The Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are practically the same as the Apple AirPods (1st generation) Truly Wireless, with slight differences. They have a similar sound profile that lacks low bass, and their design is the same as the older model, but you can now purchase them with a case that supports wireless Qi charging, which is nice. Their one-size-fits-all design isn't ideal for everyone, but if you do manage a good fit, they're very comfortable. They're also open-back earbuds, meaning they won’t block out ambient noise but are suitable for outdoor sports like jogging because they allow you to hear your surroundings. However, some may find they don't have the most stable fit. Overall, the AirPods 2 aren’t worth the upgrade if you already have the first model.
Our Verdict
The Apple AirPods 2nd Gen are adequate for neutral sound. Instruments and vocals are present and detailed, but an overemphasized treble range makes them sound bright and harsh. The bass range, although punchy, lacks low-end thump and rumble. However, their sound delivery varies depending on how they fit you, meaning you may have a different experience. Like most in-ears, they have an awful soundstage. Also, unfortunately, they don't work with an app or software that gives you access to an EQ, so you can't fine-tune their sound if you don't like it out-of-the-box.
- Great build quality.
- Fairly well-balanced mid and treble ranges.
- Bass delivery varies significantly across users.
- No EQ or presets.
The Apple AirPods 2nd Gen are mediocre for commuting. Their open-back design means that they don’t block out much outside noise, and they don't isolate you from any low-frequency noises like engine rumbles, which isn't ideal for commuting. On the upside, they're very portable, light, and comfortable to wear if you can get a good fit. Their four-hour battery life is long enough for most commutes. You might have to take a break to charge them when on a long flight, but they only take 30 minutes to fully charge.
- Great build quality.
- Fast charging time.
- Unique and distinguishable design.
- Poor noise isolation.
- Limited control scheme.
- Bass delivery varies significantly across users.
The Apple AirPods 2nd Gen are very good for sports. Their one-size-fits-all design is fairly comfortable, but it isn’t the most stable for everyone. How they fit greatly depends on the size and shape of your ear. Their open-back design is suitable for people who run or work out outside and want to be aware of their surroundings but won't help those who want to block out the noise of a crowded gym. Also, unfortunately, they don’t have a great control scheme, so it's not easy to adjust your playlist or volume when you're on the move.
- Great build quality.
- Fast charging time.
- Unique and distinguishable design.
- Very light and portable.
- Poor noise isolation.
- Limited control scheme.
- Bass delivery varies significantly across users.
The Apple AirPods 2nd Gen are mediocre for office use. While they're very lightweight and quite comfortable for most, their open-back design means they don’t block any ambient chatter or other office-type noises and leak some audio at high volumes, which could bother your co-workers. Their roughly four-hour continuous battery life isn't enough to last through a 9-5 workday. That said, they recharge very quickly, so you can charge them fully during lunchtime and get another four hours for the second half of your day.
- Fast charging time.
- Poor noise isolation.
- Limited control scheme.
- Bass delivery varies significantly across users.
The Apple AirPods 2nd Gen are Βluetooth-only headphones, so they aren't compatible with Xbox or PlayStation consoles. They're compatible with Bluetooth-enabled PCs, but their latency is likely too high to be suitable for gaming. Their latency with Android phones is also high. It's lower with iOS devices but may still be too high for mobile gaming.
The Apple AirPods 2nd Gen aren't suitable for wired gaming, as you can't use them wired.
The Apple AirPods 2nd Gen are sub-par for phone calls when connected via PC. Their microphone recording quality can make voices sound thin and lacking in presence. However, their noise handling performance is alright. Your voice is separated from moderate ambient sound so that you're heard clearly. However, your voice can be drowned out by louder sounds. When connected via an iPhone, your voice sounds a bit clearer, but the mic offers a slightly worse noise handling performance.
- Fast charging time.
- Poor noise isolation.
- Limited control scheme.
Changelog
- Updated Jan 17, 2023: We've added a comparison with these headphones and the Nothing Ear (stick) Truly Wireless in Sound Profile.
- Updated Dec 22, 2021: Updated review for accuracy and clarity.
- Updated Nov 26, 2021: Tested microphone performance with AAC codec. Also retested 'Noise Handling' and reevaluated the 'Case' and 'Comfort' scores.
- Updated Jul 22, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.5.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Apple AirPods 2nd generation are available in one color variant: 'White'. They're sold with either the same case that came with the Apple AirPods (1st generation) Truly Wireless, which charges via Lightning cable or with one that supports Qi wireless charging. We tested the Qi wireless charging case variant, but we expect the other variant to perform similarly to our model. If you come across another variant or your headphones are different, please let us know in the discussions below so we can update our review.
Popular Headphones Comparisons
Like the Apple AirPods (1st generation) Truly Wireless and the Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Truly Wireless, the Apple AirPods 2nd Generation stand out for their open-back design, which means they struggle to reproduce low-bass and don't really isolate you from ambient noise. Compared to the 3rd generation, they have shorter continuous battery life and lack some features, like virtual surround sound. Ηowever, depending on the shape of your ears, you may prefer the 2nd generation's slimmer earbud shape, which some find more comfortable. If you like their design but want headphones that block out ambient sound, closed-back models like the Anker Soundcore Life P3 Truly Wireless or earbuds with ANC like the JBL Live Pro+ TWS True Wireless have a similar look and better noise isolation.
We also suggest taking a look at our recommendations for the best truly wireless earbuds, the best noise cancelling earbuds, and the best Bluetooth earbuds.
The Apple AirPods (3rd generation) and the Apple AirPods (2nd generation) have different strengths, so you may prefer either depending on what you're looking for. The 3rd generation have a longer continuous battery life and button-like controls that are easier to use than the 2nd generation's touch-sensitive surfaces. With iOS devices, they support Spatial Audio and head tracking for virtual surround sound, and their 'Adaptive EQ' adjusts the sound profile depending on how they fit you. Their bulkier design may put pressure on the inside of your ears, but both versions have a one-size-fits-all design, meaning you may prefer either, depending on the shape of your ears. On the other hand, the 2nd generation have a better overall mic performance.
The Apple AirPods Pro are much better than the Apple AirPods (2nd generation). The Pro's sound profile is much more balanced, especially in the bass range, and their in-ear design and ANC provide significantly better noise isolation. The Pro also have an easier-to-use control scheme and feel much more stable in the ear. However, the non-intrusive fit of the AirPods 2 may be more comfortable for some people, and they charge much quicker.
The Apple AirPods (2nd generation) and the first model, the Apple AirPods (1st generation), are practically the same headphones. There are very few differences between the two models. The second-generation model now uses the H1 chip, has better wireless range, and should have less latency, although we measured the opposite. They pretty much have the same sound profile, but the biggest difference is that you can now buy them with a case that supports Qi wireless charging.
The Sony WF-1000XM3 Truly Wireless are better true wireless in-ears than the Apple AirPods (2nd generation). The Sony feature a closed-back design, which combined with their ANC feature makes them better at isolating you from ambient noise. The Sony deliver audio more consistently and do a better job of reproducing low-bass sounds like the thump and rumble of EDM or hip-hop. On the other hand, the Apple have one of the most comfortable fits for in-ears, if their one-size-fits-all design suits you. They also take less than an hour to fully charge, and you might see improved performance if your mobile device can take advantage of the H1 chip.
Test Results
The Apple AirPods 2nd Gen are identical to the previous model, with the same stem design characteristic of first-generation Apple AirPods (1st generation) Truly Wireless. They feel well-built and have a smooth plastic casing with brushed aluminum, which gives them a unique and premium look.
The Apple AirPods 2nd Gen are comfortable, but like the first generation, they have a one-size-fits-all design, so how comfortable you find them depends more on the shape of your ears than earbuds with silicone tips. They're very lightweight, though, and if you can achieve a nice fit in your ears, you can barely feel them. They also don’t enter your ear canal very deeply or create a plunger-like feeling, which some listeners may appreciate.
Update 11/26/2021: We have changed 'OS Compatibility' from 'iOS' to 'Not OS specific' as the call and music controls work on both Android and iOS devices. However, Android users can't use the voice assistant feature. As a result, we have updated our review to reflect this change.
The Apple AirPods 2nd Gen have a limited control scheme. If you're using an iOS device, you can use the built-in settings interface to set what happens when you double-tap each earbud: skip track backward or forward, play/pause (and answer an incoming call), or activate Siri. Your audio will also automatically pause when you take the earbuds out of your ears. You can disable ear detection and the touch-sensitive surface if you prefer. Unfortunately, there's no option to change the volume with the onboard controls, although you can enable 'Hey Siri' on your iOS device to control everything with your voice. If you're not using an Apple device, double-tapping either earbud skips to the next track, but you can't change this. If you're using a Windows device, you also can't accept calls from online services like Microsoft Teams. That said, you're able to play and pause media as well as skip tracks on Windows. If you prefer physical buttons that offer good feedback, check out the Anker SoundCore Life P2 Truly Wireless.
The Apple AirPods 2nd Generation are very breathable headphones, like most in-ears. They have no tips and barely have any points of contact with your ear. Although they're a bit less stable than other truly wireless headphones like the Jaybird Run XT Truly Wireless or the Samsung Galaxy Buds Truly Wireless, they're also slightly more breathable, and you shouldn't notice a difference in temperature while wearing them.
The Apple AirPods 2nd Gen are incredibly portable. The footprint of most truly wireless headphones is very small, and these are no exception. They're easy to carry around and easily fit in most pockets and bags, even inside their case.
Update 11/26/2021: After testing the Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Truly Wireless, we noticed that the scoring of the 2nd generation's case needed to be reevaluated. The case feels great, but there are similar cases that are as good, if not better than this one. While it's small, lightweight, and supports wireless charging, it doesn't support MagSafe charging, and the one indicator light doesn't do much to tell you the level of the case or buds. As a result, we have lowered the scoring of this test from 9.0 to 8.5.
The Apple AirPods 2nd Gen have an excellent case. With the same sleek design as its predecessor, it protects the headphones well against minor falls and scratches but not against water damage. The case is the same size as the one that came with the Apple AirPods (1st generation) Truly Wireless, but it supports Qi wireless charging. However, if you don't need this feature, you can also get them with the same case as the previous generation, which only charges via Lightning instead.
The Apple AirPods 2nd Gen have an impressive build quality. The plastic casing feels high-end and durable and should be solid enough to withstand a few drops without getting damaged. They're well-made, sturdy headphones and feel high-end, although they lack some of the more premium finishes of earbuds like the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless. They lack an IP rating for dust and water resistance, unlike the Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Truly Wireless or the Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless, which are both certified IPX4 for resistance against being splashed with water.
The Apple AirPods 2nd Gen have okay stability. They have a one-size-fits-all design and don't come with different tip options, so your experience varies depending on the shape and size of your ears. If you plan to use these earbuds during a light activity like walking, they should stay put as long as you have a good fit. Their wireless design also means that you don't have to worry about snagging a cable on the kitchen corner and ripping the headphones from your ears. That said, take a look at the JBL Tune 225TWS True Wireless if you're looking for truly wireless earbuds with a more stable fit.
The Apple AirPods 2nd Gen's sound profile is similar to their predecessor's, the Apple AirPods (1st generation) Truly Wireless. While it's fairly well-balanced for non-bass-heavy content like classical music or podcasts, genres like EDM or hip-hop lack thump and rumble and sound lacking or hollow. Like the Nothing Ear (stick) Truly Wireless, the treble response is also overemphasized, so instruments and lead vocals seem a bit bright and harsh. These headphones also have inconsistent sound delivery, so you may hear a different sound depending on how they fit in your ears. Unfortunately, they don't have an app that includes sound customization features like an EQ or presets.
The Apple AirPods 2nd Gen's frequency response consistency is disappointing. Because of their one-size-fits-all design, sound consistency depends on how well they fit inside your ears. If you don't get a good fit, you may not get a consistent response each time you listen to audio. Deviations in the low bass and between the high-mid and low treble are noticeable.
The Apple AirPods 2nd Gen's bass accuracy is sub-par. Their open-back design means they struggle to reproduce a thumpy, rumbly low bass. That said, the rest of the range is quite well-balanced, so your audio sounds punchy, warm, and full. There's a bit of overemphasis in the high-bass that adds a bit of extra boom as well.
Their bass delivery also varies noticeably from person to person and is sensitive to the earbuds' fit and positioning in your ears. The results here represent the average response, and your experience may vary.
The Apple AirPods 2nd Gen's mid accuracy performance is impressive. The low-mid and mid-mid are very flat and well-balanced, resulting in an accurate representation of vocals and lead instruments. There's a bump in high-mid which increases the intensity and clarity of vocals and lead instruments, but it's minor enough that your music shouldn't sound overly honky or harsh.
The Apple AirPods 2nd Gen have decent treble accuracy. Their response is fairly flat and well-balanced, but it's slightly overhyped. The low and mid-treble ranges are overemphasized, which adds harshness to lead instruments and vocals, while sibilants like cymbals sound bright and piercing.
This represents the average treble response, and since fit and positioning can affect treble delivery, your experience may vary.
The Apple AirPods 2nd Gen have decent peaks and dips performance. The dip in the low-bass may result in a lack of rumble and thump, while a peak in the mid to high-bass adds body and boom to mixes. There's also a smaller dip in the mid-mid that nudges instruments and lead vocal towards the back of the mix. A peak between the high-mid and low-treble makes instruments sound honky and harsh. The high peak in the mid-treble can make some sibilants, like S and T sounds, seem harsh.
The Apple AirPods 2nd Gen have an excellent imaging performance. The group delay is below the audibility threshold for the entire range, ensuring a tight bass and transparent treble reproduction. Also, the L/R drivers of our model are very well-matched in amplitude, frequency, and phase response. This is important for the accurate placement and localization of objects (like voices or footsteps) in the stereo image. These results are only valid for our unit, and yours may perform differently.
The Apple AirPods 2nd Gen have an awful passive soundstage. Like most in-ear headphones, they don't interact with your outer ear, so sound seems to be coming from inside your head instead of from speakers in the room around you. However, thanks to their open-back design, the soundstage seems quite open and spacious compared with closed-back in-ears.
The Apple AirPods 2nd Gen's weighted harmonic distortion performance is very good. Aside from a peak in the high-treble that shouldn't be audible, all frequencies fall within good limits at both normal and high listening volumes, resulting in a clear and pure audio reproduction.
These are the settings used to test the Apple AirPods 2nd Gen. Our results are only valid when using these settings.
The Apple AirPods 2nd Gen have bad noise isolation. This is due to their open-back design, which is just like the previous Apple AirPods (1st generation) Truly Wireless. They block virtually no sound from the bass and mid-ranges, so they don't isolate you from the rumble of engines or background conversations. They do somewhat better in the treble range, which includes noises like the hum of an AC unit, but you still may not notice any difference. However, if you like to run or do other outdoor activities while listening to music, you may appreciate that these allow you to hear your surroundings. On the other hand, if you don't like the open-back design, the Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless, the Jaybird X4 Wireless, the Jaybird Tarah Wireless, or the Skullcandy Jib Wireless are all closed-back headphones with better noise isolation.
The Apple AirPods 2nd Gen have a decent leakage performance. Βecause of their open-back design, they leak more audio than most closed-back earbuds we've tested, like the Microsoft Surface Earbuds Truly Wireless or the TOZO T6 Truly Wireless. The audio that escapes sounds thin, but if you listen to your music at high volumes in a moderately quiet environment like an office, people around you may be able to hear it.
Update 11/26/2021: We have retested 'Recording Quality' and 'Noise Handling' to see if there's a difference in performance between Bluetooth AAC and SBC codecs. Our testing PC doesn't support AAC, which is the license-free standard for Apple devices. However, we conducted this microphone retest while the headphones were placed on our test head and connected to an iPhone 11, which supports AAC. To retest 'Recording Quality', we played the same 'Recorded Speech' audio clip through our test head. While Bluetooth codecs aren't the sole factor in microphone performance, using the AAC codec, the voice sounds clearer than when connected to our test PC and using SBC codec. You can hear our results here.
For 'Noise Handling', we played the 'Speech + Pink Noise' and 'Speech + Subway Noise' audio clips. Using the AAC codec, the mic offers a slightly worse performance blocking out pink noise from speech than when connected to our test PC. That said, the mic can block out slightly more noise in the subway recording when connected to an iPhone versus a PC. However, it also cuts out some speech in the process.
We have updated our review, but there hasn't been a change in the scoring of our microphone tests regarding AAC codec. To ensure comparability between different reviews, we test the mic of Bluetooth headphones using SBC codec as it's almost universally used by these devices.
The Apple AirPods 2nd Gen's microphone's recording quality is mediocre, similar to the previous model. While your voice should be understandable, it sounds thin and lacks presence and openness, as with many Bluetooth microphones.
Update 11/26/2021: After user feedback, we have retested 'Noise Handling'. We originally scored this test at 8.5, which was too high. When facing a fan, the headphones do a good job blocking out this kind of noise. However, we have dropped the score for 'Speech + Pink Noise' from 8.5 to 7.5 to better reflect the quality we heard during a call. We have updated our review to reflect these changes.
The microphone has alright noise handling capabilities. Your voice is brought in front of moderate noise, and you can easily hear what's being said. However, with loud sounds, your voice can be drowned out.
The Apple AirPods 2nd Gen have an okay battery performance. They provide roughly four hours of continuous playback from a single charge, less than the advertised five. On the plus side, the case stores five additional charges. The variant we tested comes with a case that supports Qi Wireless charging, but they are also sometimes sold with a case that only charges with a USB-A to Lightning cable. The earbuds charge fully in about 30 minutes, which is very quick for truly wireless headphones, and conveniently, you can use one bud at a time while the other charges. Ηowever, please note that battery performance can vary with real-life use, meaning you may have a different experience.
The Apple AirPods 2nd Gen have poor app support. They don't have a dedicated app, but if you're using an iOS device, there's a built-in interface that pops up when you connect them. You can use it to check the remaining battery life of the headphones and case and map the earbuds' touch-sensitive controls. With macOS, you can check the battery life and connect to Bluetooth. Unfortunately, the interface isn't available for Android or Windows. The Sony LinkBuds Truly Wireless are open-back earbuds that have a companion app with more features, including a graphic EQ and presets.
The Apple AirPods 2nd Gen have adequate Bluetooth connectivity. They don't offer simultaneous multi-device pairing or NFC pairing, but Apple's H1 chip makes them very easy to pair with products in the Apple ecosystem. Their latency with iOS devices is low, so you shouldn't notice any delay between your audio and video if you use them for gaming or watching videos on your iPhone. Unfortunately, they have high latency with Android devices and PCs, although some devices and apps seem to compensate for latency, meaning you may have a different experience.
The Apple AirPods 2nd Gen are wireless-only headphones, and you can't use them wired, but they come with a USB-A to Lightning cable for charging the case.
These Apple AirPods 2nd Gen are fully compatible with Bluetooth-enabled PCs. However, they can't connect to computers any other way, and their somewhat high latency means you may notice audio lag if you use them for gaming or watching movies on a computer.
The Apple AirPods 2nd Gen come with a great and very small charging case that stores additional charges, but it doesn’t have any inputs. The case also has Apple’s typical lightning port and now supports wireless Qi charging on some models.
