Best AirPods 2025: I've tested every pair of Apple headphones and earbuds

1 month ago 3

Apple's AirPods are ubiquitous, and for good reason. Even the most basic of Apple's headphones are made to accompany your Apple devices. The current AirPods lineup includes premium options, like the over-ear AirPods Max and in-ear AirPods Pro 2, and budget in-ear options, like the AirPods 4. We've tested every AirPods model and have strong opinions on which pairs are the best for specific use cases. We tell you which pair will best suit your needs to help you make the right decision.

What are the best AirPods right now?

After thoroughly testing all of Apple's AirPods, we've concluded that the best AirPods are the AirPods Pro 2, thanks to their updated USB-C charging port, advanced software features, effective noise cancellation, and superior transparency mode. Additionally, these AirPods are frequently on sale for as low as $170, a steal considering their advanced capabilities.

Our second choice is the premium, over-ear AirPods Max, which also recently received a USB-C upgrade, allowing for universal charging and wired lossless listening for iOS users. The AirPods Max don't have as many software features as their in-ear counterpart, but they're a suitable choice for Apple users desiring over-ear headphones that seamlessly fit into the Apple ecosystem.

Also: The best earbuds: Expert tested and reviewed

The best AirPods of 2025

Why we like them: The AirPods Pro 2 are Apple's most advanced headphones, offering hearing health features, effective active and adaptive noise cancellation, and Apple's superb transparency mode. They are also Apple's only in-canal earbuds with silicone tips, which provide a tight seal between your ears and the outside world, allowing you to focus better on your audio.

Also: I've used my AirPods Pro 2 since they first launched. Here's my buying advice for 2025

Who they're for: These AirPods are ideal for iOS users looking for a small, easily pocketable pair of AirPods with advanced, "pro"-level features. The AirPods Pro 2 are ideal for people who don't prefer over-ear headphones and, instead, desire earbuds for everyday use.

The AirPods Pro 2 sport an IP54 rating, making them dust, sweat, and water resistant. This rating provides enough durability to head to the gym with you after work. Working professionals, frequent flyers, and people on the move can appreciate the Pro 2's compatibility with their iPhone, which allows them to command Siri, take and make phone calls, and add events to their calendars hands-free.

Who should look elsewhere: Although the AirPods Pro 2 are our favorite AirPods for their versatility and performance, you should consider the AirPods 4 if the Pro 2 are too advanced for your needs, or if you don't like the in-canal sensation. If you want over-ear headphones that are an auditory companion to your Apple devices, consider the AirPods Max.

Like all AirPods, you should consider other headphones and earbuds if you have an Android smartphone or tablet, or a Windows or ChromeOS laptop. You'll overpay for these earbuds and miss out on their best features, should you pair them with a non-Apple device.

AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) with USB-C features: Type: In-ear | Chip: H2 | Battery life: 6 hours | Water-resistant: IP54 (dust, sweat, and water resistant)

Show Expert Take Show less

Why we like them: The AirPods Max are Apple's premium over-ear headphones, providing an immersive listening experience tailored for Apple devices. They sport an easily recognizable, stylish, and sleek design that doubles as a fashion statement. We like the AirPods Max's effective noise-canceling capabilities, natural-sounding transparency mode, and thick ear pads.

With the USB-C AirPods Max, users can access 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio when plugged into a capable device. Additionally, the refreshed USB-C AirPods Max are available in more vibrant colors.

Also: How to figure out if you should (or shouldn't) buy the new USB-C AirPods Max

Who they're for: These headphones are ideal for people with at least one (likely an iPhone) Apple device, as features like spatial audio, automatic device switching, and Find My are reserved for Apple users. I don't recommend Android users spend near $600 to not access the Max's most valued features.

For iOS users deciding between the AirPods Max and Apple's earbuds, the AirPods Max are the best choice for commuting, desk working, studying, and traveling. Their over-ear form factor provides a more immersive audio and noise-canceling experience.

Who should look elsewhere: I do not recommend Android users pay the AirPods Max's hefty price tag, as they work best with Apple devices. I recommend the AirPods Max the most to people with at least one other Apple device besides their iPhone, like a MacBook or iPad.

The AirPods Max lack some now-commonplace software features like conversation awareness, adaptive noise cancellation, and Bluetooth multipoint and have a shorter battery life than their direct competitors.

Suppose your tech arsenal includes a mix of iOS, Android, Windows, or ChromeOS devices. In that case, I suggest over-ear headphones compatible with multiple operating systems, like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra or Sony WH-1000XM5.

AirPods Max features: Type: Over-ear | Chip: H1 | Battery life: 20 hours | Water-resistant: N/A

Show Expert Take Show less

Why we like them: The AirPods 4 are Apple's latest midrange AirPods, this time with a huge new feature: noise cancellation. We like these earbuds because they offer the best of AirPods for a lesser price. The AirPods 4 have transparency mode, noise cancellation, and spatial audio, making them the perfect AirPods for casual, everyday use.

The fourth-generation AirPods are much more comfortable than previous AirPods with plastic eartips, and they debuted with Conversation Awareness, Adaptive Audio, and an upgraded H2 audio chip.

Review: AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC

Who they're for: The AirPods 4 with noise cancellation are best suited for iOS users wanting Apple's best earbud features without the in-canal fit that the AirPods Pro 2 provide. The AirPods 4 sport an in-ear fit, which allows more ambient noise into your ear and provides a relaxed fit. Still, the AirPods 4 are excellent for taking and making casual phone calls on the go, and they have enough water resistance (IP54) to accompany you to your after-work workout.

Who should look elsewhere: You should not purchase the AirPods 4 if the traditional plastic AirPods tend to fall out of your ears. Unlike the AirPods Pro 2, the AirPods 4 do not have silicone tips to aid in keeping the earbuds in place. Otherwise, the AirPods 4 with noise cancellation offer many of the same advanced software features as their more expensive counterpart, making them a great option for iOS users who don't want to pay a premium for the Pro model.

AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation features: Type: In-ear | Chip: H2 | Battery life: 5 hours | Water-resistant: IP54 (dust, sweat, and water resistant)

Show Expert Take Show less

Why we like them: Apple's base model AirPods 4 provide a simple and practical experience to Apple users. These AirPods debuted with significant upgrades from the third-generation model, providing a more comfortable fit, improved sound quality, and increased dust resistance.

Additionally, these AirPods are the cheapest AirPods during major sales, with prices as low as $100. In comparison, the AirPods 3, which are less advanced than the AirPods 4, are still $150 during sales.

Also: How to clean and sanitize your AirPods (and why you should)

Who they're for: I recommend these AirPods for people who want a simple AirPods experience. If you don't like noise-canceling earbuds, these are a solid option. The AirPods 4 would work best for people desiring Apple-branded earbuds for taking and making phone calls and casually listening to music. You should choose the AirPods 4 if you don't require many advanced software features and, instead, want a pair of no-frills Apple earbuds that work well with your Apple devices.

Who should look elsewhere: You should consider other options if you want AirPods with more advanced software features, like Conversation Awareness, which pauses your music when the earbuds detect you're trying to have a conversation with someone.

AirPods 4 features: Type: In-ear | Chip: H2 | Battery life: 5 hours | Water-resistant: IP54 (dust, sweat and water-resistant)

Show Expert Take Show less

If you're not familiar with the four models of AirPods that are currently sold by Apple, here's a quick look at their primary features.

Best Apple AirPods	Retail Price	Battery	Audio Chip
AirPods Pro 2	$249	6 hours	H2
AirPods Max	$549	20 hours	H1
AirPods 4 with ANC	$179	5 hours	H2
AirPods 4 without ANC	$129	5 hours	H2

If you're still trying to decide which set of AirPods to buy, here's the main reason to buy each product in the lineup.

Choose this pair of Apple AirPods...	If you want...
AirPods Pro 2	Apple's most upgraded and capable headphones. These earbuds offer impressive noise cancellation, are compatible with the Vision Pro headset, and have an in-canal fit for enhanced immersion.
AirPods Max	Over-ear headphones with Apple-specific features. Although you can find equally yoked headphones for cheaper, these headphones shine with their integration with Apple devices.
AirPods 4 with ANC	Impressive AirPods without the advanced features found in the Pro 2. If you want noise cancellation and spatial audio without the cutting-edge tech, these are perfect for you.
AirPods 4	An even more watered-down pair of Apple earbuds. These earbuds lack noise cancellation, but offer spatial audio and Siri integration.

In evaluating the four models of AirPods, I've especially focused on these four factors:

Cost: Budget is where most people start, so we always have to keep that at the forefront of the conversation about AirPods. The AirPods on this list cost anywhere from $99 to $550, depending on the model you choose. The AirPods Max are the most expensive AirPods, while the AirPods 4 without ANC are the cheapest. The AirPods Max are made with heavier metals like aluminum and stainless steel, adding to their price, while the AirPods 4 are mainly plastic.
Features: The things that determine how AirPods work and what you can do with them are always going to be at the center of consideration, so we have to look at noise cancellation, transparency mode, spatial audio, water resistance, charging case, interface controls, comfort, and other key features.
Battery life: Few things affect daily use more than battery life, so we have to take that into account when considering the usefulness of each product. Apple's earbuds offer five to six hours of battery on a single charge, but the charging case provides up to 25 more hours of playtime.
Chip: Apple uses both the H1 and H2 chips to power its AirPods. These chips are key to sound quality, noise-canceling abilities, and software features. The AirPods Max have the H1 chip, so they lack adaptive noise cancellation and Conversation Awareness. However, Apple's earbuds sport the H2 chip, which powers those features.

I have been using AirPods every day for over five years, and have tried all of the various models. I've also used many other wireless earbuds, wireless over-the-ear headphones, and wired earbuds and headphones. I've used inexpensive $20 models and I've used ones that cost over $500. I've taken all of that experience and used it to make recommendations on the best AirPods to buy, based on the AirPods' performance, battery life, customer reviews, your needs, your use cases, and your budget.

ZDNET only spotlights products we actually recommend to people, and when we like a product, we will spotlight it or write an official review, and then put the product on one of these best lists.

To learn more about our approach to headphone and earbud testing, read our comprehensive headphone testing methodology.

Last September, Apple announced two new pairs of AirPods, an updated AirPods Max model, and new software features for the AirPods Pro 2. Here's a short breakdown of the new AirPods and the latest software features.

AirPods 4: Apple released two AirPods in the fourth-generation lineup. One pair has active noise cancellation and one pair does not. Noise cancellation is the major distinction between the two. Both AirPods have Apple's advanced H2 audio chip for improved sound quality, Spatial Audio, and an improved fit for enhanced comfort.
AirPods Max with USB-C: Apple released USB-C compatible AirPods Max in new colors. USB-C compatibility brings wired lossless listening to the updated AirPods Max.
Hearing Aid Mode: The advanced Pro 2 earbuds will receive hearing health features, including acting as an over-the-counter hearing aid for those with mild to moderate hearing loss. Users concerned with their hearing health can conduct a hearing test on their iPhone and access insights and metrics in the Health app when wearing the Pro 2 earbuds.

According to industry insiders, Apple is working on the AirPods Pro 3, which will feature a new design, enhanced audio quality, a new chip, and biometric sensors to monitor heart rate, temperature, and perspiration levels. However, those same analysts assert that Apple has no solid plans for the AirPods Max 2 this year.

The best cheap AirPods are the AirPods 4 without active noise cancellation. These AirPods offer spatial audio and conversation awareness, making them a solid option for casual earbud wearers. You can find these earbuds for as low as $100 during major sales.

The AirPods Pro 2 are better for avid earbud wearers than the AirPods 4 due to their comfort, in-ear security, advanced features, and impressive noise cancellation. If you want AirPods that will receive the latest and greatest software features, the AirPods Pro 2 are a no-brainer. However, the AirPods 4 with ANC offer vital features like noise cancellation, spatial audio, Find My compatibility, and wireless charging.

Apple always sells its products for their MSRP. If you buy from Apple's website, expect to pay full price. However, you can find Apple products like AirPods regularly discounted on sites like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. During seasonal sales, you can find the AirPods Pro 2 for as low as $170 and the AirPods Max (Lightning) for as low as $395, and the AirPods 4 without noise cancellation for as low as $100.