Which AirPods are the best to buy in 2022, with so many on the market? The following is our ranking of Apple's audio offerings.
It's difficult to identify the difference between Apple AirPods because there are so many of them. Are the AirPods Pro better than the AirPods Max? It truly comes down to personal choice when it comes to earbuds, but CNET is here to assist. Apple offers an earlier entry-level AirPods model for as little as $89 during discounts, as well as three pairs of truly wireless headphones priced between $180 and $200. Except for the base AirPods (also known as AirPods 2 or AirPods 2), all of the other models listed below are compatible with Apple's new spatial audio features, but none of them will deliver the highest quality of Apple's lossless audio format, which is too rich for the current Bluetooth wireless standard to handle
To get the finest AirPods for you or your loved ones, consider some of the qualities listed below. Because it's often a matter of balancing function and price, we've also laid out the most recent pricing for you. Without further ado, here are the finest Apple AirPods bargains you can find this year. To give you more options in your hunt for a truly wireless earbud, we included a couple pairs of earphones that may be used as an AirPods replacement.
This post is updated on a regular basis to reflect current prices.
Despite the fact that they were debuted in 2019, Apple's AirPods Pro is still among the best true wireless earbuds due to their comfortable fit, great sound, Active Noise Cancellation, and intriguing feature set, which includes Apple's spatial audio virtual surround capability. Their transparency option is also the gold standard, allowing you to hear the world around you while wearing it. The Apple AirPods Pro is the finest true wireless earphones for making calls.
Apple upgraded the AirPods Pro to add MagSafe compatibility with the third-generation AirPods, so make sure you buy the most recent version of the new AirPods Pro (the updated version sells for the same price as the "older" model).
While the AirPods Pro is still $2003.98 on Amazon, the updated edition with the MagSafe charging case is often available for roughly $190. (and occasionally dips lower).
The new Beats headphones aren't AirPods, but they have most of the same features as the AirPods Pro in a sportier design with multiple colour options. They don't have a case with wireless charging or MagSafe compatibility, but they do have a sportier design and are available in multiple color options. You should absolutely look into them before purchasing the AirPods 3 or AirPods Pro, which are practically identical in price. Read our Beats Fit Pro review to learn more.
The new AirPods 2021 have a greater sound quality than their predecessors and a more open appearance. They should suit more people's ears because they are somewhat larger and shaped more like the AirPods, but they may not fit individuals with very small ears who received a perfect fit with the AirPods 2nd Generation.
We haven't noticed any significant savings yet because they're so new.
Noise cancellation, spatial audio, and simple connection with Apple devices are all included in Apple's first full-size headphones. Yes, buying almost the same as a PS5 may seem insane, but here's the weird part: They really sort of worth it, as long as you don't mind being disappointed by their lack of support for full lossless audio and the lack of a wired listening cord (it must be purchased separately).
Prices have dropped to as low as $449 on select hues as of February 2022. They've been hanging around $479 for the most part. To save big on AirPods Max, check out all of the early Amazon deals here.Apple's AirPods 2nd Generation is still available, however, they no longer provide a wireless charging option. The official price of the AirPods 2 has been reduced to $129, but you can get them for cheaper elsewhere. They generally cost approximately $115, but were recently reduced to $89 at Walmart and are expected to cost around $100.
They don't have as many features as the other AirPods on our list, but they're still a good choice for individuals on a smaller budget or for those who have worn out their first pair but still like the fit and want to replace them. Take a look at our AirPods review.
The newest AirPods are the 2021 third-generation AirPods with expanded capabilities, which were released on Oct. 26 in retailers. They have a new look, greater sound, and longer battery life. The Beats Fit Pro, which has many of the same features as the AirPods Pro, was released on November 5. We and others have dubbed them as "the sports AirPods you always wanted," despite the fact that they aren't AirPods by name.
At the same time as the third-generation AirPods, an improved version of the AirPods Pro with MagSafe compatibility was announced. The sole difference between the "old" and "new" AirPods Pro models is MagSafe compatibility.
Are the new Beats Fit Pro better than the AirPods Pro?
Yes, at about the same price, the new Beats are better in some aspects than the AirPods Pro. We think they sound somewhat better and have a longer battery life (up to 6 hours with noise cancellation enabled vs. 4.5 hours for the AirPods Pro). The noise-canceling and transparency modes of the Beats Fit Pro looked to be comparable to those of the AirPods Pro. For sports events and regular usage, the incorporated wingtips secure the buds in your ears. While the Fit Pro should fit most ears securely, the wingtip design may not be to everyone's liking.
Wireless charging and MagSafe compatibility are not available on the Fit Pro, as they are on the new version of the AirPods Pro, which was introduced recently.at the same time as the AirPods third-generation.