Even if you’ve never heard of Apple’s AirPods, there is a very good chance you will have seen them in the ears of passers by. As soon as Apple’s headphones were launched in 2016, these little white sticks became the most recognisable wireless devices on the planet. Since then, there have been several generations, each bringing technical improvements, leading to some debate over which are the best AirPods to buy now.
The latest generation, launched in September 2024, are the AirPods 4. There are two models, one with active noise cancellation for £179 and one without for £129. The AirPods 4 join a line-up that already includes the range-topping AirPods Pro 2. These cost £229 and have a number of advanced features. Finally, there’s an over-ear model called the AirPods Max, which cost £499.
If you’re confused, I am not at all surprised. But I am here to help. I’ve used all AirPods models since their introduction, so I’ve seen how they have evolved and know their pros and cons. Below, I’ll explain how both new kinds of AirPods 4 compare to the AirPods Pro 2. I’ll also answer some frequently asked questions.
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How we test wireless earphones
We test earphones against five key metrics. To rate the sound quality, we listen to a range of music from classical to drum & bass and heavy rock. We also make calls to check the clarity of the drivers and the microphones.
To rate comfort and usability, we wear the ear buds all day while working and exercising to make sure they stay in, feel good and are intuitive to use.
To rate the noise cancellation, we gauge their ability to dampen unwanted noise in the office, on the street and on the London underground. We’re looking for a clear signal with plenty of detail, without having to increase the volume in noisy environments.
To gauge battery life, we run the ear buds flat with continual regular use, time how long they take to recharge and then repeat the process again.
Finally, we look for connectivity: any special features that the ear buds can perform in conjunction with a smartphone or other peripherals.
AirPods 4 versus AirPods Pro 2: which have the best design?
Apple’s AirPods have a distinctive design and that applies to whichever model you consider. The in-ear models all come in white only and they all have earbuds that are placed into your ear with a small stem outside. The stem is much shorter than it was on the original AirPods, making for a more discreet design on both the AirPods 4 models and the AirPods Pro 2.
The main difference in design is silicone tips. The AirPods 4 models don’t have silicone tips, so they don’t feel as secure in the ear as the AirPods Pro 2, nor can you adjust the fit to suit your ear, like you can using one of the four silicone tip sizes available in the box of the AirPods Pro 2.
However, I found both pairs of the AirPods 4 to be comfortable and I didn’t have an issue with them slipping out, although I would choose the AirPods Pro 2 for exercise and plane travel.
Another difference is the controls. On the AirPods Pro 2, you can control volume by sliding your finger up and down the sensor on the stem. Other controls include pressing once to play and pause music, double-pressing to skip tracks, triple-pressing to go back a track and pressing-and-holding to move between sound modes, such as ANC and Transparency.
The AirPods 4 with ANC have all these functions, except the sliding volume control. The standard AirPods 4 have neither the sliding volume control nor the ability to switch between noise modes.
Winner: Apple AirPods Pro 2
AirPods 4 versus AirPods Pro 2: which have the best sound?
The AirPods 4 with ANC and the AirPods 4 have the same sound architecture and both deliver good sound performance overall. It’s balanced with clear vocals and a healthy amount of bass, with the mid-range shining through. You’ll hear the guitar pings and an artist’s intake of breath.
However, because they do not have a silicone seal to block out external noise, you will need to listen at louder volumes than you do with the AirPods Pro 2. You’ll find there is better clarity and a wider soundstage with the Pro model.
Call quality is superb on all of the current-generation AirPods, and I don’t say that lightly. Many of the most expensive in-ear headphones on the market offer superb sound but sub-par call quality. That’s not the case with AirPods. Both AirPods 4 models and the AirPods Pro 2 deliver crystal clear calls.
It is worth paying the extra £50 for the active noise-cancellation model of the AirPod 4. The ANC is good, blocking out the sound of a kettle boiling or the hustle and bustle of a commuter train and busy streets. That said, the ANC on the AirPods 4 does feel a little hollow at times and fractionally over-processed compared to the more natural experience of the AirPods Pro 2.
Winner: Apple AirPods Pro 2
AirPods 4 versus AirPods Pro 2: which have the best features ?
Siri Interactions are one of the standout features on both AirPods 4 models and the AirPods Pro 2. No matter which model you buy, you can now nod your head to answer a call or shake your head to reject it, and do the same with incoming messages. The sensors work flawlessly, with small, discreet beeps to let you know your interaction has been registered.
All models also have automatic switching between Apple devices, Adaptive EQ and one-tap setup for convenience.
However, for some new features, you will have to buy either the £179 AirPods 4 with ANC or the AirPods Pro 2. The most impressive of these is Adaptive Audio, a listening mode that combines Transparency mode and Active Noise Cancellation. It can adapt to your surroundings and occasionally allow some background noise through so you know what’s happening, whilst filtering out the hisses and hums.
Conversation Awareness mode is even better. It automatically lowers the volume when it detects that you’re talking to someone. When your conversation is over, the volume goes back up. I find this mode particularly useful when walking the dog.
The AirPods Pro 2 (but not the AirPods 4) will offer some intriguing health features later this year including Hearing Protection, which keeps incoming sounds below a safe limit. You will also be able to carry out a hearing test on your AirPods and thereafter use them as hearing aids. These are already available in America, but not yet in the UK.
Winner: AirPods Pro 2 (but only just)
AirPods 4 versus AirPods Pro 2: which have the best battery life?
The AirPods 4 come with a much smaller recharging case than the AirPods Pro 2. Both have a built-in speaker, which allows you to ping the case from the Find My app on your iPhone or iPad, allowing you to locate it if it’s fallen down the back of the sofa.
The AirPods Pro 2 case has a U1 chip inside it too, allowing for Precision Finding. It’s a pretty remarkable feature, which you can see in action on my review of the Apple Watch Series 10.
All of the AirPod cases are now charged via USB-C cable, along with the rest of the Apple range. The AirPods 4 with ANC and AirPods Pro 2 can be charged wirelessly too though, on an Apple Watch charger or a Qi-compatible charging base.
When it comes to battery life, all three models offer up to 30 hours from the case. Without using the case, the AirPods 4 models last five hours and the AirPods Pro 2 last six.
Winner: Apple AirPods Pro 2
Specifications
Telegraph verdict: which AirPod is best?
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are the best in-ear headphones in Apple’s current line-up. However, the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation offer a number of great features, are comfortable and have good audio performance if you want to spend less.
If active noise cancellation and sound performance are at the top of your wish list, the AirPods Pro 2 are the ones I would recommend. If your budget doesn’t stretch to those, or you aren’t a fan of silicone tips but you still want to block out some background noise and get good sound performance, the AirPods 4 with ANC are a good option to consider.
Overall, the AirPods 4 with ANC are cheaper, are very comfortable and offer many of the same features as the Pros, but the AirPods Pro 2 are worth the extra £50.
Here’s a look at each of these in isolation, as well as the cheaper AirPods 4 and the more expensive AirPods Max.
The 2024 Apple AirPods range, ranked
1. AirPods Pro 2
£229.99, John Lewis
Best Apple AirPods overall
We like: they offer a secure fit, great active noise cancellation and excellent sound performance
We don’t like: they are expensive compared to some other in-ear headphones
- Battery life: Up to 6 hours, 30 hours from case
- Weight: 5.2g per earbud, 50.8g case
- Water resistance: IP54
- Noise cancelling: Yes
- Colours: White
The AirPods Pro 2 are excellent. They deliver great sound performance, excellent active noise cancellation and they offer a comfortable and secure fit, with four different silicone tips available to adjust the fit accordingly. You can also control the volume on the stem, and they have a decent battery life of up to 6 hours, with 30 hours from the charging case.
They aren’t the cheapest wireless in-ear headphones around, and there are better ones available from the likes of Sony and Bose for sound performance alone, but for Apple users, the AirPods Pro 2 are superb. There are some great features, from automatic switching between Apple devices to Conversation Awareness mode and Adaptive Audio, and that’s without the hearing features coming later this year.
2. AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
£179, Amazon
Best AirPods for features
We like: they are comfortable, offer good sound performance and they have many of the AirPods Pro 2 features
We don’t like: the fit and ANC isn’t as good as AirPods Pro 2
- Battery life: Up to 5 hours, 30 hours from case
- Weight: 4.3g per earbud, 34.7g case
- Water resistance: IP54
- Noise cancelling: Yes
- Colours: White
The Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation don’t have the catchiest name out there, but they offer a lot for their price. Running on the H2 processor, they share many of the same features as the AirPods Pro 2, including Conversation Awareness mode, Adaptive Audio and Siri Interactions. The charging case is small and compact, and there’s a speaker built-in to make these AirPods easier to find if you lose them.
Sound performance is good, and the active noise cancellation is decent too, even if slightly over-processed compared to the AirPods Pro 2. You miss out on the hearing protection features of the AirPods Pro 2 and you can’t adjust the fit due to the lack of silicone tips in this design, but the AirPods 4 with ANC are comfortable, great overall performers and they are cheaper than the AirPods Pro 2.
3. AirPods 4
£129, John Lewis
Best AirPods for value
We like: they have a comfortable design and good sound performance
We don’t like: it’s not just active noise cancellation these AirPods miss out on
- Battery life: Up to 5 hours, 30 hours from case
- Weight: 4.3g per earbud, 32.3g case
- Water resistance: IP54
- Noise cancelling: Yes
- Colours: White
The AirPods 4 without active noise cancelling lose out on not just ANC but a few extra features too, like the Conversation Awareness mode, Adaptive Audio and Transparency mode. That’s not to say they aren’t worth your attention though, and in fact, I’d say the choice should be between these and the AirPods Pro 2 rather than the AirPods 4 with ANC.
There’s good sound performance – the same as what you’ll find in the AirPods 4 with ANC – and all the convenience features still exist too, like automatic switching between Apple devices, and one-tap connection. You also get Siri Interactions, which are simple but effective in use. The charging case doesn’t support wireless charging, and there’s no speaker built-in to make it easier to find if you lose it, but if you just want a pair of simple, good performing earbuds and ANC doesn’t matter to you too much, these are a solid option.
4. AirPods Max
£499, Amazon
Best AirPods for noise cancellation
We like: their distinctive design and superb noise cancelling performance
We don’t like: that they don’t offer all the latest features despite their high price tag
- Battery life: Up to 20 hours
- Weight: 386.2g, 134.5g case
- Water resistance: No
- Noise cancelling: Yes
- Colours: Purple, Orange, Blue, Starlight, Midnight
The AirPods Max are a very different proposition to the other AirPods I’ve spoken about above in that they are over-ears rather than in-ears. They have a very distinctive design, with aluminium ear cups and a mesh headband, and they are premium in every sense of the word. It’s not all about looks here however, because they sound excellent and their noise cancellation capabilities are brilliant.
Take these on a plane and you will barely hear a thing going on around you and while they are quite weighty, I’ve worn these for numerous trans-atlantic flights and not found them uncomfortable for a second. There’s a 20 hour battery from a single charge, they’ve been upgraded to USB-C and there are some great colour options available. Really their only downsides are their price, their odd-looking case and the fact that they don’t have all the latest features like Conversation Awareness mode or Adaptive Audio because they still run on the H1 chip rather than being updated to the H2.
FAQs
Do AirPods work with Android?
Yes, AirPods will work with Android phones and tablets and you can connect them to a Windows laptop too. They all have Bluetooth on board, operating as any Bluetooth headphones would in terms of pairing. You don’t get all the same features you will get when using AirPods with Apple devices however, so you might be better to consider a different pair of in-ear headphones or over-ear headphones, depending on the devices you have.
Are AirPods waterproof?
No, none of the four AirPods models are waterproof. The AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 are all IP54 rated for sweat and water resistance, but none of them are designed for diving or underwater swimming. The AirPods Max offer no official IP rating at all. The older AirPods 3rd generation are sweat resistant, with an IPX4 rating, meaning they are not protected against dust ingress, but offer the same sweat resistance as the AirPods 4 models and AirPods Pro.
What is Conversation Awareness mode on AirPods?
Conversation Awareness mode on AirPods requires the H2 chip. The feature can be turned on or off but when on, your AirPods will automatically reduce the audio volume when they detect you talking. Once you have finished talking, the volume of whatever you were listening to will return to the level you set it. Audio is not paused during the time, so if you’re listening to a podcast or audiobook, you may need to rewind back.
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