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Best AirPods in 2025: Which Apple Earbuds Should You Buy?
We ran the tests, you get the answers: the best AirPods revealed.
November 1, 2025
Adam is an Editor at SoundGuys specializing in gaming headsets, flagship headphones, and earbuds. A lifelong fan of video games and cinema, he brings a sharp ear and passion for immersive sound to every review. Beyond hardware, Adam writes thought-provoking features and opinion pieces that explore how audio tech shapes our lives. Armed with a BA in Cognitive Science, he pairs technical insight with a love for music’s psychological uplift. At home, he still rocks his original Sennheiser MOMENTUM over-ears, switches to Bose QuietComfort Ultra on flights, and relies on Galaxy Buds2 Pro while out and about.
Apple’s AirPods have become the go-to wireless earbuds for millions of people, thanks to their seamless pairing with iPhones, iPads, and Macs. They offer premium features like active noise cancellation and spatial audio, making them a favorite for an easy, reliable listening experience. With several models available and each looking nearly identical, picking the right pair can feel overwhelming. We’ve tested every AirPods model, and below you’ll find our results and recommendations based on real performance data.
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- Compare tableProductVotes
- 1 total votes1 total votes
$249
7.6
6.5
9.0
9.0
9.0
7.0
9.0
5.0
7.2
7.5
7.0
- 7 total votes7 total votes
$499
7.4
6.8
8.8
7.8
6.0
7.0
7.0
6.0
8.5
7.9
8.5
- 1 total votes1 total votes
$200
7.2
4.2
8.2
8.0
6.5
7.0
9.4
5.0
6.0
8.8
8.3
- 1 total votes1 total votes
$180
6.4
2.3
3.7
8.0
7.0
5.0
9.6
5.0
6.4
9.0
4.5
- 2 total votes2 total votes
$129
6.2
2.3
0.0
8.0
7.0
5.0
9.6
5.0
6.4
8.7
4.5
- 3 total votes3 total votes
$169
5.3
0.6
0.0
7.0
5.0
4.0
9.0
5.0
6.0
8.0
3.0
Product chart
In the chart above, you can see how each of the headphones compares in terms of price and performance.
Here at SoundGuys, we’ve been testing audio products for over a decade. Our team comprises audio product experts who have tested hundreds of different headphones, earbuds, and speakers. Moreover, our team comes from diverse backgrounds and a wealth of expertise, including audio engineering, film production, journalism, podcasting, music production, and even touring musicians.
Everything we recommend results from our objective measurements and great subjective experiences. Ultimately, we want you to enjoy your purchase or, at the very least, leave our site with a little more knowledge about the inner workings of audio. To see why you can trust us with your purchase decision, make sure to check out our ethics policy.
At SoundGuys, we take a rigorous approach to testing AirPods, just as we do with every audio product. We evaluate performance in real-world scenarios, testing features like Bluetooth stability, ANC effectiveness, and overall sound quality. Each product undergoes standardized tests to measure battery life, frequency response, and isolation.
You can read more about our detailed testing process here: How We Test
Additionally, we compare AirPods to other leading audio devices in the market to ensure a balanced perspective. We don’t just rely on technical specifications; we use AirPods in daily environments to assess how they perform under typical use cases. This method helps us determine whether they truly live up to the hype.
For more on why and how we test, check out Why We Test
Poll
What feature matters most when choosing AirPods?
Videos
Best overall pick: Apple AirPods Pro 3
We found the Apple AirPods Pro 3 pack a wide set of capabilities — from heart rate monitoring and Live Translation to hearing‑aid functionality — while delivering stronger noise canceling and a tighter seal thanks to a refined shape. The foam‑infused ear tips and smaller bulb improve fit and isolation for more consistent ANC and sound, though they can still push out of the ear as sweat or oil builds up. Pairing and advanced features are clearly optimized for Apple devices, and we saw a few early connection hiccups (including occasional audio panning to the right) that mostly resolved after brief resets. Controls rely on swipes and squeezes on the stems, and the case adds small conveniences like USB‑C and a lanyard anchor. The AirPods Pro 3 also earned recognition for Best ANC, Bluetooth 5.0 and more, and Best Value.
Sourced from Apple AirPods Pro 3 review: Close to perfect – SoundGuys.
Best Battery Life pick: Apple AirPods Max
The Apple AirPods Max deliver top‑notch active noise canceling and a handy transparency mode, paired with a smooth digital crown for playback and volume control. The metal construction—stainless steel headband and aluminum ear cups—feels luxurious and durable, and the plush padding plus a headband that distributes weight make long listening sessions comfortable despite the headset’s 385‑gram heft. Small sensors auto‑pause playback when you take them off, but the included “Smart Case” mainly serves to send the headphones into a low‑power state rather than protect them well in transit. These headphones are best when you want a premium over‑ear experience with strong ANC and long runtime, and they also earned recognition as Best over‑ear headphones and Best for Comfort.
Sourced from Apple AirPods Max review – SoundGuys.
Best Sound Quality pick: Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 improve the line with smarter chipsets that bring better battery life, stronger ANC, and clearer sound compared with the first generation. They unlock Apple‑exclusive features—Spatial Audio personalization, Find My integration, firmware updates and other iOS‑centric options—that make them most compelling for iPhone owners. The redesign retains a familiar form factor while adding swipe gestures and head‑gesture controls, plus an ear‑tip fit test to help secure the seal that ANC and sound depend on. These earbuds are also noted as useful for those with mild to moderate hearing loss. The product additionally carries a Best for Android users badge.
Sourced from Apple AirPods Pro 2 review – SoundGuys.
Best Call Quality pick: Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
The Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation bring ANC into Apple’s entry‑level AirPods lineup while keeping an open design that makes results heavily dependent on ear shape and fit. They connect over Bluetooth 5.3 using AAC, support Spatial Audio and Head Tracking, and carry an IP54 rating for light protection against dust and water. In our tests the earbuds showed roughly 6 hours and 21 minutes of playback per charge (without ANC), with the case providing about five extra charges for up to 30 hours total. Because these earbuds are unsealed, ANC performance is expectedly middling compared with sealed designs, but they earned a Best Call Quality badge for their overall performance in everyday use.
Sourced from Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation review – SoundGuys.
Our verdict
Across Apple’s wireless earbuds and headphones, the AirPods Pro 3 is our overall pick for Apple users who want a compact package with advanced features — hearing‑aid capabilities, heart‑rate tracking, Live Translation, and strong noise cancellation aided by a better seal — while the AirPods Max are the go‑to if you prefer an over‑ear build that emphasizes comfort and class‑leading ANC. For those focused on refined sound and iPhone‑centric features, the AirPods Pro 2 tightens the formula with smarter chips and improved ANC; the AirPods 4 with ANC offers a different trade‑off by adding noise cancellation to an open, non‑sealed design with solid battery endurance.
The remaining Apple models fill clear roles: the original AirPods Pro (1st gen) still work well for iPhone owners who need secure, sweat‑resistant earbuds for workouts and reliable call performance; the standard AirPods 4 suit buyers who dislike ear tips and want the most affordable AirPods experience inside Apple’s ecosystem; and the AirPods 3 are a lightweight option that brings Spatial Audio and easy iOS integration but retain the tip‑less design that makes fit variable. These conclusions reflect the products’ strengths and limitations within Apple’s wireless earbuds and headphones lineup and should help shoppers choosing among Apple devices and use cases.
FAQ
Yes, especially if you’re in the Apple ecosystem. AirPods pair instantly with iPhones, iPads, and Macs, switch devices automatically, and support features like Siri integration and spatial audio. If you don’t use Apple devices, other brands may offer better value.
Yes. AirPods Pro offer more features than the regular models, including active noise cancellation, a snug in-ear fit with silicone tips, and richer sound. Standard AirPods are still a good choice if you want something lighter and more affordable, but they don’t block outside noise or fit as securely.
Yes, you can use AirPods with an Android phone, but expect to lose many of their key features. Because Android devices can’t fully leverage Apple’s proprietary H1/H2 chips, you’ll be missing out on things like spatial audio, automatic device switching, the ear tip fit test, battery life optimization features (like auto ear detection), and control customization.
- Audio may feel less refined — you lose the automatic EQ adjustment and tuning that adapts to your ears.
- Battery life can suffer — features like automatic pause or one-bud mode that save power on iOS don’t work on Android.
- Feature limitations — things like Find My integration, conversation boost, or automatic device switching simply won’t function.
So while AirPods technically work with Android, they end up being a “less complete” product in that environment.
Read our related article: Don't use Airpods on Android
They support SBC and AAC only. They do not support higher-quality codecs like aptX or LDAC.
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