Bottom Line: Apple AirPods are my favorite wireless headphones, and version 2 offers a noticeable improvement over the first generation. Pros: Easy to use; easy to switch devices; hands free "Hey Siri" works really well Cons: Still very much an Apple accessory; fit of AirPods not perfect for everyone Review: I've used several different pairs of wireless headphones, but AirPods are my favorites for everyday use. They pair seamlessly and effortlessly with Apple devices through iCloud, and they're simple to use. Put them in your ear and they automatically active; take them out for auto-pause. The most noticeable difference in the second generation is the ability to use them hands-free by saying "Hey Siri." This works really well, which is way more convenient than using the gesture controls on the first gen. Sound quality is decent for the design, and I actually prefer the sound on AirPods to the other "true wireless" headphones I've used. Quite obviously, larger headphones will perform better in this area. Also, the design of AirPods is identical to the first gen. and EarPods that came before it, so they might not fit everyone's ear super well. I haven't had them fall out, but the fit in my right ear isn't as snug as the one in my left. It's also important to keep in mind that these are an Apple accessory, so you won't gain most of the benefits if you're pairing them with non-Apple devices. Additionally, some of the frustrations users have with Siri will be exacerbated on AirPods, since Siri is the primary interface (e.g., when I get a text message and ask Siri to read it via AirPods, Siri tells me I have to unlock my iPhone first which is often in my pocket).

I always thought that the AirPods were some of Apple's best engineering work last year, and Gen 2 is some of the best yet. They connect to my iPhone XR instantly. I don't always see the iOS charge status notification, but there has never been a delay in getting them to work. In use, I notice almost no lag, and I have never encountered dropped audio. They play nicely with my Apple Watch and my Lenovo Windows laptop as well. If you like your music loud, you won't like these; they have virtually no noise-cancelling. That said, sound is high-fidelity and surpringly bassy. Battery life is stellar, especially for a product so small. I have had no trouble getting the 24 hours combined usage Apple suggested between charges, but I don't really use my AirPods more than 2 hours daily. Using the ubiquitous Apple 5W 'iPhone' power adapter (not included) and the (included) Lightning cable, I get from around 15% on the AirPods compnents to 100% in about 90 minutes of charging. With my usage, I end up needing to recharge maybe once a week or two. I skipped on the Wireless Charging case because AirPower never reached production and I have my Qi inductive charger set up just to make sure I don't fall asleep every night without charging my phone. The case is great, nonetheless. If you're clumsy (like me), consider getting a case. Honestly, I don't really like Apple products. For a time, I thought that included AirPods. One of the things I still dislike most about them are the fact that the batteries aren't replaceable, for all intents and purposes. Like I mentioned, audio quality isn't great, but it's good. AirPods are better for calls and dictation, and I will likely keep using them for that. That said, the fact that I'm writing such a positive review about these should indicate my satisfaction with it. And yes, I would buy them again.

As many others have noted, AirPods feature a delightful, almost magical, pairing experience. From the shiny white color to the intentional "fiddle factor" that Jony Ive & Apple's IDG designed into the case, these ear buds are an example of Apple doing what it does best - iterating on a product to make it far more functional and compelling than anything else on the market. With regard to sound quality, I haven't used EarPods in years, as I find them to offer below average sound quality. They would also constantly fall out of my ears while running or working out. If you prefer the fuller sound and deep bass of Powerbeats 3, you may find these to be lacking in the sound department. If you're fine with EarPods, you'll like these, as they feature markedly better sound than EarPods. For example, notice the much larger port on the back of each AirPod vs. the same - much smaller - port of an EarPod. Sound clarity is excellent. AirPods have never fallen out of my ears while running or working out. In addition to housing a battery, microphone, and antenna, the stem of each AirPod also aids in establishing/maintaining a proper fit. That said, because of the one size fits all approach, these will not work for everyone. Due to their open air design, AirPods work best in quiet environments. If you're often in areas with moderate to loud ambient noise, there are far better options on the market. It's amazing that Apple was able to pack so much technology into something that only weighs 4 grams. This shows that they've learned so much from designing and manufacturing Apple Watch. Overall, I highly recommend them and think AirPods are an engineering and industrial design tour de force.

NOTE: I am using these AirPods on a Samsung Galaxy Note 9. Just got these the other day. I have been using the AirPod 1's for over a month before getting the "newer improved version" (supposedly), because hey everyone wants the newest things right? Well, should have just stuck with the old ones, because these new ones seem so much worse in every aspect. I knew these would not work perfectly with an android device, but the first airpods worked great. My first impression out of the box of these AirPod 2's: Cheaper quality. When you open the case, there is a very cheap plastic feeling. The first gen had a very smooth feeling, and felt more solid when you open it. These new ones feel like they will break over time. You can also hear a distinctive sound when opening these new ones. The pods themselves feel about the same, and look identical as gen 1. Listening to music or watching a video : This is where my biggest issue with these new AirPods is. When I first connect them to my phone to listen to spotify or anything audio, the volume is almost MAXED out. The old airpods would start at a comfortable hearing level. On top of that, whenever I pause the song or movie and resume it. The volume is MAXED out again! (I'm sure you can see where this would get annoying and make you really frustrated.) Airpod Apps: Since I'm using an android device, I had to download a third party app to be able to use many of the functions of these airpods. First gen: No problems noted when using these third party apps. Was able to check battery life of the case and airpods. Music would pause when the airpod was taken out. However, with these new airpods. These apps don't work at all. I can't see the battery life of my airpods or the case. (I know this isn't apples fault because they're third party apps.) Recommendation: Maybe Apple should consider making an android app, because I know I'm not the only one using these on an android phone. Sound quality: Same as the old ones Bluetooth Connectivity: Same process, and same speed to connect these to my phone Connectivity distance: Was able to have my phone downstairs and went to each room upstairs and still had connection. (Pleasant surprise!) Overall, if you're like me ( android user ), I would stay away from these until Apple finds a way to fix out the kinks and the issues I listed above. For apple users, I'm sure that these will be similar or improved from gen one, based upon the better H1 Chip and all the other stuff Apple claims they have improved in these. These are definitely getting returned.

I got my first pair of AirPods a couple of Christmases ago and didn’t think I’d like them until I used them for about a week. After that, we were inseparable. I’d use them with my iPhone, watch the Daily Show on AppleTV with them so my kids couldn’t hear the language, and use them at work on my Mac for music and video conferencing. They stayed in my pocket...unfortunately, in the heat of the moment they stayed in the pocket of my pants and weren’t thought of until later when the jeans were transferred to the dryer hours later. Needless to say, the AirPods didn’t work but I refused to throw $160 headphones away (even inoperable) out of principle. Fast forward about 6 AirPod-less months. My wife wants in on the true wireless revolution. After trying a couple of brands, she gives in and asks for the airpods. When they arrived, I took a flier on putting my fried airpods in her case...IT WORKED! They immediately appeared back on my phone with a 90% charge. Turns out, only the old charging case didn’t make it. And my airpods, after drying for 6 months, we’re back in business. I bought a stand-alone charging case for my old airpods. So...I love my airpods. My wife has stopped hating on apple products and loves hers. This purchase helped me prove that the old headphones are pretty durable. Oh yeah. Sound is great in controlled environments. Be careful to protect your hearing when trying to turn up too loud to compensate for too much outside noise.

This SKU is the wireless AirPods with Charging Case. So everyone is clear, this is the 2nd generation headphones that are wireless, but with the WIRED charging case in which you need to plug in a lightning cable. Battery life and audio quality are decent. Boost lower mid bass, may not be the most accurate, but give the impression of deep bass. Twisting them forwards a bit to get a firmer fit in the ear emphasizes the bass and also points the front mouth. Outgoing audio quality for calls is ok. Not great. Not good. But just okay. Barely acceptable. The other end picks up random noises, and has somewhat softer outgoing audio than better headphones for calls. Also, the audio connection drops quite a bit, so that when you think you're talking to someone, you no longer are. The audio has reverted to the handset/phone. It appears this is due to the sensor that detects being in the ear being too aggressive always thinking the ear pods have been removed from the ear, or maybe due to a defective set. Also very annoying is the fact there are virtually no controls on either side, so that to raise or lower the volume, skip the track or repeat a track, you need to take the phone out of your pocket. The Galaxy Buds allow you to skip forwards, repeat or skip back, adjust volume and play/pause by tapping the touch pad on either ear. If you make a lot of phone calls, the Plantronics Voyager Focus is highly recommended. It has intuitive controls for call control and audio control, has selectable ambient noise cancellation, has a boom noise cancelling microphone, has on head/ear detection sensors, and a very easily accessed and intuitive microphone mute button on the boom. It is a bit bigger though. For those primarily worried about call quality, the Plantronics M104 has a passive/active noise cancelling mic with a really long boom, and only covers one ear to make it most road/drive legal. This one has the best audio quality in and out (ear piece and while speaking to others) but is mono.

First: I had the 1st generation AirPods and debated just replacing the problematic left one that wouldn’t sync but saw that these were coming out so decided to wait. Glad I did, because I really appreciate these AirPods. Here’s why.... First, they help me be hands free whether I’m working out, cooking, or whatever. When without them, I either had my phone at my ear (goofy) or I had my phone, tablet or watch on speaker (annoying). Second: the Hey Siri feature gives greater control as I can call on her to make or end a call, start/stop/skip my music, and raise or lower the volume. Third, I am pleased with the sound. I can hear better with these whether in the gym or the grocery store and I can talk at almost a whisper and my party can hear me just fine. Fourth and final: I love the ease of the connectivity between devices. My AirPods connect almost seamlessly between my phone, my watch and my tablet. To extend these to a full days’ use, I alternate the left and right pod. For music I recommend using both AirPods. Added note: I didn’t get the wireless charging case version of these because I don’t use the wireless charger I have.

As an owner of the original Air Pods I did not expect to be overly impressed with the second generation but I have to say that I was wrong because the second version of Apple' Air Pods are much better in my opinion. Please do not take that last sentence to mean that I was unhappy with the original Air Pods, nothing could be further from the truth. As a blind user of the iPhone and the Air Pods I find that with the new version the blue tooth delay that those of us have always experienced with using blue tooth headphones is no longer an issue because with the new Air Pods there does not seem to be an delay from the time I do a gesture on my iPhone to when I hear Voice Over the screen reader on the iPhone to respond. The sound quality is pretty much the same as it was on the first version but for me the killer feature with version number two is one that I was not very interested in when I heard about it and that is hands free Siri. I find that I am using Siri even more with these Air Pods than I ever did with my original ones. If anyone is on the fence about getting the new Air Pods I would say to just give them a try. Once you spend some time with them you will wonder how you ever got along without them.