Apple Headphones Review
Apple's wireless earbuds and over-ear headphones are sleek, comfortable and fit into the ecosystem seamlessly. The headphones come with an Lightning plug for iPhones and some models come with a 3.5mm connector for older devices.
AirPods Pro have a great sound for music and movies. They include cinematic spatial audio, a sophisticated virtual surround, and much more. They also have unique features like instant pairing, automatic switching and "Hey Siri" voice activation.
Sound
Apple headphones typically offer great sound quality, and many of them come with noise cancellation. Some of them are wireless and work with Apple's AirPods as well as others that 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 the headphones using a standard jack. Apple headphones' sound quality is also affected by the audio codecs they employ. Be sure to determine which type of audio is supported.
The headphones that come with the iPhone typically use the Apple AAC codec that is optimized for Apple devices. This audio codec has a lower latency than other Bluetooth codecs, which makes it suitable for listening to podcasts and music. The top Apple headphones will include at least AAC and Bluetooth 5.0 which offers more spectrum than previous versions of the technology.
If you're looking for a more immersive experience, think about purchasing headphones that incorporate Apple's spatial audio technology. This feature simulates surround sound to give you a more immersive listening experience. However, you must have an iOS device with iOS 14 or later to use this feature.
In addition to providing excellent audio Some Apple headphones also have a sleek design. Apple's EarPods for instance are basic but good earbuds that can fit in the majority of pockets and offer high-quality audio.
The Beats Studio3 headphones are more flexible than the EarPods and feature a closed-back design that offers better noise isolation for commuting and sports. They can be a bit uncomfortable to the ears when worn for prolonged periods of time, though, and are not as comfortable to wear when 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 offer excellent noise cancellation. They're premium headphones that have high-end audio engines that are compatible with the Apple W1 chipset, which provides advanced features.
Design
Apple is known for their elegant design, and the headphones made by the company are no exception. They provide a variety of options, ranging from wired models that connect to an iPhone's headphone port to wireless Bluetooth earbuds. Apple's headsets are typically more expensive than comparable models from competing brands, but they often sound better.
Apple's AirPods Pro 2 headphones are the best-selling in the world. They provide outstanding audio quality, noise cancelling and a sleek and compact package. The earbuds are equipped with an extended-lasting battery and Siri voice activation, which allows hands-free operation. The earbuds come with an case that charges and protects them when not in your ears.
The AirPods Pro can track movement, which is helpful when you're working out. The wireless headphones come with an option known as spatial audio. It simulates surround sound when watching videos on an iPhone or iPad using Apple TV, Disney Plus or HBO Max. The feature can be confusing initially, but it's a fun method to listen to movies and TV shows on the go.
Beats Studio 3 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones are another great option for audiophiles and those who wish to enjoy Apple Music playlists. These earbuds offer up to 22 hours of ANC and 40 hours without. They are powered by the Apple W1 chipset for easy installation and seamless switching between iOS devices. They also have a custom "Hey Siri" activation and wings tips to ensure a secure fit during workouts.
headphoneshop and Google both offer earbuds that are tailored to their respective ecosystems, however they each have their distinct strengths. Google's Pixel Buds, for example, are cheaper than Apple's AirPods but they come with longer battery life, a customizable app, and graphic EQ settings.
Apple's headphones might be ideal for those who depend on the Apple ecosystem, but their controls can frustrate anyone else. The minimalist designs of the headphones by Apple don't always include robust features. They also lack some important functions that are essential to their wireless models. Siri is expected to manage your music, not volume control.
Connectivity
With the increasing number of Bluetooth headphones and the disappearance of headphone jacks in most recent iPhones, wired models are fast becoming the way of the Dodo. Sony offers a range of wired headphones, on and over the ear which are compatible 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 for an almost wire-free listening experience.
If you have a Mac that is more recent make sure your headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible or later. This version of Bluetooth has improved audio performance and provides longer battery life than previous Bluetooth versions. Also, check the list of compatible audio codecs to ensure your music files are playable.
Regardless of what type of headphones you pick Look for models that provide an ensconced fit. Over-ear or on-ear models that have the thick headband will provide a stable fit that is less likely to slip off during exercise. You want earbuds that fit snugly, seal the ears, and have excellent 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 the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II. AirPods are stylish and sleek and an excellent wireless Bluetooth pairing which has earned them a top rating of 4.5 stars from users. The Beats Studio Wireless is similar to the Pro version, but it has new design, improved sound cancellation, and a long battery life.
The Quiet Comfort 35 II, the most recent addition to Bose's quiet comfort line, offers noise cancellation, a long battery life and a snug fit all in a small portable case. The QC35 II is an upgrade from the previous model, and adds support for the new AAC audio codec as well as the new wireless connection protocol that allows for greater Bluetooth speeds and reduced latency.
If your headphones do not connect to your Mac try changing your Bluetooth preferences. Click the Apple logo on your desktop and choose System Settings. Find your headphones in the list and click the Next to their name. You may need to put the headphones in pairing mode by pressing and holding their pairing button until a status light flashes.
Value
AirPods Pro are an impressive pair of headphones regardless of whether or not you think they're worth $549. The intelligent features such as auto-pause and transparency mode are super practical, and the sound quality is amazing. The headphones are also well built and sound great, which isn't always the case with wireless headphones.
Of course, this type of sophisticated functionality comes at an expense, and for many people the AirPods are too expensive. However the AirPods Pro make a lot of sense for people who are already deeply invested in Apple's ecosystem. The AirPods Pro use the same H1 chipset that is used in the iPhone's newer generations of speakers to analyze the sound coming from the eight microphones placed between the earcups. The headphones are able to not just block out noise from outside, but to tailor your music's sound in real-time to how they fit and seal to your head. Apple claims that it can make 200 adjustments to your music every second, which is an incredible amount. The result is a set of headphones that feel alive with cinematic depth and clarity that's in a league of their own. Even more mundane tracks like electronic jazz group Comet is Coming's debut album, become hugely immersive and dramatic on the AirPods Pro.
Apple used to include a pair EarPods with every iPhone prior to when the AirPods were introduced. The earbuds are still available today however, they don't come with a microphone. They're not as stunning as a pair of the new AirPods however they're ideal for running or commuting on a treadmill. They have an excellent battery life and a comfortable fitting.
Beats the original line of earbuds and over-the ear headphones was bought by Apple in 2014, but they've mostly remained the same, with the exception of upgrading to a more advanced W1 chip and USB-C charging. It's expected that the company will eventually cease production of the brand, however artist collaborations and the occasional update like the Beats Solo3 with USB-C and the latest H1 chip might keep them relevant for some time.