If youâre looking to buy truly wireless AirPods from Apple, you have more
options than ever from which to choose. Appleâs lineup of truly AirPods
currently consists of AirPods 2, AirPods 3, and AirPods Pro. Each of these are
unique in their own way, so head below as we recap all of the similarities and
differences between the AirPods available todayâ¦
AirPods 2
The second-generation AirPods are the most affordable way to enter the AirPods
ecosystem. These AirPods offer what Apple describes as a âuniversal fitâ in
which each AirPod rests on the inside of your ear (but not inside your ear
canal). They are powered by Appleâs latest H1 headphone chip for fast pairing
with all of your Apple devices, including support for automatic device
switching. More details on the H1 chip include:
⢠Audio Sharing makes it easy to listen to the same song or watch the same
movie with a friend by simply bringing a second pair of AirPods close to the
iPhone or iPad.
⢠Announce Messages automatically and conveniently speak incoming messages as
soon as they arrive, and when on a phone call or sharing media via Audio
Sharing, Siri knows not to interrupt.
⢠Automatic device switching allows your AirPods to switch between your
iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, and Apple Watch paired to the same iCloud
account.
AirPods 2 feature a longer stem that protrudes from each earbud. You can tap on
the sides of the earbuds to access controls for things like play/pause, skip
forward, and Siri. Thereâs also support for âHey Siriâ for hands-free
interaction.
AirPods feature up to five hours of battery life, while the accompanying
charging case brings the total to more than 24 hours of battery life. The
charging case can only be recharged via Lightning connectivity.
AirPods 3
As the newest member of the AirPods family, AirPods 3 pack some notable
upgrades over their predecessors. Most notably, they include an all-new design
that is more compact than AirPods 2, with shorter stems protruding each earbud.
The design is similar to AirPods Pro, but without customizable/replaceable ear
tips.
Instead, AirPods 3 retain a âUniversalâ fit that is similar to AirPods 2.
This means they are not âin-earâ headphones, but instead, they rest on the
outer edges of your ears. Apple says AirPods 3 include a new âskin-detectâ
sensor to help your connected devices know when AirPods are in your ears.
Whereas AirPods 2 require you to tap on the sides for playback control, AirPods
3 feature a âForce Sensorâ that lets you perform common tasks by pressing
on the side of the earbuds:
⢠Press once to play, pause, or answer a phone call
⢠Press twice to skip forward
⢠Press three times to skip back
AirPods 3 are powered by the same H1 chip, giving you access to features like
Audio Sharing, Hey Siri, automatic device switch, fast pairing, and more.
Notably, AirPods 3 also include support for spatial audio with dynamic head
tracking and adaptive EQ. Apple says that this feature automatically tunes
music to the shape of your ear. AirPods 3 are also sweat and water resistant.
In terms of battery life and charging, AirPods 3 offer up to six hours of
listening time per charge. They also include a MagSafe Charging Case, which
offers up to 30 hours of total listening time. This case can be recharged via
Lightning, Qi wireless charging, or MagSafe charging.
AirPods Pro
Future AirPods models could be smart Rounding out the lineup are the AirPods
Pro.
These are the âbest of the bestâ if youâre looking for truly wireless
earbuds from Apple. They pack an in-ear design with silicone ear tips. This
makes AirPods Pro the best option in terms of customizing the fit because, in
the box, youâll get three different sizes of ear tips from which to choose.
Because of the in-ear design, AirPods Pro are also able to offer support for
Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode. For those unfamiliar, Active
Noise Cancellation blocks out the sound around you, while Transparency mode
allows sound from around you in for a unique listening experience. AirPods Pro
use a custom vent system for pressure equalization as well.
AirPods Pro feature the same Force Sensor as AirPods 3, allowing you to control
playback and easily switch between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency
mode. The H1 chip inside provides support for Audio Sharing, Hey Siri,
automatic device switch, fast pairing, and more.
AirPods Pro also now feature a MagSafe Charging Case, as well as support for
charging via Lightning and regular Qi wireless charging. AirPods Pro offer up
to 4.5 hours of battery life per charge and over 24 hours of listening time
with the charging case. AirPods Pro are sweat and water resistant as well.
Are new AirPods coming in 2022?
If youâre shopping for AirPods, or really any Apple product, one thing to
keep in mind is the possibility of new versions launching soon. In the case of
AirPods, the third-generation AirPods 3 were just released in late 2021, so we
donât expect a new version of those anytime soon.
AirPods Pro, however, were originally released in October of 2019. Rumors
suggest Apple will release a new version of AirPods Pro this year
with new health tracking features and potentially a new design.
With that in mind, AirPods Pro are harder to recommend right now â especially
at full price. But if you can find them on sale, and you absolutely need new
ones right now, they are still a great product.
AirPods accessories
If youâre looking to complement your AirPods with an accessory, there are a
few notable categories of AirPods accessories. Here are some of our
recommendations.
Qi chargers
A great complement to the AirPods with Wireless Charging Case or the AirPods
Pro is a Qi wireless charger. Not that AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro include
MagSafe magnets inside the charging case, though all AirPods with wireless
charging can technically charge via a MagSafe puck.
⢠Native Union Drop wireless charger
⢠Anker PowerWave wireless charger
⢠Seneo 2 in 1 Wireless Charger for iPhone and AirPods
⢠Apple MagSafe Charger
One of my personal favorite recommendations here is pricey but a great option.
The Nomad Base Station Pro features a 3-in-1 wireless charging surface that
uses FreePower technology to power up devices no matter where theyâre placed.
AirPods cases
One popular way to personalize your AirPods is with a case for the charging
case. Here are some options for the AirPods 2, AirPods 3, and AirPods Pro,
which can make excellent stocking stuffers.
AirPods 2 cases
⢠Native Union Curve Case
⢠Mous Leather Case for AirPods
⢠Elago Duo Silicone Case
⢠Nomad Rugged Case
AirPods 3 cases
⢠Elago Game Player Design case
⢠BRG case with carabiner
⢠ESR Silicone Case
⢠Elago Liquid Hybrid
AirPods Pro cases
⢠Elago Ice Cream AirPods Pro Case
⢠ESR AirPods Pro Case
⢠Nomad Rugged Case
⢠Spigen Rugged Armor Case
Which should you buy?
Ranging from $129 to $249 in pricing, Appleâs lineup of truly wireless
earbuds is more versatile than ever. For most people, the sweet spot is likely
the third-generation AirPods that are priced at $179.
These offer a great combination of features, battery life, and price,
especially when compared to the entry-level AirPods 2. In fact, AirPods 3 offer
even better battery life than AirPods Pro.
One thing to consider, however, is that you can often find AirPods Pro on sale
at various different retailers for $200 or less.
If you think the in-ear design of AirPods Pro is comfortable (not everyone
does), then this is an excellent option for also adding Active Noise
Cancellation and Transparency mode.
By Chance Miller
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