AirPods Showdown: Which One Wins?

Should you opt for AirPods Pro or AirPods Max? With Apple offering a range of headphones, including Beats, we’ve analyzed all the options to help you discover the ideal pair for your listening experience.

Apple’s ecosystem is known for its effortless integration, making it hard to resist once you’re in. If you’re on the hunt for wireless earbuds that complement this smooth experience, AirPods are an obvious pick. They connect seamlessly with Apple devices and effortlessly switch between them, making transitions between your iPhone and MacBook a breeze. On top of their convenience, AirPods provide great sound quality and boast a range of premium features, including powerful noise cancellation, immersive spatial audio, and an impressive transparency mode.

Not all AirPods are created equal, and choosing the right model can be a bit challenging. To help you decide, we’ve outlined the key differences between each AirPods option—from the classic AirPods to the feature-packed AirPods Pro—so you can find the perfect fit for your lifestyle. Prefer something with a different style? We’ve also included some sleek Beats alternatives for those who aren’t sold on the traditional AirPods look.

 A Review of the Best AirPods

1. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Not all AirPods are created equal, and choosing the right model can be a bit challenging. To help you decide, we’ve outlined the key differences between each AirPods option—from the classic AirPods to the feature-packed AirPods Pro—so you can find the perfect fit for your lifestyle. Prefer something with a different style? We’ve also included some sleek Beats alternatives for those who aren’t sold on the traditional AirPods look.

The sound quality is impressive, delivering clear highs, deep bass, and exceptional noise cancellation. With spatial audio, watching movies or TV shows feels immersive, making these earbuds ideal for travel. Call quality is also top-notch. While the battery life hasn’t improved, it still offers up to six hours of listening time, plus an additional 24 hours with the charging case. The case now includes a built-in speaker that plays a sound when lost, and with the U1 chip, iPhone 11 or newer users can use Precision Finding in the Find My app to get step-by-step directions to its exact location.

If you’re still using devices with a Lightning port, the second-gen AirPods Pro with Lightning are an excellent choice. Released just two years ago, they’re nearly identical to the latest model, with the main difference being the Lightning port on the charging case instead of USB-C. If you’re not planning to switch your Apple devices to USB-C anytime soon, these earbuds offer great value. You’ll still enjoy top-notch noise cancellation, adaptive transparency mode, excellent sound quality, and MagSafe-compatible charging. While Apple no longer sells them directly, you can still find them at retailers like Amazon and Walmart—just make sure you don’t pay more than $190.

2. Are They the Future of Headphones? The AirPods Max

Apple’s AirPods Max are premium over-ear headphones that deliver exceptional sound quality, featuring rich bass and an expansive soundstage. They excel in active noise cancellation, effectively minimizing external sounds for an immersive listening experience. The design showcases high-quality materials, including a milled aluminum casing and a mesh-padded metal headband, available in a variety of vibrant colors. A notable feature is the Apple Watch-like crown on the right ear cup, allowing intuitive control of volume and noise modes. Additionally, the headphones are user-repairable, thanks to replaceable magnetic ear cups and components secured with screws.

One downside of the AirPods Max is their microphone quality. In tests, people on the other end of calls reported that my voice sounded flat and echoey. Additionally, these headphones are not water-resistant, so it’s best not to use them in the rain or during workouts. As for battery life, Apple claims up to 20 hours, which is 10 hours less than most other wireless headphones.

New USB-C Version: The latest AirPods Max ($549) now comes with a USB-C port. However, that’s the only new feature, aside from new color options, including blue, midnight, orange, purple, and starlight. If you already have the Lightning version, there’s no need to upgrade. But if you’ve been waiting for a USB-C version, this is the one to get.

3. The Future of Sound: Beats Studio Buds +

The Beats Studio Buds+ stand out as an excellent alternative to Apple’s AirPods, offering a range of premium features at a more accessible price point. They come equipped with active noise cancellation, transparency mode, and spatial audio support, making them versatile for various listening environments. Their design also prioritizes comfort, with physical buttons on the exterior for easier control, and they come in several sleek color options like ivory, silver, black, and transparent.

Compared to the original Studio Buds, the Buds+ offer notable improvements, including better microphones for clearer calls, 1.6x better noise reduction, and an impressive battery life of up to 36 hours when used with the charging case. The case features a USB Type-C port but lacks wireless charging support. Despite being a Beats product under Apple’s umbrella, the Studio Buds+ work seamlessly with both iPhone and Android devices. Best of all, you can often find them on sale for as low as $130, making them a great value. Avoid paying full MSRP if possible!

4. Power Your Performance: Beats Fit Pro

The Beats Fit Pro are an excellent choice for fitness enthusiasts, offering a design that prioritizes comfort and stability. Their soft silicone tips and flexible fins ensure a secure fit, perfect for active use, while a fit test feature guarantees the buds stay in place. Each earbud comes with a tactile button for easy control during workouts.

These earbuds deliver a robust and clear sound, strong noise cancellation, and dependable microphones for calls. With noise cancellation enabled, the battery lasts six hours, with an additional 18 hours available via the charging case. They are compatible with both iOS and Android, and come in various vibrant colors. You can often find them on sale for around $160.

For those on a budget, the Beats Flex offer a more affordable option under $100. They integrate seamlessly with Apple devices, providing quick pairing and easy access to Siri, along with over 12 hours of battery life and a USB-C charging port.

Don’t Buy These AirPods: You’ll Regret It

Apple’s latest AirPods 4 come with two options: a standard version priced at $129 and a model featuring Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) for $179. While they introduce slight improvements, they still lack silicone eartips, which significantly impacts both noise isolation and the effectiveness of ANC due to the absence of a proper in-ear seal. The battery life remains limited at just five hours, which is below average compared to other wireless earbuds.

Despite their sleek design and seamless integration with Apple devices, many alternatives offer comparable sound quality at a much lower price point, including options from Beats that provide better overall value.

 About Older AirPods

Apple doesn’t frequently update its AirPods lineup, and the older models, specifically the first-generation AirPods and AirPods Pro, are becoming increasingly outdated. You’ll likely only find refurbished options for these models. If you’re budget-conscious, it’s advisable to explore other alternatives or wait for sales on newer products.

AirPods (1st Generation):** Released in 2016, these were Apple’s inaugural AirPods. They include a charging case, offer solid sound quality, and feature access to Siri via a double tap. They’re powered by the W1 chip, designed specifically for AirPods, and remain compatible with a variety of devices, including iPhones, Macs, and iPads.

AirPods Pro (1st Generation):** Introduced in 2019, these earbuds feature Active Noise Cancellation, a transparency mode, adaptive EQ, and support for spatial audio. They utilize the H1 chip, which is also found in the second-generation AirPods Pro and the third-generation AirPods.