When Apple introduced the very first set of AirPods in 2016, bit did we understand that they would certainly take place to form truth cordless earbuds market.
Unlike Apple-owned Beats earphones with a selection of versions tailored in the direction of details sorts of users as well as way of lives, AirPods have simply 3 primary versions that go to the initial AirPods, AirPods Pro, as well as AirPods Max. Each layout remains to place amongst the most effective cordless earphones we have actually ever before examined many thanks to the glossy iphone assimilation, excellent convenience as well as audio high quality, making it understandable why they’re so well concerned.
The styles might not be for everybody yet, however, they have actually come to be associated with the cordless earbud market as well as activated every competitor manufacturer to present their very own cordless earbuds to participate the activity. Some also determined exactly how to produce smaller sized, stronger, as well as much more elegant AirPods choices.
Regardless of a slim selection of versions contrasted to Beats, AirPods styles are seriously flexible as well as stand apart amongst the most effective cordless earphones, ideal cordless earbuds, ideal noise-cancelling earbuds, as well as the most effective sporting activities earphones we have actually ever before examined.
To learn which version is appropriate for you, maintain analysis as well as we’ll discuss everything about the most effective Apple AirPods earphones we have actually examined.
The very best Apple AirPods you can get today
We have actually been surprised by the AirPods Pro (second Generation) given that Apple introduced them in September 2022. They lack question the most effective earbuds with energetic noise-cancelation for apple iphone individuals, as well as one of the most flexible version for all sort of way of lives. This next-gen version brings substantial upgrades to the preferred initial AirPods Pro to take efficiency to the following degree. On the surface, they look rather comparable to the very first generation (listed below), yet battery life has actually been boosted to use 6 hrs on a solitary cost from the earbuds as well as a more 30 hrs from the cordless billing situation.
Made for apple iphone proprietors seeking an extra customized paying attention experience, we believe the AirPods Pro 2 are the peak of Apple innovation. While examining them out for all sort of energetic way of life tasks, we discovered that the fit had actually been enhanced to the factor where they’re a practical choice for the ideal sporting activities earphones as well as ideal for joggers as well as fitness center exercises alike. Not just are the earbuds IPX4-rated for security from sweat as well as light showers, today also holds true itself.
On the audio front, Apple has actually consisted of a brand-new H2 chip with customized amp as well as motorist that provides much better reduced as well as greater regularities, as well as you can make use of the apple iphone’s TrueDepth video camera to produce a customized spatial sound audio to pay attention to several of the most effective Dolby Atmos audio in any kind of set of earbuds. Sound termination is dual what the initial AirPods Pro used as well as is amongst the most effective we’ve yet to experience.
Read our full Apple AirPods Pro 2 review.
Apple’s third-gen AirPods are the best value for iPhone users. Minus the eartips and noise cancellation, these buds look remarkably similar to the discontinued AirPods Pro not superseded by the AirPods Pro 2. They share many of the same features of the new Pro 2 version, and incorporate MagSafe wireless charging and skin-detect sensors that accurately discern when the buds are in your ears to enable auto-pause/play.
During our tests, we found music and movies were a delight to hear with Apple’s proprietary technologies like Adaptive EQ balancing the sound output, and Spatial Audio support with dynamic head tracking. We loved that the Force Sensor was added to this model for seamless playback control. Best of all, the battery life matches the Pro 2 at 6 hours, which is 1 hour more than AirPods 2 model below, along with 30 hours in total via charging case. Simply put, the AirPods 3 are a great buy for iPhone users unconcerned by ANC. The loose earbuds fit might not work for all, but for anyone looking to avoid inserting eartips into their ear canal, these are the best value AirPods you can buy.
Read our full AirPods 3 review.
Launched in December 2020, the AirPods Max are Apple’s luxury over-ear headphones costing $549, although they can regularly be found discounted via online retailers. While the AirPods Pro 2 are a more cost-effective route into Apple’s noise-canceling wireless headphones, the AirPods Max demonstrate that you get what you pay for. The impeccable build quality and luxury design offers astonishingly good comfort levels via comfy memory foam earcup padding, and what’s more the AirPods Max are available in a choice of five color options including space grey, silver, pink, green, and sky blue.
On a purely technical level, Apple’s first over-ear cans sound absolutely fantastic. Active noise cancelling performs well enough for the AirPods Max to rank as one of the best noise-canceling headphones on the market. Spatial Audio sound on the AirPods Max is superb, and head tracking creates a striking surround sound effect as you move your head.
The 20-hour battery life with ANC remains pretty healthy compared to rivals, although it is one of the areas we’re hoping to see improved when the rumored AirPods Max 2 arrive. It’s worth noting that if you ever want to switch to wired listening you’ll need to buy a separate $35 Lightning cable (opens in new tab), but on Bluetooth alone Apples first over-ear headphones are an excellent iOS companion.
Read our full Apple AirPods Max review.
Launched in 2019, the AirPods 2 have been usurped by newer models, but they remain available to purchase from the Apple Store for $129 with charging case (opens in new tab). Additionally, they can often be found via online retailers for less, and sometimes with the option of a wireless charging case.
Although, the AirPods 2 have fallen behind in terms of the latest iOS support, they were the first to use Apple’s H1 chip, offering greater battery life and device switching twice as fast as their 2016 predecessor, and offer some neat tricks like summoning Siri by simply speaking its name, reading incoming messages and answering calls hands free.
Sound quality with music and calls is on a par with the AirPods 3, but audio features forgo Adaptive EQ and Spatial Audio support. Nevertheless, if you’re an Apple fan looking for a great but pared down AirPods option that work seamlessly iOS devices, these are a worthy consideration.
Read our full AirPods 2 review.
Apple AirPods specs compared
| Header Cell – Column 0 | AirPods 2 | AirPods 3 | AirPods Pro 2 | AirPods Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $129 / £139 / AU$219 | $169 / £179/ AU$279 | $249 / £249 / AU$399 | $549 / £549 / AU$899 |
| Battery life (rated) | 5 hours | 6 hours | 6 hours | 20 hours |
| ANC | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial audio with head tracking | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hey Siri | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Water resistance | No | Yes (IPX4-rated) | Yes (IPX4-rated) | No |
How to choose the best AirPods for you
Many factors come into play when shopping for the best headphones, but your decision should always come down to intended use. That being said, you’ll want to take the following categories into account before settling on any pair.
Design: Are you looking for in-ear, on-ear or over-ear headphones? Wired or wireless? Luxury or sporty? Since these are headphones that will be used for multiple occasions, you want something that suits your lifestyle. Whatever type you choose, make sure the headphones are well built, easy to carry, and comfy to wear for about 1 to 2 hours daily.
Sound quality: Different models offer different sound, and since you’re buying a pair to enjoy music individually, it’s important to find headphones that match your sound preference, be it heavy bass or distinctively clear to where you can hear the littlest nuances in recordings.
Battery life: We have actually criticized Apple’s battery life in the past, which went from 5 hours to 6 hours with the arrival of AirPods 3 and Pro 2 models, whereas many rivals models run from 8 to 12 hours typically. While the AirPods Max offer 20 hours with ANC enabled, new over-ear designs typically manage around 30 hours of playback time with ANC. Although the AirPods haven’t given the strongest playback times we’ve seen compared to rivals, the real-world durations have remained consistent and we haven’t noticed any decrease in capacity with usage over time.
Accessories: It’s disappointing spending money on a new pair of headphones only to find that you need to buy the accessories separately. For AirPods 3 and Pro 2 models you’ll probably want to add one of our ideal wireless chargers, although a Lightning charging cable is supplied there’s no USB adapter. Additionally, it’s worth noting that if you ever want to switch to wired listening on the AirPods Max, you’ll need to buy a separate $35 Lightning cable (opens in new tab), and you may also want to consider one of our best AirPods Max cases and covers to offer better protection than the pouch that’s supplied.
Pricing considerations: Obviously, price is a big consideration when looking for the best headphones. Although there are always exceptions, big-name brands will typically command a bit extra, but generally speaking, the less you spend on a pair of headphones the greater the chance that sound and features will be compromised. Going for a budget option isn’t always the best choice, as any money you save on your purchase won’t do you much good if you’re constantly needing to recharge your audio gear, or the sound quality is poor.
As the saying goes: timing is everything; and right now it’s worth checking out our best AirPods offers to help you pick up a pair of Apple headphones for less.
How we test the best AirPods headphones
With more than 30 years of experience in testing and reviewing consumer audio products for all kinds of media outlets and big-name brands around the world, the Tom’s Guide audio team follows a rigorous test regime when it comes to determining the best products for recommendation in our buying guides.
In determining the best AirPods, we consider fit, battery life, sound quality, design and worth (are they worth the price?). We also factor in features like how well the controls work and how easily the earbuds pair with our playback devices.
In terms of sound quality, we listen to many sample tracks that span a number of genres, including hip-hop, rock, jazz, classical and R&B, while evaluating volume, clarity and fullness. We also make phone calls to assess both call quality and microphone performance.
To discover more information on what we listen for during our testing and reviewing process, take a look at our companion page on how to get the best headphone sound for you.
During the testing phase, our reviewers wear each pair of headphones for several hours at a time throughout the course of a week. Reviewers will make a note of the battery life performance in real world use, and assess how well this matches the ranked battery life provided by earbud makers.
Star ratings explained:
We evaluate earbuds based on a five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = ideal). If a product hits nearly every mark, it’s awarded a coveted Recommended badge, while our Best Value award speaks for itself. Only products with truly exceptional performance across the board are awarded an Editor’s Choice badge.
For more information, check out our how we test page for Tom’s Guide.
Contributions from Alex Bracetti, Nick Pino, Sherri L. Smith, James Archer
