Apple Headphones Review

Apple's wireless headphones and earbuds are elegant and well-designed, and seamlessly integrated into the Apple ecosystem. The headphones come with an Lightning plug for iPhones and some models come with a 3.5mm connector for older models.

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

Sound

Apple headphones are known for their great audio quality. Some models also have noise cancellation. Some of them are wireless and work with Apple's AirPods as well as others that can be connected to your iPhone through an Lightning cable. There are adapters that allow you to connect your headphones to a standard headphone socket even if you don't have an Lightning cable. The sound quality of Apple headphones is also impacted by the audio codec they employ and you should determine which audio format is supported.

The headphones that come with the iPhone typically utilize the Apple AAC codec that is optimized for Apple devices. This codec is ideal for music and podcasts because it has a lower latency than other Bluetooth codecs. The most reliable Apple headphones include at least AAC and Bluetooth 5.0 which provides a much wider range 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 simulates surround sound to give you an experience that is more immersive. However, you'll need to possess an iOS device with iOS 14 or later to be able to use this feature.

In addition to offering excellent audio, some Apple headphones also have sleek designs. Apple's EarPods are simple but good earbuds. They can fit in most pockets and provide great audio quality.

The Beats Studio3 headphones iphone offer more flexibility than EarPods and their closed-back design gives better noise isolation while commuting or doing sports. They can be uncomfortable to the ears when worn for long periods of time, though they aren't as comfortable to wear while running. They also have a larger build and cost more than Apple-branded EarPods. Despite these limitations however, the Beats Studio3 headphones are one of our top picks from Apple because they're comfortable to wear, have outstanding sound quality, and offer outstanding noise cancellation. They're made to last and include a premium audio engine that is compatible with the Apple W1 chip, which provides advanced features.

Design

Apple is well-known for its elegant design, and the headphones from the company are no exception. They have a range of options, ranging from wired models which connect to an iPhone's headphone jack, to wireless Bluetooth earbuds. Apple headsets are more expensive, but usually sound better.

Apple's AirPods Pro 2 headphones are the top-selling headphones worldwide. They provide outstanding audio quality, noise cancellation and a compact and sleek design. The earbuds come with a long battery life and also feature Siri voice activation to allow hands-free use. The earbuds come with an case that recharges and protects them 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 have the feature of spatial audio that mimics surround sound when you watch 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 while on the move.

Beats Studio 3 Noise Cancelling Wireless headphones is another excellent choice for audiophiles or people who love Apple Music playlists. These headphones can provide 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", and wings tips to ensure a secure fit while working out.

Both Apple and Google create earbuds with their own ecosystem in mind, but each brand's earbuds have their strengths. For instance Google's Pixel Buds are more affordable than Apple's AirPods however they have a much longer battery life and come with a customizable app with graphic EQ settings.

Apple's headphones might be ideal for those who depend on Apple's ecosystem, but their controls can cause frustration to everyone else. Their minimalistic designs don't always have robust features, and they're missing some important functions on their truly wireless models. They don't come with a volume control, and you're required to make use of Siri to manage your music instead.

Connectivity

The proliferation of Bluetooth options and the disappearance from the most recent iPhones of the headphone jack is causing wired models to quickly go the way of Dodo. For those who prefer listening with traditional cables, Sony makes a wide range of over-the-ear and on-ear wired headphones that are compatible with all Apple devices. There is also a pair of truly wireless earbuds - the Momentum Free -- that connect using an ultra-low power, low-range radio signal, allowing for an almost wireless listening experience.

If you own a Mac that is older be sure to check if your headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible or later. This version of the protocol has improved audio performance and offers longer battery life than older Bluetooth versions. Check out the list of audio codecs compatible to ensure that your music files can be played.

Make sure you choose headphones with an elongated fit, regardless of the kind you pick. Over-ear and on-ear models with the thick headband will provide an enduring fit that is less likely to slip off during exercise. You need earbuds that fit comfortably, seal the ears, and offer good noise cancellation to block out any background noise.

Some of the best 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 a great 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 new design, better noise cancellation and long battery life.

The Quiet Comfort 35 II is the newest model in the Bose quiet comfort line. It offers noise cancellation, long 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 latest AAC audio codec as well as a new wireless connection protocol that permits more Bluetooth speeds and reduced latency.

If your headphones aren't able to pair with your Mac Try resetting the Bluetooth preferences. Click the Apple icon on your desktop and select System Settings. Click on the headphones that you want to use in the list. Next to their name. You may need to put the headphones into pairing mode by pressing and holding the pairing button until a status light flashes.

Value

AirPods Pro are an impressive pair of headphones regardless of whether or not you believe they're worth $549. The sound quality is superb and features such as auto-pause mode and transparency are very useful. They also feel incredibly well-built, which is not always the case with wireless headphones.

Of course, this type of high-end functionality comes with costs, and for many people the AirPods are just too expensive. However, wireless the AirPods Pro make a lot of sense for those already deeply invested in Apple's ecosystem. They feature the same H1 chip that is found in the iPhone's newer generations of speakers. They utilize it to analyze the sound of eight microphones that are scattered between the earcups and inside them. The headphones are able to not just block out noise from outside, but to adjust the sound of your music in real-time for the way they fit and stay around your head. Apple claims to be able to adjust the volume of your music every second which is a staggering number. The result is a pair headphones that are truly immersive with cinematic clarity and depth that's unbeatable. Even more mundane tracks such as electronic jazz group Comet is Coming's debut album become hugely immersive and dramatic on the AirPods Pro.

Prior to the release of the AirPods, Apple used to include EarPods with wires in every iPhone box, and the earbuds are still available with either the Lightning or 3.5mm headphone plug (though they don't come with a microphone). The new AirPods are more impressive, but these earbuds are still excellent for exercise or commuting. They are extremely battery life and fit comfortably.

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