The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are the next generation of the Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless. They look remarkably similar to their predecessor, but there have been some notable changes. The Gen 2 have an upgraded H2 chip, which the manufacturer advertises to improve their audio performance and lets you seamlessly pair them with other devices in your Apple ecosystem. Their carrying case also has its own U1 chip, allowing you to easily track it if you misplace the case. Their ANC has improved, and their sound profile has been tweaked, too.
Our Verdict
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are decent for neutral sound. Compared to their predecessor, their bass is more extended, which helps improve their overall bass. They're also able to deliver satisfying warmth to mixes. The treble is more recessed than our target curve, so vocals and instruments lack detail, while sibilants like hi-hats are dull. At the same time, since they're in-ear headphones, their passive soundstage doesn't feel as natural or spacious as dedicated audiophile headphones. Luckily, their Spatial Audio feature allows audio to follow your head movements when using compatible content, which can feel more immersive.
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Spatial Audio available.
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Bad passive soundstage.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are great for commute and travel. Thanks to their lightweight and portable design, you can easily store these comfortable and well-built earbuds in your pocket or bag on the go. Their ANC can also block out a lot of the low rumble of bus and plane engines, and with their ANC on, they last about six hours continuously. They don't leak very much audio at high volumes either, meaning you won't annoy others around you.
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Great ANC performance.
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Comfortable and premium design.
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6-hour continuous battery life and four extra charges in the case.
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Bad passive soundstage.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are great for sports and fitness. Although some users find that the buds can wiggle out of their ears, they're comfortable and stable enough for moderate exercise once you get a good fit. These lightweight buds are certified IPX4 for resistance against water splashes and have a durable build quality.
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Comfortable and premium design.
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Certified IPX4 for resistance against water splashes.
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6-hour continuous battery life and four extra charges in the case.
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Bad passive soundstage.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen are decent for office use. These in-ears have a comfortable and well-built design that's suitable for long days at the office. While their six-hour continuous battery life may not completely last through your day, their carrying case supplies an additional four charges, which is handy in a pinch. They're also equipped with a great ANC system and can block out office noise like chatty coworkers or the high-pitched hum of AC units very well.
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Great ANC performance.
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Comfortable and premium design.
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6-hour continuous battery life and four extra charges in the case.
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Sub-par overall microphone performance.
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Bad passive soundstage.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation are Bluetooth headphones. They aren't designed with wireless gaming in mind, as their latency falls outside of good values, resulting in lip sync issues.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are Bluetooth headphones; you can't use them for wired gaming.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are mediocre for phone calls. These buds have an integrated mic, but since it sits far away from your mouth, the mic struggles to capture your voice clearly. As a result, speech sounds muffled and thin. It can also be drowned out if you're taking a call from a noisy environment like a busy street. On the upside, their ANC system can help block out background noise so that you can better focus on your calls.
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Great ANC performance.
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Sub-par overall microphone performance.
- 7.4 Neutral Sound
- 8.1 Commute/Travel
- 8.3 Sports/Fitness
- 7.2 Office
- 5.7 Wireless Gaming
- 5.5 Wired Gaming
- 6.3 Phone Calls
- Updated Sep 12, 2024: Several Sound tests have been updated following Test Bench 1.8. There have also been text changes made throughout the review, including to the product comparisons to match these results.
- Updated Sep 12, 2024: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.8, which updates our target curve and Sound tests. You can read more about this in our changelog.
- Updated May 14, 2024: We've added a comparison between these headphones and the Technics EAH-AZ80 True Wireless in Bluetooth Connection.
- Updated Apr 04, 2024: We've retested ANC Wind Handling with updated methodology.
- Updated Apr 04, 2024: The following test groups have been updated following test bench 1.7: Noise Isolation - Full Range, Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios, and ANC Wind Handling. There have also been text changes made throughout the review, including to the usages and product comparisons to match these results.
- Updated Apr 04, 2024: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.7, which updates our Noise Isolation test. We've also expanded the scope of this test to include Common Scenarios in addition to Voice Handling and Wind Handling.
- Updated Nov 27, 2023: We've updated this review's text to ensure it's up to date and accurate.
- Updated Nov 10, 2023: iOS 17 has added several features to these headphones. You can find more information on these in Controls, Noise Isolation, and App Support.
- Updated Nov 02, 2023: The following test group has been updated following TB 1.6: Bluetooth Connection. There have also been text changes made throughout the review, including to the usages and product comparisons to match these results.
- Updated Nov 02, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.6 , which updates how we measure latency. We've updated and renamed the following test groups: Wired Connection, Bluetooth Connection, and Wireless Connection (Dongle). We've also added new codec latency measurements and provided an audio sample of recorded latency.
- Updated Sep 22, 2023: We've added the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Charging Case (USB‑C) as a variant within Differences Between Sizes And Variants.
- Updated May 04, 2023: We've retested Sound Profile and Noise Isolation using firmware 5E133. However, we didn't measure a change in performance, and our results haven't changed.
- Updated Nov 23, 2022: Review published.
- Updated Nov 15, 2022: Early access published.
- Updated Oct 28, 2022: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Oct 17, 2022: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Sep 15, 2022: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen come in 'White', and you can see our model's label here. You can also purchase this model with a carrying case that either has a Lightning or USB-C port. While we tested the model with the Lightning case, the USB-C variant includes a cable for charging up the case. It also supports MagSafe charging, which is handy if you want to go completely wireless. The buds themselves have an updated rating of IP54 for dust and water resistance, which is a slight change from the original model's IPX4 rating, which only certifies water resistance.
If you encounter another variant of these headphones, please let us know in the forums, and we'll update our review.
Compared To Other Headphones
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are the next generation of the Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless. As we've come to expect from Apple, they have the same premium build quality as their other products. However, their ANC has been improved to rival competitors also vying for the title of the best noise cancelling earbuds, like the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro True Wireless and the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Truly Wireless. In addition, Apple has updated the chip technology inside their buds from H1 to H2, making it easy to pair your headphones with other iOS devices. Their carrying case also has a U1 chip, which allows you to precisely track down your carrying case. While they may not be as customizable as other buds out there, like the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3, they offer a robust performance, especially if you don't want to play around with settings.
Check out our recommendations for the best wireless Bluetooth earbuds and the best wireless earbuds for iPhone.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are better in-ears than the Beats Fit Pro True Wireless. The Apple are more comfortable, are better built, and have a significantly better noise isolation performance. They also have a longer continuous battery life and more charges in their carrying case. However, the Beats have a more stable in-ear fit, making them a more suitable choice for sports and fitness.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are better for most uses than the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless. Both earbuds are equipped with virtual soundstage technology and have decent neutral sound performance, but the Bose headphones have better sound customization options. They have access to a graphic EQ and presets via their app, while you can only tweak the Apple headphones' sound profile through the accessibility settings of a paired iOS device. The Bose have the edge when it comes to noise isolation, and they have a more comfortable fit, too, making them an ideal choice for the office and on-the-go use. The Bose feature Google Fast Pair for rapid integration with Android devices, but if you're an iOS user, you'll prefer how the Apple headphones' H2 chip lets you pair seamlessly with other Apple devices.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are the next version of the Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless. While not a lot has changed in terms of comfort and premium build quality, there have been slight changes to their sound profile and noise isolation performance. The 2nd generation sound a little warmer than the 1st generation and can reproduce better low bass. Their ANC also does a significantly better job of blocking out background noise across the spectrum. Additionally, they have a longer continuous battery life, though they're one extra charge short of their predecessor. Their carrying case has a U1 chip, too, so you can easily locate your case if you lose it. Overall, the changes are somewhat minor, but the 2nd generation make good strides in the right places.
If you care about customizability, you'll want to check out the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless over the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless. While both earbuds have great noise isolation performances, the Sony headphones' companion app offers a graphic EQ and presets. The buds support multi-device pairing so you can stay connected to your PC and smartphone simultaneously. However, the Apple headphones are better built and have an H2 chip for seamless pairing with other iOS devices.
The Apple AirPods Max Wireless and the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless have different strengths, so depending on your usage, you may prefer either one. The Max are over-ears with better overall battery and noise isolation performance. However, the second generation of the Pro have a more comfortable and stable fit, making them a solid choice if you want to use them for running or working out. Both headphones support Apple's Spatial Audio for a more immersive sound, though, and are both equipped with H1/H2 chips for seamless pairing within the Apple ecosystem.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are better in-ear headphones than the Beats Studio Buds + True Wireless. While both sets of buds are equally comfortable, Apple's are better built, their noise isolation performance is significantly better, and they have an H2 chip, so you can easily pair these buds with other devices in your Apple ecosystem. On the other hand, the Beats have a longer continuous battery life.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are better in-ear headphones than the Sony WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless. The Apple are more comfortable and have a more neutral overall sound profile, which some users may prefer, and their ANC can block out more background noise across the range. They also have an H2 chip for seamless pairing with your Apple devices. However, the Sony headphones have a better overall battery performance, and their companion app offers customization features like a graphic EQ and presets to help you adjust their sound to your liking.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are aimed at Apple users with special considerations like the H2 chip for improved connectivity and switching between Apple devices on the same account. They also feature virtual surround sound. Their noise cancelling is comparable, but the Apple buds reduce low rumbling sounds more. That said, their codec selection is more limited. If you don't have an iOS device, you won't have as much control or access to features. Their continuous battery life is notably shorter. The Sennheiser are more stable but have a more invasive fit. You can use their app regardless of whether you use an Apple or Android device. Their noise cancelling handles wind noise better, too. For Android users, their aptX Adaptive compatibility offers higher-quality audio streaming or lower latency. They also have multi-device pairing.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Truly Wireless and the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are both great in-ears with different strengths. Both earbuds have similarly great levels of noise isolation thanks to their ANC systems, but the Bose are more comfortable in-ears. Their companion app also offers graphic EQ and presets to help you customize their sound. However, the Apple headphones are well-designed for Apple users. They have a more premium feel, have an H2 chip for seamless pairing with other iOS devices, and support Spatial Audio.
The Nothing Ear (2) Truly Wireless are better in-ear headphones than the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless. While both buds have similar comfort, battery life, and build quality, the Nothing come with more features for a lower price than the Apple, like multi-device pairing, ANC presets, and a graphic EQ with presets. However, the Apple have a better-functioning ANC that isolates you from more ambient noise, making them ideal for commutes and working in loud offices. They also have better compatibility with Apple's product ecosystem thanks to their H2 chip, which allows for seamless pairing with other Apple devices.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless and Nothing Ear Truly Wireless are both capable stemmed earbud designs. The Apple use touch and slide controls compared to the Nothing's pinch controls. You get Spatial Audio and the H2 chip with the Apple buds but a shorter continuous battery life and fewer app features to customize the sound profile. Their noise isolation is more effective, too. Both the Apple and Nothing have balanced default frequency responses, though the Nothing app provides more control and is available for Android and iOS, unlike the Apple. While both are well-built with IP ratings for the case and buds, the Nothing have a slightly higher rating. If you have iOS devices, the Apple headphones provide a more seamless experience with better ANC but less tweakability and a shorter battery life. However, the Nothing make more sense for Android users because you can use all the features.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are better overall wireless earbuds than the JBL Live Pro 2 TWS True Wireless. The Apple are more comfortable, are better built, and have a higher-quality case. They also have better noise isolation performance and spatial audio compatibility. That said, the JBL have a longer continuous battery life and their companion app is compatible with both iOS and Android devices, while the Apple can only access customization options through the iOS interface.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are slightly better earbuds than the Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2 True Wireless. The Apple headphones offer features like seamless pairing with your other iOS devices as well as Spatial Audio to help give you a more immersive sound. They're also more comfortable. Their ANC can block out background noise, and they have a better overall battery performance. However, the Bowers & Wilkins support aptX Adaptive, which is nice if you want to stream high-quality audio or lower latency, and their carrying case doubles as a wireless transmitter.
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are both premium earbuds. While both are well-built, the Sennheiser have a significantly better battery performance, and you can customize them using their companion software's graphic EQ and presets. In comparison, the Apple are more comfortable and have better overall noise isolation.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are better in-ear headphones than the EarFun Air Pro 3 True Wireless. While both buds are comfortable, the Apple are better built, have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer, and support Spatial Audio for a more immersive audio experience. Their ANC performance is significantly better, too, and they have an H2 chip for seamless pairing with your Apple devices. However, the EarFun are more customizable via their companion app and support multi-device pairing and aptX Adaptive.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless and the Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Truly Wireless have similar feature sets and a comparable performance, considering they're very different designs. The AirPods Pro 2 have an in-ear fit, which uses silicone ear tips to secure a seal, while the AirPods 4 ANC have a one-size-fits-all, open-back design that sits in your ear canal without sealing it. You might find either one more comfortable, depending on your preferences. The in-ear fit results in the AirPods Pro 2 having a better bass extension and a better noise isolation performance, due to their tight seal. That said, the AirPods 4 ANC aren't far behind in both categories, which is quite the feat considering their open design. Otherwise, the AirPods Pro 2 have a slightly longer battery life and support Apple's new hearing aid technology with firmware update 7B19. The AirPods 4 ANC have a better quality mic, though, and their mid-range is more aligned with our target curve.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless have a slight edge over the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro True Wireless, particularly if you're already an iOS user. While both in-ears are comfortable and have similarly excellent levels of noise isolation, the Apple have a more premium build, and their battery performance is better. They also have an H2 chip for seamless pairing with your Apple devices and they support Spatial Audio for a more immersive sound. However, the Samsung headphones have EQ presets, which some users may prefer to adjust their sound to their liking.
The Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 True Wireless and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are both solid noise cancelling earbuds. The Jabra offer more flexibility via their app, like a comprehensive EQ and sidetone (especially for Android users who can't access Apple's iOS-exclusive features). They have a longer continuous battery life than the Apple headphones, but if you have an iOS device, the H2 chip's seamless integration is compelling for its ease of use. However, there's no denying that the Jabra are more flexible with the 'smart case' that lets you connect to wired and Bluetooth sound sources.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless and the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless have different strengths. The Bose have a longer battery life and a better app with a graphic EQ. The Apple lack sound customization features, but have some features for iOS users, including a Spatial Audio feature that can make your audio more immersive. Their H2 chip also makes pairing easier with your iPhone or MacBook.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless and the Technics EAH-AZ80 True Wireless are neck and neck when it comes to performance, and choosing between them will likely depend on how they fit into your existing device ecosystem. Both buds are similarly well-built and comfortable. They even offer a very similar noise isolation performance, both across the full frequency range and in common scenarios. The Apple deliver audio more consistently, though, and have a head-tracking feature that can simulate a wider, virtual soundstage. They're very easy to pair and integrate with other Apple devices, too, thanks to their H2 chip. However, this comes with caveats. If you don't own an Apple device, customization options are limited, whereas the Technics app is available across multiple platforms and offers a great depth of feature adjustment. The Technics are also equipped with 3-way Bluetooth multipoint and LDAC compatibility and have a slightly longer continuous battery life.
The Devialet Gemini II True Wireless and the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are both premium buds with different strengths. The Devialet have a companion app with a graphic EQ and presets and support multi-device pairing and aptX codec, which can help give you better sound quality over Bluetooth. Their ANC also does a better job of blocking out bass range noise, though the buds reduce more noise passively than the ANC from the mid-range onwards. The AirPods Pro have iOS-centric features like Spatial Audio for a more immersive sound and an H2 chip for seamless pairing with your iPhone or MacBook. They also have a better battery performance.
Depending on your preferences, you may prefer either the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless or the Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed True Wireless since they're intended for different uses. The Apple headphones are designed primarily for casual use, are more comfortable, are better built, and have a significantly better noise isolation performance. They also have Apple-centric features like an H2 chip for seamless pairing with your Apple devices and Spatial Audio support for a more immersive sound. Conversely, the Razer are well-suited for gaming. They have a USB-C dongle for low latency, support RGB lighting, and have more customization features like a graphic EQ and presets to help you fine-tune their sound.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are a bit better than the Denon PerL Pro True Wireless. The Apple headphones have better noise isolation and a sturdier, sleeker design. They have more robust virtual surround sound features, including personalized head tracking. There are benefits for Apple users, like quick pairing and multi-device pairing with iOS. However, you may still prefer the Denon, depending on what you're looking for. All their features, like multi-device pairing, are available on Android and iOS devices. They also support the aptX Lossless codec, which allows you to stream higher-resolution audio. They're more customizable since you can use the app to create a personalized EQ, adjust it with a graphic EQ, and remap all the controls.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are better in-ear headphones than the Status Between 3ANC True Wireless. The Apple are more comfortable, and are better built. They also have Spatial Audio to help make your audio even more immersive, their ANC does a significantly better job of blocking out background noise, and they have an H2 chip for seamless pairing with other devices in your Apple ecosystem. However, the Status have a companion app with sound customization features, support multi-device pairing, and have a longer continuous battery life.
The Beats Solo3 2019 Wireless and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are two different categories of headphones belonging to Apple's lineup. The Beats are pretty basic on-ear headphones with little app support, no active noise cancellation (ANC), and a longer battery life. They use the Apple W1 chip, so connections are optimized, and you can switch between Apple devices, but you don't get any luxuries like Spatial Audio. The Apple earbuds have the newer H2 chip (and U1 chip for the case), which offers benefits similar to the W1 chip. Otherwise, the Apple earbuds are wildly different in that you get ANC, Spatial Audio, touch controls, a portable in-ear fit, and a shorter continuous battery life. The default Apple sound profile works great for most genres, but if you like lots of bass, the Beats have that. Overall, the Apple earbuds supply more features and are the better pick.
The Creative Aurvana Ace 2 True Wireless aren't as versatile as the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless. The Creative have a greater selection of high-quality codecs for Android users than the Apple headphones, but they have imaging issues and distortion. Their active noise cancelling can't compete well with the Apple buds. The Apple earbuds follow our target curve a bit more closely, which some users may prefer, and have native spatial audio support as well as seamless connectivity with other Apple devices.
The Fairphone Fairbuds True Wireless and the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are both versatile headphones with a decently balanced sound and disappointing microphones. The Apple are the obvious choice if you're invested Apple's ecosystem, but if you're in the market for a repairable option, the Fairphone might be a welcome alternative. Most of the Fairphone's parts are replaceable, including the batteries, and they even have slightly better noise isolation than the Apple. Unfortunately, the Fairphone have a shorter continuous battery life than Apple's buds.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are more versatile than the Bose Sport Open Earbuds Truly Wireless. Unlike the Bose, the Apple earbuds feature comprehensive active noise cancelling (ANC) with other Apple-specific features like the H2 chip and Spatial Audio. Both the case and earbuds have IP54 ratings. The Bose are meant to be worn to hear your environment and have no noise-isolating properties. They leak more audio and lack low-end compared to the Apple buds. Their continuous battery life is greater, but the headphones require a separate charging cradle.
Test Results
The Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation have nearly the same design as their predecessor, the Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless. They have a sleek white design with a stem design and white silicone tips. They only come in one color variant, which is to be expected from Apple products.
These in-ears are comfortable and lightweight. Unlike their predecessor, Apple has included an extra small pair of ear tips, raising the total number of pairs of included ear tips to four. Their fit doesn't apply pressure to your ear and won't be pushed further into your ear if you're trying to register commands. However, like the previous generation, the earbuds can wiggle out of your ear over time. While this doesn't affect all users, some people have solved this issue by purchasing foam ear tips, which mold to your ear.
These buds have very good controls. Compared to the first gen, the manufacturer has improved the 'Force Sensor' controls, and there's click feedback for the amount of clicks you make on the stem. There are different chimes when cycling between ANC modes and touch volume chimes when adjusting the volume and reaching the min/max volume. Overall, the controls are easy to use and responsive. If you're on iOS 17 or later, you can also pinch the stems to mute and unmute the mic during calls.
On either stems' force sensor:
- Single press: Plays or pauses audio. Also answers and ends a call.
- Double press: Skips the track forward.
- Triple press: Skips the track backward.
- Press and hold: Cycles between ANC on, off, and transparency mode, which allows you to hear your surroundings without turning off your audio.
- Say 'Hey Siri': Activates Siri voice assistant. This command only works on iOS devices, though.
These lightweight buds are very portable. You can easily put them into most pockets or bags without an issue. They also come with a carrying case that's small enough to take with you on-the-go.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen's carrying case is great. It has the same plastic design and finish as the previous generation. It supports MagSafe charging and has a lanyard loop if you want to attach it to something. It's also certified IPX4 for resistance against water splashes and has a U1 chip that lets you easily find the case if you lose it using the 'Find My' app. The original version of this case uses a Lightning port, but Apple offers a carrying case with a USB-C port.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation have a great build quality, like other products from this manufacturer. They're mostly made of plastic with silicone ear tips. They're also certified IPX4 for resistance against water splashes, which is good if you want to wear them to the gym.
These in-ears have a stable in-ear fit. Some users may find that the buds wiggle out of their ears over time, but once you achieve a good fit, they'll stay in place with moderate head movements. If you want to use them while running, they may fall out of your ears.
- Apple AirPods Pro Gen 2 headphones
- Charging case
- USB-C to Lightning cable
- 4x tip size options
- Manuals
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 have an adaptive EQ, and when on, they have a bassy sound profile, which is great if you like more rumble and warmth or if you like your vocals and instruments to sound cozier in mixes. Compared to their Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless, they also have a better bass extension, which helps improve the depth of bass in your audio. However, there are no built-in EQs or presets to help you tweak their sound. If you're an iOS user, you can access sound customization features in your settings via the 'Accessibility' tab.
These headphones can adjust their bass and treble response thanks to their H2 chip, depending on the listening volume. However, this is only noticeable when connected to an iOS device. This change mitigates the effects of equal-loudness contours (specifically, the Fletcher-Munson curve). The listener perceives more bass and treble at high volumes than mid sound. However, the listener perceives less bass and treble at low volumes than mid sound. These headphones counter this issue in their frequency response by increasing bass and treble at lower volumes to encourage people to listen to audio at lower volumes. You can see the change in frequency response when using an iOS device with ANC on and ANC off. This effect doesn't apply to PCs or Android devices.
There have been user reports that firmware 5E133 added more bass and treble to the frequency response. However, upon retesting them using several reseats, we didn't notice a change. It's important to note that frequency response changes depending on whether you turn the ANC on/off.
The frequency response consistency is outstanding. As long as you achieve a proper fit, you'll get consistent bass and treble delivery each time you use them.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 follow our target curve outstandingly well in the bass range. They have an extended low bass, which helps the bass have more depth in your mixes, and there's a small bit of overemphasis in the low end to add a touch more thump and rumble. There's also a bump of extra high bass to add warmth to tracks. The bassline in songs like Lavender Haze by Taylor Swift feels satisfying and present without overwhelming vocals and instruments. However, if you prefer more bass, you'll want to check out other in-ears, like the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro True Wireless.
These in-ears do a great job of following our target curve in the mid-range. Overall, the deviation from our target is fairly minor. There's some warmth coming from the bass range into the low-mid. The mid-mid is also very flat, so voices and instruments are present in the mix. The rest of the range is slightly tilted, so in vocal-centric songs like Vegas by Doja Cat, Doja's voice sounds cozy and warm but a little distant.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation have a recessed treble response compared to our target curve. This dip veils vocals and instruments, taking the edge off of their details. Sibilants like hi-hats also lose their sharpness and sound dark.
The peaks and dips performance is excellent. There are only a few prominent deviations, meaning the headphones can control their sound profile well, especially in the bass range. The largest deviations occur in the treble range, where peaks make vocals and instruments sound harsh, while a bump in the mid-treble adds a piercing quality to sibilants like cymbals.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation have an outstanding imaging performance. This manufacturer has shown consistent quality control and ergonomics across all of the products that we've tested. That said, imaging varies across units. Our unit's L/R drivers are well-matched across all of our tests, which results in the accurate placement of sound objects like voices and instruments in the stereo image.
These in-ears have a bad passive soundstage, but that's normal for in-ear headphones. Since they bypass the pinna by design, their soundstage feels closed-off and as if sound is coming from inside your head rather than from speakers placed in the room around you.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation are compatible with Apple's Spatial Audio in the iOS interface. It scans your face from the front as you rotate it to capture all the angles of your face. Once complete, sound will follow your head movements, creating a more immersive and dimensional audio experience.
The weighted harmonic distortion performance is great. All frequencies fall within good limits, resulting in clear and pure audio reproduction.
These are the settings used to test these headphones. Our results are only valid when used in this configuration.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation's full-range noise isolation performance is great. They can block out a wide array of noise well. This includes the low rumble of buses, ambient chatter, and the high-pitched hums of an AC unit. As a result, these buds are a solid choice if you're looking for something to use during busy commutes or noisy days at the office. There are also some handy features like Adaptive Audio and Conversational Awareness that automatically adapt the headphones' performance based on the noise around you. These features are only available on iOS 17 (or later), and you can read more about them here.
Note: Due to user feedback, we've tested these headphones using firmware 5A377 and 5B58 to see if the noise isolation changed. You can see a comparison of both firmware here. We also did multiple passes using firmware 5E133, and you can see a comparison of 5B58 and 5E133 here. However, there wasn't much of a difference between firmware updates.
You can expect excellent noise isolation performance in common scenarios. The ANC can reduce rumbly plane engines and street noise well. While it reduces slightly less sound when it comes to office noise compared to other scenarios, it's still quite a solid performance overall.
Unlike noise like voices or traffic, wind directly interacts with the ANC's mics. However, this sound doesn't really reach your ear. As the ANC system tries to cancel the sound out, it ends up creating loud, unwanted noise. For the Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation, this noise is quite loud. Since they're earbuds, the amount of wind noise can also vary depending on the angle due to their small size and shape. For example, there's more wind noise reduction at 90 degrees than at other angles. Unfortunately, they also lack a wind reduction feature to help tackle these sounds better.
The leakage performance is great. Leakage is mostly concentrated in the mid to treble range and sounds pretty thin. Overall leakage is quite low, so if you like to listen to your favorite tracks at high volume, then others around you won't hear it.
The integrated mic has disappointing recording quality. Your voice sounds thin and somewhat muffled, making it harder to be understood well.
The integrated mic has a mediocre noise handling performance. If you're taking a call from a moderately noisy environment like a busy office, your voice can be obscured by background sound and even drowned out. Instead, it's best to take calls from quieter spaces like an empty meeting room.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation have a decent battery performance. Apple advertises that they last six hours continuously, which is on par with what we measured. It's worth mentioning that battery life varies depending on usage, the features you're using, and even your listening volume. On the upside, you can always pop them in their carrying case if you need more battery life since it holds an extra four charges. The buds also enter standby mode when not in use to conserve battery life further.
You can access the headphones' interface if you're connected via iOS; check out a video of how the interface works here. If you're on iOS 17 or later, you'll be able to access features like Adaptive Audio, which shifts your volume level depending on the amount of noise around you. There's also a Personalized Volume feature, which uses AI to generate a profile for your Apple account to record your content, volume, ANC mode, and external noise for the headphones to dynamically adjust to you. Conversation Awareness reduces your content's volume and switches to transparency mode so you can hear your conversation. Subjectively, it also seems to boost the mid-range so that you can better hear yourself and the other person. If the feature detects that the conversation has stopped, it turns off. Lastly, there's Automatic Switching. If you play audio from one device, it'll switch over to that device. It's useful if you've paired your headphones to your MacBook and iPhone, as you can easily switch between audio sources.
In addition to the iOS 17 features mentioned above, the iOS interface allows you to check the battery life of the headphones as well as the case, switch between ANC modes, and remap the press and hold control. You can also use the 'Find My' feature to track the case if you misplace it, and do a fit check to ensure the best possible fit. While there isn't any EQ in this app, you can access sound customization features via your iOS device's 'Accessibility' tab.
Since our model's carrying case has a lightning port, these headphones come with a Lightning to USB-C cable for recharging them. You can't use this cable for audio. If you have the carrying case with a USB-C port, Apple provides a USB-C cable in the box.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation have great Bluetooth connectivity. They have an H2 chip for seamless pairing with other devices in your Apple ecosystem, and you can connect them simultaneously to two different Apple devices. However, you'll only be able to receive audio from one device at a time. However, this won't work if you're using Android devices. They also support AAC codec, which can offer better audio quality than SBC. That said, their SBC latency falls just outside of good values, resulting in lip sync mismatch, which can be annoying if you're streaming video. Latency can vary depending on the app and device, though. It's also worth mentioning that these buds don't support any codecs designed for high-quality audio, like the LDAC support you get with the Technics EAH-AZ80 True Wireless. This can be disappointing if you want to listen to Hi-Res audio via services like Tidal or Apple Music.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 can connect to Bluetooth-enabled PCs with full audio and mic compatibility. However, you can't connect them to your PC in any other way.
This model comes with a carrying case with a lightning point for recharging. It also supports wireless charging. However, you can also purchase this model with a case that has a USB-C port and wireless charging support.