Apple Headphones Review

Apple's wireless headphones and earbuds are stylish, well-designed, and seamlessly integrated into the ecosystem. They come with a Lightning connector for iPhones, and some models feature a 3.5mm adapter for older models.

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

Sound

Apple headphones generally provide excellent sound quality, and many of the models feature noise cancellation. Some of them are wireless and work with Apple's AirPods, while others can be connected to your iPhone through an Lightning cable. There are adapters that let you to connect your headphones with a standard headphone socket if you don't own an Lightning cable. The sound quality of Apple headphones is also affected by the type of audio codec they use therefore, you must check what kind of audio is supported.

The headphones that come with the iPhone typically use the Apple AAC codec that is designed for Apple devices. This audio codec is more suitable for music and podcasts since it has a lower latency than other Bluetooth codecs. The most reliable Apple headphones support at least AAC and Bluetooth 5.0, which has an even wider range than earlier versions of the technology.

If you're looking for a more immersive audio experience, think about purchasing headphones that feature Apple's spatial audio technology. This feature can simulate surround sound and provide a more rounded, immersive listening experience. This feature is only available on iOS devices running iOS 14 or higher.

In addition to providing high-quality audio and sound quality, some Apple headphones also sport an elegant design. Apple's EarPods for instance, are simple but decent earbuds that can fit in nearly any pocket and provide great audio quality.

The Beats Studio3 headphones offer more flexibility than EarPods, and their closed-back design provides better noise isolation while commuting or participating in sports. They are uncomfortable on the ears if worn for long periods of time, and are not as comfortable to wear while running. The Apple EarPods are also more expensive and feature a heavier build. Despite these limitations they are still a great choice. Beats Studio3 headphones are one of our top picks from Apple because they're comfortable to wear, feature an amazing sound quality, and have exceptional noise cancellation. They're high-end headphones that feature a premium audio engine compatible with the Apple W1 chipset, which provides advanced features.

Design

Apple headphones aren't an exception to the sleek style. They have a range of options, ranging from wired models that connect to an iPhone's headphone port to wireless Bluetooth earbuds. Apple headsets are more expensive, but often are more comfortable.

Apple's AirPods Pro 2 are the most popular headphones sold worldwide and offer excellent audio quality and noise cancellation in a slim, compact package. The earbuds have a long battery life and also feature Siri voice activation for hands-free use. The earbuds come with an case that charges and protects them when not in your ears.

The AirPods Pro track your movement and can be helpful when you're working out or for running running. The wireless headphones feature a feature known as spatial audio. It simulates surround sound while watching videos on an iPhone or iPad using Apple TV, Disney Plus or HBO Max. The feature can be confusing initially however it's an enjoyable way to listen to movies and TV shows on the go.

Beats Studio 3 Noise Cancelling Wireless headphones is another excellent choice for audiophiles or people who enjoy Apple Music playlists. These headphones can last up to 22 hours with ANC and 40 hours without. They utilize the Apple W1 chipset for easy setup and seamless switching among iOS devices. They also have a customizable "Hey Siri" activation, as well as wing tips for a secure fit during workouts.

Apple and Google both make earbuds that are tailored to their respective ecosystems, however they each have their distinct strengths. For example Google's Pixel Buds are more affordable than Apple's AirPods however they have a longer battery life and include an app that can be customized with graphic EQ settings.

While Apple's headphones are great for people who depend on Apple's tech ecosystem, their controls can be a hassle for everyone else. Their minimalist designs don't necessarily include a lot of features, and they're lacking certain functions that are essential to their truly wireless models. They don't have volume control, and you're expected to make use of Siri to manage your music instead.

Connectivity

The increasing number of Bluetooth options and the disappearance from the latest iPhones of the headphone shop headphone jack is causing wired models to quickly disappear like Dodo. For those who 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. They also offer a wireless pair of earbuds - the Momentum Free - that connect via the radio signal that is low-power.

If you're using a more recent Mac, make sure your headphones are compatible with Bluetooth 5.0 or later. This version of Bluetooth has improved audio performance and provides longer battery life than previous Bluetooth versions. Also, check the list of supported audio codecs and make sure your music files are playable.

Make sure you choose headphones with a secure fit, no matter which kind you pick. Over-ear and on-ear models with an oversized headband offer a secure fit that is less likely to fall off during exercise. You want earbuds that fit snugly and seal the ears and have excellent noise cancellation that blocks out any background noise.

Apple AirPods Pro, Beats X Wireless, Beats Studio Wireless and Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II are among the top wireless headsets. AirPods are sleek and stylish and a great wireless Bluetooth pairing which has earned them a top rating of 4.5 stars from customers. The Beats Studio Wireless are similar to the Pro model, but have new design, better noise cancellation, and a long battery life.

The Quiet Comfort 35 II is the newest model in the Bose quiet comfort line, which offers noise cancellation, a longer battery life and a comfortable size in a compact, portable package. The QC35 II is an upgrade from the previous model, and adds support for the brand new AAC audio codec, as well as the new wireless connection protocol that allows for higher Bluetooth speeds and reduced latency.

If your headphones won't pair with your Mac, try resetting the Bluetooth preferences. Click the Apple icon on your desktop, and then select System Settings. Click on the headphones you want to use from the list. next to their name. You may need to switch the headphones into pairing mode first by pressing and holding the pairing button until a status light flashes.

Value

Whether or not you consider them worth $549 is entirely up to you, but in the end the AirPods Pro are a remarkable pair of headphones. The innovative features like auto-pause and transparency mode are extremely practical and the sound quality is utterly amazing. The headphones are also extremely well built and sound great, which isn't always the case for wireless headphones.

Of course, this type of high-end functionality comes with a cost, and for many people the AirPods are simply too expensive. The AirPods Pro are a great option for those who already have a strong connection to the Apple ecosystem. The AirPods Pro utilize the same H1 chipset found in the iPhone's newer generations of speakers to analyze the audio from the eight microphones placed around and inside the earcups. This allows the headphones to not only actively block out outside noise, but also to alter the sound quality of your music in real-time for how they fit and close on your head. Apple claims it can adjust 200 times per second to your music which is an incredible number. The result is a set of headphones that are truly immersive with cinematic clarity and depth that's unmatched. AirPods Pro can make even the most basic tracks sound spectacular and enveloping.

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

Apple bought Beats the original line in 2014. They've remained largely identical, except that they now come with an USB-C charger as well as a W1 chip. It's anticipated that the company will eventually end the brand, though artist collaborations and the occasional update like the Beats Solo3 with USB-C and the newer H1 chip could keep them relevant for an extended period of time.