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Apple sells four types of AirPods, including three sets of earphones and one pair of headphones. We compare them all to help you determine which is right for you.
ByTim Gideon
Tim Gideon
Contributing Editor, Audio
My Experience
I've been a contributing editorfor PCMag since 2011. Before that, I was PCMag's lead audio analyst from 2006 to 2011. Even though I'm a freelancer now, PCMag has been my home for well over a decade, and audio gear reviews are still my primary focus. Prior to my career in reviewing tech, I worked as an audio engineer—my love of recording audio eventually led me to writingaboutaudiogear.
Read Full Bio
&Ben Moore
Ben Moore
Deputy Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics
My Experience
I’ve been writing and editing technology content for over five years, most recently as part of PCMag's consumer electronics team, though I also spent several years on the software team. Before PCMag, I worked at Neowin.net, Tom’s Guide, and Laptop Mag. I spend too much of my free time reading forums and blogs about audio and photography.
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UpdatedFebruary 7, 2024
- RELATED:
- Best AirPod Alternatives
- Cheap AirPod Alternatives
- Best MagSafe Chargers
AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)(Credit: Tim Gideon)
The second-generation AirPods Pro are the latest earphones in Apple's lineup, but they aren't your only option. Here, we run through all the options to help you pick the best model for your needs and budget. And for the open-minded, we even suggest some compelling alternatives from other manufacturers.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom of the page for an in-depth specs comparison.
Recommended by Our Editors
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What Is Spatial Audio for AirPods? How It Works and What It Sounds Like
Apple Prepping AirPods Overhaul for 2024, But You'll Have to Wait for New Pros
Our Experts Have Tested 78 Products in the Headphones Category in the Past Year
Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions.See how we test.
Best Noise-Cancelling Earphones
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) With MagSafe Charging Case (USB‑C)
4.5
The fantastic AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) deliver some of the strongest noise cancellation performance of any earphones we've tested and offer a pleasing sound signature that emphasizes low- and high-frequency clarity. Their Adaptive Audio (transparency) mode is also good and we like that the case (now) uses a USB-C charging port. Our gripes are relatively minor—an IP54 rating could be better, while the lack of an adjustable EQ continues to be an annoyance. Complaints aside, the latest AirPods Pro are the best in-ear AirPods thus far.
What Should You Choose Instead?
If you’re looking for the absolute best in true wireless noise cancellation, the $299 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds have a slight edge over the AirPods Pro, along with slightly richer bass depth and an in-app EQ. Check out our in-depth comparison between those and the $299.99 Sony WF-1000XM5 if you're having trouble deciding.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) With MagSafe Charging Case (USB‑C) Review
Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Apple AirPods Max
4.0
The AirPods Max are notable for two reasons: They're the only over-ear headphones Apple sells and they cost over twice as much as the AirPods Pro. For the money, you get strong active noise cancellation and excellent audio quality. And where all the in-ear AirPods use a white plastic material, these elegant and metallic headphones are available in several colors including Green, Pink, Silver, Sky Blue, and Space Gray.
That said, the AirPods Max are past their third birthday, and we're thus hesitant to recommend them in case a replacement is on the way in the next year or so; $549 is a lot to spend on headphones that might not stay at the top of their class for long. If Apple decides to upgrade them at some point, we hope it improves the included Smart Case, which protects only the ear cups.
What Should You Choose Instead?
Very few noise-cancelling headphones cost as much as the AirPods Max. That means you can save quite a bit of money with still-excellent alternatives including the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones ($429) and the Sony WH-1000XM5 ($399). Check out our detailed comparison between these three flagship models.
Apple AirPods Max Review
Best Open-Ear AirPods
Apple AirPods (3rd Generation)
3.5
The third-generation AirPods sport an open design that doesn’t seal off the ear canal. We're not fans of this approach because it often leads to unbalanced audio, poor bass response, and a less secure fit. This iteration still feels somewhat loose in the ear, but internal sensors and mics help deliver among the best bass response we've heard from this type of earbud. You don't get active noise cancellation or transparency modes here (the latter isn't really necessary in light of the open design), but the charging case supports MagSafe and Qi wireless charging (as long as you pay an extra $10 for those capabilities).
What Should You Choose Instead?
For the same price, the Beats Studio Buds + offer a more secure in-ear fit, quality noise cancellation, consistently punchier sound, and hands-free Siri access. They don't support spatial audio but otherwise integrate into Apple's ecosystem just as seamlessly. We also think the earbuds and case look more stylish thanks to their transparent design, though the latter unfortunately doesn't support wireless charging.
Apple AirPods (3rd Generation) Review
Most Affordable AirPods
Apple AirPods (2nd Generation)
3.0
The second-generation AirPods debuted in early 2019 for $199, which might make their current price of $129 seem like a bargain. We don't think they're worth getting, though, because they feel like a work-in-progress compared with the third-generation model. These aging earphones offer weaker audio performance, don't feature a water-resistance rating, have shorter battery life, and lack spatial audio support. Moreover, the on-ear controls don't work very well.
What Should You Choose Instead?
The Nothing Ear (stick) earbuds ($99.99) fit better, deliver detailed audio, and cost less. They also have an exercise-suitable IP54 rating, a spec these AirPods can't match. Lastly, we're very much fans of the Nothing's transparent design. The AirPods integrate more seamlessly with iOS, but Nothing's companion app handles the basics just fine.
Apple AirPods (2nd Generation) Review
Compare SpecsThe Best Apple AirPods to Buy in 2024
Our Picks | Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) With MagSafe Charging Case (USB‑C)See It$189.99 at Amazon | Apple AirPods MaxSee It$499.99 at Amazon | Apple AirPods (3rd Generation)See ItStarts at $169 at Apple.com | Apple AirPods (2nd Generation)See It$89.99 at Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Editors'Rating | Editors' Choice 4.5Editor Review | 4.0Editor Review | 3.5Editor Review | 3.0Editor Review |
In-Canal Seal | ||||
Active Noise Cancellation | ||||
Transparency Mode | Standard and Apdative Transparency | Standard | No | No |
Hands-Free Siri | ||||
On-Ear Controls | Volume swipes; press and press-and-hold gestures (ANC/Transparency selection, calls, playback, Siri, track navigation) | Digital crown (playback, Siri, track navigation, volume); button (ANC/Transparency selecion, pairing) | Force sensor (calls, playback, Siri, track navigation) | Double taps (calls, playback, Siri, track navigation) |
Spatial Audio | Personalized Spatial audio with Head tracking | Personalized Spatial audio with Head tracking | Personalized Spatial audio with Head tracking | No |
Chip | H2 headphone chip; U1 chip for case | H1 headphone chip | H1 headphone chip | H1 headphone chip |
Water Resistance | IP54 for both earbuds and case | None | IPX4 for both earbuds and case | None |
Battery Life | Up to 7 hours for earbuds, 28 hours for case | 20 hours | Up to 6 hours for earbuds, 24 hours for case | Up to 5 hours for earbuds, 24 hours for case |
Charging Support | Lightning, MagSafe, Qi Wireless, USB-C | Lightning | Lightning, MagSafe, Qi Wireless | Lightning, Qi Wireless |
Where to Buy | $189.99 at Amazon | $499.99 at Amazon $449.99 at Best Buy | Starts at $169 at Apple.com $139.99 at Best Buy | $89.99 at Amazon $89.99 at Walmart |
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Further Reading
The Best Wireless Earbud Deals for February: Apple, LG, Samsung, More
ByJade Chung-Lee
The Best Wired Headphones for 2024
ByTim Gideon
AirPod Alternatives: The Best True Wireless Earbuds for 2024
ByTim Gideon
The Best Headsets and Headphones for Your Home Office
ByWill Greenwald
The Best Studio Headphones for 2024
ByTim Gideon
The Best Wireless Gaming Headsets for 2024
ByWill Greenwald
The Best Headphones for 2024
ByTim Gideon&Ben Moore
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ByWill Greenwald
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Editors' Choice
About Tim Gideon
Contributing Editor, Audio
I've been a contributing editorfor PCMag since 2011. Before that, I was PCMag's lead audio analyst from 2006 to 2011. Even though I'm a freelancer now, PCMag has been my home for well over a decade, and audio gear reviews are still my primary focus. Prior to my career in reviewing tech, I worked as an audio engineer—my love of recording audio eventually led me to writingaboutaudiogear.
Read Tim's full bio
Read the latest from Tim Gideon
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About Ben Moore
Deputy Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics
I’ve been writing and editing technology content for over five years, most recently as part of PCMag's consumer electronics team, though I also spent several years on the software team. Before PCMag, I worked at Neowin.net, Tom’s Guide, and Laptop Mag. I spend too much of my free time reading forums and blogs about audio and photography.
Read Ben's full bio
Read the latest from Ben Moore
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