Ten Headphones Apple That Will Actually Change Your Life

Apple Headphones Review

Apple's wireless earbuds as well as over-ear headphones are sleek, comfortable, and blend into the ecosystem seamlessly. They come with an Lightning connector for iPhones, headphones wireless beats and some models come with a 3.5mm adapter for older models.

The AirPods Pro sound excellent for movies and music, with cinematic spatial audio and a fancy virtual surround. They also have unique features such as instant pairing as well as automatic switching and "Hey Siri" voice activation.

Sound

Apple headphones typically offer great audio quality, and a majority models come with noise cancellation. Some are wireless and work with Apple's AirPods, while others can be connected to your iPhone using the Lightning cable. If you don't have an Lightning cable there are adapters that will allow you to connect the headphones using a standard headphone jack. The quality of sound produced by Apple headphones is also affected by the type of audio codec they utilize and you should verify which audio codec is supported.

Apple AAC is the codec used by headphones that are included with iPhones. It's optimized for Apple devices. This codec is ideal for music and podcasts since it is less latency than other Bluetooth codecs. The most reliable Apple headphones have at minimum AAC and Bluetooth 5.0 which offers more spectrum than previous versions of the technology.

If you're looking for a more immersive audio experience, think about headphones that have Apple's spatial sound technology. This feature simulates surround sound and give an enhanced, immersive listening experience. However, you'll need to be using an iOS device with iOS 14 or later to utilize this feature.

Apple headphones are not just excellent for audio, but they also look sleek. Apple's EarPods are simple and decent earbuds. They can fit in most pockets and provide great audio quality.

The Beats Studio3 headphones offer more flexibility than EarPods, and their closed-back design provides better noise isolation when commuting or participating in sports. They can be uncomfortable to the ears if worn for long periods of time, though, and are not as comfortable to wear while running. The Apple EarPods are also more expensive and feature a heavier build. Despite these limitations however, the Beats Studio3 headphones are one of our top headphones from Apple because they're comfortable to wear, have an amazing audio quality, and provide excellent noise cancellation. They're built to a high standard and come with a premium audio engine that's compatible with the Apple W1 chip, which includes advanced features.

Design

Apple is known for their sleek design, and the headphones from the company aren't an exception. Apple offers a range of headphones, including wired models that connect to the headphone port on the iPhone and wireless Bluetooth earbuds. Apple's headsets tend to be more expensive than similar models from competing brands, but they also generally sound better.

Apple's AirPods Pro 2 headphones are the best-selling worldwide. They offer exceptional audio quality, noise cancellation and an elegant and compact design. The earbuds come with an extended-lasting battery and Siri voice activation to allow users to operate hands-free. The buds have a unique case that powers them up and keeps them safe when they are not in your ears.

The AirPods Pro track your movement and can be helpful if you are working out or running. The wireless headphones also come with an audio feature called spatial that simulates surround sound when you watch videos on an iPhone or iPad with Apple TV, Disney Plus and HBO Max. The feature can be difficult to get used to initially, but it's a fun way to listen to films and TV shows while on the move.

Beats Studio 3 Noise Cancelling Wireless headphones is another excellent choice for audiophiles and those who enjoy Apple Music playlists. These headphones can last up to 22 hours of ANC, and 40 without. They use the Apple W1 chipset for easy installation and seamless switching between iOS devices. They also have a custom "Hey Siri" activation as well as wing tips for an optimum fit during workouts.

Apple and Google both have earbuds that are tailored to their respective ecosystems, however they each have their own strengths. Google's Pixel Buds, for example are less expensive than Apple's AirPods however they have a longer battery life as well as a customizable app and graphic EQ settings.

Apple's headphones are great for those who rely on Apple's ecosystem however their controls are likely to be a source of frustration for everyone else. Their minimalist designs don't necessarily come with robust features, and they're missing some important functions on their wireless models. They don't have volume control, and you're expected to use Siri to manage your music instead.

Connectivity

The proliferation of Bluetooth options and the disappearance from the latest iPhones of the headphone jack is causing wired models to rapidly disappear like Dodo. For those who still prefer listening with traditional cables, Sony makes a wide range of over-the-ear and on-ear wired headphones that work with all Apple devices. It also offers the first truly wireless earbuds -- the Momentum Free -- that connect via an ultra-low-power, low-range radio signal for a virtually wireless listening experience.

If you own a Mac that is more recent make sure your headphones are Bluetooth 5.0 compatible or later. This version offers improved audio quality and has a longer battery life than earlier Bluetooth versions. Also check the list of supported audio codecs to ensure that your music files playable.

Find headphones skullcandy that provide an elongated fit, no matter which kind you pick. On-ear and over-ear models with an oversized headband offer a stable fit that is less likely to fall off during physical exercise. In earbuds you want a snug fit that seals the ear and offers good noise cancellation to block out background noise.

The top wireless headphones include the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation), Beats X Wireless and Beats Studio Wireless and the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II. The AirPods provide outstanding sound quality, superior wireless Bluetooth pairing and a sleek design. They have earned an excellent rating from customers of 4.5 out of five. The Beats Studio Wireless are similar to the Pro model but feature modern design, superior noise cancellation and long battery life.

The Quiet Comfort 35 II is the newest model in the Bose quiet comfort line. It offers noise cancellation, long battery life, and a comfortable size in a compact, portable package. The QC35 II, an upgrade to the model before it, added support for the AAC audio codec, headphones wireless Beats as well as a new wireless protocol that allows for greater Bluetooth speeds and shorter time to complete.

If your headphones won't pair with your Mac, try resetting the Bluetooth preferences. Click the Apple icon on your desktop and select System Settings. Select the headphones you want to use from the list. Then, next to their name. You may have to switch the headphones into pairing mode first by pressing and holding their pairing button until a status light flashes.

Value

AirPods Pro are an impressive pair of headphones regardless of whether or not you believe they're worth $549. The sound quality is excellent and features like transparency and auto-pause mode are very useful. They also feel exceptionally well-constructed and sturdy, which isn't always the case with wireless headphones.

Of course, this kind of sophisticated functionality comes at an expense, and for many people the AirPods are just too expensive. However, the AirPods Pro make a lot of sense for those already deeply invested in Apple's ecosystem. They have the same H1 chip used in the iPhone's latest generation of speakers and use it to analyse the audio from eight microphones dotted between the earcups and inside them. The headphones wireless beats can now adjust the sound of your music to fit your head and block out external noise in real-time. Apple claims that it can make 200 adjustments to your music in a second this is an amazing amount. The result is a pair of headphones that feel alive, with a cinematic depth and clarity that's in a class of their own. Even the most mundane tracks such as electronic jazz group Comet is Coming's debut album, are incredibly intense and dramatic with the AirPods Pro.

Apple used to include a pair EarPods with every iPhone prior to when AirPods were released. The earbuds are available however, they don't have a mic. They're not as spectacular as a pair of the brand new AirPods however, they're perfect for working out or commuting on a treadmill, with an excellent battery life and a comfortable fit.

Apple acquired Beats' original line in 2014. The Beats line has remained largely similar, except that they now come with the USB-C charger and W1 chip. It's expected that the company will eventually cease production of the brand, but collaborations with artists and the occasional update such as the Beats Solo3 with USB-C and the latest H1 chip might keep them in the market for an extended period of time.