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AirPods are perhaps some of the most recognisable earbuds and headphones on the market — but how do you decide which are the best AirPods for you? I've put together this list of all the AirPods you can buy today so that you can work our which you should put in your pocket (or backpack).
I'm a massive fan of AirPods, and I've spent hundreds of hours testing each model to get a clear picture of what they're capable of. That includes wearing them while working in my home office, trying out the ANC with daily walks, and then using them on buses and trains to really test out their noise-canceling ability. AirPods manage to ace our tests with flying colors for the most part, but it's the compatibility and interoperability between them and other Apple products that really make them worth your time.
What about the AirPods Max 2? The AirPods Max 2 have just been announced by Apple, and they're coming very soon — but we're not quite sure where they're going to land on the list. The moment we've finished testing them, we'll pop them here with our verdict.
The best AirPods you can buy right now
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Best AirPods overall
The AirPods Pro line has long been the best and most well-rounded of the AirPods models. They undercut key rivals like Sony and Bose in price, while providing excellent features — if you’re an iPhone user, of course. The AirPods Pro 3 are just the next in a long line of epic buds, and they come with even more features and quality of life updates that mean they retain their place at the top of the list.
This next-generation update brings improvements to the fit, sound, and even the design to make sure they still sit on the throne. We’ve now had plenty of time to test them, and, as you might expect, they live up to our lofty expectations. The improved fit makes them more comfortable and secure, and the XS tips are a godsend if you’ve got smaller ears. That also improves the seal, and by extension, the ANC.
The ANC is about as good as you can get without spending $50 extra on a model with a Bose logo on the case. It does a wonderful job of keeping unwanted sounds at bay, making sure that your train journeys are relaxing and noise-free. Even better, this extra ANC performance hasn’t made a dent in the battery performance. Instead, its even better than before, with 8 hours of ANC on time. Switch over to the similarly excellent transparency mode and the battery life rises to 10 hours.
The sound has changed course this time around, and this is where the results are slightly more mixed. They sound good — to most people, brilliant even. To the more sound-conscious, they’re a little rich and lack a speck of detail, but that’s only if you’re being picky.
Then there are all the Apple-only features, like the built-in heart rate monitor for fitness fanatics. It works… fine, although I never found a use for it. More useful are Hearing Aid and adaptive audio, which are great for people who have hearing loss. Those features are only available to Apple device users, mind you. Still, the AirPods Pro 3 are currently the best AirPods overall, balancing great features with a solid price.
- Read our full Apple AirPods Pro 3 review
Best Apple AirPods for value
The AirPod 4 are the newest AirPods on the list, released in October 2024. They replace the AirPods 2 and the AirPods 3 at the same time, bringing two different versions with slightly different features at unique price points. There's a version with ANC, which cost $179, and a version without that cost $129. There are more differences besides that, although both get Spatial Audio and USB-C charging.
When I tested the AirPods 4, I loved the price point, the looks of the buds, and the noise canceling of the cheaper option. I was massively surprised in fact by how much noise the ANC pair where capable of blocking out. Most comparable options with open fits struggle, but Apple's ANC algorithm is a very clever one that does a great job of keeping you clear of noise. That's not to say that I liked everything — the sound for me was an issue, with sibilant highs and a lack of bass impact.
Our tester in the AirPods 4 review, however, liked the way that the AirPods 4 sounded. They also commented on the quality of the ANC, like me, and they also liked the small size of the case. There where a couple of negatives that we both agreed on, however — most notably the battery life. While the 30 hours of battery is pretty good in the case, the ANC version only last for 4 hours in the buds alone. Thats half that you'll find in the Sony WH-1000XM5, and 2 hours less than the AirPods Pro 2. You do get a little more out of the non ANC version, to the tune of 5 hours, but it's still not amazing.
The fit as well is divisive. Some will like their more open fit, while I found it just made them harder to keep situated in my ears. If you like a more open fit though, you'll like the AirPods 4.
It's the price which keeps them in contention though — for under $200, they are a great option for grabbing a new pair of AirPods.
- Read our full AirPods 4 review
Best AirPods headphones
The AirPods Max recently received a slight (if disappointing refresh) in the form of the AirPods Max with USB-C. Apart from the new charging port to allay the concerns of the European Commission and a selection of new colors, the new AirPods Max are identical to the previous model. What remains is still an excellent pair of over-ear noise-canceling headphones, with a very comfortable fit, and some brilliant noise-canceling. Colorful too, with a new color lineup that consists of Blue, Purple, Midnight, Starlight, and Orange.
On a purely technical level, Apple’s first over-ear cans sound absolutely fantastic. Active noise canceling performs well enough for the AirPods Max to rank as one of the best noise-canceling headphones on the market. Spatial Audio sound on the AirPods Max is superb, and head tracking creates a striking surround sound effect as you move your head.
The 20-hour battery life with ANC remains pretty healthy compared to rivals, although it is one of the areas we're hoping to see improved when the rumored AirPods Max 2 arrive. The USB-C cable can also be used to listen wired as well, with support for hi-res lossless audio. It's a nice bonus, and a step up over the Lightning version of the headphones.
- Read our full Apple AirPods Max review
Which AirPods should I buy right now?
The AirPods product cycle is an interesting one. There's always something coming around the corner, be that a refresh of the affordable model or a complete redesign of the premium pair. To make sure that you're not going to get caught out by the release schedule, I've created a scale of "buyability" for the AirPods. The newer they are, the safer a buy they are. The older and the more rumors that subsist around their refresh the less safe you are.
Last updated: March 2026
Should you buy AirPods Pro 3 today?
The AirPods Pro 3 are brand new, and its unlikely we're going to see some form of newer version anytime soon. That means you're safe to buy the AirPods Pro 3 right now, without fear of obselencance. Still, watch out for an even more premium option launching at some point with cameras in the buds.
Verdict: Safe buy
Should you buy AirPods 4 today?
The AirPods 4 have now been out for a couple of years, but there are no signs that they're being replaced quite yet. Instead, it means you're more likely to find mega price drops to save you some money.
Verdict: Safe buy
Should you buy AirPods Max today?
They've finally been announced — the AirPods Max 2 are real! That means you absolutely shouldn't pick up a pair of the AirPods Max, especially if you're looking for the latest and greatest. You don't have long to wait!
Verdict: Hold off until March 25
Apple AirPods specs compared
| Header Cell - Column 0 | AirPods 4 | AirPods 4 with ANC | AirPods Pro 3 | AirPods Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Price | $129 / £129/ AU$219 | $169 / £179/ AU$299 | $249 / £249 / AU$399 | $549 / £549 / AU$899 |
Battery life (rated) | 6 hours | 5 hours | 10 | 20 hours |
ANC | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Spatial audio with head tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Hey Siri | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Water resistance | Yes (IP54) | Yes (IP54) | Yes (IPX4-rated) | No |
ALSO TESTED...
Our audio experts at Tom’s Guide have actively tested the entire AirPods line since their debut in 2016 and continue to do so with every new entry. Not every release can be included in our rankings due to lack of availability, discontinuation or below standard performance. That doesn’t mean these omissions aren’t worth checking out, depending on your needs or budget. The picks in this guide are the very best we've tested and have all been given full reviews. These alternatives have all been through our rigorous testing processes, though they fall short of our top rankings.
How to choose the best AirPods for you
Many factors come into play when shopping for the best headphones, but your decision should always come down to intended use. That being said, you’ll want to take the following categories into account before settling on any pair.
Design: Are you looking for in-ear, on-ear or over-ear headphones? Wired or wireless? Luxury or sporty? Since these are headphones that will be used for multiple occasions, you want something that suits your lifestyle. Whatever type you choose, make sure the headphones are well built, easy to carry, and comfy to wear for about 1 to 2 hours daily.
Sound quality: Different models offer different sound, and since you’re buying a pair to enjoy music individually, it’s important to find headphones that match your sound preference, be it heavy bass or distinctively clear to where you can hear the littlest nuances in recordings.
Battery life: We've criticized Apple's battery life in the past, which went from 5 hours to 6 hours with the arrival of AirPods 3 and Pro 2 models, whereas many rivals models run from 8 to 12 hours typically. While the AirPods Max offer 20 hours with ANC enabled, new over-ear designs typically manage around 30 hours of playback time with ANC. Although the AirPods haven't given the strongest playback times we've seen compared to rivals, the real-world durations have remained consistent and we haven't noticed any decrease in capacity with usage over time.
Accessories: It's disappointing spending money on a new pair of headphones only to find that you need to buy the accessories separately. For AirPods 3 and Pro 2 models you'll probably want to add one of our best wireless chargers, although a Lightning charging cable is supplied there's no USB adapter. Additionally, it’s worth noting that if you ever want to switch to wired listening on the AirPods Max, you’ll need to buy a separate $35 Lightning cable, and you may also want to consider one of our best AirPods Max cases and covers to offer better protection than the pouch that's supplied.
Pricing considerations: Obviously, price is a big consideration when looking for the best headphones. Although there are always exceptions, big-name brands will typically command a bit extra, but generally speaking, the less you spend on a pair of headphones the greater the chance that sound and features will be compromised. Going for a budget option isn't always the best choice, as any money you save on your purchase won't do you much good if you're constantly needing to recharge your audio gear, or the sound quality is poor.
As the saying goes: timing is everything; and right now it's worth checking out our best AirPods deals to help you pick up a pair of Apple headphones for less.
How we test the best AirPods headphones
With more than 30 years of experience in testing and reviewing consumer audio products for all kinds of media outlets and big-name brands around the world, the Tom's Guide audio team follows a rigorous test regime when it comes to determining the best products for recommendation in our buying guides.
In determining the best AirPods, we consider fit, battery life, sound quality, design and value (are they worth the price?). We also factor in features like how well the controls work and how easily the earbuds pair with our playback devices.
In terms of sound quality, we listen to many sample tracks that span a number of genres, including hip-hop, rock, jazz, classical and R&B, while evaluating volume, clarity and fullness. We also make phone calls to assess both call quality and microphone performance.
To discover more information on what we listen for during our testing and reviewing process, take a look at our companion page on how to get the best headphone sound for you.
During the testing phase, our reviewers wear each pair of headphones for several hours at a time throughout the course of a week. Reviewers will make a note of the battery life performance in real world use, and assess how well this matches the rated battery life provided by earbud makers.
Star ratings explained:
We evaluate earbuds based on a five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = best). If a product hits nearly every mark, it’s awarded a coveted Recommended badge, while our Best Value award speaks for itself. Only products with truly exceptional performance across the board are awarded an Editor's Choice badge.
For more information, check out our how we test page for Tom's Guide.
Contributions from Alex Bracetti, Nick Pino, Sherri L. Smith, James Archer
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