Apple Headphones Review

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

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

Sound

Apple headphones usually provide great sound quality, and many models come with noise cancellation. Some are wireless and work with Apple's AirPods while others connect to your iPhone with an Lightning cable. If you don't have an Lightning cable you can purchase adapters that allow users to connect headphones using a standard jack. Apple headphones' sound quality is also affected by the audio codecs they use. Be sure to determine which type of audio is supported.

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

If you want a more immersive audio experience, you should consider purchasing headphones that feature the Apple's spatial audio technology. This feature mimics surround sound to provide an experience that is more immersive. You'll need to be using an iOS device with iOS 14 or later to utilize this feature.

Apple headphones aren't just great for audio, but also look sleek. Apple's EarPods, for example, are simple but decent headphones that fit in the majority of pockets and offer excellent audio quality.

The Beats Studio3 headphones are more versatile than EarPods and feature closed-back design which provides better noise isolation for commuting and sports. They can be uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time, and aren't comfortable enough for wear while running. The Apple EarPods are priced higher and have more weight to them. Despite these limitations however, Headphones Samsung the Beats Studio3 headphones are one of our favorite headphones from Apple because they're comfortable to wear, have an amazing sound quality, and have outstanding noise cancellation. They're high-end headphones that feature high-end audio engines that are compatible with the Apple W1 chipset, which offers advanced features.

Design

Apple is well-known for its sleek design, and headphones from the company aren't any different. They provide a variety of options, 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 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 an extremely long-lasting battery as well as Siri voice activation, which allows hands-free operation. The earbuds come with an case that charges and protects them when they are not in your ears.

The AirPods Pro can track movement which is useful for those who run or work out. The wireless headphones come with the feature of spatial audio. It simulates surround sound when you watch videos on an iPhone or iPad using Apple TV, Disney Plus or HBO Max. The feature can be a little disorienting at first but it's a great method to listen to movies and TV shows while on the move.

Beats Studio 3 Wireless Noise Cancelling headphones are another option for audiophiles and people who want to enjoy Apple Music playlists. They can last up to 22 hours of listening time with ANC and 40 hours without, and they feature the Apple W1 chip for easy setup and seamless switching between iOS devices. The earbuds also come with an option to customize "Hey Siri", and wings tips to ensure a secure fit while exercising.

Apple and Google both offer earbuds that are specifically designed for their respective ecosystems, but they each have their particular strengths. For instance, Google's Pixel Buds are more affordable than Apple's AirPods, but they have a longer battery life and come with an app that is customizable with graphic EQ settings.

While Apple's headphones are great for those who depend on the company's tech ecosystem, their control options can be frustrating for anyone else. Their minimalistic designs don't always have robust features, and they're lacking certain functions that are essential to their truly wireless models. Siri is expected to manage your music, not the volume control.

Connectivity

The proliferation of Bluetooth options and the disappearance from the newest iPhones of the headphone jack has caused wired models to rapidly become the new Dodo. Sony has a wide selection of wired headphones, both on and over the ear that work with Apple devices. There is also a pair of wireless earbuds -- the Momentum Free -- that connect using an ultra-low-power low-range radio signal, allowing for a virtually wireless listening experience.

If you're using a more recent Mac ensure that your headphones are compatible with Bluetooth 5.0 or later. This standard provides superior audio quality and longer battery life as compared to earlier Bluetooth versions. Also, make sure to check the list of supported audio codecs to make sure your music files are playable.

Regardless of what type of headphones you opt for make sure you choose models that have a secure fit. On-ear and over-ear models with an oversized headband offer a stable fit that is less likely to slip off during physical activity. In earbuds, you need an ideal fit that seals the ear and offers good noise canceling to cut out background noise.

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

The Quiet Comfort 35 II, the most recent version of Bose's quiet comfort line, provides noise cancellation, a longer battery life and a snug fit, all in a compact portable package. The QC35 II is an upgrade from the previous model, bringing support for the latest AAC audio codec as well as the new wireless connection protocol that enables higher Bluetooth speeds and lower latency.

If your headphones over ear won't pair with your Mac try resetting your Bluetooth preferences. Click the Apple logo on your desktop, and then select System Settings. Select the headphones you would like to use from the list. In addition to their name. You may have to put the headphones into pairing mode by pressing and holding their pairing button until the status light turns on.

Value

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

Of course, this type of advanced functionality comes at costs and for many the AirPods are just too expensive. However, the AirPods Pro make a lot of sense to those who are 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 from eight microphones dotted around and inside the earcups. This allows the headphones to not only actively block outside noise, but to tailor your music's sound in real-time for how they fit and close around your head. Apple claims it can make 200 adjustments every second to your music that's a staggering amount. The result is a set of headphones that are truly alive with cinematic clarity and depth that's unmatched. AirPods Pro can make even the most basic tracks sound vivid and immersive.

Apple used to include a pair EarPods with every iPhone prior to when the AirPods were introduced. The earbuds are still available today, but they do not have a mic. The new AirPods are more impressive, however they're still great for exercising or for commuting. They have excellent battery life, and they fit comfortably.

Apple bought Beats the original line in 2014. They've remained mostly the same with the exception that they now come with an USB-C charger as well as a W1 chip. The company is expected to discontinue the Beats brand eventually but collaborations with artists and occasional updates like the Beats Solo3 USB-C with the H1 processor that is more recent could keep them relevant.