Should you buy Apple AirPods? Are AirPods worth it?

Since December 2020, the Apple AirPods Max have become some of the most popular wireless earbuds on the market. Whether you’re listening to music, making voice calls, or chairing a Zoom meeting, you can rely on the AirPods to do a good job. It’s almost impossible to ride a bus or hit the gym without seeing someone pulling out a bag of Tim Cook’s familiar white earbuds or poking oversized colourful buds out of their ears.

How can you score an amazing deal on a set of Apple AirPods? Which wireless headphones are the best fit for you? The AirPods 3 serves as a middle ground option between the regular AirPods and the Pro variant. The AirPods Max, a pair of over-ear headphones, has also been included in the lineup. The AirPods Pro 2, released in 2022, has replaced the noise-cancelling buds known as the AirPods Pro. In addition to the classic AirPods (2019), Apple has introduced a pricier option called the AirPods Pro, which also features noise-cancellation technology.

Can you find a complete overview of the entire range of Apple AirPods below? If you’re not keen on spending your evenings trawling every online retailer under the sun to find the best prices, you can score some decent discounts and deals without having to compete with many other stores for your cash. However, don’t expect the Cupertino giant’s AirPods to come cheap in any of their guises, as they are a premium product.

(Image credit: Apple)

There are a few good reasons why Apple AirPods are popular: they are lightweight, easy to use, reliable, offer decent sound quality, and bring Siri to life in your ears. They can be paired with any Bluetooth device, from smartphones to smart TVs, and they work best when used with Apple products.

The AirPods 3, which are more fully-featured and appealing compared to the AirPods 2nd-generation, have been replaced by Apple for a long time. However, you might find the odd pair being sold through third-party retailers. They were lacking somewhat in the sound department, but they had significant features. The original Apple AirPods hit the shelves at a price of £159 ($159, AU$249).

The arrival of the second-generation AirPods in 2019 saw Apple up the ante with improved sound quality, a better battery life, and the introduction of a nifty wireless charging case. The AirPods Pro, Apple’s newest true wireless earbuds, are now available at a slightly higher price than their predecessors at launch (£279, AU$179, $179). However, the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro remain in the middle range of Apple’s line-up, with an official price drop to £169, AU$219, $129.

If you have the financial means, oh, they are certainly worth the investment – however, introduced in December 2020, the AirPods Max from Apple represent their largest and most costly headphone option available at present.

In September 2022, the 2 Pro AirPods finally landed, bringing improved sound quality, longer battery life, and better noise-cancelling technology, earning a full five stars from What Hi-Fi. The Pro AirPods come with a selection of silicone ear tips to help you achieve a tight seal. Unlike the AirPods (2019), the Apple Pro AirPods were the most expensive and robust ones unveiled by Apple in October 2019.

Now is a great time to look out for deals on AirPods, as we will scour the internet for good deals on both the dedicated page for AirPods and this page. We should be able to find any deals listed on this page, as well as those on the internet. If you prefer Apple’s premium plush Max AirPods, we may also find deals on the slightly older buds from the still-current range of AirPods.

AirPods Pro (Second Generation)

(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)
  • H2 earphone processor.
  • Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), Adaptive Transparency mode.
  • Battery duration: 6 hours (earbuds); 24 hours (charging case).
  • Bluetooth: 5.3, Advanced Audio Coding (AAC).
  • Dual beamforming microphones with internally-oriented microphone.
  • Dynamic headtracking enhances personalized Spatial Audio, along with the use of Adaptive EQ.
  • “Hey Siri”, touch commands, IPX4 rating, automatic pause, Conversation Boost.
  • Size: 30.9 x 21.8 x 24mm (earphones); 45.2 x 60.6 x 21.7mm (charging case).
  • Weight: 5.4g (earphones); 45.6g (charging case).
  • The Apple AirPods Pro 2 earbuds have earned their first five-star review for being packed with plenty of user-friendly features. The sound quality is now on par with class-leading competitors, and the noise-cancelling capabilities have been significantly enhanced, thanks to the powerful new H2 chip.

    The Battery life has been increased to six hours with the charging case, which now includes an ear tip XS that fits even better and emits fourth generation tones through the built-in speaker in “Adaptive” mode, damping down sudden and loud harsh noises effectively and enhancing transparency. Additionally, the charging case comes with an extra 24 hours of battery life.

    You will only need wireless earbuds if you are an iOS user. These performers are truly accomplished – they have plenty of subtle dynamics and detailed, weighty openness. The sound quality is excellent, that’s for sure.