Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
The default answer for Apple users who want one set of earbuds for calls, focus work, and the commute home.
Price may vary. As an affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
What we like
- ANC is genuinely class-leading — noticeably quieter than the first-gen AirPods Pro
- Instant pairing and device switching across iPhone, iPad, and Mac
- Transparency mode is the most natural-sounding of any earbud
- MagSafe case charges on any Qi pad and snaps cleanly to a stand
Could be better
- $249 is a premium price, especially outside the Apple ecosystem
- Battery life (6 hours with ANC) trails Sony and Bose competitors
- Android users lose Spatial Audio, auto-switching, and Find My
Full Review
If you work from an Apple device and take calls throughout the day, the AirPods Pro 2 are the easiest recommendation on this site. They do one thing better than any competitor: disappear into your workflow. No pairing menus, no Bluetooth stutters when you switch from Mac to iPhone, no fiddling with a companion app.
Noise Cancellation and Transparency
The H2 chip is the real upgrade over the first generation. ANC is roughly twice as effective, which in practice means a noisy coworking space or an open-plan office drops to something close to a quiet library. It’s not quite at the level of the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort over-ears, but for an earbud, it’s the best available.
Transparency mode is where Apple pulls ahead. Voices sound natural rather than processed, so you can hold a short conversation without pulling the buds out. Adaptive Transparency automatically dampens sudden loud noises like a passing siren or a barista’s milk steamer.
Call Quality and Daily Use
Mic quality is solid for video calls — not as good as a dedicated headset like the Jabra Evolve2, but better than any non-Apple earbud we’ve tested. The beam-forming mics isolate your voice well even in a busy cafe. Battery life is the weak point: 6 hours with ANC on means you’ll top up during a full workday, though the MagSafe case recharges quickly on any Qi pad.
Spatial Audio with head tracking is a genuine upgrade for movies and some music, though it’s gimmicky for podcasts. Personalized Spatial Audio (which uses your iPhone’s camera to scan your ears) makes a bigger difference than expected.
The Ecosystem Lock-In
The caveat everyone already knows: if you use Android, skip these. You lose auto-switching, Find My, Spatial Audio, and the in-ear detection sensors don’t work as advertised. Sony’s WF-1000XM5 or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are better cross-platform choices at a similar price.
Who Should Buy This
Anyone on an iPhone + Mac setup who wants one pair of earbuds for Zoom calls, focus music, and commuting. The instant device switching alone justifies the price if you’re constantly moving between devices. If you’re primarily at a desk and want maximum noise cancellation for deep focus, consider the Sony WH-1000XM5 over-ears instead. And if you’re on Android, there’s no reason to pay the Apple tax here — the Sony WF-1000XM5 will serve you better.
