Airpods Aplenty
If you own an Apple product, you probably know one advantage to all Apple devices is their seamless integration. So why not add to your Apple collection with a pair of AirPods that will easily connect to all of your other Apple devices? With several AirPods options on the market, however, it's tough to know which are the best AirPods for you.
We’re here to help!
There's a reason AirPods always top best headphones lists for the year, but shopping for AirPods has become a lot more complicated now that Apple's released multiple generations and versions of its AirPods. These versions include standard AirPods, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max.
Confused? Don't be: We’ll run down the differences and benefits of each.
Great sound quality, a variety of ear tips for a snug fit, noise-canceling technology and extended battery life thanks to a wireless charging case are aspects that undoubtedly contribute to AirPods' perpetual appeal.
We’ll compare their feature highlights below to help you pick the best AirPods for your needs.
AirPods Pro 2
Battery Life: Rated up to 6 hours
Noise Canceling: Yes (ANC)
Spatial Audio & Head Tracking (plays three-dimensional sound tuned for your specific ear shape): Yes
Water-Resistant: Yes (IPX4 -- splash-proof)
Price: $249
The new AirPods Pro (2nd generation) are powered by Apple's new H2 chip, which delivers more processing power while being more energy efficient, according to Apple. The new chip, combined with new low-distortion drivers, allows for improved sound that offers better clarity and depth. The noise canceling is also improved -- Apple says the new AirPods have "double" the noise canceling of the original AirPods Pro.
Additionally, the new AirPods add an extra hour of battery life, up from five to six hours with noise canceling on. Plus, a speaker in the case that emits a sound that helps locate your buds via Find My should they decide to hide from you.
AirPods Max
Battery Life: Rated up to 20 hours
Noise Canceling: Yes (ANC)
Spatial Audio & Head Tracking: Yes
Water-Resistant: No
Price: $549
Apple's first full-size headphones, the AirPods Max are chock-full of high-end features like noise cancellation, spatial audio and easy integration with Apple devices. They offer 20 hours of battery life, spatial audio, and truly impressive “audiophile-level” sound – as long as you don’t mind the price tag.
AirPods (3rd Generation)
Battery Life: Rated up to 6 hours
Noise Canceling: No
Spatial Audio & Head Tracking: Yes
Water-Resistant: (IPX4 -- splash-proof)
Price: $169 (with lightning-charged case) / $179 (with MagSafe-charged case)
The newest 2021 AirPods (3rd Generation) deliver better sound quality than their predecessors while maintaining an open design. Slightly larger and shaped more like the AirPods Pro, they should be a better fit for more people's ears, but at the same time, they may not fit those with very small ears who got a perfect fit with the older-generation AirPods.
AirPods (2nd Generation)
Battery Life: Rated up to 5 hours
Noise Canceling: No
Spatial Audio & Head Tracking: No
Water-Resistant: No
Price: $129
The previous generation AirPods are still available for those who want a great pair of earbuds at the most affordable price. The form factor of the 2nd generation AirPods is identical to the wired EarPods that used to ship with iPhones until recently, which may be more comfortable for some compared to the larger form factor of the newer-generation ones.
So that’s the breakdown! Have any questions about AirPods and which might be best for you? Drop us a line!
