Apple Headphones Review

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

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

Sound

Apple headphones are known for their great audio quality. Many models also come with noise cancellation. Some of them are wireless and work with Apple's AirPods, while others can be connected to your iPhone via an Lightning cable. If you don't have an Lightning cable there are adapters that allow you to connect your headphones using a standard headphone jack. The quality of sound produced by Apple headphones is also impacted by the type of audio codec they utilize, so make sure you check what kind of audio is supported.

Apple AAC is the codec that headphones use to are compatible with iPhones. It's optimized for Apple devices. The codec for audio has lower latency than other Bluetooth codecs, making it suitable for listening to music and podcasts. Apple headphones which are the best be compatible with Bluetooth 5.0 and AAC, which is a more recent version of technology with a wider range.

If you're seeking a more immersive audio experience, then consider headphones that feature Apple's spatial sound technology. This feature mimics surround sound to provide a more immersive listening experience. However, you must be using an iOS device running iOS 14 or later to be able to use this feature.

In addition to offering excellent audio and sound quality, some Apple headphones also sport an elegant design. Apple's EarPods are simple and decent earbuds. They can fit in most pockets and provide great audio quality.

The Beats Studio3 headphones offer more versatility than EarPods and their closed-back design offers greater noise reduction when you commute or doing sports. They can be uncomfortable to wear for long periods and are not comfortable enough to wear while running. They also have a slightly larger build and cost more than Apple-branded EarPods. Despite these limitations, the Beats Studio3 headphones are one of our favorite headphones from Apple because they're comfortable to wear, offer incredible audio quality, and provide exceptional noise cancellation. They're built to a high standard and include a premium audio engine that's compatible with the Apple W1 chip, which provides advanced features.

Design

Apple is renowned for its sleek design, and headphones made by the company are no exception. They provide a variety of options, from wired models that connect to an iPhone's headphone jack to wireless Bluetooth earbuds. Apple headsets are more expensive, but often have better sound.

Apple's AirPods Pro 2 are the most popular headphones in the world and deliver outstanding audio quality and noise cancellation in a compact, sleek package. The earbuds come with a long battery life and come with Siri voice activation to allow hands-free use. The earbuds come with a unique case that powers them up and protects them when they are not in your ears.

The AirPods Pro can track movement which is beneficial when you're working out. The wireless headphones also come with an audio feature called spatial 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 confusing initially but it's a great way to listen to films and TV shows while on the move.

Beats Studio 3 Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones are another 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 use the Apple W1 chip for easy setup and seamless switching between iOS devices. They also have a customizable "Hey Siri" activation as well as wings tips to ensure an optimum fit during workouts.

Apple and Google both offer headphones that are crafted to their respective ecosystems, but they each have their particular strengths. Google's Pixel Buds, for example, are cheaper than Apple's AirPods but they come with longer battery lives as well as a customizable app and graphic EQ settings.

While Apple's headphones are excellent for those who depend on the company's technology ecosystem, their controls can be frustrating for anyone else. The simple design of the headphones from Apple doesn't always include robust features. They are also lacking essential functions in their wireless models. Siri is expected to manage your music, not the volume control.

Connectivity

With the emergence of Bluetooth headphones and the removal of headphone jacks on the majority of modern iPhones, wired models are rapidly going the way of the Dodo. For those who still prefer to listen with traditional cables, Sony makes a wide range of over-the-ear and on-ear wired headphones that are compatible with all Apple devices. It also offers a truly wireless pair of earbuds - the Momentum Free - that connect via an extremely low-power radio signal.

If you own a Mac that is more recent make sure your headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible or later. This standard provides better audio performance and a longer battery life when compared to older Bluetooth versions. Check out the list of audio codecs compatible to ensure that your music files can be played.

Regardless of what type of headphones you opt for Look for models that have a secure fit. Over-ear or on-ear models that have a thick headband provide a secure fit that is less likely to slip off during exercise. You want earbuds that fit snugly, seal the ears, and offer good noise cancellation to block out ambient sounds.

The top wireless headphones are the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation), Beats X Wireless and Beats Studio Wireless and Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II. AirPods are stylish and sleek and an excellent wireless Bluetooth pairing that has earned them a rating of 4.5 stars from users. The Beats Studio Wireless are similar to the Pro model but feature an updated appearance, superior noise cancellation and long battery life.

The Quiet Comfort 35 II is the newest model in the Bose quiet comfort line, offering noise cancellation, long battery life and a comfy package that is compact and portable package. The QC35 II is an upgrade from the previous model, adding support for the new AAC audio codec, as well as the new wireless connection protocol that enables more Bluetooth speeds and reduced latency.

If your headphones will not connect to your Mac try changing your Bluetooth preferences. Click the Apple logo on your desktop and select System Settings. Look for your headphones in the list and click the Next to their name. It is possible to put the headphones in pairing mode by pressing and holding the pairing button until you see the status light.

Value

AirPods Pro are an impressive pair of headphones regardless of whether or not you believe they're worth $549. The sound quality is excellent and features such as auto-pause mode and transparency are extremely beneficial. The headphones wireless beats are also extremely sturdy, which isn't always the case with wireless headphones.

Of course, iPhone this kind of sophisticated functionality comes at costs, and for many people the AirPods are too expensive. However the AirPods Pro make a lot of sense for those already deeply invested in Apple's ecosystem. The AirPods Pro use the same H1 chipset found in the iPhone's newer generations of speakers to analyze the audio from the eight microphones that are placed around and inside the earcups. The headphones are now able to adjust the sound of the music to suit your head and block out external sounds in real-time. Apple claims it can adjust 200 times every second to your music that's a staggering figure. The result is a set of headphones that feel truly alive, with a cinematic depth and clarity that's a class of their own. Even more mundane tracks like electronic jazz group Comet is Coming's debut album become hugely impressive and immersive on the AirPods Pro.

Apple used to include a pair EarPods with every iPhone prior to when the AirPods were launched. The earbuds are still available, but they do not come with a microphone. They're not as spectacular as the new AirPods however they're ideal for running or commuting on a treadmill, and come with an excellent battery life and a comfortable fit.

Beats Original line of earbuds and over-the ear headphones was purchased by Apple in 2014, however, they've largely stayed the same except for upgrading to a newer W1 chip and USB-C charging. The company is expected to end the Beats brand at some point but collaborations with artists and periodic updates like the Beats Solo3 USB-C with the newer H1 processor could make them more in the market.