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Apple's AirPods are one of the most popular wireless headphones on the market thanks to their consistent sound quality, easy pairing with your iPhone, and sleek design. But with four different models to choose from, selecting the AirPods that best suit your needs can be tricky. That's why I tested the entire lineup to analyze the pros and cons of each option.
For most people, the best Apple AirPods are the AirPods Pro (second generation), which offers active noise cancellation (ANC) and a charging case that charges wirelessly or with a USB-C cable. Buyers on a budget may prefer the standard AirPods (second generation), which lack ANC but still have many of the same core features and are much cheaper.
Below, you'll find detailed information about all the pros and cons of every AirPods model sold by Apple, including its premium over-ear headphones, the AirPods Max.
Best Overall: Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
AirPods Pro 2 features significant upgrades over its predecessor, with improved noise cancellation and extended battery life, new touch controls for volume, and a redesigned enclosure with a built-in speaker and precise location tracking. This USB-C model features a modernized charging port and added dust protection.
The second-generation AirPods Pro are Apple's flagship wireless headphones. If you want great sound quality and active noise cancellation in a compact design, then these are the best AirPods you'll ever buy.
The latest AirPods Pro is a big step up from the first-generation model, which uses new customized drivers that offer significant improvements in audio performance. The sound is noticeably richer than what we heard on the first-generation AirPods Pro, which offered a more hollow and distant sound quality.
It's also the first AirPods to use the new H2 processing chip, which Apple claims has twice the noise-canceling power of the H1 chip in the first-generation AirPods Pro. Good noise cancellation isn't just useful when commuting or traveling. It's a key feature that blocks out distracting noise during everyday tasks.
While ANC is one of the reasons the AirPods Pro costs more than other Apple earbuds, I think it's worth the splurge. The AirPods Pro also has an excellent Transparent mode, which uses the microphone to let in outside noise when you want to be aware of your surroundings.
However, the overall noise-canceling performance of the AirPods Pro can't match that of some competing headphones from other brands we've tested. But if you're determined to stick with the Apple brand, then these are your best bet.
The second-generation AirPods Pro also features a secure in-ear design, making them the best AirPods for those who have experienced problems with other Apple headphones staying in their ears.This model fits more snugly than the regular AirPods, thanks to customizable earbuds that go deep into your ears. Unlike the standard AirPods, the cases that come with the latest AirPods Pro are now dust-resistant in addition to being waterproof and sweatproof.
Best for casual users: Apple AirPods (3rd generation)
The third-generation AirPods offer better audio performance than the previous model. They have a similar design to the AirPods Pro, but lack active noise cancellation.
If you want a cheaper pair of headphones, Apple's third-generation AirPods are a great alternative to the AirPods Pro. Unless you're on a particularly tight budget, we think they're worth the extra money over their cheaper second-generation counterparts.
This model includes many of the same advanced audio features as the AirPods Pro, such as adaptive equalizer and personalized spatial audio with head tracking. The latter option gives the impression that the music is coming from all around you. However, not everyone likes the resulting surround sound effect, so it's nice to be able to easily turn this feature off.
While the third-generation AirPods don't sound as good as the AirPods Pro, they do have higher quality drivers and amplifiers than the second-generation AirPods.
They have a contoured design and a shorter stem, which makes them look more like the AirPods Pro. However, they don't include active noise cancellation, so if you want that feature, you'll still have to pay extra for the more expensive AirPods Pro.
In your ears, the third-generation AirPods are very similar to the second-generation AirPods. They have a semi-open construction that sits close to the opening of the ear canal, rather than an in-ear design like the AirPods Pro. If you've had drop issues with past AirPods, the third-generation AirPods aren't any better.
However, some people prefer this loose-fitting style because it doesn't clog your ears and still allows you to hear what's going on around you. All things considered, we recommend these as the best Apple AirPods for those who want good sound quality but don't care about ANC.
Best on a budget: Apple AirPods (2nd generation)
Apple's second-generation AirPods are the company's cheapest, most basic model. They lack noise cancellation and other audio features, but still offer consistent sound quality for the money.
Apple's second-generation AirPods aren't as advanced as the brand's more expensive offerings. You won't find perks like noise cancellation, spatial audio, or waterproofing here. However, the second-generation AirPods still retain all the core features that AirPods are known for.
As far as sound quality goes, the second-generation AirPods sound good, but they can't hold a candle to Apple's more expensive headphones. While they can fulfill basic needs, they're not quite right for audiophiles who want the best audio performance when listening to music.
Like the third-generation AirPods, this second-generation model features a semi-open design. While this style is great for hearing the sounds around you, it compromises sound isolation and can make it difficult for AirPods to stay in place when paired with certain ear types.
The second-generation AirPods have a longer stem than their third-generation and Pro counterparts. This makes them look like Apple just cut the cord on the wired EarPods headphones. It's not a bad look, as they've become iconic.
Best for audiophiles: Apple AirPods Max headphones
Apple's AirPods Max boasts a host of Apple-pioneering features, impressive performance, and premium build quality - all at the same great price.
AirPods Max delivers best-in-class audio performance and noise cancellation, all wrapped up in an elegant package. Unlike Apple's other AirPods, which are all on-ear, AirPods Max features a larger, over-ear headphone design. This makes them more suitable for those who prioritize high-end sound quality and want a pair of headphones that make a statement when worn in public.
AirPods Max uses Apple-designed drivers and 10 audio cores to deliver computed audio and an adaptive equalizer that allows the headphones to adjust sound based on the fit of the ear cups. Like AirPods Pro, AirPods Max supports additional features like spatial audio and quick pairing.
In my tests, the AirPods Max sounded noticeably crisper, bolder, and louder than the Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700. They also outperformed the Sony WH-1000XM4, although Sony's headphones were very close.
The AirPods Max also excels at noise cancellation. It's not the absolute best noise-canceling headphones I've ever tested, but it works very well.
The downside is that the included charging case doesn't charge the AirPods Max. Instead, it puts them in low-power mode. It also looks less like a traditional case and more like packaging.
There's no doubt that the AirPods Max is excellent, but its hefty price tag puts it out of reach for many. However, if you're an Apple loyalist who prioritizes top-notch audio with an over-ear design and is willing to spend big bucks to do so, then the AirPods Max is the best Apple AirPods.
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