- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Review Updates
- Best Earbuds
- Best Affordable
- Best Headphones
- Comparison
- Lineup
- Page Updates
- Conclusion
- Comments
While Apple is best known for laptops, smartphones, and tablets, they also make sleek headphones with a minimalist design. Their headphones are geared toward people who already use Apple products and fit seamlessly into the Apple ecosystem. Their lineup isn't very extensive, and they have limited functionality on Android, but they effectively deliver the simple yet premium user experience that Apple is known for.
Updates
- 11/20/2024 Apple AirPods 4 Truly Wireless reviewed
- 11/14/2024 Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Truly Wireless reviewed
- 01/26/2024 Apple AirPods Max Wireless updated
- 11/27/2023 Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless updated
- 10/03/2023 Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Truly Wireless updated
Best Apple Headphones
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Best Apple Earbuds
Neutral Sound7.4Commute/Travel8.1Sports/Fitness8.3Office7.2Wireless Gaming5.7Wired Gaming5.5Phone Calls6.3Type In-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless Truly WirelessTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling YesMic YesThe Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are the best Apple earbuds we've tested. These earbuds are the updated version of the Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless and offer a few improvements on their predecessor. Their ANC delivers better overall performance, so they do an excellent job of reducing noise during your commute or at the office. By default, they have a warm sound profile suitable for various genres and types of content. The manufacturer advertises their 'Adaptive EQ' to adjust their sound profile based on the buds' fit and your ear shape. They also have a 'Spatial Audio' virtual surround sound feature to create a more immersive listening experience. However, like other Apple headphones, they lack customization features like an EQ.
They have a comfortable and stable fit for long listening sessions. They don't leak a lot of noise, either, so you can crank up the volume without annoying those around you. The earbuds' onboard controls now provide clicky feedback and include a volume function, which the original model lacks. Their roughly 5.9 hours of continuous battery life is a small improvement over the previous generation's, although the case now holds four charges instead of five. On the plus side, the case has a U1 chip that allows you to find it using the 'Find My' app if you misplace it.
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Best Affordable Apple Headphones
Neutral Sound6.6Commute/Travel6.0Sports/Fitness7.8Office6.0Wireless Gaming5.4Wired Gaming5.3Phone Calls5.9Type EarbudsEnclosure Open-BackWireless Truly WirelessTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling NoMic YesIf you're looking for the best of Apple's more affordable offerings, consider the Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Truly Wireless. While they aren't cheap, products in the AirPods line-up are more budget-friendly than AirPods Pro models. They have an open-back design and lack ANC, so they aren't well-suited for use in noisy places. The 2nd generation AirPods are also missing some features compared to the newer 3rd generation, like button-type controls, adaptive EQ, and support for Apple Music's 'Spatial Audio' Feature. However, they have a smaller in-ear profile and a more comfortable fit for most people, which gives them a leg up over their successors. While their sound lacks bass, they have a very accurate mid-range response that's well-suited for content like podcasts or classical music.
They have an H1 chip for easier pairing with other Apple products and low latency with iOS devices, so you won't notice audio lag while watching a video on your iPhone. They block out virtually no ambient sound, but that can be a plus if you like to stay aware of your surroundings when walking around. Unfortunately, at around four hours, they have the shortest battery life of all the products listed here. That said, they come with a small case that holds five extra charges. If you want to avoid running out of power or want a less expensive option, the Apple EarPods are basic, cheap, wired earbuds. Like the AirPods, they don't block out environmental sound (because their one-size-fits-most design lacks ear tips) and don't reproduce much bass, so they work best for content like audiobooks.
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Best Apple Headphones
Neutral Sound7.5Commute/Travel7.8Sports/Fitness7.0Office7.2Wireless Gaming5.5Wired Gaming7.0Phone Calls6.4Type Over-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless YesTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling YesMic YesThe Apple AirPods Max Wireless are the best Apple headphones we've tested. These iconic over-ears stand out from the rest of the lineup thanks to their sleek aluminum frames, which, unlike AirPods, are available in trendy colorways like pink and blue. They have an outstanding active noise cancelling (ANC) feature that can reduce bass-range noise like bus or plane engines, ambient chatter, and higher-pitched sounds like the hum of an A/C unit. Their aluminum build makes them feel sturdy, and their neutral sound profile offers a touch of extra thump and rumble that EDM and hip-hop fans will especially enjoy. They also provide a continuous battery life of over 21 hours, and Apple advertises that a five-minute quick charge can give you up to 1.5 hours of additional playback.
Unfortunately, there isn't a way to turn them off since even when you put them in their carrying case, they just enter a low-power mode. Their carrying case is only a sleeve that covers the two ear cups. Using the headband as a handle lets you carry them around, but it won't be as protective as a sturdy zip-up case. Plus, the mesh fabric on the headband is a weak point of the build since it seems fragile and prone to tearing. On the other hand, you can buy replacement parts for the mesh headband. Still, these are a great option if you're looking for Apple headphones with a strong noise cancelling performance.
Compared To Other Brands
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Seamless integration with Apple devices.
Apple's wireless headphones all feature their W1/H1 chip, allowing them to pair seamlessly with your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. You can also purchase their wired earbuds with a Lightning cable instead of a regular audio cable for compatibility with newer iPhones that don't have an audio jack. -
Compact yet comfortable earbud and in-ear options.
All their models are ultra-compact and super portable. The AirPods and AirPods Pro have a lightweight earbud design that makes them barely noticeable once in your ears. The over-ear AirPods Pro Max are also quite comfortable on the head. -
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 great if you're looking to block out noise while traveling or listening to bass-heavy music, many people prefer the extra awareness they help provide.
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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 a variety of customizable features like EQ options, room effects, or even different Bluetooth codecs. However, Apple's wireless headphones only provide basic features if you pair them with your phone, like ANC on/off and button mapping. -
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 volume control, are missing from some of their truly wireless models—you're expected to use Siri instead, which isn't always very convenient.
Apple vs Bose
Bose and Apple are strong competitors in the world of premium in-ears and often trade first and second place on 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 made them a go-to for peace and quiet. However, they lack other Apple-exclusive features, like Spatial Audio and Adaptive EQ. 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 affordable gym earbuds to audiophile-standard over-ears, all of which have great sound quality and come with a wide 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 each brand's respective ecosystem. Google's buds are a little less pricey than Apple's and feel slightly less premium in their build. However, they're more customizable and come with a graphic EQ and presets via the companion app. Ultimately, your preference will depend on which ecosystem you already subscribe to.
Apple vs Bowers & Wilkins
Bowers & Wilkins and Apple are two very different companies. Bowers & Wilkins is a dedicated audio manufacturer that produces high-end speakers and headphones for audiophiles and home cinemas. Apple makes a wide range of consumer electronics that create a tech ecosystem. While both produce high-end headphones, Apple's tend to have better battery life and more robust controls. Neither of these companies offers sound customization settings for their audio products.
Apple vs Beats
Apple currently owns Beats, initially founded by Dr. Dre and Monster Inc. Since Apple purchased the brand, select models that share Apple tech have been released, like the H1 chip and 'Spatial Audio.' Unlike Apple, Beats expanded to include more substantial app support for Android devices. While originally known for delivering excited and bass-heavy sound profiles, Beats now releases more headphones with neutral voicings. To know 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. With the addition of the over-ear Apple AirPods Max Wireless, they've also set themselves apart from their competitors by using premium build 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 for a brand with such a small lineup.
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 are premium wireless in-ears sold under the AirPods name, which have a few notable subcategories:
- AirPods: Apple's lowest-cost true wireless earbuds. Open-back, rigid plastic build that fits in your inner ear. No extra features.
- AirPods Pro: Their closed-back premium in-ear lineup. Earbuds with a plastic frame with a silicone tip that fits in your ear canal. They feature ANC and Adaptive EQ and support Spatial Audio via Apple Music.
- AirPods Max: Premium over-ear headphones. Minimalist plastic and metal build with customizable ear cup shells. They feature ANC and Adaptive EQ and support Spatial Audio via Apple Music.
- EarPods: Inexpensive wired earbuds that fit similarly to AirPods and are made of white hard plastic.
Recent Updates
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Aug 05, 2024: We edited the text for clarity and style, but haven't made any changes to our picks.
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May 15, 2024: A comparison to Beats has been added, the Apple EarPods are now listed in the lineup, and small text edits have been made throughout.
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Feb 14, 2024: We've made minor changes to improve the text's accuracy and clarity, but our recommendations have remained the same.
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Nov 16, 2023: Made minor updates to the text and checked that the products are available.
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Aug 21, 2023: Checked that the products are in stock and that they represent the best recommendations.
Conclusion
Apple is known for its commitment to simplicity—things should "just work" without complex features or unnecessary user intervention. 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 pretty decent. They can also be pricey, especially the more feature-packed models, but their wired earphones are cheap.