AirPods comparison: Which model is right for me?
Which AirPods model is right for me?
When Apple introduced the AirPods in 2016, critics had nothing but ridicule: they looked like the brush heads of electric toothbrushes… And the measly battery life! But since then, Bluetooth headphones have caught on. Samsung, Google, Huawei – every manufacturer has now launched its own AirPods alternative.
After the normal AirPods, Apple has also launched a Pro and a Max version. But what are the differences? What distinguishes the models? And what do AirPods have over the competition? In this text, we’ll tell you.
AirPods vs. the competition: What sets the AirPods models apart?
Bluetooth-based wireless headphones are no longer a rarity and have largely pushed wired headphones out of the market. Annoying untangling of knotted cables or cables with broken wires inside them are a thing of the past. Bluetooth headphones like the AirPods are lightweight, portable and comfortable.
The AirPods models are especially recommended for those who already own an iPhone, iPad or other Apple device. A few of the following features can now also be found in competitor headphones. In terms of sound, a few competitor products are also better than the Apple models. Nevertheless, none of these models beats the simplicity and sophistication of the AirPods – according to the motto “it just works”.
Ultra-light and quick set-up
The user experience of competitor headphones is very often like this: Download an app, register, update headphones, then pair with smartphone. With AirPods, many of these steps are eliminated. Simply hold the case against the iPhone, update the AirPods, put them on, and you’re done. No need to register somewhere and getting spammed with marketing emails afterwards.
Even after the initial setup, you simply put the AirPods on and they connect to your iPhone. You don’t have to press any buttons, launch any apps or go into the settings to connect to the headphones.
Seamless change
If you own an iPad, Apple TV or Apple Watch as well as an iPhone, you can change the sound with just two quick clicks. This is practical if you stream music from your iPhone on the platform and YouTube or Netflix videos from your iPad on the train. There is no need to go to the settings to switch.
Audio sharing
This feature allows you to share audio between two pairs of AirPods. This can be helpful, for example, if your partner’s movie on the Apple TV is too loud, but it’s too quiet for you. You can each adjust the volume yourself. Or you may be in different rooms but want to listen to the same songs.
Language assistant
A simple “Hey Siri” is all it takes to wake up Apple’s voice assistant and get music, calls, volume or directions straight to your ears.
Announce messages
Siri can also announce incoming messages and calls. You can even reply to SMS and iMessage messages without having to reach for your iPhone.
The entry-level model: The normal AirPods
At CHF 129.- for the 2nd generation and CHF 189.- for the 3rd generation, the entry-level models are anything but cheap. Nevertheless, they are the cheapest entry into the world of Apple headphones. However, they are often available at reduced prices in special offers – so if you don’t buy directly from the Apple Store, you can get the AirPods even cheaper.
The 3rd generation was launched at the end of 2021. Compared to the previous model, these AirPods now have 3D Audio with Head Tracking – a feature that was originally reserved exclusively for the Pro models. 3D Audio with Head Tracking uses built-in sensors to detect when you tilt your head to the side and amplify the music on the other side. If you tilt your head to the right, the music is amplified in the left ear.
In addition, the 3rd generation AirPods can also be charged via induction (in the case). Previously, charging was only possible via Lightning. In addition, the normal AirPods are now also splash-proof and have at least 6 – instead of 5 – hours of battery life. The case can now provide 30 hours of battery life for the AirPods. You can fully discharge and recharge these AirPods up to 5 times (which we don’t recommend, as you can read in our battery myth text).
Other features include a pressure and skin detection sensor, an inward-facing microphone and two beamforming microphones. Adaptive equalisers and drivers adjust the sound to your ears and improve it.
Design-wise, the new AirPods are based on the previous Pro models. However, note that the entry-level models leaks a lot of sound to the outside. This means that the person sitting next to you can listen to your music in quiet surroundings.
Silence at last: the noise-cancelling AirPods Pro
If you are sensitive to noise but still want to stay in the Apple universe, you should take a look at the AirPods Pro. At CHF 249.-, the Pro rival high-quality headphones from other manufacturers, but you can often find very good deals here too.
Launched in late 2019 and last updated in 2022, AirPods Pro have all the features described above, plus the features of regular AirPods. In addition, the AirPods Pro come with different silicone attachments, which means less sound gets out and more sound stays in your ear.
The main feature, however, is the active noise cancellation function, with which you can reduce or even suppress annoying ambient noises. An outward-facing microphone – and another inward-facing one – listens to ambient and body noises and sends out so-called anti-noise, which eliminates these noises. From my own experience, the AirPods Pro actually do this very well.
There is also a transparency mode that allows important sounds to enter your ear. For example, you can hear announcements at train stations. With a long click on one of the AirPods, you can switch between transparency and noise cancelling mode. With the second generation, both these modes have been improved. Another improvement of the second generation AirPods Pro are the touch gestures. With a swipe up and down gesture, you can increase or decrease the volume.
With the second generation, the “Find My” function has finally been added, with which you can locate Apple devices. And the technology and small design have their (battery) price: with a runtime of 6 hours, the battery life of the in-ears is very short. The charging case provides more than 30 hours of battery life for the AirPods Pro.
The best of the best: AirPods Max
The AirPods Max, which were released at the end of 2020, have a very high price of CHF 499.- and are more than twice as expensive as comparable headphones from the competition. In return, they shine with excellent workmanship and a well thought-out design.
Like the AirPods Pro, the Max also have active noise cancellation with transparency mode. The ear cups are made of so-called memory foam and are covered with a very soft mesh fabric, so they mould to the shape of your head. The digital crown familiar from the Apple Watch is also found on the AirPods Max. Unfortunately, the headphones do not have the touch gestures used by competing products, with which you can, for example, switch songs or change the volume with a swipe of your finger.
In the headphone test of the German consumer magazine Stiftung Warentest (9/2022), the AirPods Max were the only headphones with a very good sound. However, the testers criticised the low battery life of only 22.5 hours. Other reviewers criticised the clunky smart case and the lack of a folding option for the headphones. The Max are charged with the Lightning cable, just like the other AirPods charging cases, although the Max do not have induction charging.
At a glance: The strengths and weaknesses of the AirPods models
| Device | Pro | Cons |
| AirPods | + cheapest AirPods; very often to be found cheaper+ “Where is?”: Locate AirPods easily | – let a lot of sound out- No noise cancelling- Lightning instead of USB-C |
| AirPods Pro | + Transparency mode: listen to ambient noise without having to take off the headphones+ good noise cancelling+ several silicone tips for different sized ears+ USB-C instead of Lightning | – there are now better noise-cancelling headphones on the market- Very low battery life- No “Where is?” functionality |
| AirPods Max | + best sound+ very comfortable to wear | – very expensive- No touch gestures- Lightning instead of USB-C |
Conclusion: Good Bluetooth headphones from Apple for music lovers
With the normal AirPods, the AirPods Pro and the AirPods Max, Apple now has headphones to suit every price range. The sound is good to very good in all of them; the set-up and use is also extremely user-friendly.
Check out our Apple overview page for more topics on iPhone, Apple devices and services.
Alao: Your happy place for mobile plan subscriptions
Tip: Whether you want to switch from a prepaid tariff to a subscription or an existing subscription, you can do so easily on alao.ch. Our subscription finder shows you the best subscriptions from the most popular providers at a glance. You are guaranteed to conclude your new subscription at the best conditions in 5 minutes online. We’ll take your old phone number with us and, if necessary, cancel your old contract. If you have any questions or problems with your provider, we are always available free of charge – before and after you sign up.
