How to select the Apple AirPods that are right for you

Join any Teams or Zoom video conference or tune into common news programs and you’re likely to spot others using Apple AirPods. The ubiquitous white in-ear buds — and more recently the over-ear Max counterpart — are seemingly everywhere. From the Pacific Islands to the West Coast and from Midwest airports to the streets of lower Manhattan, the wireless headphones are everywhere, and for a reason. They work and they work well.

Whether you enjoy music, regularly listen to audiobooks, travel often or spend considerable time on video and conference calls, AirPods are the popular choice. Capable of connecting to Macs, iPhones, iPads, Apple TVs and Android-powered devices, as well as Windows PCs, the audio accessory works well for both work and play.

The only real question, when it comes to AirPods, is which model is best for you. From the $129 2nd generation in-ear AirPods to the $549 over-ear Max version, each of the four currently available options boasts its own advantages.

All connect using Bluetooth 5.0 and have a charging case and feature automatic switching (to enabled compatible devices). All AirPods also feature Apple’s H1 chip and Siri support. But similarities begin to end there. Here’s what you should know about each model.

SEE: How to boost your conversation volume while wearing AirPods in iOS 15 (TechRepublic)

2nd generation AirPods

Apple’s $129 in-ear 2nd generation AirPods is the base model of the bunch. Don’t be thrown off by the stripped-down model, though. Spoiler alert: I believe the 2nd-gen AirPods, shown in Figure A, are the best option, hands down.

Figure A

Here are 2nd generation AirPods features:

• $129
• In ear
• H1 chip
• Siri support
• Up to five hours listening on single charge
• Up to three hours talk time
• 24+ hours charging case
• Lightning charging case
• Dual optical sensors
• Motion-detecting accelerometer
• Speech-detecting accelerometer
• Dual beam-forming microphone

Like its more expensive brethren, the 2nd-gen version boasts optical sensors and motion- and speech-detecting accelerometers, as well as multiple beam-forming microphones. Those are fancy terms for saying these headphones perform well determining whether you have them on or not and they try to isolate your voice while talking.

Other pundits will tell you these entry-level ‘Pods lack Apple’s impressive noise-canceling and Spatial Audio features. And, they’d be right. But if you’re largely using the earbuds for work, chances are the Spatial Audio features won’t do you much good (unless you’re an audio or video production engineer).

I don’t know if you’re like me, but I enable transparency mode whenever using a noise-canceling pair of headphones for audio or video calls. Otherwise, I can’t hear myself well and the feeling and sensation of being underwater is distracting. I’ve often found myself disabling the option, except when traveling or trying to tune out family members or coworkers raising a ruckus.

The 2nd-gen version remains a great value. With up to five hours of listening or three hours of talking on a single charge, and a case that provides up to 24 hours of charge, you’re unlikely to find these ‘Pods give out before you do. And at just $129, you can go through two or three pairs before even approaching the cost of the higher-end Max offering.

3rd generation AirPods

The 3rd generation AirPods version, shown in Figure B, runs $179. For fifty more dollars, these earbuds deliver additional battery life (up to six hours listening, four hours talking and 30 hours of charge using the charging case), as well as a MagSafe charging case and Spatial Audio compatibility. The 3rd-gen ‘Pods are also sweat and water resistant, an important consideration if you work out frequently or often find yourself caught or exercising in inclement weather outdoors.

Figure B

Here are 3rd generation AirPods features:

• $179
• In ear
• H1
• Siri compatible
• Up to six hours listening
• Up to four hours talk time
• Up to 30 hours charging case
• Spatial Audio with Dynamic Head Tracking
• Sweat and water resistant
• Lightning/MagSafe charging case
• Adaptive EQ
• Custom high-excursion Apple Driver
• Custom high dynamic range amplifier
• Skin-detect sensor
• Motion-detecting accelerometer
• Speech-dictating accelerometer
• Force sensor
• Dual beam-forming microphone
• Inward-facing microphone

A couple of other features help justify the additional cost. The 3rd generation AirPods model includes an adaptive EQ, which enhances sound quality, as well as a custom high-excursion Apple driver and high-dynamic range amplifier, not to mention the skin-detecting sensor that helps restart music, podcasts or audiobooks should you have to momentarily remove the earbuds for whatever reason. This model also boasts inward-facing microphones, which tend to improve the quality of what your audio listeners on the other end hear.

AirPods Pro

Compared to the 3rd-gen earbuds, the $249 AirPod Pros, shown in Figure C, are a little larger, while still fitting inside your ear. In my experience, they don’t feel as comfortable as their 2nd-gen counterparts. Ultimately, though, that’s a personal preference you’ll have to decide upon for yourself.

Figure C

Here are AirPods Pro features:

• $249
• In ear
• H1
• Siri compatible
• Up to 4.5 hours listening
• More than 24 hours charge case
• Lightning/MagSafe charge case
• Adaptive EQ
• Custom high-excursion Apple driver
• Custom high dynamic range amplifier
• Dual optical sensors
• Motion-detecting accelerometer
• Speech-detecting accelerometer
• Force sensor
• Dual beam-forming microphones
• Inward-facing microphones
• Active noise canceling
• Transparency mode
• Spatial Audio with Dynamic Head Tracking
• Sweat and water resistant

The Pro model also includes an adaptive EQ, Apple’s high-excursion driver and high-dynamic range amplifier, two optical sensors and motion- and speech-detecting accelerometers, as well as a force sensor and inward-facing microphones. With Spatial Audio support and sweat and water resistance, one primary difference between the Pro and 3rd generation earbuds is that the Pro’s shape and interchangeable silicone ear tips help them block out external noise a bit better, but their battery typically only powers through up to 4.5 hours of listening time (up to 24 hours total using the charging case).

The real advantage the AirPods Pro provides is active noise canceling (and transparency mode). Being able to block out ambient noise, especially when flying, is sometimes a godsend.

AirPods Max

If noise cancelation is your top need, however, the AirPods Max might be your best choice. True, the model, shown in Figure D, will set you back $549, but the over-ear style is often more comfortable for long-haul use and better at tuning out unwanted sounds. With up to 20 hours of listening or talk time on a single charge, no other AirPods version comes close in battery life.

Figure D

Here are AirPods Max features:

• $549
• Around ear
• Active noise canceling
• Transparency mode
• Spatial Audio with Dynamic Head Tracking
• H1 chip
• Siri compatible
• Lightning cable charge case
• 20 hours listening on single charge
• Adaptive EQ
• Apple-designed dynamic driver
• Optical sensor
• Position sensor
• Case-detect sensor
• Accelerometer
• Eight Active Noise Cancellation microphones
• Three microphones for voice pick up
• Digital Crown input

The Max version is loaded with additional sensors and microphones, including eight for active noise cancelation. There’s also a Digital Crown for adjusting volume, pausing music or a phone call, skipping forward or backward and activating Siri.

Which model is best?

If you need earbuds for standard audio and video calls and occasional travel, I believe you’re hard pressed to justify a better cost/value ratio than comes with the $129 2nd generation model AirPods.

For those who work out often or are sometimes caught outside in inclement weather, the 3rd-gen model’s sweat and water resistance may justify the $50 ($179 total) up charge. The 3rd-gen option also provides longer, if just a little, battery life, versus the 2nd generation and even AirPods Pro models.

Professionals requiring noise canceling or insisting on Spatial Audio capability will pay more for those features. The $249 Pros also offer decent battery life per single charge, but their inward-facing microphones help justify the up charge if you’re planning to use them regularly for work calls and video conferences.

As for the Max model? Don’t try to justify it for work — that is, unless you’re a professional audio or video producer or work within a professional field where the device’s higher quality features are warranted. For most of us, the Max is right up there with Apple’s Mac Pro desktop, Pro Display and Hermès Watch: high-end products we can all do without.