With more models than ever, it’s a tad tricky to work out which AirPods are going to suit you. Do you want the best possible noise cancelling? A comfy fit for all-day wear? Whatever it is, we’re here to break down the best Apple AirPods you can get your ears around right now. Let’s take a look…
How to choose the best AirPods for your lifestyle
The best set of AirPods is really going to differ from person to person. It all comes down to how, where and when you’ll use them.
Here’s a few important things to think about before your pick your pods…
Fit and comfort – Some AirPods sit inside your ear canal. Others have an open-ear design. If you’ve got smaller ears, you might prefer the snug, soft fit of the silicone tips on AirPods Pro models.
Noise cancellation – Active Noise Cancellation (or ANC for short) blocks out unwanted sounds on trains, planes and busy streets. If you want to listen to your pod in peace, it’s worth considering.
Battery life – If you travel a lot or commute to the office each day, you don’t want to have to keep plugging them in each night for a top up. Longer battery life means less charging!
Audio quality – Features like Personalised Spatial Audio make music, games and films feel way more immersive. Now it’ll be like you’re right there in the middle of a show or caught up in a dramatic scene.
Calls and voice clarity – Take lots of calls? Always in a meeting? Look out for models with voice-boosting tech that lets others hear you loud and clear.
Smart features – Things like automatic device switching and Siri support give you handy hands-free controls. And with Find My, you’ll always be able to track your AirPods down – even when they slip down the back of the sofa.
Apple ecosystem integration – If you’re already using an iPhone, iPad or a MacBook, AirPods work seamlessly across all of Apple’s different devices.
Budget – Not everyone needs every single premium feature. Even the most affordable AirPods give you excellent sound quality and battery life.
Apple AirPods compared
Here’s a quick look at the current AirPods lineup…
| Feature | AirPods Pro 3 | AirPods Max 2 | AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case | AirPods 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Design | In-ear earbuds with silicone tips | Over-ear headphones | Open-ear earbuds | Open-ear earbuds |
| Active Noise Cancellation | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency Mode | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Personalised Spatial Audio | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chip | Apple H3 chip | Apple H2 chip | Apple H2 chip | Apple H2 chip |
| Wireless Charging | Yes (MagSafe/USB-C) | USB-C charging | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | Up to 8 hours | Up to 20 hours | Up to 5 hours (22 hours with the case) | Up to 4 hours |
| Water & Sweat Resistance | Yes (IP54) | No | Yes (IP54) | Yes (IP57) |
| Best for | Everyday listening, commuting, travel & workouts | Premium sound, home listening and long sessions | Everyday listeners who want wireless charging & open-ear comfort | Budget conscious Apple fans |
Best AirPods overall
Model: Apple AirPods Pro 3
Why we love them: If noise cancelling’s your thing, the Pro 3 has it in spades. In fact, there’s up to 2x more Active Noise Cancellation than you’d find on the AirPods Pro 2. Now, even when it’s a right racket in the office, you’ll be able to really focus in on what you’re doing. And you’ll actually be able to hear the smallest details of songs over the din too.
Best premium over-ear AirPods
Model: Apple AirPods Max 2 Wireless Bluetooth Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Why we love them: When you think of AirPods, your mind probably goes straight to the in-ear version. But with the Max 2, Apple has over-ear headphones covered too.
They’re packing an H2 chip, bringing punchy bass, fuller mids and crisp highs to your tunes. And that’ll make your favourite albums sound better than ever. Plus, with dynamic head tracking, your sound always stays in the right spot, even when you’re rocking out to that face-melting guitar solo.
Best AirPods for open-ear comfort
Model: Apple AirPods 5 with wireless charging case
Why we love them: With their open-ear design, you can listen to hours of your audiobook without your ears becoming uncomfortable. And if you run out of juice just as things are getting good? No worries. Pop them back in the wireless charging case and they’ll be ready for the next chapter in no time.
Best budget AirPods
Model: Apple AirPods 5
Why we love them: You get a lot of audio bang for your buck here. But one of our favourite features has to be the personalised spatial audio. It uses clever head tracking to place different sounds all around you. And that makes things incredibly cinematic, especially when you’re watching your favourite show or an action-packed movie. Now you’ll feel like an actual part of that car chase!
Best alternative to AirPods
Model: Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) Wireless Bluetooth Noise-Cancelling Earbuds
Why we love them: While AirPods are great, they’re not the only option out there. Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra buds use their high-quality Immersive Audio to add more depth and space to songs. It makes them feel way more real. So, it’s sort of like being stood smack bang in the middle of a gig mosh pit. Just without the flying elbows.
FAQs
What are the best AirPods for iPhone?
If you’ve got an iPhone, the best AirPods are the AirPods Pro 3. They combine excellent sound quality with Active Noise Cancellation and comfy ear tips. Throw in spatial audio and integration with the rest of Apple’s gadgets, and they’ll work on everything from your MacBook to your iPad too.
Do AirPods work with Android?
Yes. AirPods work with Android phones and tablets using Bluetooth, just like other wireless headphones. Some Apple exclusive features though – like automatic device switching, Find My and certain audio settings – are only available when paired with an Apple device.
Are AirPods Pro waterproof?
No, AirPods aren’t fully waterproof. They do have water and sweat resistance, which protects them from light rain or an intense workout. But they won’t survive a swim in the pool!
How long does the AirPods battery last?
Battery life depends on the model. Most current AirPods will give you plenty of listening time on a single charge. And you’ll get even more from the charging case, which can bump up your total to about 22 hours.
Need more advice?
We’ve got loads of AirPods advice for you to check out. Like any earbud, they’re going to get mucky every now and then. So, we’ve covered how to clean AirPods safely without damaging them. And if your pair have suddenly dropped in volume, we’ll show you how to fix quiet AirPods.
