AirPods (2. Generation) (2024)

FAQs

Is AirPods Gen 2 or 3 better? ›

Apple AirPods 3

Aside from the design change, which should fit most ears better than the AirPods 2nd Generation (though not very small ears), the biggest change is to the sound quality: It's much improved. Also, battery life is better, and the AirPods 3 are officially water-resistant.

On March 20, 2019, Apple released the second-generation AirPods, which feature the H1 chip, longer talk time, and hands-free "Hey Siri" support.

The H2-powered AirPods Pro now feature Adaptive Audio, ² automatically prioritizing sounds that need your attention as you move through the world. By seamlessly blending Active Noise Cancellation with Transparency mode when you need it, Adaptive Audio magically delivers the right mix of sound for any environment.

The AirPods 3 borrow some of the Pros' key features — including their sleek looks and immersive Spatial Audio — but pack them into a simpler and more affordable design that sacrifices things like ANC and a secure silicon fit.

Best AirPods overall

Out of the four current models of AirPods, I recommend the AirPods Pro 2 the most because they fit almost every type of ear, they are comfortable to wear, and they include all of the best and latest features that Apple has to offer in headphones.

The power of 24‑hour battery life.

AirPods deliver an industry-leading ⁴ 5 hours of listening time ⁵ — and up to 3 hours of talk time ⁶ — all on one charge. And they're made to keep up with you, thanks to a charging case that holds multiple charges for more than 24 hours of listening time. Need a quick charge?

There's a microphone in each AirPod, so you can make phone calls and use Siri. By default, Microphone is set to Automatic, so that either of your AirPods can act as the microphone. If you're using only one AirPod, that AirPod will be the microphone. You can also set Microphone to Always Left or Always Right.

If your AirPods volume is too low only when you use them with your iPhone, go into the Settings app, then Sound & Haptics > Headphone Safety. Make sure the 'Reduce Loud Sounds' toggle switch is set to 'off. You should also check Accessibility settings, as these can sometimes make your AirPods too quiet.

AirPods (1st or 2nd generation) controls

You can control your AirPods with a double tap at the top of the stem. For example, when you get an incoming call, double-tap to answer. You can also set each of your AirPods to do one of the following with a double tap: Play and pause audio content.

Reviews of the AirPods 3 have been largely positive, with users praising the improved fit that cuts down on outside noise and helps the AirPods to better stay in the ears. Weight distribution is better in the ear because of the updated angle, and many people have found them to be much more comfortable.

Are AirPods Gen 3 good or bad? ›

AirPods 3rd gen have everything that I liked about my AirPods original, but they are slightly better. The ear stems are a more comfortable fit. The sound is at least as good as my old pair. They do not have the features of AirPod pro, but they do everything that my old set did which is enough for me.

During our reviews, the AirPods 3 achieved the estimated 30 hours of music playback that Apple advertised. That's a step up from the 24-hour battery life of the AirPods Pro. A key reason for this is the AirPods 3's lack of active noise cancellation (ANC).