Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks

• Best Noise-Cancelling AirPods Overall

  Apple AirPods Pro 2 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds

  4.5 Outstanding

  Pros & Cons

  • • Rich, well-balanced audio performance
    • Excellent active noise cancellation
    • Conversation Aware feature adjusts your music volume when you speak
    • Charging case has a built-in speaker, USB-C port
    • Seamless integration with Apple devices
    • Hearing aid and hearing protection features arriving soon
  • • No hi-res codec support
    • EQ presets aren't adjustable

  Bottom Line:

  Bottom Line:

  The AirPods Pro 2 are the top true wireless earphones for Apple users thanks to their exceptional noise cancellation, excellent sound quality, and advanced audio features.

  Specs & Configurations

  Active Noise Cancellation
  Battery Life	Up to 7 hours for earbuds, 28 hours for case
  Charging Support	Lightning, MagSafe, Qi Wireless, USB-C
  Chip	H2 headphone chip; U1 chip for case
  Connection Type	Bluetooth
  Hands-Free Siri
  In-Canal Seal
  On-Ear Controls	Volume swipes; press and press-and-hold gestures (ANC/Transparency selection, calls, playback, Siri, track navigation)
  Spatial Audio	Personalized Spatial audio with Head tracking
  Transparency Mode	Standard and Apdative Transparency
  True Wireless
  Type	In-Canal
  Water Resistance	IP54 for both earbuds and case
  Water/Sweat-Resistant
  Wireless

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• Luxurious Headphones for Apple Lovers

  Apple AirPods Max

  4.0 Excellent

  Pros & Cons

  • • Excellent audio performance with rich lows and crisp, detailed highs
    • High-quality active noise cancellation, especially for low-frequency rumble
    • Stunning, unique design
    • Adaptive EQ and Spatial audio
    • Hands-free Siri access
  • • Expensive
    • Sound signature and Adaptive EQ/spatial audio aren't for purists
    • No user-adjustable EQ
    • Button placement makes it easy to misfire when adjusting fit
    • Smart Case does little to protect the headphones

  Bottom Line:

  Bottom Line:

  Apple's AirPods Max headphones deliver excellent audio performance, top-notch noise cancellation, and a bevy of useful features in an absolutely gorgeous design for a bit too much money.

  Specs & Configurations

  Active Noise Cancellation
  Battery Life	20 hours
  Charging Support	Lightning
  Chip	H1 headphone chip
  Connection Type	Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C
  Hands-Free Siri
  On-Ear Controls	Digital crown (playback, Siri, track navigation, volume); button (ANC/Transparency selecion, pairing)
  Spatial Audio	Personalized Spatial audio with Head tracking
  Transparency Mode	Standard
  Type	Circumaural (over-ear)
  Water Resistance	None
  Wireless

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• Best Standard AirPods

  Apple AirPods (3rd Generation)

  3.5 Good

  Pros & Cons

  • • Natural, rich bass depth and crisp, clear highs
    • Hands-free Siri voice commands
    • Water- and sweat-resistant design
    • Wireless and MagSafe charging
  • • In-ear fit can still be inconsistent, resulting in imbalanced stereo image
    • Fit doesn’t feel secure enough for rigorous exercise
    • No adjustable EQ

  Bottom Line:

  Bottom Line:

  Apple’s third-generation AirPods provide notably better bass depth and are more rugged than their predecessor. Despite some improvements to how they fit and some neat sensor tricks, we still aren't wild about their open earbud design.

  Specs & Configurations

  Battery Life	Up to 6 hours for earbuds, 24 hours for case
  Charging Support	Lightning, MagSafe, Qi Wireless
  Chip	H1 headphone chip
  Connection Type	Bluetooth
  Hands-Free Siri
  On-Ear Controls	Force sensor (calls, playback, Siri, track navigation)
  Spatial Audio	Personalized Spatial audio with Head tracking
  Transparency Mode	No
  True Wireless
  Type	In-Ear
  Water Resistance	IPX4 for both earbuds and case
  Water/Sweat-Resistant
  Wireless

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• Best for Apple Fans

  Apple AirPods (2nd Generation)

  3.0 Average

  Pros & Cons

  • • Crisp, clear audio
    • Excellent wireless charging case design
    • Solid mic clarity
    • Hands-free Siri access
    • Easy pairing
  • • Limited on-ear controls
    • In-ear fit and lack of canal seal can feel loose and impact audio
    • No IP rating for water resistance
    • Expensive

  Bottom Line:

  Bottom Line:

  The second-generation Apple AirPods come with a wireless charging case, but do little to justify their higher price or improve upon the shortcomings of the original model.

  Specs & Configurations

  Battery Life	Up to 5 hours for earbuds, 24 hours for case
  Charging Support	Lightning, Qi Wireless
  Chip	H1 headphone chip
  Connection Type	Apple H1
  Connection Type	Bluetooth
  Hands-Free Siri
  On-Ear Controls	Double taps (calls, playback, Siri, track navigation)
  Spatial Audio	No
  Transparency Mode	No
  True Wireless
  Type	In-Ear
  Water Resistance	None
  Wireless

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