The best AirPods to buy in 2023: Expert tested and reviewed

The best AirPods to buy in 2023: Expert tested and reviewed
Apple AirPods
The best AirPods to buy in 2023: Expert tested and reviewed
Oct 19, 2023

Apple makes excellent AirPods headphones for iPhone users. Find out which AirPods are best for you and get the best deals.

What are the best Apple AirPods overall?

It certainly could be argued that while the full AirPods Max earbuds are the best AirPods overall, we think the cheaper AirPods Pro 2 earbuds are the best AirPods overall. Powered by Apple's new H2 chip, these are the latest AirPods to hit the market and will benefit from some new features this fall with the release of iOS 17, iPadOS 17 and TVOS 17. This includes an adaptive sound mode that combines noise suppression . and transparency. and a "conversation awareness" mode that automatically reduces the volume of what you hear as soon as you start speaking.

That is, not completely. The world is looking for noise-canceling headphones with silicone tips that fit your ears (a good seal is key for optimal sound quality and noise cancellation). In addition to some Apple Beats-branded headphones and earphones, there are plenty of other AirPods options. No, they are not called AirPods, but in some cases they share the same Apple chipsets and features.

Not only do we fully test and review every Apple earphone. , headphones, but we also carefully monitor their prices to bring you the best deals on each AirPods model. While Apple doesn't offer discounts on AirPods online or in its physical stores, other retailers do, and the savings are sometimes significant.

The best AirPods of 2023

Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) 

$200 on Amazon

Not only has Apple replaced USB-C connectivity with Lightning connectivity in its new iPhone 15 models, but also made the switch to AirPods Pro (2nd generation). The new AirPods Pro 2 with MagSafe (USB-C) are nearly identical to their Lightning predecessor, offering the same sound, noise cancellation and voice call performance. However, they also offer a few other small upgrades, including improved dust resistance and a new acoustic architecture that allows for lossless audio with the Vision Pro, Apple's next portable earphone that will launch in early 2024 and cost $3,499. Is it possible that the headphones sound slightly different from current devices like the iPhone due to the new acoustic architecture? Maybe yes maybe no. In any case, the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) are definitely recommended for Apple users despite the high price.

Advantages:

  • Lightweight design, now with USB-C charging
  • Excellent sound and noise cancellation
  • Powered by Apple's H2 chip
  • High performance in voice calls

Disadvantages:

  • Basically the same design as the previous model
  • Sloppy support for high resolution audio