The Best AirPods, Expert-Tested & Reviewed

The AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) with USB-C charging took the original AirPods to the next level by adding noise-canceling capabilities that make it easier than ever to take a call hands-free on a noisy street. Because the AirPods Pro 2 are designed to seal off the ear canal with silicone tips, they’re not only more comfortable than traditional AirPods, but they also offer a more secure fit that stays put better when you’re on the go.

This makes it much easier to find the right size for your ear, a common problem among earbud users. On top of a new and improved design, this second-generation model has improved audio quality with rich clarity and depth as well as overall performance, thanks to Apple’s H2 chip.

According to Apple, noise canceling is twice as powerful as in the previous generation, and in recent Lab tests the AirPods Pro 2's noise canceling capabilities were comparable to some over-ear headphones, which are typically better at isolating out background noise. Audiophile and Lab assistant at the Good Housekeeping Institute, Nik Greenwald, described these as “impressive for earbuds” with a “frequency response curve that’s so-well balanced in the bass range and has very little distortion.” To say the least, this pair features some of the best audio quality you’ll get from AirPods and the most popular AirPods alternatives.

When testing the AirPods Pro 2nd Generation, our experts were impressed by how effectively busy New York City street sounds were blocked out on public transportation and how easy it was to switch to transparency mode whenever needed simply by pressing the AirPods' stem. Apple also recently added a feature called “Conversation Awareness” — once you start speaking, your audio’s volume automatically reduces along with any background noise so you can seamlessly transition to a conversation.

But one thing that you may want to be aware of is that callers on the other end might hear ambient sounds like traffic and wind that the earbuds pick up. Still, our reviewers were fans of these. “Listening to music in spatial audio is such a beautiful experience and I find that I notice notes in the background of music that I had not noticed before because of the clarity of the sound,” one tester said. Testers did note, however, that while these AirPods are a great choice for commuting and working out, they still may fall out of ears occasionally and aren’t always a perfect fit despite the silicone tips.

Looking to save some money but ready to go wireless and ditch your Apple EarPods? These 2nd generation AirPods are a good place to start. While they don’t feature the improved audio quality of the more expensive 3rd-generation AirPods, they're made with the same H1 chip so performance isn't drastically different.

“They are great quality earbuds and are pretty affordable compared to other brands,” said senior product analyst Emma Seymour. “I find these earbuds very comfortable, and I like that they don't have squishy silicone, which I find uncomfortable. I have had the same pair for multiple years and they have stayed in great condition,” she said.

You can expect lower battery life than the AirPods 3 and there's no water resistance, but these do offer that beloved seamless connection to all Apple products and connect to Bluetooth almost instantly. Some testers even like the design of these AirPods more than newer generations, claiming that they stay put more effectively in narrow ear canals due to the longer stems and smaller earbuds. Other testers like how quickly these AirPods charge (although not wirelessly) along with their compact case that protects the earbuds when not in use.

Falling smack in between the AirPods Pro 2 and the AirPods 2 price-wise, our pros like this latest generation of AirPods for their improved audio quality over the previous generation. Because they're semi-open, they won't isolate sound as effectively as AirPods Pro or over-ear headphones, but they do let you stay aware of your surroundings by letting some ambient sound in. Just keep in mind that they don't feature active noise cancellation.

When streaming music, our pros found the sound to be crisp and clear with rich bass. “The sound quality of Apple's earbuds is unmatched to me,” Greenwald said. “They're one of the most popular earbuds and for good reason. They have a really smooth frequency response that just sounds good. I also love the case and how easy they are to set up.”

That said, if you already own a pair of 2nd generation AirPods, our pros don’t necessarily recommend upgrading to this generation unless you want extra features like spatial audio that creates an immersive 3D effect, improved battery life (up from 5 hours to 6 hours of listening and an extra 6 hours with the charging case) and the option of wireless charging.

Another feature these have over the AirPods 2 is their IPX4 rating, meaning they're both sweat and water-resistant and ultimately a better choice for the gym. Some testers claimed, however, that they don’t stay put in ears as well as other AirPods: “The new shape is my biggest gripe,” Greenwald said. “The newest generation has a different shape than the older one which doesn't quite fit my ear perfectly and makes them far more apt to fall out of my ears while in use.” If you want the most secure fit, our pros suggest spending a bit more on the AirPods Pro 2nd Gen, which feature silicone tips in addition to active noise cancellation.

A top performer in recent Lab tests, the AirPods Max stand out for their superior sound quality and excellent noise cancellation capabilities. If you plan on traveling on noisy airplanes or subways, this is the pair for you — especially in comparison to other AirPods. Though they’re a bit pricey for what they are, it’s hard to find over-ear headphones with a sleeker-looking design (plus, they’re available in five gorgeous metallic shades). Keep an eye out for flash sales and deals as the holidays approach so you can snag them when they’re marked down.

With only two controls, the AirPods Max are extremely intuitive and simple to use. Just turn the dial to adjust the volume and press the button to alternate between noise canceling and transparency mode when you want to speak to someone or hear your surroundings. Our experts were blown away by how clearly they could hear their own voices when testing transparency mode, and we found audio quality to be crisp and clear and exceptional at high frequencies. The AirPods Max remained comfortable during hours of use, thanks to plush ear pads and a breathable mesh band, though some testers reported that they feel heavier than other over-ear headphones.

There’s really not much to dislike about Apple’s first pair of over-ear headphones, but we do hope that their smart case is upgraded over time to something sturdier and better suited for travel and that Apple throws in a wired cable so you can connect to in-flight entertainment systems.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: AirPods Max vs. Sony XM5.