Which AirPods Should You Buy?

CR reviews every existing AirPods model—AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods Max—and previews the new AirPods Pro 3, so you can choose the right headphones or earbuds

Allen St. John, Consumer Reports Senior Home & Tech Writer.

By Allen St. John
Senior Home & Tech Writer

Updated September 10, 2025

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Apple AirPods Max (USB-C),
Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancelling, AirPods Pro 3 — Apple's headphones offer slick design and some unique features, though occasionally at a head-scratching price. Models shown (clockwise from left): AirPods Max (USB-C), AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, and AirPods Pro 3.

Apple AirPods earbuds and headphones are wildly popular and have improved a lot over the years, but they’re not all created equal.

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Allen St. John

Allen St. John has been a senior product editor at CR since 2016, focusing on digital privacy, audio devices, printers, and home products. He was a senior editor at Condé Nast and a contributing editor at publications including Road & Track and The Village Voice. A New York Times bestselling author, he's also written for The New York Times Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and Rolling Stone. He lives in Montclair, N.J., with his wife, their two children, and their dog, Rugby.