While Apple is best known for laptops, smartphones, and tablets, they also make sleek headphones with a minimalist design. Their 'AirPods' audio products are designed to integrate seamlessly into the Apple ecosystem. It's not an expansive product line, and their headphones have limited functionality on Android; still, AirPods effectively deliver the simple yet premium user experience that Apple is known for.
Updates
- 04/22/2026Apple AirPods Max 2 reviewed
- 10/14/2025Apple AirPods Pro 3 reviewed
- 12/05/2024Apple AirPods Pro 2 updated
- 11/20/2024Apple AirPods 4 reviewed
- 11/14/2024Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation reviewed
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You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
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Best AirPods Earbuds
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are the best Apple AirPods we've tested. Their ANC performs among the best we've tested across the whole frequency range, so they do an outstanding job of reducing noise during your commute or at the office. By default, they have a slightly warm sound profile suitable for various genres and types of content, though your personal experience depends on how Apple's 'Adaptive EQ' adapts to the buds' fit and your ear shape. They also have a brand-specific 'Spatial Audio' virtual surround sound feature that can create a more immersive listening experience.
These earbuds have a comfortable and stable fit for long listening sessions. Their roughly 9-hour battery life is a big improvement over the previous generation's 5.9 hours, although the case now holds two additional charges instead of four. On the plus side, the case has a chip that allows you to find it using the 'Find My' app if you misplace it. The Pro 3 additionally offer hearing-related features such as a hearing test, hearing protection, and hearing aid functionality. This generation also adds a heart rate monitor and an improved IP57 rating, making the Pro 3 a solid choice for jogs outdoors.
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Best Mid-Range AirPods Earbuds
If you don't tend to like how in-ears fit, the Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation are the best Apple earbuds we've tested. They feature the unlikely but welcome pairing of an open-back design with an ANC system. While many people appreciate the looser fit, it can reduce stability. It also means the buds don't form a seal in your ear, like the Apple AirPods Pro 3, so the ANC system has to do a lot of heavy lifting to reduce sounds like bus engines and background conversations. Still, the noise isolation performance is solid, especially for open-back buds, and they also come with ANC-related features like 'Transparency mode' and 'Adaptive Audio,' which lets you choose from three noise control levels.
These earbuds have a warm sound signature, largely because of the softened treble range. In the bass region, kicks and 808s aren't brimming with thump, but there's enough mid-bass punch to keep them feeling substantial. The balanced mid-range helps render vocals and podcast content naturally, but the roll-off in the treble range won't be to everyone's taste. As with the AirPods Pro 3, you get access to 'Spatial Audio,' which can add extra width and dimension to your audio. Their 4.5 hours of continuous battery life isn't the longest, but they charge quickly, and there are an extra four charges from the case.
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Best Affordable AirPods Earbuds
If you're looking for the cheapest way into Apple's wireless earbud lineup, consider the Apple AirPods 4. They have similar specs as the Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, except they don't have ANC. They feature the same one-size-fits-all design, which should fit comfortably in most ears, but they're liable to fall out if your ears are especially large or small. Their open-back design lets in a lot of external noise, which is less than ideal if you prefer to commute in peace. That said, if you'd like to remain aware of your environment, these buds come in at a significant discount compared to their ANC-equipped sibling.
The lack of ANC also translates to longer battery life, with a little under seven hours on a single charge and four more charges from the case. When it comes to sound, these AirPods offer a smooth, warm sound. There's a roll-off in the low bass that robs kick drums of some thump, but the mid-range is remarkably accurate, so vocals and lead instruments are reproduced with just the right amount of detail. The treble range sounds quite veiled by comparison, though, with sounds like cymbals sounding muted and dull. Still, some people prefer that more vintage presentation. As with the ANC variant, you get 'Spatial Audio' for a more immersive virtual soundstage.
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Best Apple Headphones
The Apple AirPods Max 2 are the best Apple headphones we've tested. They're the follow-up to the original Apple AirPods Max, and Apple hasn't changed much with the second generation. They keep the same sleek, sturdy metal design. In fact, replacement earpads from the first generation are still compatible with the second generation. The main upgrade is their outstanding active noise cancelling system. The original model already performed superbly, but the improvement here is still noticeable. These headphones do a fantastic job of reducing everything from engine rumble to ambient chit-chat. They also last around 22 hours continuously, and Apple advertises that a 5-minute quick charge gives you up to 1.5 hours of extra playback.
In terms of sound, they have a similar warm profile to the originals. It's versatile and works well with most kinds of audio, and you can tweak their sound with the three-band EQ included with iOS 27 (and newer). Unfortunately, Apple has also kept one of the biggest drawbacks from the first generation: you can't turn them off. Even when you put them in the carrying case, they only enter a low-power mode. And the carrying case itself remains underwhelming. It's just a sleeve that covers the ear cups and offers very little protection. That's disappointing for a flagship pair of over-ears. If you're an Apple fan looking for over-ear headphones, these are the best option. However, the improvements over the first generation are modest, so if you can find the originals at a discount, they're still worth considering.
Compared To Other Brands
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Seamless integration with Apple devices.
Apple's wireless headphones feature proprietary chips, allowing them to pair seamlessly with your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. You can also purchase their wired earbuds with a Lightning or USB-C connector instead of a regular audio jack for compatibility with newer iPhones that don't have a headphone jack.
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Compact yet comfortable earbud and in-ear options.
Their earbud and in-ear models are ultra-compact and easy to carry. The AirPods and AirPods Pro product lines have a lightweight earbud design that makes them barely noticeable once in your ears. The over-ear AirPods Max models are also quite comfortable on the head, but they tend to weigh more.
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Open-back and closed-back models available.
Apple is among the few brands with open- and closed-back earphone options. While the open-back EarPods and AirPods aren't always great if you're looking to block out noise while traveling or listening to bass-heavy music, many people prefer their looser fit.
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Few customization options.
Apple prides itself on delivering a simple, intuitive user experience, but this comes at the expense of customizability. Many high-end headphones have expansive custom EQs and deeply adjustable controls and behavior. However, Apple's wireless headphones still have limited customization, even when paired with an Apple device, though iOS 27 introduced a three-band EQ.
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Mediocre controls.
Since Apple's headphones are designed to complement their other products, their controls are generally not fully compatible with products from other brands. Some important functions, like live translation and voice assistant activation, aren't usable when connected to non-Apple devices.
Apple vs Bose
Bose and Apple are strong competitors in the world of premium in-ears, and often trade blows at the top of many 'best of' lists. While Apple's headphones offer seamless integration with the rest of the brand's product ecosystem, Bose provides more variety in its lineup, with better customizability and a top-of-the-line active noise cancellation (ANC) system that's on par with Apple's best performers. For more info, check out our article on the best Bose headphones.
Apple vs Sennheiser
Sennheiser and Apple both produce premium earbuds for everyday use. However, Sennheiser has a greater variety of products. You can find everything from gym earbuds to audiophile-standard, wired over-ears, many of which focus on sound quality and offer a wider set of features. However, the design and controls of their earbuds aren't as intuitive as Apple's. You can see more info on this brand in our article on the best Sennheiser headphones.
Apple vs Google
Google and Apple manufacture earbuds designed to pair seamlessly with other products in their respective ecosystems. Google's buds are a little less pricey than Apple's and feel slightly less premium in general. However, they're more customizable and have wider compatibility across a variety of operating systems. Ultimately, the right choice depends on which ecosystem you already use.
Apple vs Bowers & Wilkins
Bowers & Wilkins focuses on high-end speakers and headphones for audiophiles, while Apple makes consumer electronics designed around its device ecosystem. While both produce high-end headphones, Apple headphones tend to have better battery life and more seamless controls with Apple devices. However, Apple doesn't offer many customization settings for their audio products.
Apple vs Beats
Apple currently owns Beats. Since Apple purchased the brand, Beats has released select models equipped with Apple staples like their proprietary chips and 'Spatial Audio.' Unlike Apple, Beats has expanded to include more substantial app support for Android devices. While originally known for delivering excited and bass-heavy sound profiles, Beats now releases headphones with more balanced tunings. To find out more, check out our article on the best Beats headphones.
Apple makes compact, portable earbuds and in-ear headphones suitable for casual, daily use. They're comfortable and easy to use with other Apple products. The over-ear AirPods Max line also sets Apple apart from competitors by using premium materials. Unfortunately, the company's commitment to simplicity results in mediocre controls and a lack of customization options. Their lineup is small, and most of their products look more or less the same. Still, they have open- and closed-back models, which is rare.
Lineup
Apple's headphones lineup is relatively small. They offer one pair of over-ear headphones and one pair of wired buds. The rest of their limited selection consists of wireless earbuds and in-ears sold under the AirPods name, with a few notable subcategories:
- AirPods: Apple's standard true wireless earbuds, including their lowest-cost wireless models, with an open-back, rigid plastic build that fits in your inner ear.
- AirPods Pro: Closed-back premium in-ear earbuds with a plastic frame and silicone ear tips that fit into your ear canal. They feature ANC, Adaptive EQ, and support Spatial Audio with compatible content.
- AirPods Max: Premium over-ear headphones with a minimalist plastic and metal build. They feature ANC and Adaptive EQ and support Spatial Audio with compatible content.
- EarPods: Inexpensive wired earbuds that fit similarly to AirPods and are made of white hard plastic.
Recent Updates
Jul 17, 2026:
We've streamlined the text and updated out-of-date sections, including a mention of iOS 27's new 3-band EQ. Our picks are still in stock and relevant.
May 27, 2026:
We've edited the text for brevity in a couple of places. We also confirmed that all picks are still available and relevant.
Apr 22, 2026:
The Apple AirPods Max 2 replace the original Apple AirPods Max as our over-ears headphones pick for their superior ANC performance. But the originals are still a worthwhile purchase if you don't need top-tier noise isolation.
Apr 01, 2026:
We edited this text for clarity, but haven't changed our picks. We also added a mention of the upcoming Apple AirPods Max 2.
Jan 16, 2026:
We checked that all our picks are still accurate and in stock, and edited our comparison table.
Conclusion
Apple is known for its commitment to simplicity, with products that work smoothly without requiring many setup steps or manual adjustments. They don't have many models in their lineup, but the headphones they've released fit the company's vision and perform well overall. Their headphones have sleek, minimalist designs and tend to sound good. However, they can get quite pricey, especially the more feature-packed models, though their wired earphones are still affordable.
Many Apple users have experienced issues when they accidentally switched their audio to mono. Check out our article What is Mono Audio? to make sure you're not making this same mistake.