Feed Basket
No Result
View All Result
Feed Basket
  • Home
No Result
View All Result
Feed Basket
No Result
View All Result
Home how to

Which AirPods Should You Buy?

October 22, 2021
in how to
14 min read
0
SHARES
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter


Apple AirPods Pro in a woman's ear
Framesira/Shutterstock.com

Apple’s AirPods are a great option for wireless headphones, but as Apple expands the lineup, it’s tough to choose a model. We’ll compare all of them to see which AirPods are the perfect fit for you.

Table of Contents

AirPods (2nd Generation): The Original
AirPods (3rd Generation): The Upgrade
AirPods Pro: With Noise Cancellation
AirPods Max: The Big Headphones
What About Other Wireless Headphones?

Table of Contents

  • AirPods (2nd Generation): The Original
    • Apple AirPods with Charging Case
  • AirPods (3rd Generation): The Upgrade
    • Apple AirPods (3rd generation)
  • AirPods Pro: With Noise Cancellation
    • Apple AirPods Pro
  • AirPods Max: The Big Headphones
    • Apple AirPods Max
  • What About Other Wireless Headphones?
      • The Best Wireless Earbuds for iPhone and iPad in 2021
        • Apple Airpods Pro
        • Skullcandy Sesh Evo
        • Jabra Elite 75t
        • Powerbeats Pro
        • Sony WF-1000XM4

AirPods (2nd Generation): The Original

Apple 2nd-generation AirPods
Apple

The second-generation Apple AirPods, sometimes called the AirPods 2, are the closest you can get to the AirPods as they were when Apple introduced them in 2016. This model has a few nice features that the originals didn’t, mainly improved sound quality and better Siri integration.

Even if the original AirPods were available new, there wouldn’t be any reason to buy them over this model. Everything positive about the original AirPods—the fit that some people love, for example—is also present in the AirPods 2.

The AirPods 2 are perfect if you’re looking for grab-and-go in-ears and don’t want or need the features that filtered down from the AirPods Pro into the AirPods 3.

Most Affordable AirPods

Which AirPods Should You Buy?

Apple AirPods with Charging Case

The AirPods 2 replaced the original, adding more battery life and better features.

Amazon

$119.00 Which AirPods Should You Buy?
$159.00 Save 25%

AirPods (3rd Generation): The Upgrade

Apple 3rd-generation AirPods
Apple

Unlike the upgrade from the original AirPods to second-generation AirPods, the introduction of the third-generation AirPods, sometimes called the AirPods 3, saw some major changes from the original. The first is the most polarizing: the shape.

Advertisement

Apple’s original AirPods got their shape from the EarPods before them. This shape works very well for some people, while others can’t seem to keep them from falling out. If you’re happy with the fit of the original AirPods, the AirPods 3 and their more Pro-inspired shape may not work for you.

On the other hand, the AirPods 3 get a lot of the best features of the AirPods Pro, without the noise cancellation. Spatial audio, which can make videos sound like they’re playing directly in front of you, is a nice new feature, as is adaptive EQ.

If you found the onboard controls of the original AirPods and the AirPods 2 restrictive, the more responsive “force sensor controls” inherited from the AirPods Pro are another fine addition to the AirPods 3. Even better, the AirPods 3 are sweat and water-resistant, a first for the “standard” AirPods.

Pro Features on a Budget

Which AirPods Should You Buy?

Apple AirPods (3rd generation)

The AirPods 3 bring many of the best features of the more expensive AirPods Pro into a more affordable package.

Amazon

$179.00 Which AirPods Should You Buy?

AirPods Pro: With Noise Cancellation

Apple AirPods Pro
Apple

Until the introduction of the AirPods 3, the AirPods Pro were the only in-ear model to support many major features. Now that most of those features have come to the standard AirPods, why should you pick the Pro?

Advertisement

The AirPods Pro are the only in-ear AirPods with active noise cancellation. While it isn’t as effective as it is in over-ear headphones like the AirPods Max, the cancellation here is still useful.

This isn’t the only audio upgrade you get with the AirPods Pro either. The same microphones the AirPods Pro use for noise cancellation can also let sound in. Apple calls this Transparency Mode, and it’s incredibly handy if you love your AirPods but still need to hear what’s happening around you, like at the gym.

You can even use this feature to act somewhat like a hearing aid by enabling Conversation Boost. This helps you hear conversations directly in front of you, and as of October 2021, it’s only available on the AirPods Pro.

Of course, the extra audio processing comes at a higher price, but if you value either noise cancellation or Transparency Mode, it’s worth the extra cash.

Best In-Ear AirPods

Which AirPods Should You Buy?

Apple AirPods Pro

The AirPods Pro are the top of the line when it comes to Apple’s in-ear offerings, thanks to the quality noise cancellation and Transparency Mode.

Amazon

$197.00 Which AirPods Should You Buy?
$249.00 Save 21%

AirPods Max: The Big Headphones

Apple AirPods Max
Apple

We’re looking at the AirPods Max because, yes, they’re part of the AirPods lineup. At the same time, they’re very different from the other AirPods on this list thanks to the over-ear form factor.

Advertisement

First off, there is the comfort factor. Even with the different sized tips that come with the AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro, in-ear headphones fit differently for everyone. With the AirPods Max, you don’t have these same concerns.

Comfort is subjective, but the AirPods Max seem to be comfortable for most people buying them, and they pack bigger sound as well. Many key AirPods features like Siri integration, spatial audio, and adaptive EQ are here—just like the Max’s smaller siblings.

The AirPods Max carry a price tag to match the name, and this will be a dealbreaker for some people. That said, the audio and build quality justify the premium price.

Best Over-Ear AirPods

Which AirPods Should You Buy?

Apple AirPods Max

If you’re not a fan of in-ear headphones, the Apple AirPods Max pack everything great about AirPods into a bigger set of headphones.

Amazon

$499.00 Which AirPods Should You Buy?
$549.00 Save 9%

What About Other Wireless Headphones?

While you can use AirPods with Android and Windows devices, they’re easier to use with Apple devices, and this will likely influence whether you buy them. If you’re all Apple all the time, AirPods are an easy choice. If you float between various devices and platforms, that choice becomes less of an easy call.

Of course, AirPods aren’t the only name in town when it comes to audio on Apple devices. If you’re not fully sold on AirPods, take a look at our roundup of the best wireless earbuds for iPhone and iPad.

The Best Wireless Earbuds for iPhone and iPad in 2021 Which AirPods Should You Buy?



Which AirPods Should You Buy?

Best Earbuds Overall
Apple Airpods Pro
Amazon

$197.00 Which AirPods Should You Buy?
$249.00 Save 21%



Which AirPods Should You Buy?

Best Budget Earbuds
Skullcandy Sesh Evo
Amazon

$47.50 Which AirPods Should You Buy?
$59.99 Save 21%



Which AirPods Should You Buy?

Best Earbuds for Travel
Jabra Elite 75t
Amazon

$79.99 Which AirPods Should You Buy?
$149.99 Save 47%



Which AirPods Should You Buy?

Best Workout Earbuds
Powerbeats Pro
Amazon

$199.95 Which AirPods Should You Buy?
$249.95 Save 20%



Which AirPods Should You Buy?

Best Noise-Canceling Earbuds
Sony WF-1000XM4
Amazon

$278.00 Which AirPods Should You Buy?
 

READ NEXT
  • › Surface Duo 2: Why Reviews Are Mixed for Microsoft’s Dual-Screen Phone
  • › What Are “Precise” and “Approximate” Locations on Android?
  • › How to Find the Function You Need in Microsoft Excel
  • › The Best Gaming Keyboards of 2021: Be on Top of Your Game
  • › Why Sublime Text Is Great For Writers, Not Just Programmers
ShareTweetSharePinSend
Previous Post

What Is Pop!_OS?

Next Post

What Is a Crypto Token?

Related Posts

how to

The Best Photography Lighting Kits of 2022

May 17, 2022
how to

The Best Smart Sprinkler Controllers of 2022

May 14, 2022
how to

MSI Clutch GM41 Lightweight Wireless Mouse Review: Versatile Featherweight

May 12, 2022
how to

The Best Noise Cancelling Headphones of 2022

May 11, 2022
how to

Nomad Base One Max Review: The MagSafe Charger Apple Should Have Made

May 11, 2022
how to

MSI Vigor GK71 Sonic Gaming Keyboard Review: Weightless Keys for the Win

May 7, 2022
Next Post

What Is a Crypto Token?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Domain name checker

Feed Basket

© 2020 Feed Basket.

Navigate Site

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact Us

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home

© 2020 Feed Basket.