Apple’s AirPods are a cultural phenomenon but are they the best Apple earbuds for listening to podcasts, movies, and Apple Music? The answer may surprise you, we find AirPods are not the best Apple earbuds.
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The best Apple earbuds
The second-generation AirPods Pro are worth the small premium they command over similar models like the third-generation AirPods. They feature active noise cancellation (key for noisy environments) and customizable ear tips, which put them a cut above the regular AirPods. Both models feature customizable Spatial Audio for a surround sound-like effect. They also feature IPX4 water resistance, and the case can be charged wirelessly, either with standard Qi wireless chargers or with an Apple Watch charger.
Budget Apple earbuds
The best bargain in Apple audio is the Beats Flex. They include an Apple W1 chip, an older version of the H1, which helps them pair easily to iPhones and other Apple devices. They offer 12 hours of battery life and the earbuds magnetically click together for storage, which also pauses the audio. You can use them for calls too. However, they do not support Spatial Audio.
Apple purchased Beats in 2014, and the current Beats lineup integrates well with Apple devices like iPhones and iPads due to Apple’s custom H1 chip. AirPods and wireless Beats headphones can easily connect to—and switch between—Apple devices, but can also connect to any device that supports Bluetooth audio, like an Android phone, Nintendo Switch, or Windows PC. In short: Beats headphones are Apple headphones.
The AirPods and Beats lineup
- AirPods: The third-generation AirPods are excellent, especially if you don’t like tips inside your ear. However, they may be uncomfortable for smaller ears. They feature Spatial Audio like the AirPods Pro and Beats Fit Pro, but do not have noise cancellation. Like the AirPod Pro, they feature wireless charging and waterproofing. You can buy a version without wireless charging for a few bucks less, but it’s not worth the tradeoff.
- AirPods Max: If you want luxury Apple headphones, check out the AirPods Max, which have a list price of $549, though are usually much cheaper at retail (around $350). They offer all the perks of AirPods, but they go over your ears instead of inside them. And they charge in a weird case that looks like a bra.
- Beats Fit Pro: Our previous top pick, these are excellent earbuds and a budget alternative to AirPods. Opt for these if you prefer the wingtips that go around your ears. Otherwise, pay a bit more for the AirPods Pro.
- Beats Powerbeats Pro: These are older Apple-integrated earbuds. They’re a little long in the tooth, so go for the Beats Fit Pro instead.
- Beats Studio Buds: An older model of Beats Studio Pro without Apple integration. Avoid.
- Beats Solo3 Wireless: If you want affordable Apple-integrated headphones, this is your least-expensive option at $200.
- Beats Studio3 Wireless: The premium upgrade to the Beats Solo3. At $350, we’d probably just go ahead and spring for the AirPods Max when they’re on sale.