5 Best AirPods for Listening to Music, Tested by Audio Experts

You can expect similar sound quality with the AirPods 4 that you’ll get with other Apple AirPods, though the experience is slightly different due to the unsealed fit. They’re powered by the H2 chip you’ll find in Pro versions, and what’s great about them is that they come at a lower price. You can choose between two versions: AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, or to save a bit, AirPods 4 (without Active Noise Cancellation).

I tested the Noise Cancellation model on a recent flight and was impressed by how effectively the earbuds blocked out the drone of the plane. Though you won’t get as secure or comfy a fit as you would with AirPods that have silicone tips, these are still an excellent choice for everyday wear.

Battery life is slightly lower than Pro models at five hours on a single charge, but you get a massive 30 hours when combined with the charging case. Just note that the AirPods 4 without Active Noise Cancellation do not feature wireless charging or modes like Adaptive Audio, which adjusts audio to your environment, or Transparency mode, which lets you hear your surroundings even with your earbuds in your ears.

The AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) with USB-C charging took the original AirPods to the next level by adding noise-canceling capabilities that make it easier than ever to take a call hands-free on a noisy street. Because the AirPods Pro 2 are designed to seal off the ear canal with silicone tips, they’re not only more comfortable than traditional AirPods, but they also offer a more secure fit that stays put better when you’re on the go.

This makes it much easier to find the right size for your ear, a common problem among earbud users. This second-generation model also has improved audio quality with rich clarity and depth as well as overall performance, thanks to Apple’s H2 chip.

According to Apple, noise canceling is twice as powerful as in the previous generation, and in our audio tests, the AirPods Pro 2's noise canceling capabilities were comparable to some over-ear headphones, which are typically better at isolating out background noise. Greenwald described these as “impressive for earbuds” with a “frequency response curve that’s so well balanced in the bass range and has very little distortion.” To say the least, this pair features some of the best audio quality you’ll get from AirPods and the most popular AirPods alternatives.

When testing the AirPods Pro 2nd Generation, our experts were impressed by how effectively busy New York City street sounds were blocked out on public transportation and how easy it was to switch to transparency mode whenever needed, simply by pressing the AirPods' stem. Apple also recently added a feature called “Conversation Awareness”—once you start speaking, your audio’s volume automatically reduces along with any background noise so you can seamlessly transition to a conversation.

But one thing that you may want to be aware of is that callers on the other end might hear ambient sounds like traffic and wind that the earbuds pick up. Still, our reviewers were fans of these. “Listening to music in spatial audio is such a beautiful experience and I find that I notice notes in the background of music that I had not noticed before because of the clarity of the sound,” one tester said. Testers did note, however, that while these AirPods are a great choice for commuting and working out, they still may fall out of ears occasionally and aren’t always a perfect fit despite the silicone tips.

The all-new AirPods Max 2 took the original AirPods Max and made several improvements. These over-ear headphones continue to stand out for their superior sound quality and excellent noise cancellation capabilities, which are now 1.5x more effective, according to Apple. If you plan on traveling on noisy airplanes or subways, this is the pair for you—especially in comparison to other AirPods. Though they’re pricey for what they are, it’s hard to find over-ear headphones with a sleeker-looking design (plus, they’re available in five gorgeous metallic shades). Keep an eye out for flash sales and deals as the holidays approach so you can snag them when they’re marked down.

With only two controls, the AirPods Max 2 are extremely intuitive and simple to use. Just turn the dial to adjust the volume and press the button to alternate between noise canceling and transparency mode when you want to speak to someone or hear your surroundings. Our experts were blown away by how clearly they could hear their own voices when testing transparency mode, and we found audio quality to be crisp, clear, and exceptional at high frequencies. The AirPods Max remained comfortable during hours of use, thanks to plush ear pads and a breathable mesh band, though some testers reported that they feel heavier than other over-ear headphones.

There’s really not much to dislike about Apple’s over-ear headphones, and I appreciate that new features were added, like conversation awareness, voice isolation, live translation, and adaptive audio. I do wish that Apple had upgraded the smart case to something sturdier and better suited for travel. Also noteable: A wired cable is still not included, so you can't connect to in-flight entertainment systems without purchasing a USB-C to 3.5mm Audio Cable separately.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Apple’s New AirPods Max 2 Improve What Matters Most