Apple AirPods: A complete buyer's guide for 2024

Buying Apple AirPods wireless earbuds can be confusing. There are three current models with similar names (and that look nearly identical), but each offers a different collection of features. And there’s a fourth model that looks nothing like the other three, with an over-the-ear style.

If you’ve had your eye on Apple AirPods wireless earbuds or the AirPods Max headphones, but have no clue which model to purchase, we’ve got you covered. This comprehensive buyer’s guide highlights all of the AirPod earbud and headphone models currently available for 2024 and explains the key differences between each of them.

Apple makes some of the most productive over-ear and spatial audio headphones you can buy. Apple recently offered four versions of the Apple AirPods, as well as a few other charging case configurations available for some of them. Its features include:

The Apple AirPods Pro (second generation), first released in 2022, are lately the premium wireless earbuds in Apple’s lineup. Out of the 3 options, this is the style we like the most, as it includes more features that allow the earbuds to produce particularly higher sound quality and overall performance. Its wireless charging case supports USB-C charging, new for 2023.

With those headphones, you get more features like adaptive audio, active noise cancellation, transparency mode, speech exchange recognition feature, and built-in touch controls. These AirPods use Apple’s next-generation H2 headphone chip. The AirPods Pro (second generation) have been upgraded to IP54 with a dust, sweat, and water resistance rating, making them a little more durable for gym headphones.

The most impressive feature added to this style of AirPods is active noise cancellation. This feature does a pretty clever job of dampening (and eliminating) ambient noise, even when you’re not listening to sound. When you listen to music or audio that supports it, ANC works together with Spatial Audio (with Dynamic Head Tracking) to provide lossless audio with ultra-low latency. As a result, the high-fidelity audio produced through those AirPods is much more immersive, robust, and realistic.

Compared to the original AirPods Pro, these offer twice as much active noise cancellation. And with Adaptive Audio and Transparency mode, you can maintain situational awareness or chat with others in the real world when needed. When you use those headphones and allow the Transparency or Conversation Awareness mode to have a verbal exchange with someone nearby, ANC still works in the background to decrease unwanted loud noises. In the meantime, these headphones will be informed and tailored to your personal tastes as you use them in various environments. As a result, enjoy your traditional audio features without having to tinker with the controls as much.

Another feature we like that’s built into the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) earbuds is the touch controls that you can use by tapping or swiping your finger along the passage of an earbud. Of course, you can also seamlessly switch between Apple devices and access Siri. However, you also have the option to ask Siri to read incoming text messages or emails, or alert you to press app-specific notifications while you’re dressed in AirPods.

Of the three AirPod models currently available, our advice is to choose the AirPods Pro (2nd generation). The good news is that although their recommended retail price is $249, we’ve seen them on sale for $200.

These wireless earbuds offer longer battery life than the original generation, as well as Siri compatibility. They take advantage of Apple’s H1 headphone chip. This allows them to pair seamlessly with your other Apple device and then transfer between devices, depending on the device you’ve been using lately. Array. You also get a wireless charging case. If your earbuds or case are lost, you can track them with Apple’s Find My service.

Of all the AirPod models available lately, those are the cheapest. However, they also lack many of the features of newer models. They’re not sweat or water resistant, don’t offer active noise cancellation (ANC), and lack space. Audio with dynamic head tracking.

The dual beamforming microphones allow for hands-free calling, but other Apple AirPods models will offer clearer conversations. Unless you’re on a tight budget, we’d suggest spending a little more on an upgraded AirPods model.

Currently, the Apple AirPods (third generation) are the mid-priced wireless earbuds in Apple’s lineup. They offer a physically more powerful feature set than the second-generation model, but they lack key features that make the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) incredible. option.

These third-generation AirPods offer adaptive equalizer and longer battery life than second-generation AirPods. They are IPX4 rated for sweat and water resistance. With those headphones, you also get additional built-in controls that can be accessed via a series of taps directly on the earbuds.

For someone who doesn’t need to splurge on the AirPods Pro (2nd generation), these offer a great collection of features, as well as smart sound quality. Like all AirPods, the capability for them is built into iOS, iPadOS, MacOS, and WatchOS operating systems, with quick access to services from Control Center.

Between the second and third generations, you get longer battery life, sweat and water resistance, and spatial audio support, all of which are three features that most users will appreciate.

Available in five colors, AirPods Max are full-size over-ear wireless earbuds (not earbuds) that offer all the features of AirPods Pro (second generation), but many of them provide excellent comfort. Immersive listening experience.

Among the features that make these headphones stand out are their active noise cancellation, personalized spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, adaptive EQ, their ability to generate high-fidelity audio and their onboard controls. You also get 40mm drivers that are able to produce even fuller sounding audio than AirPods earbuds. However, these headphones are not sweat and water resistant. The silicone rubber “smart case” that comes with them is designed to protect the headphone’s earcups only.

From a comfort perspective, the AirPods Max have padded earcups that form a seal around the ears thanks to memory foam. You also get a lightweight headband that provides a comfortable fit and fits virtually any head length and shape. The earbuds are made from durable stainless steel, while the outside of the earbuds is made of anodized aluminum. Like AirPods, AirPods Max can be controlled using features built into the operating system of iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and all Macs. On board the right earbud is a virtual crown that you can press or twist to perform seamless tasks, such as answering a call or adjusting the volume of the audio you’re listening to.

Unlike other wireless noise-cancelling headphones from other brands on the market (which also work with your other Apple devices, adding your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, MacBook, and/or iMac), the AirPods Max don’t have an on/off button. switch. . . Instead, they automatically turn on and pair with the Apple device you’re on as soon as you place them on your head. These headphones use Apple’s H1 chip (not the H2) in each earbud. On the back of the right earbud, the AirPods Max have a Lightning port for charging (not USB Type-C).

The AirPods Max are definitely premium earbuds and their value reflects that (even when they’re on sale). What we like about these earbuds is that Apple users get advantages from a variety of exclusive features, such as automatic pairing with other Apple devices and the ability to track the location of the earbuds using the Apple Find My service. Yes, the sound quality presented through those headphones is really impressive, especially when you pay attention to content that supports Dolthrough Atmos or spatial audio. This, combined with dynamic head tracking and active noise cancellation, provides a peak point of immersion that is dazzling when watching videos or listening to certain high-production music.

AirPods Max also perform an impressive task when you use them for hands-free calls, video calls, or virtual meetings. In fact, the headset comes with nine microphones in total.

That said, the value of the AirPods Max is high, given that you can seamlessly buy high-end headphones from high-end audio brands like Sony, Bose, Bang.

Originally, all AirPods earbuds came with a charging case that needed to be plugged in and charged using a Lightning port cable. For some of the more recently released models, Apple has opted for wireless charging boxes that include MagSafe, Qi wireless charging, and USB. Type C. These boxes can also be charged with an Apple Watch charger.

If you head over to Amazon and within the Search field enter “AirPods Accessories,” you’ll discover a variety of non-Apple products designed to work with the popular earbuds. Some of the more practical accessories include ear hooks, a wireless transmitter that allows you to use your AirPods with an airplane’s seat back entertainment system, and multi-device charging pads that will allow you to recharge your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods at the same time while reducing cable clutter. There are also protective outer skins for the AirPods charging cases.

These adjustable ear hooks slide over the stems of your AirPods and then wrap around the outer ear to hold them more firmly in position when doing physical activities or workouts.

This accessory offers an affordable way to prevent the earbuds from slipping out of your ears while running outdoors and sweat making them more slippery.

The design of these ear hooks allows them to be custom fitted around your ears in seconds, yet the material they’re made from ensures ongoing comfort even during extended listening sessions.

If you’re flying on advertising airlines, the Twelve South AirFly Pro is a small device that plugs into the 3. 5mm headphone jack built into the armrest or the entertainment formula on the back of your airplane seat.

Once turned on and plugged in, it allows you to wirelessly pair your AirPods with the airline’s entertainment system, so you can pay attention to the audio from videos or video systems provided through the airline.

Using this device allows you can take advantage of the noise cancellation feature that’s built into the AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) from your airplane seat and not have to deal with an annoying cable.

This device can also be used to wirelessly pair two sets of AirPods with a single iPhone or iPad. Plus, it works with the built-in 3. 5mm headphone jack found on some workout equipment found in gyms.

Once fully charged, the AirFly Pro’s rechargeable battery will stay in operation for up to 25 hours.

Dress up your AirPods case in style with this fitted leather jacket.

It comes in colors, comes with a 0. 51-foot cord, and is made of stylish, eco-tanned leather.

Bellroy offers AirPod jackets for the AirPods 3rd Generation and AirPods Pro (2nd Generation), so be sure to choose the right version, since it’s tailored to provide a precise fit.

If you’re an Apple iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods user, there are a variety of 3-in-1 wireless charging stands that allow you to charge all three devices as a single power outlet.

One of yours is this 3-in-1 wireless charger from Belkin that can be seamlessly installed on any flat surface, such as a table or nightstand.

Because this charging stand uses Qi-enabled wireless charging pads, it can also be used with other smartphone models. This is a convenient way to keep your Apple devices charged while virtually eliminating cable clutter.

We like this 3-in-1 charger from Belkin because it offers a clean and modern design. It’s also well-built. And while an Apple Watch is charging, it stays on its side so you can take advantage of the watch’s nightstand mode.

When it comes to buying wireless headphones, it has a ton of wonderful features from brands like Sony, Bose, Bang.

Before we get into what makes the style of the Apple AirPods stand out, here’s a look at the features and purposes they all have in common:

First and foremost, AirPods are wireless earbuds designed to provide a transparent and physically powerful audio listening experience, whether it’s listening to music, podcasts, audiobooks, TV or movie audio, game audio, or any other type of audio content.

When you buy a new pair of AirPods, Apple includes a free six-month subscription to Apple Music. This gives you on-demand access to over a hundred million songs, without having to listen to ads. With Apple Music, you can pay attention to your favorite songs or playlists online or offline. Plus, all songs produced in Dolby Atmos will sound amazing when you take advantage of the spatial audio feature built into the third-generation AirPods and AirPods Pro (second-generation).

Unlike most wireless earbuds, you don’t need a separate mobile app to manage your AirPods. The capability for them is built into iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and WatchOS operating systems. As a result, you can listen to any audio generated from any iPhone. , iPad, MacBook, iMac, or Apple Watch without having to install any special drivers.

All AirPods model the Siri virtual assistant when paired with an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, MacBook, or iMac. This allows you to control your music and audio streaming using voice commands. You can also initiate hands-free calls and dictate text messages. , factor Siri’s voice commands, or ask Siri questions while wearing at least one AirPod.

When at least one AirPod is in one ear and paired with your iPhone, you can participate in hands-free calls. However, when making video calls or virtual meetings through any computer or Apple cellular device, using AirPods allows you to be heard more obviously and also hear everything that is happening. If you’re in a noisy area, the AirPods will help with some of that ambient noise.

Once you initially pair new AirPods with one of your Apple devices, the earbuds will then automatically pair with all of your other compatible Apple equipment. Then, as you switch between your Apple mobile devices and computers, your AirPods will automatically pair with whichever device you’re actively using.

With the exception of the second-generation AirPods earbuds and AirPods Max earbuds, other AirPods models are sweat and water resistant. However, the AirPods Pro offer a superior IP rating, which means they’re even more resistant to dust, water, and sweat. This doesn’t mean you have to drop them in the water or wear them while swimming. But if they get wet, you may not hurt them. If you want to leave your AirPods blank (which we recommend you do from time to time), Apple’s online page offers tips on what types of erase products you can use to prevent damage to the earbuds or their case.

All AirPods have Bluetooth wireless connectivity, so they can be paired with compatible Apple and non-Apple devices.

If you misplace or leave your AirPods behind, use the Find My service to locate them temporarily. You can do this from any Apple device that has the Find My app installed, or stop on the iCloud website using any internet browser from any connected PC. Connect to the internet, sign in with your Apple ID username and password, and then choose the Find My feature.

To learn more about your other wireless headphone and earbud options, our in-house consumer technology and audio experts are here to help. Be sure to check out our coverage of the 11 best spatial audio headphones and earbuds for 2024 and our roundup of the best over-the-ear noise cancelling headphones.

Apple AirPods: A complete buyer’s guide for 2024

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