AirPods have become one of the most popular wireless earbuds since their launch in 2016. With their simple and convenient design, good sound quality, and deep integration with Apple devices, AirPods are appealing to many iPhone users. However, with a price tag starting at $159, AirPods are far from cheap. Are AirPods really worth the cost? Here is a detailed look at the pros and cons of AirPods to help you decide.
Pros of AirPods
Convenient design
One of the biggest selling points of AirPods is their convenient and portable design. The AirPods have a true wireless design with no cables connecting the earbuds. Each earbud weighs only 4 grams and fits comfortably into the ear. The compact charging case, which provides up to 24 hours of total battery life, easily fits into a pocket or bag. This makes carrying and charging the AirPods on the go very easy.
The AirPods also feature instant pairing with Apple devices thanks to the new Apple H1 chip. As soon as you open the charging case near an iPhone or other Apple device, the AirPods connect immediately without having to go through Bluetooth settings. The AirPods also automatically switch between Apple devices so you can go from listening on your iPhone to your Mac seamlessly.
Impressive sound quality
Despite their small size, AirPods deliver very good sound quality. Reviews praise the AirPods for producing clear mids and highs, nice separation, good bass response, and a relatively open soundstage for earbuds. While audiophile-level headphones will outperform AirPods, the sound quality is very solid for typical use cases like phone calls, podcasts, and casual music listening.
The H1 chip also enables features like Adaptive EQ, which automatically tunes music to the shape of your ear for a richer, more immersive listening experience. Overall, the sound quality is impressive given the design constraints of compact wireless earbuds.
Great call quality
One of the AirPods’ strengths is call quality thanks to their multiple microphones and noise cancellation technology. Beamforming microphones isolate your voice while suppressing ambient noise. This results in crisp and clear call quality even when you’re in noisy environments. The noise cancellation also applies in the other direction, allowing you to hear calls better.
The AirPods also allow you to use just one earbud at a time. This is convenient for calls since you can still remain aware of your surroundings. Overall, AirPods are among the best wireless earbuds for calls.
Helpful smart features with Apple devices
AirPods integrate tightly with Apple devices to enable useful smart features. With just a tap, Siri can be activated to control music, look up information, adjust settings, and more. Announce Messages can read new messages aloud when they arrive. Audio Sharing allows you to stream audio to two sets of AirPods simultaneously from an iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV.
Find My helps you locate lost AirPods using your iPhone or iCloud. Automatic ear detection pauses audio when you take an AirPod out and resumes when you put it back in. While minor, these smart integrations enhance the AirPods experience for Apple users.
Cons of AirPods
Price
The biggest knock against AirPods is their price, which starts at $159 for the standard AirPods with a wired charging case. The AirPods with wireless charging case cost $199, while the AirPods Pro with active noise cancellation cost $249. There are certainly much cheaper wireless earbud options on the market from brands like Anker and 1More.
| Model | Price |
|---|---|
| AirPods with Wired Charging Case | $159 |
| AirPods with Wireless Charging Case | $199 |
| AirPods Pro | $249 |
While the seamless experience and audio quality somewhat justify the cost, you are still paying a premium. Cost-conscious buyers may be better off with cheaper alternatives that offer nearly comparable performance.
Limited controls
With no buttons on the AirPods themselves, controls are limited compared to other wireless earbuds. On AirPods Pro, you can pinch the stems to control music and toggle between noise cancellation modes. On regular AirPods, however, controls are restricted to taps which aren’t always reliable.
Most other wireless earbuds instead use on-ear buttons for more robust control. Without physical buttons, basic commands like controlling volume or track skipping require using Siri or your connected device. Lack of controls on the earbuds themselves is an annoyance for some.
Mediocre battery life
Battery life is decent but not exceptional on AirPods. AirPods Pro get around 4.5 hours of listening time per charge while regular AirPods get about 5 hours. The charging cases provide additional charges for more than 24 hours of total listening time. However, some competitors like the Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro get up to 7 hours per charge.
| Model | Battery Life |
|---|---|
| AirPods Pro | Up to 4.5 hours listening time |
| AirPods | Up to 5 hours listening time |
While battery life is decent enough for most purposes, it falls short of the longest-lasting wireless earbuds. You may need to pop the AirPods back in the charging case more frequently compared to rivals.
No noise cancellation on regular AirPods
Active noise cancellation is a key feature that’s missing from regular AirPods, which could be a dealbreaker if you want to use earbuds in noisy environments. Noise cancellation uses microphones and signal processing to block out ambient sound like traffic or chatter. This results in a more immersive listening experience.
AirPods Pro do have excellent noise cancellation, but regular AirPods rely solely on a tight seal for passive isolation. Without active cancellation, regular AirPods struggle to reduce ambient noise nearly as well as premium rivals like the Sony WF-1000XM4.
Conclusion
Overall, AirPods make the most sense for iPhone owners who want a seamless audio experience and are less price-sensitive. The tight integration with iOS, one-tap Siri access, audio sharing, and fast pairing provide unique benefits for the Apple ecosystem. Audio quality and smart features like Announce Messages are also impressive.
However, certain limitations like high price, lack of controls, and no noise cancellation on regular models may be dealbreakers for some. Cheaper wireless earbuds can match or beat AirPods in certain areas like battery life while costing much less. Make sure to weigh your priorities – convenience versus price, iOS integration versus wider compatibility, sound versus features – when deciding.
For many iPhone users who want a premium headset that “just works” with their Apple devices, AirPods hit the sweet spot and are well worth it. But more budget-conscious buyers or those with specialized needs may want to consider alternatives that outperform AirPods in certain specific areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do AirPods cost?
AirPods start at $159 for the standard model with a wired charging case. AirPods with a wireless charging case cost $199, while AirPods Pro with active noise cancellation cost $249.
How long does the battery last on AirPods?
Battery life is around 4.5-5 hours of listening time per charge on AirPods and AirPods Pro. The included charging cases provide additional charges for over 24 hours of total battery life.
Do AirPods work with Android phones?
Yes, AirPods can be used with Android smartphones and tablets. However, some convenient features like automatic pairing, “Hey Siri”, and Audio Sharing will only work with Apple devices.
Which AirPods have noise cancellation?
Only the AirPods Pro have active noise cancellation. Regular AirPods rely on a tight seal for passive noise isolation but do not have active noise cancelling technology.
Can you exercise with AirPods?
Yes, AirPods are suitable for exercise and sports thanks to their sweat resistance rating. However, very intense exercise may cause them to loosen and fall out more easily compared to earbuds with earhooks or wingtips.
Comparable Wireless Earbud Alternatives
Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2
The Soundcore Liberty Air 2 earbuds by Anker provide great value with impressive sound quality for only around $100. Battery life is excellent at 7 hours per charge. Downsides are no wireless charging case option or noise cancellation.
Sony WF-1000XM4
Sony’s WF-1000XM4 have some of the best noise cancellation of any wireless earbuds. Audio quality is also superb. However, they are expensive at around $279 and lack tight integration with iOS.
1More ColorBuds 2
Priced at around $100, the 1More ColorBuds 2 offer a stylish design, great sound for the price, and good call quality. Battery life is lower at 5 hours per charge. Noise cancellation is also not included.
JBL Live 300TWS
The JBL Live 300TWS provide a bass-heavy sound signature with over 20 hours of total battery life for around $150. The biggest downside is no noise cancellation feature.