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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.
Adam is the Managing 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
- 2 total votes2 total votes
$529
7.7
7.0
9.0
8.0
6.0
7.0
7.0
7.5
9.0
8.0
8.5
- 8 total votes8 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
- 26 total votes26 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
- 2 total votes2 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 pick Apple AirPods Pro 3 as our best overall because they combine very strong active noise cancellation with a broad feature set that includes a heart-rate sensor, Live Translation, and hearing-aid functionality. Our MDAQS context and the review’s measurements show ANC that reduces outside noise by about 90% on average, and the improved fit plus foam-infused ear tips help the seal and ANC performance. The earbuds also deliver clear call quality with dual beamforming microphones and a battery life of roughly 8 hours and 42 minutes per charge, though they connect best within the Apple ecosystem and the review noted occasional connection quirks and channel-panning glitches. Because of that wide capability set, the AirPods Pro 3 also earned Best ANC, Bluetooth 5.0 and more, Best Value, and Best Call Quality recognition.
Sourced from Apple AirPods Pro 3 review: Close to perfect – SoundGuys.
Best Battery Life pick: Apple AirPods Max
Apple AirPods Max stand out for battery endurance among Apple’s headphones, delivering around 20 hours of continuous playback with ANC enabled and testing closer to 21 hours. The AirPods Max pair that longevity with top-notch noise canceling and a useful transparency mode, and the digital crown gives precise control over volume and playback. Construction is premium—stainless steel headband and aluminum ear cups—and while the headset is heavy at 385 grams, the engineered headband and deep, plush ear cups make them comfortable for extended listening. The AirPods Max also earned Best Over-Ear Headphones and Best for Comfort recognition, though the included case is mainly an off-switch and offers limited protection, and the lack of folding hinges hurts portability.
Sourced from Apple AirPods Max review – SoundGuys.
Best Sound Quality pick: Apple AirPods Pro 2
Apple AirPods Pro 2 earn our Best Sound Quality pick thanks to Adaptive EQ, low distortion, and a very high Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Score reported in the review. Adaptive EQ tailors the sound to your ear canal so bass and mids reproduce closely to the preferred curve, and personalized Spatial Audio further enhances listening on compatible devices. These earbuds are tightly integrated with iPhone features like Spatial Audio personalization and Find My, and the review makes clear that many of the advanced features are iOS-only. The AirPods Pro 2 also received Best for Android users recognition in the badge list.
Sourced from Apple AirPods Pro 2 review – SoundGuys.
Our verdict
Across Apple’s wireless earbuds and headphones, we balanced ANC, sound quality, battery life, and ecosystem features to arrive at complimentary picks: the AirPods Pro 3 for the most complete package of ANC, health and accessibility features, and call performance; the AirPods Pro 2 for the best measured sound quality on our scales; and the AirPods Max as the over-ear choice when battery life and plush ear cups matter most.
Each pick has trade-offs: the AirPods Pro 3 delivers broad functionality but can show fit variability and occasional connection quirks, the AirPods Pro 2 shines on sound while depending on iOS-specific features, and the AirPods Max is heavier and less portable despite its comfort and long battery life. The remaining Apple models round out specific needs: Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation) still offers reliable ANC, a secure fit for workouts, IPX4 sweat resistance, and Find My support; AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation brings ANC to an unsealed AirPods form factor but yields middling ANC and about 6 hours 21 minutes per single charge (roughly 30 hours with the case); and the more budget-focused AirPods 4 and AirPods (3rd generation) target users who prefer an open, tipless design, strong Apple integration, and lightweight wear—at the cost of isolation and the deeper ANC performance of sealed earbuds.
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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