Apple's AirPods make up one of its most well-known product lines — if you've ever been out and about in a city near you, it's almost impossible to go a meter without spotting a pair. But which AirPods are the best AirPods, and which are the best for you?
We've spent many hours testing every single AirPods model, listening to music, comparing fit, and wearing them on approximately 1 million trips to the office to give the ANC a fair shake. At the end of it all, the AirPods Pro 2 and their incredible noise-canceling take the AirPods cake, with the AirPods 4 and Max taking second and third place respectively.
Of course, there are some things that you get as standard with all AirPods that easily make them some of the best wireless headphones around. For one, they connect effortlessly with your iPhone and other Apple devices, and work seamlessly once you've hooked them up. They now all feature USB-C ports, which is a big bonus, and the line has been simplified now that the AirPods 4 and their ANC option have been added.
Now let's break down the best AirPods, and explain why they might work for you.
The Quick List
Best overall
Apple's flagship AirPods Pro 2 USB-C are its best-ever AirPods. They take performance to the next level for iOS users thanks to a raft of personalized audio enhancements, strong noise-canceling and dynamic sound.
Best value
The new AirPods 4 pack in loads of features for a very solid price. There are two versions that you can pick up — a cheaper version, and then a more expensive model with ANC and a wireless charging case.
Best headphones
The AirPods Max are Apple's most expensive headphones, but the plush design and comfortable fit give them a luxury feel which only grows once you start playing music, making it hard to take them off.
The best AirPods you can buy right now
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Best AirPods overall
We've continued to be blown away by the AirPods Pro 2 since they launched in September 2022. Updated to USB-C version in 2023, they are without doubt the best earbuds with active noise-cancelation for iPhone users, and the most versatile model for all kinds of lifestyles. This next-gen model brings significant upgrades to the popular original AirPods Pro to take performance to the next level. Externally, they look pretty similar to the first generation (below), but battery life has been increased to offer 6 hours on a single charge from the earbuds and a further 30 hours from the wireless charging case.
Designed for iPhone owners looking for a more tailored listening experience, we think the AirPods Pro 2 are the pinnacle of Apple technology. While testing them out for all kinds of active lifestyle activities, we found that the fit had been improved to the point where they're a viable option for the best sports headphones and suitable for runners and gym workouts alike. The latest USB-C version introduced IP54 certification on both the buds and charging case for protection from dirt and moisture.
On the audio front, Apple has included a new H2 chip with custom amp and driver that delivers better lower and higher frequencies, and you can use the iPhone's TrueDepth camera to create a personalized spatial audio sound to listen to some of the best Dolby Atmos sound in any pair of earbuds. Noise cancellation is double what the original AirPods Pro offered and is among the best we’ve yet to experience.
A recent software update has added new features, including Adaptive Audio that blends ANC and Transparency Adaptive mode to create the best sound profile possible.
- Read our full Apple AirPods Pro 2 review
Best Apple AirPods for value
The AirPods 4 are the latest AirPods in the stable, and they've brought some big updates to the table. For one, there's now an option to buy a pair with ANC, although you do have to pay slightly more for the privilege. That noise canceling isn't as good as the AirPods Pro 2, but it's a great way to isolate yourself from the outside world so that you can listen to your music without distractions. Sound quality is excellent too, and fits with the current AirPod's neutral-sounding signature that makes for a very pleasing lesson.
The fit is good as well, particularly if you don't like the silicon ear tips that come with the AirPods Pro 2. The case is small and compact, and if you go for the more expensive ANC model you get a wireless charging coil inside so that you can charge them without a cable.
Speaking of cables — you don't get one in the box, which is a shame. Thankfully you've probably already got one, given that there's now a USB-C port on the bottom of the case.
The price is the best bit of the AirPods 4. The base model costs just $129, and you get Spatial Audio to sweeten the deal. The ANC model costs $179, the same price that you could buy the AirPods 4 for when they where new. Those prices make them the top pick for the best-value AirPods, rounding out the line perfectly.
- 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. It’s worth noting that if you ever want to switch to wired listening you’ll need to buy a separate $35 Lightning cable, but on Bluetooth alone, Apple's first over-ear headphones are an excellent iOS companion.
- Read our full Apple AirPods Max review
Apple AirPods specs compared
| Header Cell - Column 0 | AirPods 4 | AirPods 4 with ANC | AirPods Pro 2 | 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 | 6 hours | 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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