$148.99
Rankings
The 2nd-gen AirPods Pro deliver premium ANC, adaptive audio and lossless-audio support with a range of charging options, positioning them as the top choice for Apple-centric users despite a higher price and iOS-only features.
Apple AirPods 4 bring ANC, Adaptive Audio and Spatial Audio to the standard AirPods line, offering solid sound and seamless integration for Apple users. The case is wireless-charging capable, but battery life with ANC is modest and features are limited for Android.
The 1st-gen AirPods Pro (renewed) deliver solid ANC, comfortable silicone tips, and seamless Apple integration, but battery life lags behind newer competitors. They are a good budget-friendly entry for iPhone users who value ecosystem features over the latest performance.
The 3rd-gen AirPods offer excellent sound, Spatial Audio and long battery life, but they lack ANC and on-ear volume controls, making them best for casual listening within the Apple ecosystem rather than noisy environments.
The 2024 AirPods 4 bring the H2 chip, personalized Spatial Audio and an IP54-rated design, offering solid sound, fast charging and eco-friendly materials. While the ANC variant adds noise cancellation and wireless charging, it still falls short of the Pro line, and neither model supports MagSafe.
Apple AirPods 2 offer seamless integration with iOS, quick pairing and solid audio in a compact, lightweight design, but they lack ANC and modern charging conveniences. They are best suited for users who prioritize simplicity and Apple ecosystem features over premium features.
| Attribute | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
30 hoursbest | 20 hours | — | 30 hoursbest | 24 hours | 30 hoursbest | |
6 hoursbest | 4 hours | — | 6 hoursbest | 4.5 hours | 5 hours | |
| ↓ lower better | 5 minutesbest | 5 minutesbest | — | 5 minutesbest | 5 minutesbest | 5 minutesbest |
| ↓ lower better | 46.47 grams | — | 99.2 grams | 61.4 grams | 45.4 grams | 40.9 gramsbest |
| ↓ lower better | — | — | — | 32 ohmsbest | — | — |
12 monthsbest | 12 monthsbest | 3 months | 12 monthsbest | 3 months | 3 months |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Battery & Power(3) | ||||||
Total Battery Life (with case) (hours) | 30 hours | 20 hours | — | 30 hours | 24 hours | 30 hours |
Battery Life per Earbud (hours) | 6 hours | 4 hours | — | 6 hours | 4.5 hours | 5 hours |
Wireless Charging | true | true | false | true | true | true |
Build & Design(2) | ||||||
Total Weight (incl. case) (grams) | 46.47 grams | — | 99.2 grams | 61.4 grams | 45.4 grams | 40.9 grams |
IP Rating | IPX4 | IP54 | — | IP54 | IPX4 | IP54 |
Connectivity(1) | ||||||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | — | — | 5.3 | 5.0 | 5.3 |
Audio(2) | ||||||
Active Noise Cancellation | false | true | — | true | true | true |
Transparency Mode | false | true | — | true | true | — |
Warranty(1) | ||||||
Warranty Period (months) | 12 months | 12 months | 3 months | 12 months | 3 months | 3 months |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers applaud the 3rd-gen AirPods for delivering noticeably better sound, richer bass, and a premium feel, while emphasizing their excellent battery life and flawless integration with Apple devices. The primary criticism across reviews is the absence of active noise cancellation, which they view as a missed opportunity for a product at this price tier.
Everyday users love the instant pairing, improved audio, and sweat-resistant design, often noting that the earbuds last through a week of typical use. Common complaints focus on the lack of noise cancellation, occasional fit issues during intense activity, and the missing volume controls on the earbuds themselves.
“Perfect for iPhone users - they just work.”
“Sound is much better than my old AirPods, especially with Spatial Audio on movies.”
“Love that they're sweat-resistant - I use them daily at the gym.”
Professional reviewers praise the ANC, Adaptive Audio and H2 chip performance but note shorter battery life versus Pro models and lack of premium features.
Users applaud the addition of ANC, improved fit and Adaptive Audio, while noting the short ANC battery life and small case size.
Professional reviewers praise the AirPods Pro (2nd gen) for their industry-leading integration with Apple hardware, a significant jump in noise-cancellation performance, and the innovative Adaptive Audio feature. Publications such as The Verge, Wired, Engadget, and CNET highlight the effortless setup, computational audio powered by the H2 chip, and the precision of Transparency mode, calling the earbuds the top choice for Apple users.
Everyday users consistently commend the sound quality, comfort, and the magical ease of pairing and device switching. The Find My integration and IP54 durability are also frequently praised, while common complaints revolve around battery degradation over time, fit issues for very small ears, and the case's susceptibility to cosmetic scratches.
Professional reviewers highlighted the AirPods Pro 1st gen as a solid entry with excellent sound quality, comfortable fit, and deep Apple ecosystem integration, praising its ANC, Transparency mode, and premium build. However, they noted its battery life lags behind competitors and that newer models have improved ANC and audio performance.
Everyday users love the seamless connectivity, effective ANC for commuting, and clear call quality, often mentioning the convenience of automatic pairing. Common frustrations revolve around limited battery endurance, lack of on-ear volume controls, and occasional fit or durability issues in renewed units.
Professional reviewers praise the AirPods 4 for comfort, the power of the H2 chip and the addition of Live Translation, while noting the ANC variant falls short of the Pro line's performance and misses MagSafe support.
Everyday users love the call quality, secure fit during exercise and immersive Spatial Audio, but are frustrated by the missing ANC on the base model, weaker ANC on the upgraded version, and lack of MagSafe charging.
