Top Apple Headphones in 2025: Review of the Best 4 Models

Explore the top Apple headphones in 2025, highlighting their features, sound quality, and which model fits your needs perfectly.

Apple’s Stylish Headphones: Seamless Integration with Premium Sound

While Apple is famously known for its laptops, smartphones, and tablets, it also crafts sleek headphones with minimalist designs. These headphones are tailored specifically for Apple device owners, ensuring flawless integration within the Apple ecosystem.

Though the variety is limited and functionality on Android devices is restricted, Apple headphones provide that signature feeling of simplicity and premium quality that the brand is celebrated for.

Best Apple In-Ear Headphones

1. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) tops the list as the best Apple headphones tested. This updated model brings notable improvements, especially in its active noise cancellation (ANC), which effectively blocks out noise on public transport, in the office, or anywhere noisy.

The default warm sound style suits a wide range of music and content genres. The "Adaptive EQ" feature adjusts sound based on the ear tip fit and ear shape, while the proprietary "Spatial Audio" offers an immersive surround sound experience. However, customization options are limited, with no user-adjustable equalizer.

Comfort and a secure fit make them perfect for long listening sessions. Plus, sound leakage is minimal, so you can crank the volume without disturbing those nearby. New tactile controls now include volume adjustments—a feature missing in the first generation.

Battery life clocks in at around 5.9 hours, slightly better than before. The charging case supports four full charges and includes the U1 chip for easy locating via the Find My app. Firmware update 7B19 adds advanced hearing features like hearing tests, protection, and hearing aid capabilities (subject to regional availability).

Best Apple Open-Acoustic Design Headphones

2. Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation

If you prefer iOS-friendly headphones but dislike in-ear sealing, the Apple AirPods 4 with ANC are a unique blend of open design and effective noise cancellation. They don’t seal deeply in the ear canal like the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), so ANC compensates by reducing engine hum and background chatter.

The noise cancellation quality is impressive for an open model, including features like Transparency Mode and Adaptive Audio.

Their warm sound profile delivers surprisingly strong bass for open earbuds. Drums and bass lines sound full but without overwhelming resonance. Balanced mids provide clear vocals and podcasts, though the treble is tame, which may not suit everyone’s taste. Like the Pro model, Spatial Audio expands the virtual soundstage.

Battery life is around 4.5 hours per charge, and the case provides four additional recharges. The H2 chip enables smooth switching between Apple devices.

The quality of noise cancellation is very high, especially for an open design.

Expert Review

Best Affordable Apple Headphones

3. Apple AirPods 4

Looking for a budget-friendly option? The Apple AirPods 4 offer excellent value with features similar to the ANC version, minus active noise cancellation. Their universal fit suits most ears but may slip out of very small or large ears.

Without ANC, ambient noise is more audible, so they’re less ideal for quiet travel but perfect if you want to stay aware of your surroundings. These headphones come at a significant discount compared to their ANC siblings.

Battery life is excellent, nearly 7 hours per charge, plus four charges in the case. Sound quality shines with energetic bass and rich mids, delivering detailed vocals and instruments. Treble is slightly muted, reducing sibilance. Spatial Audio and the H2 chip are also included for an immersive experience and seamless device switching.

Best Full-Size Apple Headphones

4. Apple AirPods Max

The Apple AirPods Max stand out as the best full-size headphones from Apple. Their sleek aluminum ear cups come in fashionable colors like pink and blue, setting them apart from the usual AirPods lineup.

The ANC system excels at muffling low-frequency hums, background noise, and even high-frequency sounds like air conditioner buzz. The aluminum build feels sturdy and premium.

Their overall sound profile is balanced, with a slight bass boost that will appeal to fans of EDM and hip-hop. Battery life impresses with over 21 hours of continuous playback. A quick 5-minute charge offers up to 1.5 hours of use.

One downside: they can’t be fully powered off, only put into low-power mode inside the case, which is more of a cover than a protective hard case. The fabric headband looks delicate but is replaceable. Overall, these headphones are a fantastic pick for those wanting powerful noise cancellation in a full-size form.

How Apple Headphones Compare to Other Brands

• Seamless Integration: Apple wireless headphones use W1/H1 or H2 chips for instant pairing with iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Wired models support Lightning or USB-C.
• Compact and Comfortable: Lightweight AirPods and AirPods Pro fit discreetly, while AirPods Max remain comfortable for long use.
• Open vs Closed Designs: Apple uniquely offers both open and closed models. Open headphones allow environmental sounds but don’t isolate noise well.
• Limited Customization: Apple prioritizes simplicity, offering basic ANC control and button assignments but few sound settings.
• Basic Controls: Some control features, like volume adjustment, are limited or rely on Siri, especially on non-Apple devices.

Apple vs Bose

Bose and Apple are strong competitors in premium headphones. Apple excels in ecosystem synergy, while Bose leads in customization and noise cancellation power but lacks Apple’s unique features like Adaptive EQ.

Apple vs Sennheiser

Sennheiser has a broader lineup from sport to audiophile headphones with superior sound and functions but less intuitive design and controls compared to Apple.

Apple vs Google

Both integrate tightly with their ecosystems. Google’s headphones are cheaper and offer more settings like graphic equalizers, while Apple focuses on effortless user experience.

Apple vs Bowers & Wilkins

Bowers & Wilkins targets audiophiles, whereas Apple focuses on consumer convenience. Both offer high-end sound but limited deep sound customization.

Apple vs Beats

Apple owns Beats and equips some Beats models with H1/H2 chips and Spatial Audio. Beats offer broader Android support and originally favored bass-heavy sound, now also providing neutral options.

Apple produces compact and comfortable headphones for everyday use, perfectly working with the company’s products. With the release of full-size AirPods Max, they also made a mark in the premium segment. However, their dedication to simplicity leads to limited control and customization options. The product line is small but includes both open and closed designs—a rarity for such a compact range.

Apple Headphones Lineup Overview

Apple’s headphone range is compact but diverse:

• AirPods: Affordable truly wireless earbuds with open design and basic features.
• AirPods Pro: Premium in-ear earbuds with closed design, silicone tips, ANC, Adaptive EQ, and Spatial Audio.
• AirPods Max: High-end over-ear headphones with minimalist design, ANC, Adaptive EQ, and Spatial Audio.
• EarPods: Budget wired earbuds with a fit similar to AirPods.

Conclusion

Apple’s dedication to simplicity means their headphone lineup isn’t huge, but each model delivers on that promise with stylish design and solid sound. While the advanced models come with a premium price tag, wired options remain budget-friendly.

Apple produces compact and comfortable headphones for everyday use, perfectly working with the company’s products.

• What makes Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) stand out?
  Their significantly improved noise cancellation and Adaptive EQ offer a premium listening experience tailored to your ear shape.
• Are open-design AirPods good for noisy environments?
  They offer decent noise cancellation for open earbuds but don’t isolate sound as well as closed models, making them better for awareness of surroundings.
• How long does the AirPods Max battery last?
  More than 21 hours of continuous playback, with quick charging benefits.
• Can I customize the sound on Apple headphones?
  Customization is limited to basic features like ANC and button assignments; equalizer settings are minimal.
• Do Apple headphones work well with Android devices?
  They function but with reduced features and less seamless integration compared to Apple devices.

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