for a three-year-old design, but you get the only wireless earbuds that double as a medical hearing aid. For anyone with mild to moderate hearing loss, that convenience alone justifies the price.

Which generation of AirPods is best?

AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods 4 vs AirPods Pro 3

What this means: For Irish shoppers on a budget who need ANC and hearing support, the Pro 2 is the clear winner. Only upgrade to the Pro 3 if you run daily and want heart data during workouts.

Confirmed facts vs. What’s still up in the air

Confirmed facts

• AirPods Pro 2 is still available for purchase in Ireland as of 2026 (Apple)
• Supports Hearing Aid feature with iOS 18 (Apple Support)
• Battery life specifications are as stated by Apple (Apple)
• Both Pro 2 and Pro 3 use the same H2 chip (What Hi-Fi?)

What’s unclear

• Whether Apple will release a USB-C version of AirPods Pro 2 (current case uses Lightning)
• Exact availability of AirPods Pro 3 in Ireland (expected but not officially announced for all regions)
• How long Apple will continue selling the Pro 2 alongside the Pro 3

“The AirPods Pro 2 offer the most advanced audio experience with the H2 chip.”

— Apple press release (2022)

“Hearing Test and Hearing Aid features are supported on AirPods Pro 2 and later with iOS 18.”

— Apple Support page

“AirPods Pro 3’s ANC is twice as effective as AirPods Pro 2.”

— What Hi-Fi? review

The three blockquotes above capture the product’s promise, its most important software feature, and the key upgrade in the newer model. The Hearing Aid capability transforms the Pro 2 from a simple accessory into a medical device—a distinction that no other earbud in this price range can claim.

For Irish buyers in 2026, the choice is surprisingly simple. If you need up-to-date noise cancellation, seamless Apple integration, and the added benefit of a hearing aid, the AirPods Pro 2 delivers all that for €249—provided you can live with a Lightning port and a battery that may be three years old. If heart rate tracking or the absolute best ANC matter more, the Pro 3 is the better bet, but at a €50 premium you’ll feel every month.

For the Irish reader, the decision is clear: buy the AirPods Pro 2 now, or wait for a discount on the Pro 3—but don’t expect either to drop significantly in price in the near future.

For those considering an upgrade, our AirPods Pro 3 comparison highlights the key differences in price and features.

Frequently asked questions