Apple Headphones Review

Apple's wireless headphones and earbuds are stylish and comfortable and seamlessly integrated into the ecosystem. They have an Lightning connector for iPhones, and some models have a 3.5mm adapter for older devices.

AirPods Pro have a great sound for music and movies. They feature cinematic spatial audio, fancy virtual surround, and more. They also have special features, like instant pairing, automatic switching and "Hey Siri".

Sound

Apple headphones are well-known for their outstanding sound quality. Many models also come with 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 there are adapters that will allow you to connect the headphones via a standard headphone jack. The sound quality of Apple headphones is also affected by the audio codec they employ and you should verify which audio codec is supported.

The headphones that come with the iPhone typically utilize the Apple AAC codec that is designed for Apple devices. This audio codec is more suitable for music and podcasts because it has a lower latency than other Bluetooth codecs. The top Apple headphones have at minimum AAC and Bluetooth 5.0 which offers more spectrum than previous versions of the technology.

If you're looking for an immersive audio experience, then think about headphones that have Apple's spatial sound technology. This feature can simulate surround sound and give an immersive, more balanced listening experience. You'll need to be using an iOS device running iOS 14 or later to utilize this feature.

Apple headphones are not only excellent for audio, but they also look sleek. Apple's EarPods for instance, are simple but decent earbuds that can fit in almost any pockets and offer great audio quality.

The Beats Studio3 headphones are more flexible than the EarPods and feature a closed-back design that offers greater noise isolation for commuting and sports. The headphones are uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time, and are not comfortable enough to wear while running. The Apple EarPods are also more expensive and feature more weight to them. Despite these shortcomings they are still a great choice. Beats Studio3 is one of our top Apple headphones due to the fact that they are comfortable to wear, offer an amazing sound and have excellent noise cancellation. They're made to last and include an audio engine of premium quality that is compatible with the Apple W1 chip, which offers advanced features.

Design

Apple is known for their elegant design, and the headphones from the company aren't an exception. Apple offers a range of headphones which include wired models that connect to the headphone port on the iPhone and wireless Bluetooth earbuds. Apple headsets are more expensive, but usually are more comfortable.

Apple's AirPods Pro 2 are the most popular headphones in the world, and provide excellent audio quality and noise cancellation in a slim, compact package. The earbuds feature an extended-lasting battery and Siri voice activation that allows for hands-free operation. The earbuds come with a unique case that recharges them and secures them when not in your ears.

The AirPods Pro can track movement which is beneficial if you're running or working out. The wireless headphones also come with the feature of spatial audio which simulates surround sound when you watch videos on an iPhone or iPad with Apple TV, Disney Plus and Noise cancelling HBO Max. The feature can be difficult to get used to at first, but it's a fun method to listen to movies and TV shows while on the move.

Beats Studio 3 Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones is another great option for audiophiles or people who like Apple Music playlists. They can last up to 22 hours of listening time with ANC and 40 without, and they utilize the Apple W1 chip for easy installation and seamless switching between iOS devices. They also have an option to customize "Hey Siri" and wings tips to ensure a secure fit when exercising.

Both Apple and Google make earbuds with their particular ecosystem in mind, but each brand's earbuds have their strengths. For instance, Google's Pixel Buds are more affordable than Apple's AirPods, but they have a longer battery life, and also come with an app that is customizable with graphic EQ settings.

Apple's headphones might be ideal for those who depend on the Apple ecosystem, but their controls can be a source of frustration for anyone else. The minimalist design of the headphones from Apple doesn't always include robust features. They lack important functions in their truly wireless models. Siri is supposed to handle your music, not the volume control.

Connectivity

With the increasing number of Bluetooth headphones options and the loss of headphone jacks on the majority of new iPhones, wired models are rapidly going the way of the Dodo. For those who still prefer listening with traditional cables, Sony makes a wide selection of on-ear and over-the-ear wired headphones that can be used with all Apple devices. The company also has a wireless pair of earbuds - the Momentum Free - that connect via an extremely low-power radio signal.

If you own a newer Mac make sure that your headphones are compatible with Bluetooth 5.0 or later. This technology provides superior audio quality and a longer battery life when compared to earlier Bluetooth versions. Look through the list of audio codecs supported to ensure that your music files will play.

Whatever type of headphones you opt for, look for models that provide a secure fit. Over-ear or on-ear models that have an oversized headband offer a stable fit that is less likely to slip off during exercise. In earbuds you want an ideal fit that seals the ears and provides good noise cancellation to block out background noise.

Some of the top wireless headphones include the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation), Beats X Wireless and Beats Studio Wireless and the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II. The AirPods have outstanding sound quality, superior wireless Bluetooth pairing and an elegant design, which has earned them an excellent rating from customers of 4.5 out of five. The Beats Studio Wireless is similar to the Pro version, but has new design, improved sound cancellation, and a long battery life.

The Quiet Comfort 35 II, the most recent model in Bose's quiet-comfort line, offers noise cancellation, a long battery life, and a comfortable fit, all in a compact portable case. The QC35 II, an upgrade to the previous model, included support for the AAC audio codec as well as an upgraded wireless protocol that allows for increased Bluetooth speeds and reduced time to complete.

If your headphones won't pair with your Mac Try resetting the Bluetooth preferences. Click the Apple logo on your desktop and choose System Settings. Find your headphones in the list, then click the Next to their names. You may need to put the best headphones in pairing mode by pressing and holding the pairing button until the status light blinks.

Value

Whether or not you consider the headphones worth $549 is up to you, but objectively they are worth it. AirPods Pro are a remarkable pair of headphones. The intelligent features such as auto-pause and transparency modes are super practical and the sound quality is stunning. The headphones are also well built which isn't the usual case for wireless headphones.

AirPods are expensive, however they have a wide range of features that are advanced. However the AirPods Pro make a lot of sense for those already very invested in the Apple ecosystem. They feature the same H1 chip used in the iPhone's latest generation of speakers. They use it to analyse the audio of eight microphones that are scattered between the earcups and inside them. The headphones can now tailor the sound of your music to fit your head and block out external noise in real time. Apple claims to be able to make 200 adjustments to your music per second, which is an incredible amount. The result is a pair of headphones that truly live with a cinematic clarity and depth that is unmatched. Even tracks that aren't as well-known like electronic jazz rock band Comet is Coming's debut album, become hugely immersive and dramatic on the AirPods Pro.

Prior to the launch of the AirPods, Apple used to include an EarPod with wired connections in every iPhone box and they continue to be available now with either the Lightning or 3.5mm headphone plug (though they do not feature a microphone). The new AirPods are more impressive, however they're still great for noise cancelling exercising or for commuting. They have a long battery longevity, and fit comfortably.

Apple bought Beats the original line in 2014. The Beats line has remained largely the same with the exception that they now include the USB-C charger and W1 chip. The company is expected to discontinue the Beats brand at some point however, collaborations with artists and periodic updates like the Beats Solo3 USB-C with the H1 processor, which is a bit more advanced, could make them more relevant.