Apple Headphones Review

Apple's wireless earbuds as well as over-ear headphones are sleek, comfortable, and blend into the ecosystem seamlessly. They come with an Lightning connector for iPhones and some models have a 3.5mm adapter for older models.

The AirPods Pro sound excellent for films and music, including cinematic spatial audio and a fancy virtual surround. They also come with unique features like instant pairing, automatic switching and "Hey Siri" voice activation.

Sound

Apple headphones typically offer great sound quality, and many of the models feature noise cancellation. Some are wireless and can be used with Apple's AirPods while others connect to your iPhone via a Lightning cable. If you don't have an Lightning cable you can purchase adapters that will allow you to connect the headphones using a standard headphone jack. The sound quality of Apple headphones is also impacted by the type of audio codec they utilize therefore, you must verify which audio codec is supported.

Apple AAC is the codec used by headphones that come with iPhones. It's designed for Apple devices. This audio codec has a lower latency than other Bluetooth codecs, for running making it ideal for listening to podcasts and music. The most reliable Apple headphones include at least AAC and Bluetooth 5.0, which has an even wider spectrum than previous versions of the technology.

If you want a more immersive experience, you should consider purchasing headphones that incorporate Apple's spatial audio technology. This feature mimics surround sound to give you a more immersive listening experience. However, you'll need to have an iOS device running iOS 14 or later to utilize this feature.

In addition to delivering excellent audio and sound quality, some Apple headphones also have an elegant design. Apple's EarPods are basic but good earbuds. They can be tucked away into most pockets and offer great audio quality.

The Beats Studio3 headphones offer more flexibility than EarPods, and their closed-back design offers better noise isolation when commuting or participating in sports. They can be a bit uncomfortable for the ears if worn for prolonged durations, however they aren't as comfortable to wear when running. They also have a slightly larger build and are more expensive than Apple-branded EarPods. Despite these drawbacks they are still a great choice. Beats Studio3 headphones are one of our top picks from Apple because they're comfortable to wear, offer an amazing sound quality, and offer excellent noise cancellation. They're built to a high standard and include an advanced audio engine that's compatible with the Apple W1 chip, which offers advanced features.

Design

Apple is well-known for its sleek design, and headphones made by the company aren't an exception. They offer a variety of options, ranging from wired models that connect to an iPhone's headphone offers online port to wireless Bluetooth earbuds. Apple headsets are more expensive, but they usually are more comfortable.

Apple's AirPods Pro 2 headphones are the best-selling in the world. They deliver outstanding audio quality, noise cancelling and an elegant and compact design. The earbuds come with a long battery life and feature Siri voice-activated for hands-free usage. The earbuds come in a distinctive case that recharges them and keeps them safe when not in your ears.

The AirPods Pro track your movement, which can be useful when you're working out or running. The wireless headphones also come with a feature called spatial audio which simulates surround sound when you stream videos on an iPhone or iPad with Apple TV, Disney Plus and HBO Max. The feature can be disorienting at first but it's a great way to listen to movies and TV shows on the go.

Beats Studio 3 Noise Cancelling Wireless headphones is another excellent choice for audiophiles and those who enjoy Apple Music playlists. These headphones can provide up to 22 hours of listening time with ANC and 40 hours without, and they utilize the Apple W1 chip for easy installation and seamless switching between iOS devices. They also come with a custom "Hey Siri" activation as well as wings tips to ensure a secure fit during workouts.

Apple and Google both make earbuds that are specifically designed for their respective ecosystems, however they each have their own strengths. For example, Google's Pixel Buds are more affordable than Apple's AirPods however they have an extended battery life, and also come with a customizable app with graphic EQ settings.

Although Apple's headphones are great for people who depend on the company's tech ecosystem, their controls aren't ideal for everyone else. The minimalist design of the headphones from Apple doesn't always include robust features. They also lack some important functions in their truly wireless models. Siri is supposed to handle your music, not volume control.

Connectivity

With the emergence of Bluetooth headphones options and the disappearance of headphone jacks in most new iPhones, wired models are rapidly going the way of the Dodo. Sony offers a variety of wired headphones, both on and over the ear, that are compatible with Apple devices. The company also has a wireless pair of earbuds - the Momentum Free - that connect via a low-power radio signal.

If you're using a more recent Mac ensure that your headphones are compatible with Bluetooth 5.0 or later. This version of the protocol offers better audio performance and provides longer battery life than earlier Bluetooth versions. Check out the list of audio codecs that are supported to ensure that your music files are compatible.

No matter what kind of headphones you opt for, look for models that have a secure fit. Over-ear and on-ear models with a thick headband provide an enduring fit that is less likely to fall off during physical activity. You want earbuds that fit snugly, seal the ears, and provide excellent noise cancellation to block out ambient sounds.

Some of the top wireless headphones are the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation), Beats X Wireless and Beats Studio Wireless and Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II. The AirPods have outstanding sound quality, superior wireless Bluetooth pairing, and a sleek design, earning an excellent rating from customers of 4.5 out of five. The Beats Studio Wireless are similar to the Pro model, but have modern design, superior noise cancellation and a long battery life.

The Quiet Comfort 35 II, the most recent addition to Bose's quiet comfort line, provides noise cancellation, for running a longer battery life, and a comfortable fit all in a small portable package. The QC35 II, an upgrade to the previous model, added support for the AAC audio codec as well as the introduction of a new wireless protocol that allows for greater Bluetooth speeds and lower time to complete.

If your headphones will not connect to your Mac try setting your Bluetooth preferences. Click the Apple icon on your desktop, and then select System Settings. Look for your headphones on the list and click the Then, next to their names. You may need to put the headphones into pairing mode by pressing and holding the button to pair until you see the status light.

Value

Whether or not you consider them worth $549 is up to you, but objectively the AirPods Pro are a remarkable pair of headphones. The sound quality is superb, and features like transparency and auto-pause are very useful. The headphones are also incredibly well built which isn't the usual case with wireless headphones.

AirPods are expensive, however they offer a lot of features that are advanced. The AirPods Pro are a great option for those who already have a solid connection to Apple's ecosystem. They feature the same H1 chip found in the iPhone's latest generation of speakers and use it to analyze the sound from eight microphones dotted between the earcups and inside them. This enables the headphones to not only actively block outside noise, but to alter the sound quality of your music in real-time, based on how they fit and seal to your head. Apple claims that it can adjust the volume of your music every second which is a staggering number. The result is a pair of headphones that are truly alive with cinematic clarity and depth that's unbeatable. Even more mundane tracks like electronic jazz group Comet is Coming's debut album, become hugely immersive and dramatic on the AirPods Pro.

Apple used to include a pair EarPods with every iPhone prior to when the AirPods were launched. The earbuds are in use today, but they do not come with a microphone. They're not as stunning as the latest AirPods, but they're still ideal for running or commuting on a treadmill, and come with great battery life and a comfortable fitting.

Apple purchased Beats the original line in 2014. They've remained mostly the same with the exception that they now come with a USB-C charger and a W1 chip. It's expected that the company will eventually end the brand, but collaborations with artists and the occasional update like the Beats Solo3 with USB-C and the newer H1 chip could keep them relevant for some time.