I’ve had the chance to use Apple headphones, and I have to say that they really do provide a great sound experience. Not only do these headphones have great sound quality, but they also work perfectly and have a lot of useful features. Even though Apple’s headphones are often more expensive than their other products, I’ve found that they are well worth the money.
The basic EarPods that used to come with every new iPhone are no longer the only type of Apple headphones. Even though they did some of what they were supposed to do, they couldn’t really compete when it came to making great sound. Apple is now well known as a major player in the world of audio technology. Apple’s AirPods and Beats headphones have a reputation for being some of the best earbuds and over-ear headphones on the market.
The brand’s line of AirPods, as well as Apple-owned Beats, are among Apple’s best headphones. In addition, there is a choice of Apple in-ear and over-ear headphones, as well as wired and wireless models. With an overview of the best Apple headphones currently on the market and links to the biggest discounts on Apple headphones, this guide tries to help you make a decision. Whether you are listening to music, a podcast, or an audiobook, many Apple headphones are made to produce superior quality and enhance your listening experience. Apple’s AirPods are among the best headphones in the line, but the company also makes Beats.
In addition, you can choose between in-ear and over-ear Apple headphones, as well as wired and wireless models. The list of the best Apple headphones currently on the market and links to the best prices will help you make your decision. With the AirPods series of authentic wireless earbuds and over-ear headphones, Apple has moved beyond the fragile EarPods that came with the iPhone and established itself as a serious player in audio technology.
Best Apple Headphones
Beats Fit Pro
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Design | In-ear |
| Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) | Yes |
| Transparency mode | Yes |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Battery Life | Up to 8 hours (24 hours with charging case) |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 |
| Controls | Touch controls |
| Wireless Charging | Yes |
| Voice Assistant Support | Siri |
Flexible and secure wingtip for all-day comfort and stability A unique acoustic platform produces loud and round sound. Dynamic head tracking and spatial audio for immersive games, movies and music Transparency mode, active noise cancellation and adaptive equalization are three different listening modes. Automatic switching, audio sharing (with another pair of Beats headphones or Apple AirPods) and “Hey Siri” feature are all enhanced by the Apple H1 processor.
Waterproof and sweat-proof earbuds (IPX4 rating), 6 hours or more of listening time,Built-in microphones allow for high-quality calls and engaging the voice assistant. Industry-leading Class 1 Bluetooth enables increased range and reduced drops. Package contents Beats by Dr. Dre true wireless noise-canceling earbuds; complementary charging case; three size options for ear covers; USB-C to USB-C charging connection; quick start manual; and warranty card.
AirPods Max
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Design | Over-ear |
| Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) | Yes |
| Transparency mode | Yes |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Battery Life | Up to 20 hours |
| Water Resistance | No |
| Controls | Digital Crown, Physical buttons |
| Wireless Charging | Yes |
| Voice Assistant Support | Siri |
Although the Apple AirPod Max headphones are a great pair of headphones with best-in-class active noise cancellation and a good sound signature, they also have some annoying quirks that make them obviously an Apple product. If you live in the Apple ecosystem and already love your AirPods Pro, the AirPods Max are the same thing, but in an over-ear pair.
The AirPods Max do not have a 3.5 mm headphone jack, so if you want to use something other than a Bluetooth-enabled device you are out of luck, unless you decide to buy a $35 Lightning-to-3.5 mm audio cable from Apple. If the device you choose does not have a headphone jack (like Apple’s iPhones) you will need another $9 dongle.
Apple AirPods Pro
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Design | In-ear |
| Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) | Yes |
| Transparency mode | Yes |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Battery Life | Up to 4.5 hours (24 hours with charging case) |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 |
| Controls | Touch controls |
| Wireless Charging | Yes |
| Voice Assistant Support | Siri |
Battery life is good for Apple earbuds. However, it is not exceptional compared to the eight or even nine hours offered by other truly wireless earbuds. During our testing, we found that the advertised four to five hours from a single charge was accurate, although we recommend charging the case regularly (a wireless charging pad is a convenient and interesting way to do this), as you may be surprised when the case suddenly runs out.
The AirPods Pro are the culmination of many years of work on a strong audio product. There are better wireless earbuds out there, but for Apple fans and iPhone users (who have the means to afford them) they are an excellent choice. The fit to the ear canal is an important aspect of the overall sound quality of the earbuds and contributes to physical noise isolation and passive noise reduction; in a perfect world, no sound goes in and no sound comes out.
Apple AirPods (3rd Generation)
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Design | In-ear |
| Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) | No |
| Transparency mode | No |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Battery Life | Up to 5 hours (24 hours with charging case) |
| Water Resistance | No |
| Controls | Touch controls |
| Wireless Charging | Yes |
| Voice Assistant Support | Siri |
The new model has a completely new design, improved audio, and access to features previously found only on AirPods Pro, such as space audio compatibility. In addition, the battery life of the new AirPods is better than previous versions and even the AirPods Pro. Apple now has three true-wireless earbuds to choose from, because the second-generation AirPods are still on sale, although not in the wireless charging version.
In fact, if you look only briefly, you might think you see the AirPods Pro. Instead of the long, thin stem of the original AirPods with a small earbud, the new model has a larger, rounder earbud that fits my ears better, although yours might be different.
Apple AirPods (2nd Generation)
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Design | In-ear |
| Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) | No |
| Transparency mode | No |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Battery Life | Up to 5 hours (24 hours with charging case) |
| Water Resistance | No |
| Controls | Tap controls |
| Wireless Charging | Yes |
| Voice Assistant Support | Siri |
The charging indicator is now on the outside, while the pairing button on the back is positioned slightly higher. The exposed metal hinge on the back now has a matte finish instead of a chrome coating; this is perhaps a pedantic observation, but it produces a slightly different sound when closing the lid.
Apple claims that the new AirPods allow you to switch between devices twice as fast as before, and although it is difficult to measure this claim objectively, the process is considerably faster. We tried switching from one iPhone to another and from an iPhone to a MacBook Air and the wait time was minimal compared to the previous model.
Apple AirPods with Charging Case
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Design | In-ear |
| Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) | No |
| Transparency mode | No |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Battery Life | Up to 5 hours (24 hours with charging case) |
| Water Resistance | No |
| Controls | Tap controls |
| Wireless Charging | No |
| Voice Assistant Support | Siri |
The AirPods have a lively and powerful presentation, although they can sound slightly jarring when it comes to high-frequency sounds, and they are certainly not the lowest-pitched earbuds on the market. The design also leaves much to be desired. Sure, the protruding stems of the AirPods have become almost iconic, but the lack of interchangeable earbuds means that many will not be able to find a perfect fit and they are certainly not secure enough for us to wear during physical activity.
Design-wise, there are not many differences between the second-generation AirPods and the originals; the long earbud stems and pillbox-style charging case are virtually identical, although the new charging case now features a small LED light on the front.
