The best AirPods of 2026

AirPods are popular earbuds, and it's easy to see why. They deliver good sound quality, pair seamlessly with Apple devices, and have a cool, sleek design. But picking the right AirPods for your needs can be tricky, especially if you're not familiar with the newest models. That's where my team of audio reviewers comes in. We've spent hours testing all of Apple's latest headphones to rank the best AirPods for different needs.

The AirPods Pro 3 are the top AirPods for most people. They're Apple's most advanced earbuds, delivering powerful active noise cancellation (ANC), a secure in-ear fit, and helpful heart rate tracking for workouts. But if you're on a tighter budget, the AirPods 4 are a worthy entry-level option. They cut features like ANC, but still deliver solid performance and are often on sale for $99.

Below, you'll find a full breakdown of every current AirPods model based on extensive hands-on testing. We've detailed what sets Apple's headphones apart, to help you choose the best AirPods for your listening style and budget.

Our top picks for the best 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 2 - See at Amazon

Apple AirPods, compared

Best overall

The AirPods Pro 3 are Apple's flagship wireless earbuds, and they're our pick for the best AirPods overall. This model offers a few improvements over the older AirPods Pro 2, including stronger noise cancellation, longer battery life, better water resistance, and new heart rate tracking. In nearly every way, the AirPods Pro 3 beat their predecessor and aced our tests.

Although they use the same custom driver as the Pro 2, Apple has refined the design for improved airflow. This results in 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 performance of our favorite noise-canceling earbuds, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2.

Like the Pro 2, the AirPods Pro 3 have an in-ear design, but they have a slightly updated shape. You also 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 get a good seal.

Built-in heart rate tracking is a standout feature that's not available on other AirPods. Each earbud has a sensor that measures your heart rate, providing helpful 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. If you're looking for the best AirPods to use during workouts, the Pro 3 are the buds to get.

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 hearing health features, which you won't get on standard AirPods. There's also a Live Translation function (which requires an iPhone with Apple Intelligence). However, that feature is also supported on the AirPods 4 with ANC, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods Max 2.

Read our full Apple AirPods Pro 3 review.

Check out our guide to the best 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 benefits 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 deliver better sound quality and noise cancellation, some people dislike the constricted feeling of the tips 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 at blocking out louder distractions, such as an airplane engine.

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 often on sale for $99, cementing them as the best AirPods on a budget.

This model is essentially identical to the more expensive AirPods 4 with ANC, save for two key differences. This option does not have active noise cancellation, so it can't block ambient sounds or pass them through in 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 feature set 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.

For affordable earbud recommendations from other brands, check out our guide to the best budget headphones.

Best for audiophiles

The AirPods Max 2 are Apple's latest over-ear headphones. While other AirPods use an earbud-style design, the Max 2 use large padded cups and a sturdy headband. This over-ear design delivers the most impressive sound quality and noise cancellation in Apple's lineup. They also feature a premium build with metal components, making them ideal for anyone who values high-end style over portability.

The first-generation AirPods Max launched in December 2020, and this second-generation model hit stores in April 2026. The AirPods Max 2 feature the same physical design but incorporate a few small enhancements under the hood. They use Apple's more advanced H2 chip to improve ANC and enable features like Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, and Live Translation, which were missing from the original AirPods Max. Though owners of the first-gen model shouldn't rush to upgrade, the Max 2 are the better headphones.

The AirPods Max 2 also use a new high-dynamic-range amplifier that pairs with the device's custom 40mm drivers. In testing, this resulted in a subtle improvement in sound quality. Our reviewer was especially impressed by their spacious soundstage, and they delivered a more balanced profile than rivals like the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2.

Noise-canceling performance is also exceptional and improved over the first-gen model. In fact, the AirPods Max 2 essentially matched the ANC power of Bose's industry-leading QC Ultra 2 headphones in our tests.

As with the first-generation model, the main drawbacks here are the headphones' weight and the included case. Though the premium metal design looks great, some people might find the Max 2 to feel a bit heavy on their head during extended listening. Meanwhile, the case doesn't fully protect the headphones. Instead, it just wraps around the ear cups. If you're looking for something more functional, check out our guide to the best AirPods Max accessories.

The AirPods Max 2 are also pricey, even compared to direct rivals. That said, we're already seeing regular $50 discounts at retailers like Amazon. Ultimately, if you're an Apple fan who wants top-tier sound in an over-ear design — and you're willing to splurge — these are the best AirPods you can buy.

Read our full Apple AirPods Max 2 review.

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

What do AirPods offer that other earbuds don't?

AirPods stand out from other earbuds because of how seamlessly they work with other Apple products. Features like instant pairing, automatic switching between iPhone, iPad, and Mac, hands-free Siri, and Find My support are all tightly integrated at a level most competitors can't match. When paired with a compatible iPhone, certain AirPods also support features you won't find in other earbuds, including hearing health capabilities and Apple's Live Translation. Apple's noise cancellation is also among the most impressive on the market, rivaling top models from Bose and Sony.

How we test AirPods

To test the best AirPods, our audio reviewers evaluated performance across 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 it reduces ambient noise. 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.

Meet the expert behind this guide:

Steven Cohen, senior tech editor: I oversee tech buying guides for Business Insider's Reviews team, and I've been covering headphones for over a decade. My writers test earbuds year-round, including every new pair of AirPods Apple releases. I put this guide together based on our hands-on testing to help you figure out which AirPods actually make sense for you. While all of Apple's earbuds share some core features, certain models have advantages depending on how you listen. My goal is to break it all down so you can feel confident you're getting the right AirPods without paying for extras you'll never use.

Learn more about the Reviews team at Business Insider.

What to look for in AirPods

When choosing the right AirPods for your needs, consider price, sound quality, noise cancellation, and design.

Price: Apple's current lineup includes the AirPods 4 ($129), AirPods 4 with ANC ($179), AirPods Pro 3 ($249), and AirPods Max 2 ($549). Discounts are common, especially on the standard AirPods 4, which often dip to just under $100.

Sound quality: For earbuds, the AirPods Pro 3 offer the best overall audio performance. If you prefer over-ear headphones and don't mind paying more, the AirPods Max 2 are Apple's best-sounding option, period. The AirPods 4 sound solid, but their open-fit design leads to some audio leakage.

Noise cancellation: If ANC is a priority for you, consider the AirPods 4 with ANC, AirPods Pro 3, or AirPods Max 2. The Max 2 headphones block out the most noise thanks to their over-ear build, while the Pro 3 earbuds also perform impressively. The AirPods 4 with ANC offer the lightest noise cancellation of the group, but still do a decent job.

Design and fit: The AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4, and AirPods 4 with ANC are all earbuds. The Pro 3 use an in-ear fit that creates a seal for better sound and stability. An in-ear design is great for performance, but not everyone loves the feel. The AirPods 4 use a semi-open design that sits just outside the ear canal, making them more comfortable for some but less effective for sound quality and ANC. For an entirely different experience, the AirPods Max 2 use an over-ear design with padded cups and a headband. They deliver the strongest performance but aren't nearly as portable as earbuds.

What are the top AirPods alternatives?

Apple's AirPods are popular headphones, but they may not be the ideal choice for all users. 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, Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, and 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. Meanwhile, the Powerbeats Pro 2 use the H2 chip and have heart rate tracking just like the AirPods Pro 3. Beats headphones also offer a more Android-friendly set of features and an Android app. 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 earbuds geared more toward active use, visit our guides to the best running headphones and best headphones for working out.

AirPods FAQs

Do AirPods go on sale?

Although Apple rarely offers direct discounts on AirPods in its online or physical stores, the headphones often receive great deals from other retailers, such as Amazon. In fact, it's rare to find the AirPods 4 selling at full price on Amazon.

Based on typical street prices, we don't recommend paying more than $119 for the AirPods 4, $169 for the AirPods 4 with ANC, $229 for the AirPods Pro 3, or $529 for the AirPods Max 2.

The lowest price we've ever seen the AirPods 4 discounted to was $69, while the AirPods 4 with ANC have dropped to $99, the AirPods Pro 3 have been $169, and the AirPods Max 2 have hit $399.

When will new AirPods be released?

Apple doesn't release new AirPods every year. Instead, the brand typically launches new earbuds every two to three years, with each model refreshed on its own schedule. Here's a closer look at when we can expect new versions of each model.

• 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. Another brand-new generation model is unlikely to launch this year, but a Bloomberg report indicates that an upgraded model with infrared cameras could be in the works. The cameras would be used to enable more AI functions.
• AirPods Max: Apple released the original AirPods Max in December 2020 and launched a refreshed Max model with USB-C charging and new colors in 2024. A second-generation model hit stores in April 2026.

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