Apple Apple - AirPods with Charging Case (2nd Review

The Apple AirPods 2nd Gen are the classic true wireless earbuds for Apple users. They offer unbeatable seamless connectivity within the Apple ecosystem and great comfort, but their battery life is below average and they lack modern features like noise cancellation. They're a good choice only if effortless Apple integration is your top priority.

If you're looking at true wireless earbuds and you're in the Apple ecosystem, the AirPods 2nd Gen are probably the first thing that comes to mind. They're the classic, stemmed design that started it all, and they're still kicking around at a pretty tempting price. We're talking about the basic model here, with the standard charging case, the H1 chip for that signature Apple device handoff, and the familiar 'double-tap to play' controls. They're not fancy, but they get the job done for a lot of people. The big question is, with so many newer and more feature-packed competitors out there, do these old-school AirPods still make sense? Let's dig into the data.

Performance-wise, these are middle-of-the-pack earbuds. The sound quality is about average for the category, which means you get decent audio for podcasts, calls, and casual music listening, but don't expect deep bass or sparkling highs. The H1 chip does its job well, making connectivity with iPhones and Macs incredibly seamless—it's one of the best things about them. The microphone is also solid for phone calls. Where they really fall short is battery life, which ranks in the bottom quarter of all earbuds we track. You'll get about 5 hours of listening per charge, which is fine for a short commute but might not cut it for a long flight or workday.

Here's where it gets interesting. The listed price range across vendors is wild, from $85 to over $1,700. Ignore the high end—that's likely a third-party seller anomaly. You should be able to find these reliably for between $85 and $130. At that price, they're a solid entry point into the Apple audio world. However, you're paying a premium for the brand and ecosystem convenience rather than for top-tier specs. For the same money, you could get earbuds from Sony or Jabra with much better battery life and sound, but you'd lose that effortless Apple integration.

Let's name names. The Sony WF-1000XM6 is a direct competitor if you care about sound and noise cancellation—it blows the AirPods 2 out of the water in both areas, but costs more and isn't as seamless with Apple devices. Closer to home, the rumored AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation will likely make these 2nd-gen models obsolete for anyone wanting more features. Even the base model Bose QuietComfort Ultras offer a more secure fit and fantastic ANC. The AirPods 2's real advantage is simplicity and integration, not raw performance.

Skip the AirPods 2 if you need noise cancellation for commuting or flying, if you want the best possible sound quality, or if you regularly need more than 5 hours of battery between charges. Also, Android users should look elsewhere—you're paying for Apple features you can't use. In those cases, check out the Sony WF-1000XM6 for top-tier ANC and sound, or the Jabra Evolve2 series for all-day battery and great mics for work calls.

Should you buy the AirPods 2nd Gen? It's a very specific yes. Buy them if you're all-in on Apple (iPhone, Mac, iPad), you prioritize effortless connectivity over everything else, and you don't need noise cancellation or marathon battery life. They're the 'it just works' option. But if you're on a tight budget and want the most features for your money, or if you use Android devices even occasionally, skip these. There are better all-rounders out there that don't tie you to one ecosystem.