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 terrific AirPods Pro 3 earphones deliver world-class active noise cancellation, thanks to their improved algorithms and redesigned silicone earbuds featuring a new layer of foam that forms a better seal in your ears. They also sound better than any previous AirPods when playing music and include a built-in heart rate monitor and Live Translation for multilingual communication. They're even resistant to dust, sweat, and pouring rain, thanks to their new IP57 rating. You still can't adjust the EQ the way you can with other earbuds, but otherwise, the AirPods Pro 3 are close to perfect and the best in-ear AirPods you can buy.
Who It’s For
People who want peace and quiet: The AirPods Pro 3 offer some of the best in-ear active noise cancellation we've tested.
Fitness fanatics: Paired with advanced features like heart rate monitoring and fitness tracking, the AirPods Pro 3 let you track workouts without a smartwatch.
Frequent flyers: The Pro 3 offers the longest battery life of any earbud-style AirPod, delivering up to 8 hours of playback per charge with noise cancellation enabled. That means you can fly from New York to Los Angeles without needing to recharge.
Best If You Prefer Headphones to Earbuds
The AirPods Max 2 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 3. For the money, you get among the best active noise cancellation (ANC) and superlative audio. Whereas all the in-ear AirPods use white plastic, these elegant, metallic headphones are available in edgy colors, including Blue, Midnight (black), Orange, Purple, and Starlight (gold).
The second-generation model offers greatly improved ANC and sound quality, along with advanced features such as Live Call Translation, more Siri gestures, better Spatial Audio, and even more tools for customizing the experience.
Who It's For
Those who want the best sound: The AirPods Max 2 have much larger drivers than the small in-ear AirPods and support lossless playback via USB-C when used with an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. They have superior sound and let you listen in almost complete silence.
The style-conscious: The Max 2 headphones have a more elegant and grand design aesthetic than most other over-ear headphones on the market, owing to their metal enclosure. Plus, the Digital Crown is great for managing playback.
Best If You Don’t Like In-Canal Earphones
Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
The fourth-generation AirPods continue to sport an open design that doesn’t seal off the ear canal. We're typically not fans of this style because it often leads to unbalanced audio, poor bass response, and a less secure fit. That said, Apple's latest are the first open earbuds we've tested with active noise cancellation (ANC). Additionally, they deliver rich sound, advanced adaptive audio features, and tight iPhone integration. While they don’t completely overcome the ear-to-ear consistency issues that plague open earbuds, they minimize them far better than most other models.
Who's It For
People who prefer an open-ear design: The AirPods 4 With Active Noise Cancellation are for anyone who likes the open-ear design. These let you hear your surroundings when you need to, but still allow you to turn on noise cancellation when you don't.
iPhone owners on a budget: These earbuds offer the same seamless integration with Apple products as pricier AirPods, but cost $70 less than the AirPods Pro 3.
Best Value for iPhone Users
The AirPods 4 are Apple's latest entry-level wireless earbuds. Although they lack the noise cancellation and other advanced features of their more expensive counterparts, they share one crucial trait: They deliver excellent audio performance capable of reproducing sub-bass—a notable advancement for an open-ear design. If you don't need noise cancellation, the standard AirPods are a cheaper and excellent alternative that sound just as good.
Who It's For
Younger listeners: As the least expensive AirPods available from Apple, the AirPods 4 make sense as the best option for younger users who are more apt to lose an earbud along the way.
Those who just need a basic bud: The AirPods 4 don't have the advanced features of the Pro models, and that's fine. Not everyone wants or needs all the extras. If you're looking for a simple set of earphones for on-the-go listening, the AirPods 4 have you covered.