The new AirPods 5 might be a more confusing sell than their predecessors, but they do perform better – that's why they've made our list of best AirPods.
But are they the best AirPods for you? Well, that depends...
If you're after a mid-range pair, then yes, they will suit you down to the ground. But if you have more money to spend, you'll prefer the AirPods Pro 3. Apple's flagship in-ears have better bass than their predecessors, and active noise cancellation (ANC) that's twice as effective. For the ultimate in-ear Apple headphone experience, they're the ones to go for.
On a tighter budget? The AirPods 4 with ANC offer a lot of what makes the AirPods 5 so compelling but for slightly less money. This model is end-of-line, so we're expecting the price to drop come sales time.
Those of an over-ear bent will enjoy the AirPods Max 2, which, while not as groundbreaking as their predecessors, still perform excellently.
And how do we know which AirPods are the best? Experience. Our in-house reviewers have more than 100 years of testing experience between them. Review verdicts are agreed upon by the whole team in order to avoid personal bias and we compare each model to its closest rivals to judge how they stack up.
To find out more about our reviewing process, read the how we test headphones page.
- How do active noise-cancelling headphones work?
- AirPods 5 vs AirPods 4: which should you buy?
- AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Pro 2: which are better?
- AirPods Max 2 vs AirPods Max: how do they compare?
I've been testing and reviewing all manner of AV gadgetry since 2004, when an iPod with a click wheel was considered the height of sophistication. The best music source in the world isn't much use if you're using substandard headphones. Apple's AirPods haven't always sounded the best, but that is changing with new models offering the perfect mix of seamless usability and engaging, detailed and dynamic sound quality. For Apple users who are passionate about sound (that's me), the right pair of AirPods will be a very worthwhile investment.
22nd October 2026: Added the recently reviewed AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case to the main list and rejigged the rest of the list as necessary.
The best AirPods we recommend in 2026
Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.
Best overall
Apple finally cracked a five-star rating for a pair of in-ears with the AirPods Pro 2, so how do the follow-ups fare? With improvements all round (apart from in one area, that is), it's another five-star score for Apple's latest, proving the firm can still mix it up with the best wireless earbuds around.
The built-in heart rate monitor might have grabbed most of the headlines, but for us, the best thing about the Pro 3 is the gains in the more prosaic – but significant – areas of sound quality and noise cancellation.
They've had a design tweak, too. With a smaller body and differently-angled eartip nozzle, they're designed to fit a wider range of ear shapes and sizes. But we still found them divisive – those who achieved a snug fit with the Pro 2 found these to protrude too far, while those who didn't get on with their predecessors found the Pro 3 fit well.
Our advice? Try them for yourself.
The charging case has also grown slightly larger than the Pro 2's, but is lighter.
You get all the features of the Pro 2 (yay!) but still no hi-res codec support (boo!). The new heart rate monitor can track health and workout stats, and the Live Translation feature is very neat (even if it's not exclusive to the Pro 3).
While Apple would seem to have made gains in the battery life, it's actually more of a mixed picture. True, the life of the buds themselves has grown from six hours to eight, but the total battery life (including the charging case) has dropped from 30 hours to 24. How annoying that is will depend on how you use them.
But the Pro 3 have upped their environmental protection from IP54 to IP57. That means greater resistance to rain, sweat, splashes, and water generally.
Of course, it's the ANC and sound quality we're really interested in, and Apple hasn't let us down. Despite having the same H2 chip as their predecessors, the new model's ultra-low noise microphones, advanced computational audio, and new foam-infused eartips combine to offer twice the noise-cancelling capability of the Pro 2.
And it shows. During a flight, "the deep rumble of the airplane’s engine noise was damped down further than when listened to through the Pro 2, while the general chatter from people and announcements from the pilot were quieter through the new earbuds on full ANC mode," we found in our AirPods Pro 3 review.
Sound too has been been upgraded, courtesy of a new 'multiport acoustic architecture'. This helps the Pro 3 to sound clearer and more detailed, more spacious-sounding and more dynamic.
The results are impressive across genres. "There is bite and attack to the crunchy, brash highs of Fontaines D.C.’s Starburster, while the basslines in Forgot About Dre are taut, agile and tuneful, and punch with quite a good deal of depth and power in Billie Eilish’s Blue," we found.
They're not quite as refined or spacious as some of the best wireless earbuds we've tested, but they are a lot of fun to listen to. If it's AirPods you're after, look no further.
Read the full Apple AirPods Pro 3 review
Best premium
Apple basically invented the category of super-premium wireless over-ear headphones, and it was quite a move by a company with no prior experience of making cans. That's probably why the original AirPods Max lasted nearly six years unchanged (bar a minor refresh in 2024).
Now we have the AirPods Max 2, and it's another great pair from Apple. That we awarded it four stars instead of its predecessor's five points to how far the competition has come.
There's plenty new about the AirPods Max 2. But the design and case remain disappointingly familiar, and the 20-hour battery life is comprehensively beaten seemingly by all comers nowadays. So in some ways, the Max 2 are a missed opportunity.
They are still very well made, though. The design might be unchanged, but is still very premium: the anodised aluminium earcups, the stainless steel headband, the memory foam earcups... The hinges, telescopic arms and buttons are all beautifully made and finished to precision.
They're comfortable enough to wear for hours, too. Though we do have a few gripes about the design. The headband could contract more to accommodate smaller heads. The headphones are much heavier than a lot of rivals. They don't fold at all. And the silly case makes an unwelcome return.
The new H2 chip does enable some new features, like Conversation Awareness and Adaptive Audio, as well as Live Translation (which requires an iPhone 16 or later). Higher-quality codecs are still omitted, which we've come to expect from Apple.
The H2 also helps improve the active noise cancellation (ANC), which is 1.5 times more effective than on the original AirPods Max. They do silence the rumbles and screeches of the London Underground, and the effect is more natural and airy than a lot of ANC headphones.
For sound quality, they improve on their predecessors, but not by much. That's not as bad as it sounds – the original Max were a standout pair – but it is still a little disappointing to those of us craving new standards in wireless headphone sound performance.
"The Max 2 headphones have an admirably smooth balance, one that is very easy to listen to," we wrote in our AirPods Max 2 review. "There’s a dash more punch to the sound and the edges of notes are etched out with a little more precision, and they sound a bit more open compared with the first-gen model."
Voices are strong, and Apple balances all the elements very well. Though a slightly rolled-off top end does sacrifice some bite.
But overall, the differences between these and the originals could be more substantial. You can get greater sound elsewhere, but if you want the complete Apple experience in an over-ear form factor, these are the cans for you.
Read the full Apple AirPods Max 2 review
- Apple AirPods Max tips: how to pair, reset, charge and more
While AirPods do work with Android devices, you’ll miss out on lots of iOS-only features like Audio Sharing, full Spatial Audio (with dynamic headtracking) and customisable controls. The user experience is more seamless with an Apple device too. Unless you're dead set on AirPods, Android users will be better off with another pair of the best wireless headphones.
Best mid-range
The new AirPods have arrived, and they're a little confusing. Like the AirPods 4, they come in two variants. But unlike the AirPods 4, both models have active noise cancellation (ANC). So what's the difference?
Now the pricier model has three differences over the (slightly) cheaper one: on-stem volume controls, a wireless charging case, and an extra hour of battery life. And that's it. But then given that the price gap between them has narrowed to just £20, it's not surprising they're so alike.
Physically, the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case are near identical to their predecessors. They do have improved elemental resistance though (IP57, compared to the AirPods 4's IP54). And they have a very similar feature set to the AirPods Pro 3, save for that model's hearing aid, hearing test and heart rate sensors.
It's just a shame the battery life isn't better. Cheaper rival buds can last far longer than these, which eke out a measly five hours from the buds and a total of 22 hours using the charging case.
Still, we have no complaints with the performance. Noise cancellation is impressive, especially given the semi-open design of the earbuds. Higher frequencies do get through the net, as is expected, but sounds lower down the frequency range are stopped short in their tracks, even more so than with the previous-gen AirPods.
Adaptive audio is more customisable and natural than ever, thanks to a new sliding scale, and the ANC works wonders on calls, quieting even the loudest of surroundings.
Sonically, they have a lot more oomph than the AirPods 4, although the slightly weightier balance can obscure some of the finer details of certain tracks. Though most of us will consider the tradeoff worth it.
They make Ice T's Addicted To Danger sound "more menacing and muscular than before" while "Max Richter’s The City Was A Chaos instrumental is admirably delivered with deep punchiness and increasing scale and intensity," we wrote in our AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case review.
In comparison, their predecessors sound positively lightweight.
Read the full Apple AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case review
Best budget
The AirPods 4 come in two varieties – one with ANC (for £179 / $179 / AU$299) and one without (£129 / $129 / AU$299). So how are they the best budget option?
Well, those are the launch prices. Now the AirPods 5 range has arrived, the AirPods 4 with ANC have fallen to around £129. Admittedly that's only £10 cheaper than the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case (above). But given that Apple no longer sells this model, we would expect its price to plummet, especially come sales time, as retailers clear out end-of-line stock.
Despite the ANC, they stick with the standard design without adding eartips, though their shape has been refined somewhat.
It's a partial success – some members of our team found they fit their ears very well, while others struggled to keep them in. Try before you buy.
The active noise cancellation is impressive, given there are no eartips to form an air-tight seal and block out unwanted sounds. The effect is most effective with lower frequencies – those further up the frequency scale are more likely to slip through the net. And it's not as comprehensive a solution as with the pricier AirPods Pro 3.
The AirPods 4 with ANC's charging case is nice and compact, has a speaker for the Find My function, and supports wireless charging.
The non-ANC model lacks the latter two features.
Inside is the same H2 chip as the AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 5, which means the Voice Isolation feature can make calls clearer in high wind, and the Personalised volume feature automatically adjusts the volume depending on how loud your environment is.
As well as ANC, the pricier variant of AirPods 4 also have the Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness and Transparency features from the AirPods Pro 3, all of which are useful.
What's disappointing is the battery life, which is a measly four hours on a single charge with the ANC turned on, and a total of 20 hours with the charging case.
The AirPods 4 with ANC's sound is more detailed, powerful and overall more entertaining than their predecessor's.
"There’s clarity and detail, agility and balance, along with a focus on voices that make them immediately appealing to listen to," we wrote in our AirPods 4 with ANC review.
Though – as you would expect – they don't sound quite as superb as the AirPods Pro 3 or AirPods 5.
Still, for AirPods on a budget, they're the best around.
Read the full Apple AirPods 4 with ANC review
Also consider
The best AirPods alternatives we've tested:
Technics EAH-AZ100: Technics is better known for its record players, but the Panasonic-owned brand makes stunning headphones, too. These five-star wireless earbuds sound fantastic, and work just as well with Android phones.
Sony WF-1000XM6: Probably the best AirPods alternatives you can buy, the five-star XM6 outgun the AirPods Pro 3 for sound quality, and they work just as well with Android devices.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): The second-gen Ultras offer wireless charging and more advanced ANC than the first gen, as well as an upgraded sound from the same driver. The best noise-cancelling earbuds you can buy.
Sony WF-C710N: Cheaper than the cheapest AirPods, these Award-winning Sony earbuds pack excellent noise-cancellation, very good sound quality and a bunch of features that far exceed their price. If you want to go even cheaper – and forego ANC – check out the Award-winning Sony WF-C510.
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3: B&W's latest over-ears give the AirPods Max 2 a run for their money. They're slightly cheaper than the Max 2, with the usual premium B&W build quality and great sound.
Sony WH-1000XM6: Sony's best wireless headphones yet. Again, they're slightly cheaper than the AirPods Max 2, but deliver on all fronts. The over-ears to beat right now, and our current Award winners.
How to choose the best AirPods for you
First things first – are AirPods definitely the best headphones for you? If you don't have an iOS device like the iPhone 18 Pro, then probably not.
Yes, Apple's AirPods do work with other devices, but to get the best out of them, you really need to have at least one foot in Apple's ecosystem.
Next, you'll want to decide between an over-ear or in-ear design. Apple's over-ears are the AirPods Max 2, a pricey pair of noise-cancelling wireless headphones.
Your in-ear options are either the standard AirPods (choose between the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case and the standard AirPods 5), or AirPods Pro 3. Earlier models are no longer sold by Apple, but you might find them elsewhere.
Both the AirPods Pro and AirPods 5 range offer active noise-cancellation. Previously, some in-ear AirPods had ANC and some didn't, but now all modern AirPods do.
Then there's the question of budget. The AirPods Max 2 sit at the top of the range, and are even more expensive than most of the best noise-cancelling headphones offered by Sony, Bose and Bowers & Wilkins.
The AirPods Pro 3 are the next priciest pair, followed by the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case and then the standard AirPods 5.
You can always find cheaper AirPods alternatives, but you have to weigh up whether they will meet your needs.
Whichever pair you choose, be sure to check out our AirPods tips and advice on how to clean your AirPods.
How we test AirPods
You've probably read all about our state-of-the-art testing rooms, but they're not the only place we review AirPods. Instead, we take them out and about where most people will use theirs: on the train, to the pub, in busy shops, on the bus.
And if the opportunity presents itself, we'll take them on a plane to see how their noise-cancellation handles screaming children.
We don't test AirPods in isolation – we pit them against the best wireless earbuds (or over-ear headphones, in the case of the AirPods Max 2) in the same price bracket to see how they compare. Because there's nothing worse than discovering you haven't bought wisely.
We test hundreds of pairs of headphones every year for our reviews as well as What Hi-Fi? Awards judging, and with over 100 years of experience between us, we know what we're talking about.
Our stock room stays chock full of class-leading products against which we compare new ones.
When it comes to analysing sound quality, the testing rooms come into their own – it's nice and quiet down there, with no distractions.
Like all headphones we test, we give each pair of AirPods plenty of time to run in, and play all manner of different music genres through them – ours is a broad church, and there's no better way to judge performance.
We try each and every feature – including the oft-overlooked call quality – and subject the ANC to all kinds of different background sounds in different environments (cue the screaming kids).
We agree our review verdicts as a team rather than giving one person the power to make or break a product. Not only does this eliminate the potential for personal bias, it also makes sure we're being as thorough as possible.
We don't take any suggestions from PR or sales people, not now, not ever. We've been delivering honest, unbiased reviews for 50 years, and don't intend to stop now.
You can read more on our dedicated how we test page.
F.A.Q
Which are the best AirPods?
It depends what you're looking for and how much you have to spend. The best in terms of performance are the AirPods Max 2, but such a pricey over-ear pair won't be for everyone.
We find the AirPods Pro 3 the best overall when you consider features, performance and price.
Are AirPods worth it?
If you don't use an iOS device, then no, as quite a few AirPods features are iOS-only. Android users will be better served by a decent pair of Sonys or Boses. But Apple users will find that AirPods work seamlessly with their other devices.
Recent updates
- 22nd October 2026: We've put the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case as best mid-range and moved the AirPods 4 with ANC to best budget, culling the 2019 AirPods in the process. We've also thinned out the 'Also consider' list.
- 29th June 2026: No changes to the main list, but the intro has been updated and the copy checked throughout.
- 14th April 2026: Replaced the AirPods Max with the AirPods Max 2. Updated references throughout with newer headphone models. Replaced 'The quick list' with the tabletop widget.
- 20th January 2026: Replaced the AirPods Pro 2 with the recently reviewed AirPods Pro 3. Moved the Pro 2 to 'Also consider.'
- 11th November 2025: Rewrote intro to mention AirPods Pro 3, which are now referenced throughout.
- 18th August 2025: Replaced Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds with the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) in 'Also consider'.
- 23rd May 2025: Added Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 and Sony WH-1000XM6 to 'Also consider', replaced Sony WF-C700N with WF-C710N in the same section.
- 18th March 2025: Added Technics EAH-AZ100 to 'Also consider'. Added mentions of the iPhone 16e and the AirPods Pro 2's hearing aid features.
- 9th January 2025: Rewrote intro. Updated references to more recent models of AirPods and other headphones. Mentioned that Apple refreshed the AirPods Max at the end of 2024.
- 17th October 2024: Added AirPods 4 with ANC to main list. Moved AirPods 3 to 'Also consider'. Rewrote intro.
- 16th August 2024: Deleted Jump Menu. Rewrote intro.
- 9th May 2024: Added Top Tip and a new intro.
- 23rd February 2024: Changed to new Best Buy format. Added new 'Also Consider' section, new F.A.Q section.
- 11th December 2023: Added new intro text.
- 5th October 2023: Added references to the iPhone 15 and the new USB-C case for the AirPods Pro 2. Dropped first-gen AirPods Pro from the list.
- 1st June 2023: Added new images for entries.
Today's best AirPods deals
