The best AirPods of 2024: Expert tested and reviewed

Out of the current AirPods models, I recommend the AirPods Pro 2 the most because they fit almost every type of ear, are comfortable to wear, and include all of Apple's best and latest features in headphones. 

These are ideal for those long-haul work sessions when all you want is silence and time to focus, or as you're exercising and want to lock in on your favorite music. They're the best earbuds in the lineup and an excellent choice for portable headphones with competitive noise-canceling. 

Most Redditors agree that the AirPods Pro 2 takes the cake. When searching on Reddit for the best AirPods to buy, it isn't easy to find an alternative recommendation. One user on the r/AirPods thread called the earbuds "transcendent," and another said they are worth the money.

Also: I've used my AirPods Pro 2 since their 2022 release. Are they still worth it in 2024?

The AirPods Pro 2 uses silicon tips to fit into your ears (with four sizes to choose from), similar to the ones you're probably familiar with in most earbuds you've used. Comparatively, the standard AirPods have hard plastic tips like the traditional Apple EarPods that used to come in the box with most iPhones -- which many people found to fall out of their ears easily or weren't very comfortable to wear. 

The AirPods Pro 2 sport Apple's latest H2 chip for improved sound, more stable Bluetooth connections, and more efficient power consumption. The Pro 2 offer the most effective noise cancellation of Apple's earbuds, working impressively in loud environments like airplanes and city streets. These earbuds also include Adaptive Audio, which automatically adjusts the noise-canceling levels based on your environment's noise levels. 

Software-wise, the Pro 2 are Apple's most advanced earbuds. These earbuds offer Lossless Audio with ultra-low latency when paired with the Apple Vision Pro headset, and can be used as an over-the-counter hearing aid for those with mild to moderate hearing loss.

If you use headphones for more than a couple hours every day, wireless headphones might be your most important device next to your smartphone and your laptop -- and they can enhance the experience of using both. If you use headphones that much, spending $250 (or as low as $170 during seasonal sales) on the best and most versatile wireless earbuds Apple offers will likely be a worthy investment to raise the quality of your daily life.

AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) with USB-C features: Type: In-ear | Chip: H2 | Battery life: 6 hours | Water-resistant: IP54 (dust, sweat, and water resistant)

The AirPods Max are Apple's most premium headphones, and they even do a few specific things better than the AirPods Pro 2, which have more advanced technology thanks to Apple's H2 chip. Regarding immersive sound and blocking out the world, the AirPods Max offers a glorious experience at a premium price of $550 -- although you can regularly find sales and discounts to knock off a chunk of that price.

Review: AirPods Max

The noise cancellation for the AirPods Max is the best I've experienced. I used it on a very loud and long flight, where I was seated just over one of the engines with a constant roar. Putting on the AirPods Max brought almost complete silence and a welcome bit of peace. Equally vital is the transparency mode, where the eight microphones in the AirPods Max make it sound like you're not wearing a pair of over-the-ear headphones. The quality of these two modes is better than any other traditional headphones I've used. It is the main reason to buy the AirPods Max -- along with the fact that they can pair with all your Apple devices and automatically switch between any of them. 

Here's another reason to buy the AirPods Max: comfort. I've never been able to wear most over-the-ear headphones for more than 30 minutes because they are uncomfortable on my ears and make the sides of my head sweaty. I've been able to wear the AirPods Max for several hours on long flights because the ear cushions are comfortable and ventilate well. 

Apple released USB-C compatible AirPods Max during the iPhone 16 launch event, making Apple's only over-ear headphones compatible with lossless wired listening. 

Also: How to figure out if you should (or shouldn't) buy the new USB-C AirPods Max

The audio quality of the AirPods Max is excellent, but it's generally about the same as that of other wireless over-the-ear headphones, which cost $250-$350. If you have multiple Apple devices, truly love audio or immersing yourself in your favorite music or movie, and are a frequent traveler, then you're likely to love the experience of the AirPods Max. Just keep in mind that you'll probably also need a separate pair of earbuds for walking outside, working out, and wearing under a warm cap in cold weather. 

Owners on Reddit say the AirPods Max is worth it if you have nearly $600 to spare. Some users recommend waiting for the next generation of these headphones, though it's TBD when that next generation arrives. 

AirPods Max features: Type: Over-ear | Chip: H1 | Battery life: 20 hours | Water-resistant: N/A

The original AirPods remain as iconic as ever. Apple's latest release makes them available to purchase in the upgraded fourth-generation version, even if the newer generations of AirPods, like the Pro 2s, have made this generation less popular, according to Reddit. Apple released two pairs of AirPods in the fourth-gen lineup, but the addition of noise cancellation gives these AirPods more utility and value.

A fully charged case can charge the fourth-generation AirPods up to six times. With up to five hours of battery life on each charge, the case and the AirPods can last over 30 hours before needing a full recharge. These AirPods debuted with Apple's latest H2 audio chip, which enhances connection stability, sound quality, and power consumption when paired with your Apple devices.

Review: AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC

The fourth-gen AirPods are more comfortable, portable, and intuitive than the second and third-generation predecessors. The noise cancellation is impressive, but the earbud's design naturally allows some ambient noise to enter your ears. If you want noise cancellation that blocks out the world to the highest degree, consider the Pro 2 earbuds.

Aside from not having the latest tech available in the AirPods Pro 2, the biggest drawback to these earbuds is that their hard plastic tips don't fit into everyone's ears and sometimes fall out. So, I'd recommend getting silicone ear tips (such as ) to keep them more securely in your ears -- even though it can be a bit of pain to have to carry the extra ear tips and to take them off and on between uses.

If you can live with their drawbacks, the AirPods 4 with ANC are a great middle-ground option for iOS fans. They're an excellent option for students who want earbuds in the Apple ecosystem but aren't picky about special features. 

AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation features: Type: In-ear | Chip: H2 | Battery life: 5 hours | Water-resistant: IP54 (dust, sweat, and water resistant)

The AirPods (3rd Generation) offer nearly all of the same features as the AirPods 4 without ANC -- minus an upgraded audio chip, USB-C charging, and dust resistance. However, since the release of the fourth-generation AirPods, Apple has discontinued sales of the third-generation AirPods. As a result, you'll have to buy them from retailers like Best Buy or Amazon, while supplies last.

Review: Apple AirPods (3rd Generation)

These AirPods integrate more controls directly into the stems than their second-generation predecessors. With the third-gen AirPods, you can press once to play/pause or answer a call, twice to skip forward, three times to skip back, and press and hold to activate Siri, which are intuitive features found in Apple's more advanced earbuds.

The third-generation AirPods also suffer from fit issues and will likely fall out of your ears if you try to work out in them. For some AirPods 3 owners on Reddit, the hard plastic tips won't stay in your ears or will fall out easily, depending on the shape of your ears. I'd recommend getting some silicone ear hooks, as mentioned above. However, the silicone tips for the second generation won't fit the third generation because of a new bud design. So I'd suggest getting for the AirPods 3 if these fit loosely in your ears.

The AirPods 3rd gen are generally the Apple headphones that are the hardest to recommend. These aren't the cheapest AirPods -- you can get more upgrades for a little less money with the AirPods 4. However, the third-gen AirPods are more heavily discounted during seasonal sales than the brand-new AirPods 4. 

AirPods (3rd Generation) features: Type: In-ear | Chip: H1 | Battery life: 6 hours | Water-resistant: IPX4 (sweat and water-resistant, but no dust resistance.)