The very best AirPods to purchase in 2026

Whether or not you’re shopping for your first pair of AirPods or changing a well-used older pair, it’s simple to know why so many iPhone house owners want Apple’s earbuds and headphones over different choices. Apple has spent years regularly including new options that work greatest — and generally solely work in any respect — with the corporate’s personal gadgets. These handy methods embrace audio sharing, automated switching between Apple’s numerous gadgets, stay translation, Apple TV integration, and extra.

There are at present 4 AirPods fashions to select from, every with its personal distinct attraction and upside. You seemingly already know whether or not you’re extra desirous about earbuds or over-ear headphones, in order that’s the primary divide. Within the case of over-ear headphones, your solely selection is the AirPods Max. However within the earbuds class, Apple affords three choices: the AirPods Professional 3, the AirPods 4 with Energetic Noise Cancellation, and the plain previous AirPods 4.

Noise cancellation: Sure / Battery life: 8 hours (ANC on) / Water resistance: IP57 / Bluetooth codecs: AAC, SBC / Multipoint: No / Works greatest with: iOS, Home windows, macOS / Ear ideas: Foam and silicone (XXS, XS, S, M, L)

The third-gen AirPods Professional are higher than their predecessor in quite a few methods, beginning with the match. Apple’s newest flagship earbuds function a extra angular design and a wider vary of ear tip sizes — together with an XXS choice. Their “foam-infused” ideas mix foam and silicone, in order that they broaden barely for higher consolation and a tighter seal. In the event you’ve ever cursed at AirPods for falling out of your ears, the Professional 3’s improved match alone may promote you.

Additionally they ship upgrades to noise cancellation, which permit them to rival even the AirPods Max. They’re noticeably higher at dampening high-frequency sounds, like voices, than prior generations of AirPods Professional, they usually can eradicate the low hum of an airplane engine. Sound high quality has additionally been improved in ways in which have been surprisingly simple to select: bass is punchier, vocals are clearer, and also you’ll discover new layers in your favourite tracks. In the meantime, battery life will final you a full work day with ANC enabled earlier than the buds want to return into the charging case for a refill.

Along with giving customers the pliability to make use of these earbuds as clinical-grade hearing aids — a function Apple launched in late 2024 — Apple has added a coronary heart price sensor to this mannequin, permitting you to trace exercises proper out of your ears. Add in IP57 water and mud resistance, stronger Discover My capabilities, and a stay translation function, and it’s clear the AirPods Professional are Apple’s greatest wi-fi earbuds by a large margin.

The very best AirPods for individuals who discover ear ideas uncomfortable

Noise cancellation: No / Battery life: 5 hours / Water resistance: IP54 / Bluetooth codecs: AAC, SBC / Multipoint: No / Works greatest with: iOS, Home windows, macOS

Not everybody likes the best way ear ideas really feel. Even with venting and the opposite measures Apple has taken to enhance consolation and cut back that clogged-up sensation within the AirPods Professional 3, some individuals simply want the common, one-size-fits-most AirPods. Their open design means you’re by no means completely minimize off from the skin world. The AirPods Professional have a formidable transparency mode, however the AirPods 4 don’t want it.

Apple at present sells two variations of the AirPods 4. Regardless of which you select, you’ll get the identical good sound high quality, microphone efficiency on voice calls, and IP54 water resistance. The dearer pair has options that you may want, together with lively noise cancellation and a extra superior charging case (it helps Discover My and wi-fi charging). You may be stunned by how effectively the noise cancellation works even with an unsealed design; it reduces workplace atmosphere and annoying hums, however louder sounds and voices nonetheless minimize via the ANC, since these don’t use a sealed ear tip.

In the event you’re really desirous about noise-canceling earbuds, think about upgrading to the AirPods Professional 3. They provide a lot better audio high quality, stronger ANC, and a greater expertise total. I’d solely steer you to the noise-canceling AirPods 4 for those who’re actually against ear ideas.

The very best for individuals who want headphones

Noise cancellation: Sure / Battery life: 20 hours (ANC on) / Water resistance: No / Bluetooth codecs: AAC, SBC / Multipoint: No / Works greatest with: iOS, Home windows, macOS

We’ve gone backwards and forwards recommending Apple’s $549 AirPods Max over the previous couple of years. They’ve a standout design, however the beauty and premium really feel come at a excessive value. Not simply that, these headphones are significantly heavier than most rivals and might get fatiguing over prolonged use. However the material ear cups on the AirPods Max are rather more nice in heat climate than the pleather you’ll discover on Bose and Sony merchandise, and doubtless received’t depart you with sweaty ears.

The AirPods Max present spectacular noise cancellation, and the transparency mode is clearer and extra natural-sounding than some other set of headphones in the marketplace. As for sound, Apple’s headphones have a nice sound signature that works effectively throughout a variety of genres. They’re simple to take heed to with a formidable soundstage for closed-back headphones.

You lose some options discovered within the AirPods Professional 3 and AirPods 4 with ANC — together with dialog consciousness and adaptive audio — as a result of the AirPods Max use Apple’s older H1 chip. Nevertheless, the corporate added lossless audio over USB-C in April, that means these headphones supply the richest audio constancy in Apple’s total lineup.

With Apple’s fall hardware event within the rearview mirror, we’re at some extent the place the corporate’s lineup appears settled (for now). Apple doesn’t improve its entry-level AirPods line on an annual foundation like a few of its different merchandise, and the Professional 3 only in the near past hit the market. In the meantime, the AirPods Max have gone comparatively unchanged since their launch in 2020, with Apple adding a USB-C model and a brand new shade in 2024. It’s attainable that we’ll see a camera-equipped pair of AirPods with help for Apple Intelligence sooner or later — previous reporting has indicated as a lot — nevertheless it’s not prone to be anytime quickly.

Replace, January twentieth: Adjusted to replicate present pricing and availability. Brandon Widder additionally contributed to this submit.