Apple’s AirPods have become the default choice for many people, whether you’re looking for simple wireless earbuds that work without fuss or premium options with features like noise cancellation and surround sound. The program has grown over the years, so now there is a model for almost every type of audience. Some pairs are designed for all-day comfort, others focus on isolation and rich sound, and Apple’s over-ear option provides an immersive experience for movies and music.
If you spend most of your time on an iPhone or iPad, all AirPods share one big advantage: they connect instantly and switch between Apple devices seamlessly. With new models always on the horizon and longtime favorites still holding up, we’ve rounded up the best AirPods to help you decide which ones suit your listening style.
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What you need to know about AirPods
When it comes to Apple earbuds and headphones, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind before making your final decision. First, the standard AirPods are open-ended earbuds with no tip that allow some natural sound to enter your ears at all times. Apple AirPods Pro is a model with tips that completely cover your ear, enabling features such as loud noise cancellation and hearing tests. Finally, the Apple AirPods Max are the company’s over-ear noise-canceling headphones of choice for audiophiles, and currently the company’s only option for completely wireless headphones that aren’t made by Beats.
There are several features available in all models as they have become natural in the AirPods experience. First, you can expect connection benefits such as Automatic Switching between Apple devices synced with your iCloud account. This means that AirPods will automatically switch to your phone when you receive a call while listening to music on a MacBook or laptop, for example. It works similarly to multipoint Bluetooth, but the feature is not limited to two devices like most earbuds and headphones. Second, hands-free access to Siri is automatic, allowing you to ask the assistant for help without touching your AirPods. Finally, Personalized Surround Sound with adaptive head tracking is available throughout the system, even in the less expensive version and the new AirPods, including AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation.
If you don’t think any of the AirPods options are right for you, check out our recommendations for the best wireless earbuds and the best wireless headphones for alternatives.
The best AirPods of 2026
Billy Steele of Engadget
Read our full Apple AirPods Pro 3 review
Battery life: 8 hours, up to 24 hours with charging case | Water resistance: IP57 | Noise cancellation: Yes | Default Switch: Yes
Apple’s latest AirPods Pro offer the company’s most robust feature set ever. Live Translation and audio quality get top billing, but ANC enhancements and sound quality are also important. Also, Apple’s existing hearing health and other advanced features of the earbuds are available here as well. And the company has managed to do all this without raising the price.
- Impressive ANC updates
- Improved sound quality
- Live Translation is finally here
- Extended battery life with a single charge
- The new fit takes some getting used to
- The total battery life is actually less than before
- Live translation languages are limited at first
$199 at Amazon
Engadget
Read our full AirPods 4 review
Battery life: 5 hours, up to 30 hours with charging case | Water resistance: IP54 | Noise cancellation: No | Default Switch: Yes
Apple is making some big changes to its “regular” earbuds for 2024, most notably adding ANC to its open-back design for the first time. Of course, the addition of noise cancellation raises the price, so the non-ANC version of AirPods 4 is the most affordable option in Apple’s ecosystem. This model still packs Apple’s H2 audio chip though for enhanced audio performance, so you can expect a few of the company’s latest features on board.
H2’s powerful tools on AirPods 4 include Voice Isolation, Personalized Ambient Sound with dynamic head tracking, Personalized Volume and Adaptive EQ. They do not have Conversation Awareness, Adaptive Audio and a transparent mode in the limits set for AirPods 4 with ANC and AirPods Pro 2. Unlike those two other models, the charging case for AirPods 4 does not offer MagSafe or Qi wireless charging, and the device does not have a built-in Find My speaker. However, they now include USB-C charging, making them compatible with the latest Apple device lineup.
You’ll get all the benefits of the refined shape on AirPods 4, which provides a more secure and comfortable fit. Like the third-generation AirPods, this model still lacks volume touch controls, but instead offers dynamic touch options for controlling playback, audio modes and taking calls. The downside to the open design is that you won’t get access to Apple’s hearing health tools. Since the AirPods 4 don’t cover your ear or have the required ANC, the company’s hearing test wouldn’t be accurate, the hearing aid wouldn’t be useful and the ear protection wouldn’t protect enough in loud environments.
- Improved fit and comfort
- Better sound quality
- Advanced features from more expensive models
- It’s still very affordable
- There are no internal volume controls
- There is no ANC
- No wireless charging
- No Chat Awareness
$74 at Amazon
Engadget
Read our full AirPods Max review
Battery life: 20 hours | Water resistance: No | Noise cancellation: Yes | Default Switch: Yes
If you prefer noise-cancelling headphones over earbuds, there’s only one option to choose from Apple’s lineup. AirPods Max was released in 2020 and the company gave a small update in September 2024 that replaced the lightning port with USB-C (and added five new colors). Although the design still feels current, the technology inside this model has been a generation behind since AirPods Pro 2 arrived in 2022. The AirPods Max are still powered by the H1 chip, which means Apple’s most advanced audio features aren’t available here.
Since the Max does not have the new H2 silicon, features such as Adaptive Audio, Personalized Volume, Conversation Awareness and Voice Isolation are not available in these headphones. However, you can still expect hands-free access to Siri, Personalized Surround Sound with dynamic head tracking, Adaptive EQ and the ultra-sound Transparency mode. The noise cancellation works well with most continuous sound sources, but like most headphones, it struggles with human voices. Auto-Switch is also here, so you can expect Max to switch between iCloud-connected devices quickly.
Then there is the design. AirPods Max feel lightweight and comfortable, even if the ear cups feel thin after hours of regular use. The physical controls for playback, volume and sound modes are centered around a rotating crown similar to that on the Apple Watch and a single button – both placed on the right side. That excellent transparency mode keeps you from shouting on calls, and voice pickup is good enough to use during important meetings without fear of audio quality issues.
- Very good balanced sound
- Strong features of ANC Handy
- Different but reliable controls
- Strong battery life
- It’s expensive
- It still uses the old H1 chipset
- A “case” offers little protection
- No support for premium music streaming service
$450 at Amazon
The best comparison chart for AirPods
|
Clarification |
AirPods 4 |
AirPods Pro 2 |
AirPods Max |
|
Price |
$129 |
$249 |
$549 |
|
Design |
In the ear |
In the ear |
By ear |
|
H2 chip |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
The ANC |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Surround sound with variable head tracking |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Hearing test |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
Rated battery life |
5 hours |
8 hours |
20 hours |
|
Strength |
Resistance to dust, sweat, and water (IP54) |
Resistance to dust, sweat, and water (IP57) |
N/A |
Other AirPods we’ve tested
AirPods 4 with ANC
AirPods 4 with ANC represent the first time active noise cancellation is available on a wearable, “regular” AirPods product. In terms of design, they are identical to the non-ANC model, so the difference is entirely in the features list. This more expensive version adds Adaptive Sound, Transparent Mode, Conversational Awareness and a wireless charging case. The ANC isn’t as powerful as the AirPods Pro 2, partly because the AirPods 4 don’t completely cover your ears. The noise-cancelling functionality is definitely useful, but it works best with constant, low-frequency annoyances like fans and white noise machines. Finally, you won’t get access to Apple’s hearing test and hearing aid features, because AirPods 4 with ANC don’t cover your ears, which can affect accuracy and performance.
