The very best AirPods of 2024: Skilled examined and reviewed

Out of the 4 present fashions of AirPods, I like to recommend the AirPods Professional 2 essentially the most as a result of they match virtually each sort of ear, are comfy to put on, and embody all the finest and newest options that Apple affords in headphones. Plus, they get a bonus set of latest options as a part of the iOS 17 replace.

These can be ultimate for these long-haul research classes on the library when all you need is silence and time to focus or as you are exercising on the bustling campus gymnasium and need to lock in in your favourite music. They’re the perfect earbuds within the lineup and a terrific alternative for transportable headphones with aggressive noise-canceling. 

Most Redditors agree that the AirPods Professional 2 takes the cake. When looking out on Reddit for the perfect AirPods to purchase, it is not straightforward to search out another suggestion. One person on the r/AirPods thread referred to as the earbuds “transcendent,” and one other stated they’re definitely worth the cash.  

The AirPods Professional 2 makes use of silicon tricks to match into your ears (with 4 sizes to select from), just like those you are in all probability aware of in most earbuds you have used. Comparatively, the usual AirPods have onerous plastic ideas like the standard Apple EarPods that used to come back within the field with most iPhones — which many individuals discovered to fall out of their ears simply or weren’t very comfy to put on. 

The AirPods Professional 2 had been the primary to get Apple’s newest H2 chip for improved sound. That features lively noise cancellation, which roughly doubles the noise cancellation of the first-gen AirPods Professional and works impressively in loud environments like airplanes and metropolis streets. It additionally contains adaptive transparency mode, which helps you to hear the world round you when you’ve got your earbuds in whereas additionally mechanically decreasing loud sounds similar to sirens. 

In 2023, Apple barely revised this mannequin because the “AirPods Professional (2nd Technology) with USB-C,” swapping out Apple’s Lightening connector with the extra common USB-C that has additionally come to iPhone 15. However it additionally added Lossless Audio with ultra-low latency for the Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional headset that launched this week.

In the event you use headphones for greater than a pair hours each day, wi-fi headphones could be your most essential machine subsequent to your smartphone and your laptop computer — and so they can improve the expertise of utilizing each. In the event you use headphones that a lot, spending $250 on the perfect and most versatile wi-fi earbuds Apple affords will seemingly be a worthy funding to boost the standard of your each day life.

AirPods Professional (2nd Technology) with USB-C options: Kind: In-ear | Chip: H2 | Battery life: 6 hours | Water resistant: Sure

The AirPods Max are Apple’s most premium headphones, and so they even do a couple of particular issues higher than the AirPods Professional 2, which have extra superior expertise because of Apple’s H2 chip. Relating to immersive sound and blocking out the world, the AirPods Max affords an excellent expertise at a premium value of $550 — though you’ll find gross sales and reductions to knock off a bit of that value.

The noise cancellation for the AirPods Max is the perfect I’ve skilled. I used it on a really loud and lengthy flight, the place I used to be seated simply over one of many engines with a continuing roar. Placing on the AirPods Max introduced virtually full silence and a welcome little bit of peace. Equally important is the transparency mode, the place the eight microphones within the AirPods Max make it sound such as you’re not sporting a pair of over-the-ear headphones. The standard of those two modes is healthier than some other conventional headphones I’ve used. It’s the foremost purpose to purchase the AirPods Max — together with the truth that they will pair with all of your Apple gadgets and mechanically swap between any of them. 

Here is another excuse to purchase the AirPods Max: consolation. I’ve by no means been capable of put on most over-the-ear headphones for greater than half-hour as a result of they’re uncomfortable on my ears and make the perimeters of my head sweaty. I have been capable of put on the AirPods Max for a number of hours on lengthy flights as a result of the ear cushions are comfy and ventilate nicely. Due to this, these headphones are the proper library companion for deep focus forward of finals and mid-terms. 

The audio high quality of the AirPods Max is great, but it surely’s usually about the identical as that of different wi-fi over-the-ear headphones, which price $250-$350. You probably have a number of Apple gadgets, actually love audio or immersing your self in your favourite music or film, and are a frequent traveler, you then’re more likely to love the expertise of the AirPods Max. Simply remember the fact that you will in all probability additionally want a separate pair of earbuds for strolling exterior, figuring out, and sporting below a heat cap in chilly climate. 

Homeowners on Reddit say the AirPods Max is value it when you have $500 to spare. Some customers suggest ready for the following era of those headphones, although it is TBD when that subsequent era arrives. 

Learn the evaluate: AirPods Max evaluate

AirPods Max options: Kind: Over-ear | Chip: H1 | Battery life: 20 hours | Water resistant: Sure

The unique AirPods stay as iconic as ever. They’re nonetheless obtainable to buy within the upgraded 2nd-generation model, even when the newer generations of AirPods, just like the Professional 2s, have made this era much less widespread, in response to Reddit. Whereas they retail for $129, they usually go on sale for $99 at Amazon and different locations. With their stable sound, straightforward setup, capacity to connect with all of your Apple gadgets, and 5-hour battery life, the AirPods 2nd gen are a really simple purchase. 

A completely charged case can cost the AirPods 2nd gen as much as 5 instances. With as much as 5 hours of battery life on every cost, that leads to over 24 hours earlier than you want a full recharge of the case and the AirPods. 

Additionally: How I used the identical AirPods for 5 years straight (and you’ll, too)

Except for not having the most recent tech obtainable within the AirPods Professional 2, the most important disadvantage to those earbuds is that their onerous plastic ideas do not match into everybody’s ears and typically drop out. That is not ultimate, particularly for an costly product the place falling out may imply dropping an AirPod down a drain or a subway tunnel. So, I would suggest getting silicone ear ideas (similar to ) to maintain them extra securely in your ears — regardless that it may be a little bit of ache to have to hold the additional ear ideas and to take them on and off between makes use of.

In the event you can stay with their drawbacks, the AirPods 2nd gen is a superb first introduction to Apple’s wi-fi headphones. They’re a superb choice for college students who need earbuds within the Apple ecosystem however aren’t choosy about particular options or noise-canceling. 

AirPods (2nd Technology) options: Kind: In-ear | Chip: H1 | Battery life: 5 hours | Water resistant: No

The AirPods (third Technology) supply practically all the similar high-end audio options because the AirPods Professional 2 — apart from noise cancellation and transparency mode — however at a cheaper price of $169, or $179 with the wi-fi case, which is nicely value it. Which means you get spatial audio encompass sound, adaptive EQ utilizing Apple’s algorithms to regulate the sound high quality, higher dynamic vary, an additional 20% battery life per cost, and quicker charging whereas within the case. (5 minutes within the case provides an hour of utilization time.) 

These AirPods additionally combine extra controls straight into the stems. With the AirPods third gen, you’ll be able to press as soon as to play/pause or reply a name, twice to skip ahead, thrice to skip again, and press and maintain to activate Siri. These are the identical controls the AirPods Professional 2 have (minus the amount management gesture that does not work nicely).

The AirPods third gen suffers from the identical ear match points as the primary two generations of conventional AirPods. For some AirPods 3 homeowners on Reddit, the onerous plastic ideas will not keep in your ears or will fall out simply, relying on the form of your ears. I would suggest getting some silicone ear hooks, as talked about above, for the AirPods 2nd gen; nevertheless, the silicone ideas for the 2nd gen will not match the third gen due to the brand new design. So I would recommend getting for the AirPods third gen if these match loosely in your ears or have points falling out.

The AirPods third gen are usually the Apple headphones which can be the toughest to suggest. That is as a result of — if you would like the least costly entry into the AirPods expertise — the AirPods 2nd gen is a no brainer at $99. And in the event you’re in search of a extra superior pair with the most recent options and upgrades, you then need the AirPods Professional 2 — even at $249, they may very well be definitely worth the funding in the event you spend a number of hours a day with headphones on. The AirPods third gen sits uncomfortably within the center between these two merchandise. There are folks on the market preferring the standard onerous plastic match to the silicone ear ideas. In the event you’re a type of and need to get a lot of the options of the AirPods Professional 2 however need to save $70, these are those for you. 

Learn the evaluate: Apple AirPods (third Technology) evaluate

AirPods (third Technology) options: Kind: In-ear | Chip: H1 | Battery life: 6 hours | Water resistant: Sure