If you ’re thinking of buying AirPods any prison term shortly ( or hoping to get some as a endowment ) , you ’ve got a few selection to pick out from . Apple currently has four models in the range , but how do they compare in damage of feature of speech ?
In this article , we take a look at which AirPods are the best for your needs , not to mention your bank Libra . We consider the features that make the AirPods Pro advantageously than the AirPods 4 , but also count just how much better the AirPods 4 are than the sometime third- and 2nd - multiplication AirPods Apple used to trade . As a effect , it ’s the stark time to buy AirPods , unless you require to waitress to see what ’s the AirPods Pro 3 might include when they found .
What types of AirPods are there?
Apple sells various eccentric of AirPods . These range from the standard AirPods the right way up to the over - the - spike AirPods Max and as the mannikin deviate quite a bit in footing of construction and features , the range also encompass a wide duad of pricing .
study : AirPods 3 vs AirPods quarto find out what ’s changed between the two generations and how much better the AirPods 4 are than the AirPods 3 .
This mean that , as of September 2024 , Apple ’s AirPods personal line of credit up is as follows :
There’s a Noise control button to switch between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode on the AIrPods Max.
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Those are n’t the only earphones that Apple sells .
Apple also sell the$19 Apple EarPods/£19 Apple EarPods(either with Lightning connector , USB - C connector , or 3.5 mm plug ) .
Plus , Beats is a underling of Apple , so Beats earpiece often include Apple - specific features .
If you are happy to debate alternatives to AirPods , take a look at our roundup of thebest earbuds for iPhone , best USB - C headphonesandbest over - ear headphoneswe have tested .
For more advice readAirPods vs AirPods Pro . Also scan : New AirPods : What to expect from the next - gen AirPods .
There’s a Noise control button to switch between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode on the AIrPods Max.
AirPods 101: A timeline
Apple sells four distinct AirPod models right now , but , in the past , the kitchen stove has included the following AirPods , many of which are no longer sold by Apple . We note them here because you might still ascertain one of these aged models on sale elsewhere , so you should be aware of them :
You may be able to get any of the above AirPods at a disregard price from an independent reseller , including the generations no longer sell by Apple . However , we seldom see these older AirPods at a proficient enough cost now that the AirPods 4 without ANC begin at just $ 129/£129 .
To get the best prices take a look at the best pricing for Apple ’s AirPods right now in the surgical incision below , but we also have a disjoined roundup of thebest AirPods dealsthat we update monthly .
What can AirPods do?
You may be recollect of Apple ’s AirPods as earbuds , earphones , headphones , or whatever you call them . Perhaps all you want to do with your AirPods is take heed to music , but there is so much more that they can do .
Here are a few of the benefits of having AirPods :
AirPods compared: Which AirPods are best?
If you are wonder what the principal differences between the various AirPods take on . We also cover constituent like design , controls , waterproofing , racket cancelling , intelligent quality , charging times andbattery spirit , below . First we ’ll move though the key divergence between the various AirPods sell by Apple , depart with the most expensive mannikin . you could also see the practiced prices mightily now .
We recommend the AirPods Pro 2 , AirPods 4 with ANC and the standard AirPods 4 . We finger that the AirPods Max are too lacking mightily now to be deserving their high price .
AirPods Pro 2 USB-C
The AirPods Pro had a significant update in 2022 , take receive My to the charging case , better shelling life , improved randomness cancellation and enhanced audio quality , new extra small ear tips and so much more .
Then in 2023 Apple added a few new features admit a case that charges with USB - hundred instead of Lightning , the ability to use an iPhone 15 or later to reverse your AirPods case , near protection against dust , and Lossless Audio with extremist - low latency for Apple Vision Pro .
In September 2024 , Apple announced that the AirPods Pro 2 would get a microcode update that will add hearing aid feature to the headphone . The update is now available so AirPods Pro 2 can run as hearing aid .
The AirPods Pro are dependable than ever , but the price is still high .
Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC)
The AirPods have been redesign with each multiplication , each one promising a better fit . The AirPods 4 , according to Apple , has a innovation with “ a innate and secure fit for more people than ever . ”
The effectiveness of the AirPods 4 ’s fighting stochasticity cancelation is affected by the open design . The AirPods 4 do n’t dead call off the noise around you , which might be preferable , depending on your situation . If you ’re in conditions where you demand to muffle as much as potential , you ’ll be better off with the AirPods 2 ’s snug ear steer .
Like the AirPods Pro 2 case , the $ 179/£179 AirPods 4 with ANC case has a speaker to wager alert through witness My . It also supports USB - C or wireless charging – it work with the Apple Watch charger as well as Qi chargers .
If you habituate participating randomness cancelation , it expurgate the AirPods 4 ’s battery biography : when fully charge Apple commonwealth a 4 - hour listening time with the earbuds and 20 hours of armorial bearing with the fount . turn over off ANC , and full charge earbuds can last 5 hours , and the case adds 30 total hour . The AirPods 4 with ANC for $ 179/£179 are a much better value than the 3rd - gen AirPods with numerous pro - unwavering features . They voice great , the active noise cancelation is extremely useful and shape amazingly well , they fit easily than previous AirPods , and the wireless charging and Find My talker on the case are much - welcome conveniences .
Apple AirPods 4 (without ANC)
Apple offers the AirPods 4 without Active Noice Cancelation for $ 129/£129 , a $ 50/£50 down price than the model with ANC . Apple identifies this mathematical product as the AirPods 4 . The earbud and case designs are the same as the $ 179/£179 AirPods 4 with ANC . However , the $ 129 AirPods 4does not havethe following features :
Otherwise , they ’re the same . The AirPods 4 have an H2 chip like the ANC model as well as the same audio quality , set , and feature film . So you ’ll have to consider if those features lean above are worth the extra $ 50 .
The real bonus of the AirPods 4 is the fact that they are being sold for the same Leontyne Price as the 2019 2d generation AirPods were prior to September 2024 , make them particular note value for money .
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024)
At more than twice the cost of the AirPods Pro , the AirPods Max are the definition of a considered leverage . Thanks to the size of the ear - cups , Apple is able-bodied to put a H1 bit in each one , as react to the undivided chip that appears in all of the other AirPods .
There are features such as Active Noise Cancellation , Transparency mode and Spacial Audio , but the Max does n’t have the custom high - dynamical range amplifier found in the AirPods ( 3 and 4 ) and AirPods Pro , or ( more surprisingly ) any kind of waterproofing . The fresh display case is also unlike in that you ca n’t use it to charge the AirPods Max , but this is n’t as forged as it sound , as the onboard batteries bring home the bacon around 20 hours of listening prison term .
Again , thanks to the size of the AirPods Max , controls are care not by dab but a Digital Crown similar to that found on the Apple Watch , and a consecrate Noise Control button . There are also multiple mike to aid with haphazardness cancellation , plus updated sensing element for good carrying out .
Since the September 2024 update , the AirPods Max charge with USB - C , but prior to that used the Lightning connector . There is no 3.5 mm headphone jack . It is possible to apply the Lightening connecter to punch in the headphones to an analog audio source , such as an in - flying amusement arrangement , or if you want to extinguish the reaction time of Bluetooth by using a pumped up connection , but the USB - C connectivity does n’t influence as seamlessly for this intention .
The September 2024 update also added young coloring options of racy , purple , Midnight , Starlight or orange . The price did n’t change .
For a comprehensive look at the AirPods Max , interpret ourfull review .
AirPods features: How to choose the best AirPods
We ’ll now pass through all the departure between the various AirPods , attend at the design , ascendency , waterproofing , interference canceling , wakeless quality , compatibility , charge times and bombardment lifespan to facilitate you resolve which AirPods will meet your needs .
Design
All earbud stylus AirPods are available in blank , just like the iPod earbuds that were so iconic . However , if you are uncoerced to pass more on a pair of over - ear Apple headphones then the AirPods Max get in a salmagundi of two - tone of voice color including ( from September 2024 ) Blue , Midnight , Orange , Purple , and Starlight . The AirPods Max are designed to make an acoustic seal around your ear to aid noise cancellation . There ’s a Digital Crown on one side for volume control .
Foundry
There was an expectation that the AirPods Pro would have short stem when Apple update them in 2022 , but this was n’t the case . This means that to distinguish between the AirPods 4 and the AirPods Pro ( 2d propagation ) you take to look to the earbud . Only the AirPods Pro come with silicone pinna top to make a seal in your ear . There are four sizes : XS , S , M , L included in the box . The spare low size of it is new with the AirPods Pro 2 . The AirPods Pro are the only other AirPods to offer outside haphazardness cancellation .
Michael Simon
You might not be keen on advertise something inside your ear , in which case it ’s deserving noting that the AirPods Pro 2 offer up a outlet system for pressure equalisation so that it feels comfortable to fatigue them . This blowhole system merge with the silicon ear tips have in mind you may find the AirPods Pro 2 more prosperous to wear thin than the standard AirPods with their hard credit card tips that model in your ear .
The most obvious difference between the new AirPods 4 and the older AirPods 2 and 3 is the sizing of the stem . There ’s a lot else that is visibly dissimilar though , as you could see from the image above .
size of it is another difference of opinion , that may or may not matter to you since it does n’t really affect consolation or burst . The AirPods 4 are lighter than the AirPods Pro 2 , which are 5.3 g ( 0.19 oz ) . The AirPods Max matter a lot more at 384.8 gramme ( 13.6 oz ) .
Controls
One of the benefit of using any form of AirPods is that you may also distinguish Siri ( the artificial level-headed assistant ) to do things for you . However , you do n’t have to use Siri to contain your music playback ( fortuitously ) . you could use a combination of taps and swipe depending on which AirPods you have .
On AirPods 2nd coevals you practice a treble tap to dally , skip or answer the earpiece .
AirPods 3 and 4 use a force sensor . It ’s one pressure for play , pause or answer call , two presses to skim forward , and three presses to skip back . campaign and oblige to spark Siri .
There’s a Noise control button to switch between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode on the AIrPods Max.
AirPods Pro 2 use touch control with dissimilar printing press for different feature . It ’s one press for gambol , pause or resolve call , two presses to skip over forward , three presses to vamoose back . You press and hold to switch between Active Noise Cancellation and Adaptive Transparency , swipe up and down to aline bulk , and you Say Hey Siri to trigger the part assistant .
AirPods Max boast a Digital Crown that you turn to control volume , press to play , interruption or answer a call , agitate double to skip , three times to go back , and press and hold to spark Siri ( or say Hey Siri ) . There ’s also a Noise control push button to flip-flop between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode .
Waterproofing: Are AirPods waterproof?
pass on that a lot of people care to wear headphones when exercising or walk around outside , so the interrogation “ can AirPods get wet ” is a fair one . The answer to the question is that the AirPods 4 multiplication and AirPods Pro 2 are sweat and water insubordinate ( IPX4 rank ) , fit in to Apple . Which means you could wear then when exert , in the shower and in the pelting , but not in the swimming pool . The AirPods are n’t considered piss resistant .
Noise canceling: Are AirPods noise canceling?
The AirPods Max , AirPods Pro 2 and the AirPods 4 pop the question Active Noise Cancelation . Noise cancellation works by using a microphone to detect international auditory sensation and then counter them by bet anti - disturbance . The AirPods Pro 2 offer better interference cancellation thanks to a new gadget driver and improved acoustical algorithms as well as better microphones and a new speaker grille on top of each earbud to help filter out outside sounds .
Apple also offers the AirPods 4 without Active Noise Cancelation .
Active Noise Cancellation is n’t the only audio relate feature in the AirPods . There is a Transparency musical mode available on the AirPods Pro or AirPods Max that let the remote noise in when you need to hear what ’s going on around you . you’re able to switch between these two mode by tapping on a location on your AirPods Pro or AirPods Max ( bespeak by the blue arrows in the range of a function above ) .
AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 3 and AirPods 2 in their charging cases
There ’s a difference between the Transparency Mode on the AirPods Max and the Pro : the AirPods Pro 2 offer Adaptive Transparency , which will minimise the chroma of loud noise like enchantress , so you wo n’t be deafened if an ambulance surpass while you are using Transparency Mode .
Conversation Boost is a feature that come to the AirPods Pro in an October 2021 computer software update . The feature can be used to enhance the voice of the person talking beside you , which could be helpful for the hard of earreach . The feature can be turned on in Io approachability configurations , here’sHow to practice Conversation Boost to turn your AirPods Pro into a auditory sense tending .
Another related feature is bouncy Listen , which can be used in conjunction with an iPhone or iPad to aid you listen to someone talk from across the room or in a noisy place . you’re able to apply Live Listen with AirPods , AirPods Pro , AirPods Max , and also Powerbeats Pro or Beats Fit Pro . ReadHow to apply Live Listen .
Sound quality: Which AirPods have the best sound quality?
We ’ve never had any cause to criticise any AirPods phone quality , although they are n’t needs the best sounding phone you may buy . However , we were glad to observe that the AirPods 4 and the AirPods Pro 2 utilize the same H2 chip that processes effectual , so the audio caliber is like in both , which the remainder due mostly to the eartips in the AirPods Pro 2 .
Another elbow room that AirPods can make personalized sound is via Personalized Spatial Audio , which require Io 16 on iPhones with the TrueDepth camera and is compatible with first and 2nd propagation AirPods Pro , AirPods , and AirPods Max . It can also be used with Beats Fit Pro . A personal visibility based on your alone ear figure is set up for you , based on a photograph of your head and each of your ears to create a three - dimensional audio experience when you move your head . Dynamic head trailing can also be beneficial in group FaceTime calls .
All AirPods support Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio in Apple Music , but only the 3rd and fourth - contemporaries AirPods , or either multiplication of the AirPods Pro support Spatial Audio for television with mind tracking .
Charging and battery life
Before we get onto bombardment life , a few words on charging . The $ 129/£129 AirPods 4 shell charges only through USB - C. The $ 179/£179 AirPods 4 with ANC has USB - degree centigrade charging but also can charge wirelessly . The charging case for the AirPods Pro 2 includes USB - C and wireless charging . But perhaps even better , you do n’t need to find oneself a power adaptor to plug the cablegram into : you may reverse tear the 2023 version by plugging the case into any iPhone 15 . you’re able to also charge the 2nd - gen AirPods Pro and the MagSafe - equip 3rd - gen AirPods wirelessly .
Here ’s how the barrage fire life of the dissimilar AirPods Apple sells compare :
These battery lifespan bar are claimed by Apple . It ’s deserving noting that the AirPods Pro 2 barrage life if superior to the first generation of that model ( previously 4.5 time of day and 24 hours listening time ) .
To curb the remaining battery life users can moderate AirPods next to their iPhone or ask Siri “ How ’s the barrage on my AirPods ? ” . Should AirPods need load a apprisal will appear on the paired iPhone .
Prospective buyers will also want to know how promptly the AirPods will institutionalize – or how quickly you’re able to charge them before lead the house .
Again , those are the times quote by Apple .
You wo n’t always be in a hurry to charge your AirPods of path . Under more usual circumstances the AirPods have a variety of ways in which they can be charged .
All but the AirPods 4 without ANC can get along with a wireless buck case . There did used to be a version of the AirPods 2 that arrive with a wireless charging case , but Apple no longer betray that model .
Compatibility
We mention already that AirPods do n’t only work with Apple products . They are Bluetooth headphones and as such can colligate to any gimmick that supports Bluetooth . In that respect , there might be some difference establish on the fact that both generations of AIrPods and the AirPods Max reinforcement Bluetooth 5.0 while the AirPods Pro 2 support Bluetooth 5.3 , which brings improvements such as less interference and meliorate reasoned character .
So , if you were wondering if AirPods can connect to your personal computer , PS4 , PS5 , Xbox , Android or even Samsung phone , the solvent is yes . You just want to connect via Bluetooth .
One last matter to mention : if you have a really old iPhone and want to use AirPods , only the AirPods 2nd gen piece of work with iPhone 6 , iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 5s and the iPad miniskirt 3 , iPad miniskirt 2 and iPad Air ( first genesis ) and iPod touch ( 6th genesis ) . Other AIrPods wo n’t work with those age devices . But we ca n’t envisage many AIrPod users will have such old Apple devices .
We cover various scenario one by one :
Which AirPods to buy
The AirPods that are right for you will no doubt depend on a potpourri of factors . Perhaps you need the cheap option , in which vitrine the AirPods 4 without ANC at $ 129/£129 might attend the most attractive . You will need to really need fighting racket cancellation to spend $ 50/£50 more to get it .
But if you are a real medicine fan the AirPods might not be enough for you . The AirPods Pro bid superior audio and many more benefits . They cost a caboodle more though , at $ 249/£229 . We guess they are worth the additional expense , but you might not .
If you have money to spend the AirPods Max , which have a very in high spirits price in comparison with the rest of the range , at $ 549/£499 , do have a stack of appeal . But those who would appreciate what they offer can look beyond Apple ’s offering and belike find something just as good , or better . See : well over - ear phone .
One other factor influencing your decisiveness though is if you find a good pot on a fresh or old pair of AirPods . check into out the deals below to see if the AirPods you desire are ignore – then perhaps you may afford to squish out on the AirPods Pro alternatively of the AirPods .
