The best AirPods of 2025: We tested all of Apple's headphones so you don't have to

Apple's AirPods are some of our favorite wireless headphones. They're the ideal fit for users who want high-quality earbuds to pair with an iPhone or MacBook. The best AirPods feature good audio quality, seamless integration with iOS devices, and Apple's iconic styling. But with multiple models to choose from, figuring out which AirPods are right for you isn't always easy. That's why our reviewers tested every model to find which AirPods are best for different budgets and listening habits.

The best Apple AirPods for most people are the AirPods Pro 3. The Pro 3 are Apple's latest flagship earbuds, offering the brand's most powerful active noise cancellation (ANC), an in-ear design, and even heart rate tracking for workouts. But if you're looking to save some money, the AirPods 4 are our budget pick. They skip ANC but still offer the core features we look for in quality headphones. They're often on sale for around $120, which makes them the most affordable AirPods available.

Below you can find full details on all of Apple's headphones. We've used our extensive testing time with each AirPods model to determine which type of listener each is best suited for.

Our top picks for the best Apple AirPods

Best overall: AirPods Pro 3 - See at Amazon

Best for an open fit: AirPods 4 with ANC - See at Amazon

Best on a budget: AirPods 4 without ANC - See at Amazon

Best for audiophiles: AirPods Max - See at Amazon

Best overall

The AirPods Pro 3 are Apple's latest flagship wireless earbuds, replacing the AirPods Pro 2 as our pick for the best AirPods overall. They offer stronger noise cancellation, longer battery life, improved water resistance, and new heart rate tracking.

Although they use the same custom driver as the Pro 2, Apple has refined the design for improved airflow. In our tests, this resulted in slightly improved sound, with a wider soundstage and deeper bass.

Apple claims the Pro 3's active noise cancellation (ANC) is twice as powerful as before, and our testing confirmed a clear boost. They effectively block engine hum, vacuums, and subway noise — nearly matching the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2, though Bose still has a small edge in some cases.

The AirPods Pro 3's in-ear fit has a slightly updated shape, and you get five ear-tip sizes, including a new XXS option. However, our reviewer actually preferred the old shape of the Pro 2, as it fit a bit more tightly against their ear. Ultimately, fit varies by ear shape, but most users should be able to achieve a good seal.

A standout feature not available on other AirPods is built-in heart rate tracking. Each earbud has a sensor that measures your heart rate, providing helpful fitness and workout data when paired with an iPhone. This is a great perk for users who don't already own a fitness tracker, such as an Apple Watch. Water resistance also jumps from IP54 to IP57, meaning the AirPods Pro 3 can handle sweat and brief submersion. So, if you're looking for the best AirPods to use during exercise, the Pro 3 are our top recommendation.

Battery life now reaches eight hours with ANC enabled (up from six hours on the Pro 2), although total battery life drops slightly to 24 hours with the case (down from 30 hours). We think the longer single charge is the better tradeoff, but this is something to keep in mind.

The AirPods Pro 3 retain all of the Pro 2's aural health features, which you won't get on standard AirPods. There's also a new Live Translation function (which requires an iPhone with Apple Intelligence), but this feature is also supported on the AirPods 4 with ANC and AirPods Pro 2.

In nearly every way, the AirPods Pro 3 beat their predecessor and aced out tests. Best of all, they accomplish this while carrying the same suggested retail price as the Pro 2. The older AirPods Pro 2 remain a solid choice if you find them discounted, but for most users, the Pro 3 are worth the extra money.

Read our full Apple AirPods Pro 3 review.

Check out our guide to the best wireless earbuds.

Best for an open fit

Apple's AirPods 4 are the brand's midrange earbuds. Unlike the AirPods Pro 3, they use a semi-open fit rather than an in-ear seal, which some people find to be more comfortable. You can choose between two versions: one without ANC for $129 and one with ANC and a wireless charging case for $179.

Both options deliver the same core audio performance and design, but the ANC model's noise-canceling feature and wireless charging case are useful perks for those willing to pay the extra money. Though the AirPods Pro 3 have some benefits that this model lacks, the AirPods 4 with ANC are an excellent midrange alternative, and they're the best AirPods for people who prefer an open fit.

Instead of having silicone tips that plug into your ears to create a full seal, the AirPods 4 ear tips rest just outside your ear canal. Although an in-ear seal allows the AirPods Pro 3 to offer better sound quality and noise-canceling capabilities, some people dislike the constricted feeling of the tips inserted in their ears.

The AirPods 4 offer a more open fit, and Apple has refined the design over previous models to ensure they stay securely in place across a variety of ear shapes. However, opinions remain divided over the comfort of open-ear AirPods, so this ultimately comes down to personal preference and the size of your ears.

During our review, we were impressed by the earbuds' audio quality, which holds up well against other options in this price range. Noise-canceling performance is also solid, which is surprising, given that most open-fit earbuds struggle with ANC. The earbuds' transparency mode is also excellent for when you want to let in outside sound to stay aware of your surroundings. That said, the AirPods Pro 3 outperform the AirPods 4 in blocking out louder distractions, such as the engine of an airplane.

Read our full Apple AirPods 4 review.

Best on a budget

The standard AirPods 4 without ANC are the cheapest AirPods available. They retail for $129 and are sometimes on sale for just under $100.

This model replaces the second-gen AirPods as Apple's current entry-level offering. The second-gen AirPods were frequently sold for an even lower price of $89, but they've been discontinued. As it stands, the AirPods 4 without ANC are now the best AirPods on a budget.

This model is essentially identical to the more expensive AirPods 4 with ANC, save for two important differences. This option does not have active noise cancellation, so it can't block out ambient sounds or pass them through via a transparency mode. Additionally, this version features a wired charging case instead of a wireless one.

Beyond those two limitations, the earbuds offer the same open-fit design, solid audio performance, and robust set of features as the more expensive version. This makes the AirPods 4 without ANC a good fit for casual listeners who don't want to pay more for noise cancellation.

Best for audiophiles

The AirPods Max are notably different from Apple's other AirPods. Unlike the brand's less expensive models, which are all earbuds, the AirPods Max use a larger over-ear design with padded cups and a headband. This form factor enables them to deliver exceptional audio performance and powerful noise cancellation, all wrapped in an elegant package. The AirPods Max are best for people who prioritize high-end sound quality over portability.

The AirPods Max launched in December 2020, but Apple released a slightly updated model in September 2024. The refreshed AirPods Max offer the same audio performance as the original model, but they now support USB-C charging instead of a Lightning connection, and they are available in more colors.

The AirPods Max use Apple-designed drivers and 10 audio cores to deliver computational audio and adaptive EQ, which allows the headphones to adjust their sound based on the fit of the ear cups. Like the AirPods Pro 3, the Max headphones support spatial audio and other features, such as quick pairing.

During our tests, we compared the AirPods Max to similar headphones from Bose and Sony. The AirPods Max sounded significantly crisper, bolder, and louder than the Bose Noise Canceling 700 headphones. They also outperformed the Sony WH-1000XM4, although Sony's headphones came impressively close.

The AirPods Max also deliver when it comes to noise cancellation. When we sat underneath an elevated subway that runs above a very busy street, the AirPods Max significantly dulled the sound of a train's screeching and nearby traffic. They're not the absolute best noise-canceling headphones we've tested, but they work incredibly well.

On the downside, the included case is lacking. It doesn't charge the AirPods Max and instead it just puts them in low-power mode. It's also less of a traditional case and more of a wrap. Check out our guide to the best AirPods Max accessories for better case recommendations.

The AirPods Max are on the expensive side, but they do get discounts throughout the year. If you're an Apple fan who prioritizes top-notch audio with an over-ear design — and are willing to splurge — the AirPods Max are the best Apple AirPods to get.

Read our full Apple AirPods Max review.

Check out our guide to the best over-ear headphones.

How we test AirPods

To test the best Apple AirPods, our audio reviewers evaluated various performance elements, including design, fit, sound quality, extra features, and ease of use. We listen to a diverse range of tracks across genres and from various sources, including many of the best music streaming services. For AirPods that support spatial audio, we also listen to Dolby Atmos tracks.

Likewise, if an AirPods model supports noise cancellation, we evaluate that feature in a real-world noisy environment, such as near heavy traffic outside, to test how well the feature reduces ambient sounds. We also sample transparency modes to see how well the AirPods let in surrounding noise naturally.

For this guide, we focused on how each AirPods model compares to other AirPods to determine each model's strengths and weaknesses within Apple's headphones lineup.We also compared them to similar options from competing companies to gauge their performance against the best headphones from other brands.

What to look for in AirPods

When deciding which AirPods to buy, we recommend focusing on a few key factors, including price, sound quality, ANC support, and design, to help guide your choice.

Price: Apple's current lineup of AirPods includes the AirPods 4 ($129), AirPods 4 with ANC ($179), AirPods Pro 3 ($249), and AirPods Max ($549). However, AirPods often go on sale, so it's not uncommon to see the standard AirPods 4 drop to just under $100.

Sound quality: When it comes to audio performance, the AirPods Pro 3 are the best AirPods with an earbud design. But if you're willing to pay top dollar and prefer over-ear headphones, the AirPods Max are the best-sounding AirPods overall. The AirPods 4 also deliver solid audio quality, but their open-fit design results in sound leakage that limits their performance.

Noise-canceling: The AirPods 4 with ANC, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods Max all have active noise-canceling support, so if ANC is important to you, you'll want to focus on those models. The AirPods Max can block the most sound thanks to their over-ear design, but the AirPods Pro 3 also have impressive noise cancellation. The AirPods 4 with ANC have the least powerful noise canceling of the lineup.

Design and fit: The AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4, and AirPods 4 with ANC are all earbud-style wireless headphones. The AirPods Pro 3 have an in-ear fit that creates a seal in your ear canal. This enables better audio performance and stability, but some people dislike the feel. The AirPods 4 have a semi-open fit that rests just outside your ear canal. This design limits the sound quality and the effectiveness of ANC, but some people find it more comfortable. Apple also sells the AirPods Max, which have an over-ear design with a headband and padded earcups. Over-ear headphones can deliver the best performance overall, but they're less portable than earbuds.

What are the top AirPods alternatives?

Apple's AirPods are popular headphones, but they may not be the best fit for all needs. This is especially true if you plan to use your earbuds primarily with an Android phone or PC. Thankfully, many brands sell similar headphones that are less rigidly tied to the Apple ecosystem.

Some of our favorite AirPods alternatives include the Beats Fit Pro and the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC. The Beats brand is actually owned by Apple, and the Fit Pro earbuds use the company's H1 chip, just like older AirPods. However, Beats headphones offer a more Android-friendly set of features and an Android app. Meanwhile, the Soundcore earbuds are an affordable alternative to AirPods, priced under $100, and feature a stem-like design reminiscent of classic AirPods.

Check out our guide to the best AirPods alternatives for details on all of our picks.

For more affordable options, visit our guide to the best budget headphones. For earbuds geared more toward active use, visit our guides to the best running headphones and best headphones for working out.

AirPods FAQs

Are the third-gen AirPods still worth buying?

Now that AirPods 4 are available and frequently discounted, we no longer recommend the third-generation AirPods. That older model is now discontinued and hard to find in stock. When they are available, they often sell for the same price or higher than the base AirPods 4. Since the AirPods 4 are better headphones, there's no reason to consider the third-gen AirPods.

Are the AirPods Pro 2 still worth it?

Apple has replaced the AirPods Pro 2 with the new AirPods Pro 3, but the Pro 2 are still in stock at some online retailers and are often sold at a discount. Although the new Pro 3 model is a better buy for most people, the AirPods Pro 2 remain a worthwhile pair of earbuds as long as they're on sale. The Pro 3 have better ANC and longer battery life, but the AirPods Pro 2 support many of the same features.

As long as you can find them for less money than the Pro 3, the Pro 2 are a good alternative for people who want an in-ear pair of AirPods but don't want to pay full price for the Pro 3.

Do AirPods go on sale?

Although Apple rarely offers direct discounts on AirPods through its online or physical stores, the headphones frequently receive great deals through other retailers, such as Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. In fact, it's actually rare to find the AirPods 4 selling at full price through those stores.

Based on typical street prices, we don't recommend paying more than $120 for the AirPods 4 or more than $170 for the AirPods 4 with ANC.

The brand-new AirPods Pro 3 just launched in September, so we don't expect to see any big discounts until Prime Day and Black Friday. However, you can still regularly find the older AirPods Pro 2 at a discount.

How often does Apple release new AirPods?

Apple's standard AirPods are now in their fourth generation, the AirPods Pro are in their third generation, and the AirPods Max are still in their first generation.

• AirPods: Apple's fourth-generation AirPods launched in September 2024 during the brand's iPhone 16 launch event. The release cycle for new AirPods is typically two to three years, so we don't expect another model until 2026 at the earliest.
• AirPods Pro: Apple released the first-generation AirPods Pro in 2019, followed by the second-generation model in 2022, and the third-generation model in September 2025. If the company continues to follow this three-year cycle, we won't see new AirPods Pro until 2028 at the earliest.
• AirPods Max: Apple released the AirPods Max in December 2020 and launched a refreshed Max model with USB-C charging and new colors in 2024. There's currently no indication that a new model is forthcoming.

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