Every Set of AirPods Compared | Which is Best for You?

If you’re an Apple user, you probably already know how AirPods have quickly become one of the most popular Apple products in the world. 

While some of us still miss the good old headphone jack, there’s no doubt that having a pair of wireless earbuds that automatically pair to all your Apple devices feels like magic. Because of this popularity, Apple has launched a few different models of AirPods. With so many choices available, it can be hard to choose the right pair for you. 

The good news is we’re here to help. What follows is a list of all the AirPods Apple currently sells, with all the details you need to know about each one to hopefully help you choose the right pair of AirPods for your needs.

Second-Generation AirPods

These are the most affordable AirPods Apple offers in its store. It might seem weird that Apple is still selling this older early 2019 version nearly two years after it released the third-generation AirPods in 2021, but the simple explanation is that these AirPods are very affordable and remain popular.

The second-generation AirPods start at $129, but you’ll usually find them on sale on Amazon for as low as $99, making them one of the best options out there. Just keep in mind that some online stores may take extra time to ship these, so if you need a pair of AirPods right now, you’re better off buying them from Apple. 

Compared to the newer models, these AirPods are as simple as they get. You won’t get any of the fancier features like Active Noise Cancellation, water resistance, or even wireless charging. However, when it comes to battery life, these AirPods still hold their own. You get up to five hours with a single charge and over 24 hours with the help of the charging case. 

These AirPods also feature the classic design of the original 2016 AirPods that made the product stand out when it first launched. You get a longer stem and no silicone ear tips, which some people may prefer.

Overall, these budget AirPods are perfect if you’re looking for a cheap pair of Apple earbuds and don’t care about getting the best sound quality or more advanced features. 

Third-Generation AirPods

Apple took its time, but it finally released the third-generation AirPods in late 2021. They offer the best value in the AirPods lineup, and may be all you need if you don’t mind the lack of Active Noise Cancellation (ANC).

Compared to previous versions, and even the first-generation AirPods Pro, these AirPods have better battery life and the best design we’ve yet seen on the standard AirPods.

The third-generation AirPods, as well as their charging case, are IPX4 water and sweat resistant, so you won’t have a problem going to the gym with them. Additionally, you can charge them wirelessly, where they’ll magnetically attach to a MagSafe charger or charge from any standard Qi wireless charger. 

When it comes to the design, Apple mixed the look of the classic AirPods with the design of the AirPods Pro. This means you get a smaller stem, a more rectangular charging case, and a cooler design all around. 

To top it all off, Apple didn’t add any silicone ear tips to these AirPods. That’s arguably not a big problem since these AirPods don’t support Active Noise Cancellation or Transparency mode, but it means they don’t offer as much in the way of passive noise isolation, either. Still, these are the AirPods to get for folks who hate ear tips.

Combine the new design and features with a six-hour battery life in a single charge — and up to 30 hours with the charging case — and you’ve got yourself a great pair of AirPods that are the best choice for most people.

Second-Generation AirPods Pro

The second-generation AirPods Pro, or “AirPods Pro 2,” are Apple’s latest premium set of in-ear headphones, offering the most advanced technology from the company. Of course, that comes with a price.

The AirPods Pro pack in a battery that’ll last you six hours on a single charge, although that will depend on whether or not you’re using Active Noise Cancellation. As with the other AirPods, the charging case adds 24 more hours for a total listening time of up to 30 hours. Naturally, they also support wireless MagSafe-compatible charging and they’re IPX4 water- and sweat-resistant

However, where the AirPods Pro really stand out are the extra features. You get Active Noise Cancellation that works even better than it did on the first-generation AirPods Pro, which already offered excellent noise cancellation. When it’s on, you won’t hear much of the sound around you, letting you focus on your music.

Moreover, Apple introduced something called Adaptive Transparency Mode, which automatically detects loud sounds around you and adjusts the Transparency Mode accordingly. The louder the sound, the less you’ll hear it, and the better your hearing health will be. This is a super cool feature that’s exclusively available on the second-generation AirPods Pro right now.

One of the best new features found on the AirPods Pro 2 is the ability to finally raise and lower the volume with just touch gestures. These are the only AirPods that can do that, so if you hate having to get your iPhone out when you want to adjust the volume, these AirPods will feel amazing. 

Last but not least, Apple also introduced a new H2 chip with the AirPods Pro that improves performance, powers the new Adaptive Transparency Mode, and adds computational audio for even better Active Noise Cancellation — Apple claims it can block out twice as much noise as the previous-generation AirPods Pro.

Of course, this all comes with a premium price tag. The second-generation AirPods Pro cost $249, which isn’t exactly budget-friendly. If money isn’t an issue for you, or you really want ANC, then these AirPods are worth getting.  

AirPods Max

Now it’s time for Apple’s most expensive AirPods. The AirPods Max start at $549, but you’ll usually find them on sale at Amazon or other online stores.

When it comes to over-the-ear headphones, the AirPods Max aren’t necessarily the best on the market, but they boast the same tight integration into the Apple world as the rest of the AirPods lineup, and they’re very comfortable, so you’ll be able to wear them for long periods of time without an issue.

These are also the only AirPods you can get in different colors. Instead of just white, you can choose between Space Gray, Pink, Green, Silver, and Sky Blue. 

With more room inside, the AirPods Max can also offer the best battery life. You get up to 20 hours of playback time with a single charge. There’s no wireless charging, though, so you’re stuck with using the old Lightning port.

Another huge disadvantage is the lack of water resistance. You can’t even think of using these AirPods for workouts, which isn’t ideal for such an expensive device. 

On the bright side, the Active Noise Cancellation is fantastic, particularly since these AirPods cover your whole ear. Transparency Mode also works great, and you can quickly switch between these modes.

Overall, the AirPods Max are quite expensive and don’t offer enough features to justify that high price. Granted, this is only the first generation, so that might change in the future. Until then, you’re better off going with a solid pair of Bluetooth headphones like Sony’s award-winning WH-1000XM4 or opting for the more affordable AirPods Pro 2 instead.

Which Ones Will You Choose?

There’s no doubt that a good pair of AirPods can change your entire experience when listening to music or watching movies. However, you need to get the right pair for the job. 

For most of us, the regular AirPods 3 are the best option. While they’re on the expensive side, they offer the best bang for your buck. If you’re willing to spend a bit more, you won’t be disappointed in going with the AirPods Pro 2 with their great Active Noise Cancellation and all the other latest technology and features that Apple has to offer.