The most effective Apple headphones and earbuds combine complementarily into Apple’s ecosystem, delivering options that elevate the iOS/macOS expertise. In addition they interconnect seamlessly with all Apple merchandise. That’s to not say they gained’t work with Android or Home windows units as a result of they may; some capabilities simply stay unique to Apple’s platform.
So far as choices go, you’re 4 completely different pairs of AirPods wi-fi earbuds, an over-the-ear AirPods headphone, and an enormous Beats lineup (Apple’s best acquisition but) that continues to welcome new critically acclaimed releases.
Deciding on one is simply as troublesome as choosing out your subsequent iPhone or MacBook. Therefore, we compiled this record to make the choice course of somewhat simpler in your thoughts and pockets.
After testing the corporate’s high choices, we’ve ranked the very best Apple headphones and earbuds. Scroll right down to see which fashions fit your moveable audio wants.
What are the very best Apple headphones and earbuds?
Why you possibly can belief Laptop computer Magazine
Our knowledgeable reviewers spend hours testing and evaluating services so you possibly can select the very best for you. Discover out extra about how we take a look at.
Sitting in first place on our greatest Apple headphones and earbuds record is the AirPods Professional 2. The primary-gen mannequin might have revolutionized wi-fi earbuds, however this noise-cancelling sequel took issues a step ahead with key additions similar to Adaptive Transparency, Customized Spatial Audio, and FindMy compatibility with the MagSafe charging case. Apple continues to roll out new options with each different iOS replace, retaining these porcelain danglers within the finest wi-fi earbuds dialog for a number of extra years.
An in depth second is the AirPods Max, Apple’s first noise-cancelling headphones that mix robust audio and ANC right into a glossy, modern design. The value level is perhaps extra of a watch sore than the foolish good case. Nevertheless, you are shopping for the wi-fi cans for his or her highly effective tech. The 40mm drivers, 9 microphones, H1 processors, and a gaggle of sensors deliver a degree of performance that solely class leaders just like the Bose 700 and Sony WH-1000XM4 can match.
Third place goes to the just lately launched Beats Match Professional, which miraculously takes most, if not all, of the AirPods Professional’s largest hallmarks and stuffs them right into a sporty package deal. We’re speaking ANC, spatial audio, and several other iOS perks like audio sharing, automated switching, and “Hey Siri” voice activation. The wing ideas additionally present a correct match and stability for exercises.
When you’re somebody who needs to get pleasure from Apple Music playlists one of the simplest ways doable, there’s loads to select from. Let’s see the place a few of the different finest Apple headphones and earbuds rank.
The most effective Apple headphones and earbuds proper now
Regardless of most rumors across the AirPods Professional 2 being nothing greater than rumour, Apple’s newest wi-fi earbuds nonetheless dwell as much as their hype. Customized Spatial Audio enhances the 3D listening expertise by scanning your ears by way of the iPhone’s TrueDepth digicam and making a sound profile that precisely locations music, voices, and results on the soundscape. ANC can now cut back twice as a lot noise because the first-gen AirPods Professional and Adaptive Transparency has been drastically improved to listen to ambient noises and vocals clearly. Music sounds richer and extra detailed, due to Apple’s new low-distortion driver. Cool options like Precision Discovering additionally make finding your misplaced charging case simpler by pinpointing its location within the Discover My (AirPods) app.
Only a few will complain in regards to the largely unchanged design or the efficiency struggles with Android units, whereas these with an iOS system will likely be enthusiastic about having the AirPods Professional 2 as their go-to for music listening.
Learn our full AirPods Professional 2 overview.
Apple’s wi-fi headphones dwell as much as the hype with distinctive audio and ANC efficiency. Beneath the glossy, clean-looking design are 40mm customized dynamic drivers that pump out near-audiophile-grade sound, balancing frequencies fantastically properly to get pleasure from wealthy mids, highs, and lows. Spatial audio helps create the phantasm of a 360-degree soundscape when listening to music or watching motion pictures. When you just like the AirPods Professional’s noise cancellation, the AirPods Max is much more spectacular, using eight mics to successfully block out nearly all of exterior sounds. Seamless iOS integration means you’ll not solely hook up with Apple units with ease, but in addition achieve entry to quite a few software program perks together with audio sharing, automated switching, and “Hey Siri” voice activation.
It’s ballsy for Apple to cost their headphones $150 greater than Bose. Nevertheless, for Apple fanboys who dwell on iOS and macOS units, these cans are the perfect audio funding, for those who can afford them.
See our full Apple AirPods Max overview.
Beats ramped up their true wi-fi manufacturing, placing out not one however two new fashions simply final yr, which got here as a shocker to us all. The just lately launched Match Professional affords near-identical efficiency to the AirPods Professional and improves on Beats’ new and modern design. Noise cancellation is very efficient, and sound is superior to all AirPods fashions. Getting access to most iOS options is at all times appreciated. The put in wingtips and IPX4 score make the Match Professional essential for gymnasium rats.
Be conscious that the Eartip Match Check isn’t as dependable because the AirPods Professional model. Additionally, the Android app lacks additional options, although you’re nonetheless getting a lot of the meat and potatoes that come tied to Apple’s ecosystem.
The AirPods Professional improves on Apple’s iconic wi-fi buds with a water resistant design and a variety of useful contact controls. Battery life may very well be longer, however the noise cancellation options are top-notch. Activate ANC and the AirPods Professional do an important job blocking out on a regular basis noise, however you possibly can change to the helpful Transparency Mode while you need to pay attention to your environment.
Apple’s high-end buds additionally embrace three pairs of swappable silicone ear ideas, making it straightforward to search out an important match. The stems themselves are additionally shorter than those discovered on the unique AirPods. And naturally, for those who’re an iPhone consumer, the AirPods Professional work seamlessly with iOS. Mix all these premium options with clear, highly effective sound that fits all genres of music, and you’ve got the corporate’s finest audio product to this point. And we are able to’t neglect in regards to the superior new options like spatial audio to create a movie-theatre-like sound expertise and Discover My assist for simply finding misplaced buds when out of vary.
Learn our full AirPods Professional overview.
The AirPods 3 is a particular step up from the AirPods 2. It offers listeners a extra premium look in step with the AirPods Professional, although it stops simply wanting aping the top-tier product, falling extra into the hardly mid-tier vary class. Because of Apple’s chip wizardry, the earbuds ship clear, heat audio whether or not you hearken to music, watch TV, or are on a video name. And I extremely advocate taking the spatial audio function for a spin.
You get most of the AirPods Professional’s premium options on the AirPods 3 at about $20 cheaper and practically an hour extra battery life with MagSafe charging capabilities. When you’re on the lookout for a robust replace to the favored AirPods 2 with out completely breaking the financial institution on the Professional, the AirPods 3 is the way in which to go, arms down.
Learn our full AirPods 3 overview.
Beats headphones get a foul rap for being extra fashion than substance. Whereas the corporate’s authentic noise-cancellers, the Studio 3, was a stable pair of sound blasters, they didn’t precisely dwell as much as their promise as a possible class chief. The Solo Professional actually modifications that argument. This glossy pair of on-ears pumps out refined, balanced sound and options efficient noise cancellation and a nifty transparency mode that filters in additional ambient sound so you possibly can pay attention to your environment. You get a good quantity of battery life to work with at 22 hours, however Beats’ Quick Gasoline know-how helps pace up the recharging course of when mandatory, producing 3 hours of playtime on a 10-minute cost.
Apple additionally brings its H1 chip to the Solo Professional, which permits seamless pairing and a enjoyable audio-sharing function for while you wish to pay attention with associates who additionally personal pair of Beats headphones or AirPods.
See our full Beats Solo Professional overview.
Platform-neutral efficiency on a pair of Apple earbuds was a pipe dream till the Beats Studio Buds got here alongside. These super-tiny, cordless in-ear displays play properly with iOS and Android units, working on a brand new (and undisclosed) processor that gives true Discover My Buds assist and one-touch pairing to Apple or Android telephones by way of Class 1 Bluetooth connection. Apple tweaked the soundstage to provide these buds extra refined sound than the Powerbeats Professional. ANC can be shockingly good on the Studio Buds and cancels out a large variety of ambient sounds. Battery life is rated greater than the AirPods Professional as properly.
Some iOS customers gained’t be completely happy about unsupported options similar to auto switching between iCloud-registered units and Siri Announce Notifications; these are unique and tied to Apple’s H1 processor. Nonetheless, the efficiency and worth these buds supply is simply too good to disregard.
Learn our full Beats Studio Buds overview.
Quick, good, and longer-lasting than the first-gen mannequin, the AirPods 2 stays a top-tier possibility for iPhones homeowners who need the true wi-fi Apple expertise with out spending additional on the AirPods Professional. A present value drop to $135 (test Amazon) makes them much more interesting. Apple offers folks what they need with wi-fi charging and a hands-free strategy to Siri. Different notable options embrace a Discover My iPhone setting, Announce Messages with Siri, audio sharing between two AirPods or Beats headphones, and instantaneous connectivity to iOS/MacOS units. The AirPods 2 are additionally set to obtain automated switching as a part of the upcoming iOS 14 replace, which is rumored to launch this September.
On high of all of that, you’ll discover a lot pleasure in realizing the AirPods 2 holds an extended cost (5 hours) than the AirPods Professional (4.5 hours). Nevertheless, moveable energy is similar, with the charging case holding 24 hours of juice. And the truth that they provide 50% extra speak time is the icing on the cake, particularly because the authentic AirPods’ was near-instantaneous.
Apple is not making a health model of its standard AirPods, or so we predict. Till then, the PowerBeats Professional is the very best you’ll get when it comes to a real sporty mannequin. These buds pack nice efficiency in a sturdy, water resistant shell. The corporate’s even gone so far as to incorporate the brand new H1 chip, making seamless integration with all iDevices even sooner. Computerized switching has been added as properly by way of the iOS 14 replace.
Audio is essential for any pair of sports activities headphones, and fortuitously, Apple has toned down the Beats’ bass-heavy sound signature. The Powerbeats Professional has a extra balanced presentation that blends emphatic lows and tighter mids and highs. Those that continually complain in regards to the AirPods poor battery life can breathe straightforward realizing these buds maintain practically double the quantity of playtime on a full cost at 9 hours. Whereas not essentially the most portable-friendly, the charging case will get you about two additional prices on the go as properly.
The Studio3 Wi-fi stays a scorching vendor amongst model fanatics and budget-conscious millennials who aren’t able to splurge huge on the AirPods Max. These fashionable cans welcome some notable enhancements on the sonic entrance that put Beats earlier headphones to disgrace. Mids and highs are emphasised, mixing properly with Beats’ signature bass profile. Noise cancellation has been elevated as properly to supply acceptable outcomes; it’s adequate to drown out development tools and hush rowdy pedestrians.
Apple customers get the very best expertise, due to the W1 chip, which will increase battery life and connectivity vary on iPhone fashions. Android customers aren’t afforded the identical luxuries, because the headphones usually have hassle connecting to non-iOS units. That doesn’t imply you gained’t have the ability to benefit from the Studio3’s high quality sound and robust battery life.
How to decide on the very best Apple headphones and earbuds for you
It goes with out saying that your Apple/Beats merchandise ought to all assist essentially the most present iOS model. This will get you the newest software program perks and enhances the consumer expertise throughout all iOS/macOS units. Be aware that some options gained’t apply to each Apple-made headphone or wi-fi earbuds. Simply be sure you get the necessities like audio sharing, instantaneous connectivity, and “Hey Siri” voice activation, simply to call a number of.
Subsequent on the record is audio. You need the very best sound and name high quality, so having a mannequin that boasts highly effective drivers and microphones may also help huge time. Apple’s introduction of Spatial Audio, which makes use of dynamic head monitoring to create 360-degree immersive sound, is out there on choose fashions.
Apple doesn’t have the best observe file with regards to battery life, however the firm is liable for setting the trade common time for wi-fi earbuds: 5 hours. Newer AirPods and Beats wi-fi earbuds both fall in the identical vary or supply greater playtimes. The corporate’s over-ear and on-ear ANC headphones additionally fall inside the class’s trade common time (20 hours) and may lengthen playtime when ANC is off.
These merchandise don’t come low-cost, so to make sure their security, search out fashions that both have IPX4 sweat and splash resistance or have third-party covers out there for full-on safety. Think about including an AppleCare guarantee (opens in new tab) too.
How we take a look at the very best Apple headphones and earbuds
When testing for the very best Apple headphones and earbuds, Laptop computer Journal evaluates a number of elements: design, consolation, sound, worth, and multiplatform compatibility. Our picks are then in comparison with comparable merchandise within the class when it comes to options, match, and pricing.
Apple headphones and earbuds are worn over the course of every week for two to three hours at a time. We assess consolation, ease of use, and audio high quality throughout this time. Pattern tracks throughout a number of music genres (hip hop, rock, jazz, classical) are performed, analyzing readability, depth, imaging, and quantity. Audiobooks, video games, podcasts, and movies are considered. Any fashions supporting spatial audio are additionally examined utilizing appropriate hi-res streaming companies (e.g., Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal).
Those that wish to enhance the sound high quality on their laptop computer or cell system might wish to look over this audio codec FAQ to find out about FLAC information, MP3s, and different audio file codecs.
As soon as testing is accomplished, each mannequin is rated primarily based on our five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = finest). Any really exemplary product is awarded an Editor’s Alternative.
