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    Which Apple AirPods Should You Buy?

    CR reviews every option—AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 2 and 3, and AirPods Max—so you can choose the best headphones for you

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    Apple AirPods Max (USB-C), 
Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancelling, AirPods Pro 3
    Apple's headphone lineup offers 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.
    Photos: Apple

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

    More on Audio Gear

    Our testers have evaluated all the headphones and earbuds in Apple’s current lineup in our Yonkers, N.Y., sound labs and have found significant differences among the models in terms of fit, sound quality, noise-canceling performance, and value for the money.

    To help you choose the right AirPods, we explain the pros and cons of each model in the roundup below. We also provide lab test results for the recently introduced AirPods Pro 3. As always, we purchase all the products that enter our labs through regular retail channels.

    CR members can see the full test results for each model in our ratings, which feature nearly 200 headphones and earbuds.

    Become a member to read the full article and get access to digital ratings.

    We investigate, research, and test so you can choose with confidence.


    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.