10 Best Apple Earbuds 2025 in the United States

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds excel in providing a premium listening experience, making them a great choice for anyone looking for high-quality earbuds. With impressive sound quality driven by the Apple-designed H2 chip, these earbuds deliver clear highs and rich bass, enhancing both music enjoyment and call clarity. The Active Noise Cancellation feature is particularly noteworthy, effectively blocking out background noise, while the Transparency mode allows users to stay connected to their surroundings when needed. The Adaptive Audio feature smoothly transitions between these modes based on your environment, which is a fantastic addition for daily use.

In terms of comfort, the AirPods Pro 2 come with four sizes of silicone tips, accommodating various ear shapes for a secure fit. This ensures prolonged wear without discomfort, which is great for extended listening sessions. Battery life is also robust, offering up to 6 hours of listening time on a single charge and an impressive 30 hours with the case, making them reliable for long trips.

On the downside, the earbuds are designed primarily for Apple ecosystem users, which may limit compatibility for those using other brands. While they offer advanced features like personalized spatial audio and voice control through Siri, some users might find the touch controls sensitive or unintuitive initially. Additionally, while they are water-resistant, they may not be suitable for all water sports, so users should check the specific requirements for water exposure. Lastly, they come with a premium price tag, which may not fit every budget, but for those willing to invest, they deliver a stellar audio experience.

The Apple AirPods 4 wireless earbuds are designed to enhance your listening experience with several standout features. One of their biggest strengths is the sound quality, bolstered by the Apple-designed H2 chip, which provides improved audio clarity and voice isolation during calls. The personalized Spatial Audio offers a captivating surround sound experience, making these earbuds suitable for music, movies, and gaming alike. Battery life is impressive, offering up to 5 hours of listening time on a single charge and a total of 30 hours with the charging case, which is a big plus for users on the go.

Fit and comfort have been prioritized in the design, with a refined contour that allows for all-day wear without discomfort. The quick-press controls for music and calls add to the user-friendly experience, especially for those not keen on complicated setups.

There are a few drawbacks to consider. While the AirPods 4 offer good noise isolation, they do not feature active noise cancellation, which some users might expect at this price point. Additionally, while they are sweat and water-resistant, they may not be the best choice for those looking for earbuds that can withstand extreme conditions or prolonged exposure to water, despite their IP54 rating. The new USB-C charging case is a thoughtful upgrade for modern users, though those with other devices that require different charging ports might find it less convenient. Lastly, while the magical setup features with Siri and the ability to share audio between two pairs of AirPods are impressive, users who are not embedded in the Apple ecosystem may miss out on some of these conveniences.

The Apple EarPods with Lightning Connector stand out for their comfort, thanks to their unique design that fits the ear's natural geometry. This makes them more comfortable for many users compared to other earbud styles. Sound quality is impressive, with speakers designed to maximize audio output and minimize loss, ensuring a high-quality listening experience.

The built-in remote is convenient for controlling music, phone calls, and volume without needing to touch your device, and the integrated microphone ensures clear voice capture for calls and voice commands like Siri. Connectivity is straightforward for users with devices that have a Lightning connector and support iOS 10 or later, making them compatible with a wide range of Apple products. As they are wired, there's no battery life to consider, which might be a plus for users who don't want to worry about charging their earbuds.

On the downside, these EarPods lack advanced noise cancellation features, offering only sound isolation, which may not be sufficient in very noisy environments. Durability is another concern; they are not water-resistant, making them less suitable for intense workouts or use in wet conditions. Controls are intuitive with touch features for volume and call management. These Apple EarPods are best suited for everyday use, casual listening, and phone calls, especially for users within the Apple ecosystem who prefer wired connections and prioritize comfort and sound quality over advanced features like noise cancellation and water resistance.