AirPods are perhaps some of the most recognisable earbuds and headphones on the market — but how do you decide which are the best AirPods for you? I've put together this list of all the AirPods you can buy today so that you can work our which you should put in your pocket (or backpack).
I'm a massive fan of AirPods, and I've spent hundreds of hours testing each model to get a clear picture of what they're capable of. That includes wearing them while working in my home office, trying out the ANC with daily walks, and then using them on buses and trains to really test out their noise canceling ability. AirPods manage to ace our tests with flying colors for the most part, but it's the compatability and interoperability between them and other Apple products that really make them worth your time.
The best AirPods right now are the AirPods Pro 2, thanks to their incredible sound quality and excellent noise canceling. They also recently recieved an update that lets them act like hearing aids, which is a massive health bonus. That's not to say the other models aren't great pairs of headphones in their own right — and we'll talk you through all of the details.
To make it easier to sort through and read, I've constructed this page with clear sections. We start of with the quick grid, which gives you speedy ratings and a lowdown of all the highlights of the AirPods. Then, for more information, we've got mini-reviews that go more in-depth into the headphones. Want even more info? We've then linked our full reviews for a further details and Tom's Guide further information.
The Quick List
Price ★★★☆☆
Sound ★★★★☆
ANC ★★★★★
Apple's flagship AirPods Pro 2 USB-C are its best-ever AirPods. They take performance to the next level for iOS users thanks to a raft of personalized audio enhancements, strong noise-canceling and dynamic sound.
Price ★★★★★
Sound ★★★☆☆
ANC ★★★☆☆
The new AirPods 4 pack in loads of features for a very solid price. There are two versions that you can pick up — a cheaper version, and then a more expensive model with ANC and a wireless charging case.
Price ★★☆☆☆
Sound ★★★★★
ANC ★★★★★
The AirPods Max are Apple's most expensive headphones, but the plush design and comfortable fit give them a luxury feel which only grows once you start playing music, making it hard to take them off.
The best AirPods you can buy right now
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Best AirPods overall
✅ Great noise canceling. The AirPods Pro 2 have some of the best noise canceling around.
✅ Loads of features. And there are always more coming — the AirPods Pro 2 recently got an update that can turn them into hearing aids.
✅ Comfortable fit. With plenty of ear tips in the box, it's easy to dial in the fit so that it suits you.
❌ Expensive. They're not cheap at $249.
❌ Battery life needs work. The buds themselves only last for 6 hours, and there are other options out there that last for longer.
We've continued to be blown away by the AirPods Pro 2 since they launched in September 2022. Updated to USB-C version in 2023, they are without doubt the best earbuds with active noise-cancelation for iPhone users, and the most versatile model for all kinds of lifestyles. This next-gen model brings significant upgrades to the popular original AirPods Pro to take performance to the next level. Externally, they look pretty similar to the first generation (below), but battery life has been increased to offer 6 hours on a single charge from the earbuds and a further 30 hours from the wireless charging case.
Designed for iPhone owners looking for a more tailored listening experience, we think the AirPods Pro 2 are the pinnacle of Apple technology. While testing them out for all kinds of active lifestyle activities, we found that the fit had been improved to the point where they're a viable option for the best sports headphones and suitable for runners and gym workouts alike. The latest USB-C version introduced IP54 certification on both the buds and charging case for protection from dirt and moisture.
On the audio front, Apple has included a new H2 chip with custom amp and driver that delivers better lower and higher frequencies, and you can use the iPhone's TrueDepth camera to create a personalized spatial audio sound to listen to some of the best Dolby Atmos sound in any pair of earbuds. Noise cancellation is double what the original AirPods Pro offered and is among the best we’ve yet to experience.
A recent software update has added new features, including Adaptive Audio that blends ANC and Transparency Adaptive mode to create the best sound profile possible.
- Read our full Apple AirPods Pro 2 review
Best Apple AirPods for value
✅ Great price. Coming in at $129 and $179 for the non ANC and ANC versions respectively, the AirPods 4 are the most reasonably priced AirPods.
✅ Open fit. Some people will love the less intrusive fit of the AirPods 4.
✅ Spatial Audio. Both of the models come with Spatial Audio support on board.
❌ Bad battery life. The ANC model only last for 4 hours, and the non ANC for 5.
❌ Sound isn't the best. There are much better sounding earbuds out there for similar prices.
The AirPod 4 are the newest AirPods on the list, released in October 2024. They replace the AirPods 2 and the AirPods 3 at the same time, bringing two different versions with slightly different features at unique price points. There's a version with ANC, which cost $179, and a version without that cost $129. There are more differences besides that, although both get Spatial Audio and USB-C charging.
When I tested the AirPods 4, I loved the price point, the looks of the buds, and the noise canceling of the cheaper option. I was massively surprised in fact by how much noise the ANC pair where capable of blocking out. Most comparable options with open fits struggle, but Apple's ANC algorithm is a very clever one that does a great job of keeping you clear of noise. That's not to say that I liked everything — the sound for me was an issue, with sibilant highs and a lack of bass impact.
Our tester in the AirPods 4 review, however, liked the way that the AirPods 4 sounded. They also commented on the quality of the ANC, like me, and they also liked the small size of the case. There where a couple of negatives that we both agreed on, however — most notably the battery life. While the 30 hours of battery is pretty good in the case, the ANC version only last for 4 hours in the buds alone. Thats half that you'll find in the Sony WH-1000XM5, and 2 hours less than the AirPods Pro 2. You do get a little more out of the non ANC version, to the tune of 5 hours, but it's still not amazing.
The fit as well is divisive. Some will like their more open fit, while I found it just made them harder to keep situated in my ears. If you like a more open fit though, you'll like the AirPods 4.
It's the price which keeps them in contention though — for under $200, they are a great option for grabbing a new pair of AirPods.
- Read our full AirPods 4 review
Best AirPods headphones
✅ Excellent sound. The AirPods Max sound brilliant, even when compared to the competition.
✅ Great looks. There's nothing that looks quite like the AirPods Max, with their aluminum build and interesting looking headband.
✅ Good ANC. The noise canceling is top-notch.
❌ Very expensive. They cost $549, more than any other pair of AirPods.
❌ Bad battery life. They only last for 20 hours, which is less than every other model of competition.
The AirPods Max recently received a slight (if disappointing refresh) in the form of the AirPods Max with USB-C. Apart from the new charging port to allay the concerns of the European Commission, and a selection of new colors, the new AirPods Max are identical to the previous model. What remains is still an excellent pair of over-ear noise-canceling headphones, with a very comfortable fit, and some brilliant noise-canceling. Colorful too, with a new color lineup that consists of Blue, Purple, Midnight, Starlight, and Orange.
On a purely technical level, Apple’s first over-ear cans sound absolutely fantastic. Active noise canceling performs well enough for the AirPods Max to rank as one of the best noise-canceling headphones on the market. Spatial Audio sound on the AirPods Max is superb, and head tracking creates a striking surround sound effect as you move your head.
The 20-hour battery life with ANC remains pretty healthy compared to rivals, although it is one of the areas we're hoping to see improved when the rumored AirPods Max 2 arrive. It’s worth noting that if you ever want to switch to wired listening you’ll need to buy a separate $35 Lightning cable, but on Bluetooth alone, Apple's first over-ear headphones are an excellent iOS companion.
- Read our full Apple AirPods Max review
Apple AirPods specs compared
| Header Cell - Column 0 | AirPods 4 | AirPods 4 with ANC | AirPods Pro 2 | AirPods Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $129 / £129/ AU$219 | $169 / £179/ AU$299 | $249 / £249 / AU$399 | $549 / £549 / AU$899 |
| Battery life (rated) | 6 hours | 5 hours | 6 hours | 20 hours |
| ANC | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial audio with head tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hey Siri | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Water resistance | Yes (IP54) | Yes (IP54) | Yes (IPX4-rated) | No |
ALSO TESTED...
Our audio experts at Tom’s Guide have actively tested the entire AirPods line since their debut in 2016 and continue to do so with every new entry. Not every release can be included in our rankings due to lack of availability, discontinuation or below standard performance. That doesn’t mean these omissions aren’t worth checking out, depending on your needs or budget. The picks in this guide are the very best we've tested and have all been given full reviews. These alternatives have all been through our rigorous testing processes, though they fall short of our top rankings.
How to choose the best AirPods for you
Many factors come into play when shopping for the best headphones, but your decision should always come down to intended use. That being said, you’ll want to take the following categories into account before settling on any pair.
Design: Are you looking for in-ear, on-ear or over-ear headphones? Wired or wireless? Luxury or sporty? Since these are headphones that will be used for multiple occasions, you want something that suits your lifestyle. Whatever type you choose, make sure the headphones are well built, easy to carry, and comfy to wear for about 1 to 2 hours daily.
Sound quality: Different models offer different sound, and since you’re buying a pair to enjoy music individually, it’s important to find headphones that match your sound preference, be it heavy bass or distinctively clear to where you can hear the littlest nuances in recordings.
Battery life: We've criticized Apple's battery life in the past, which went from 5 hours to 6 hours with the arrival of AirPods 3 and Pro 2 models, whereas many rivals models run from 8 to 12 hours typically. While the AirPods Max offer 20 hours with ANC enabled, new over-ear designs typically manage around 30 hours of playback time with ANC. Although the AirPods haven't given the strongest playback times we've seen compared to rivals, the real-world durations have remained consistent and we haven't noticed any decrease in capacity with usage over time.
Accessories: It's disappointing spending money on a new pair of headphones only to find that you need to buy the accessories separately. For AirPods 3 and Pro 2 models you'll probably want to add one of our best wireless chargers, although a Lightning charging cable is supplied there's no USB adapter. Additionally, it’s worth noting that if you ever want to switch to wired listening on the AirPods Max, you’ll need to buy a separate $35 Lightning cable, and you may also want to consider one of our best AirPods Max cases and covers to offer better protection than the pouch that's supplied.
Pricing considerations: Obviously, price is a big consideration when looking for the best headphones. Although there are always exceptions, big-name brands will typically command a bit extra, but generally speaking, the less you spend on a pair of headphones the greater the chance that sound and features will be compromised. Going for a budget option isn't always the best choice, as any money you save on your purchase won't do you much good if you're constantly needing to recharge your audio gear, or the sound quality is poor.
As the saying goes: timing is everything; and right now it's worth checking out our best AirPods deals to help you pick up a pair of Apple headphones for less.
How we test the best AirPods headphones
With more than 30 years of experience in testing and reviewing consumer audio products for all kinds of media outlets and big-name brands around the world, the Tom's Guide audio team follows a rigorous test regime when it comes to determining the best products for recommendation in our buying guides.
In determining the best AirPods, we consider fit, battery life, sound quality, design and value (are they worth the price?). We also factor in features like how well the controls work and how easily the earbuds pair with our playback devices.
In terms of sound quality, we listen to many sample tracks that span a number of genres, including hip-hop, rock, jazz, classical and R&B, while evaluating volume, clarity and fullness. We also make phone calls to assess both call quality and microphone performance.
To discover more information on what we listen for during our testing and reviewing process, take a look at our companion page on how to get the best headphone sound for you.
During the testing phase, our reviewers wear each pair of headphones for several hours at a time throughout the course of a week. Reviewers will make a note of the battery life performance in real world use, and assess how well this matches the rated battery life provided by earbud makers.
Star ratings explained:
We evaluate earbuds based on a five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = best). If a product hits nearly every mark, it’s awarded a coveted Recommended badge, while our Best Value award speaks for itself. Only products with truly exceptional performance across the board are awarded an Editor's Choice badge.
For more information, check out our how we test page for Tom's Guide.
Contributions from Alex Bracetti, Nick Pino, Sherri L. Smith, James Archer
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