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.
I’ve been a contributing editor for 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 writing about audio gear.
The second-generation AirPods Pro are the latest earphones in Apple’s lineup, but they aren’t your only option. Here we run you through all of your choices 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.
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 bass and high-frequency clarity. Their Adaptive Transparency mode is also so good that you might consider using the earbuds as transparent, active earplugs at concerts. Our gripes are relatively minor—an IPX4 rating means the case and earphones can withstand only light splashes, while the lack of adjustable EQ continues to be an annoyance. Complaints aside, the latest AirPods Pro are the best in-ear AirPods thus far.
If you’re looking for the absolute best in true wireless noise cancellation, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II ($299) have a slight edge over the AirPods Pro, along with slightly richer bass depth and in-app EQ. Check out our detailed head-to-head comparison between the two if you’re having trouble deciding.
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 whereas all of the in-ear AirPods use a white plastic material, these elegant headphones are available in several colors including Green, Pink, Silver, Sky Blue, and Space Gray.
That said, the AirPods Max are approaching their second birthday, and we’re thus hesitant to recommend them in case a replacement is on the way in the next year or so; $550 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 earcups.
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 45 ($329) and the Sony WH-1000XM5 ($399).
The third-generation AirPods sport an open design that doesn’t seal off the ear canal. We’re never 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 the best bass response we’ve heard from this type of earphone. 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 case notably supports MagSafe and Qi wireless charging (if you pay an extra $10 for those capabilities).
Both the Jabra Elite 7 Pro ($199.99) and the Jabra Elite 7 Active ($179.99) are strong alternatives in this price range, offering a secure fit, excellent sound quality, a top-notch companion app (available for Android and iOS), and effective active noise cancellation. Better yet, each features an IP57 durability rating, which means they can survive heavy rainstorms and intense workouts. That’s much better than the IPX4 rating of the AirPods.
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. Simply put, the third-generation AirPods make these feel like a work-in-progress. These aging earphones offer much weaker audio performance, doesn’t feature a water-resistance rating, have short battery life, and lack Spatial audio support. Moreover, the on-ear controls don’t work very well. If you have a strict budget of around $130, consider the true wireless options we mention below. They don’t work as seamlessly with iOS devices, but they sound far better, fit more securely, and last longer per charge.
There are plenty of good offerings in this price range, but in the interest of space, JBL’s $149.95 Live Pro 2 TWS earphones are vastly superior to the second-gen AirPods, with an IPX5 rating, a bass-forward sound signature, and the ability to seal off your ear canal. Tge JBL companion app (available for Android and iOS) also offers an adjustable 10-band EQ, which we much prefer over iOS’s basic EQ presets. For more options, make sure to check out our roundup of the best true wireless earbuds under $100.
Want to know even more about Apple’s AirPods? Check out our explainers on how Adaptive Transparency and Spatial audio work.
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I’ve been a contributing editor for 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 writing about audio gear.
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