The best AirPods to buy in 2025, tested and reviewed

For many a music-minded shopper, it's not a question of which earbuds or headphones to buy, but rather which AirPods. Apple makes some of the best-known and most popular products in these categories, so it's not surprising they're top-of-mind. But with four to choose from, what are the best AirPods for your specific needs and preferences?

You've got ears; I've got answers. As Yahoo's senior tech writer, I've not only tested and reviewed the AirPods 4, AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Max, but also used them almost daily for years. Below you'll find summary reviews of each product along with my recommendations.

Take note, however, that Apple's annual September product-launch event is imminent, and there's a good chance we'll be seeing new AirPods. At a minimum, there are new features coming to existing AirPods, and rumor has it live language translation might be in the works as well.

Also, if you're not an iPhone user, this story probably isn't for you. Although AirPods can and do work with Android devices, you'll miss out on various iPhone-only benefits. Have no fear, however: We have more generalized roundups of the best noise-cancelling headphones and best wireless earbuds for your perusal.

Table of contents:

• The best AirPods for 2025

• How we tested AirPods

• FAQs

The best AirPods for 2025

How we tested AirPods

I tested the four available AirPods the same way I test all audio products: by listening to lots of different stuff. Mostly music (Billy Joel, Rodriguez, Vivaldi), but also podcasts (Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend) and video (Arrested Development rewatch for probably the fifth time). The obvious goal is to measure overall sound quality — which I found ranged from "very good" to "excellent" — but I was also interested in usability: Are AirPods easy to set up and operate? Did Apple supply decent printed instructions for novice users?

Comfort is an important aspect for any earbud or headphone purchase. I'm lucky in that my ears are fairly average size, and consequently all the earbuds fit me quite well; I found I could wear them comfortably for long stretches. Same with the AirPods Max, which have a wide, soft headband and extra-cushy earcups. But that's me; your mileage may vary.

Full disclosure: We didn't test battery life, which is time-consuming and often imprecise. It varies depending on what you're listening to, what volume you've set and whether you've enabled ANC. And if we're being real, it doesn't matter: If you're set on buying AirPods, battery life is what it is. Anecdotally, they're all pretty much in line with Apple's ratings, which are what we've quoted in this story. Unfortunately, AirPod battery life is on the lower-than-average side across the board: A lot of competing earbuds and headphones last longer on a charge. Remember, too, that activating the ANC feature will always drain the battery faster.

FAQs

Can I use AirPods on an airplane?

Of course! But if you specifically mean, "Use AirPods with the in-flight entertainment system," that's going to require a bit of accessorizing. For the AirPods Max, you'll need Apple's (ridiculously overpriced) USB-C to 3.5mm adapter cable, which will allow you to plug into the system's AUX jack. There's no such option for earbud-style AirPods, though, so unless the system supports Bluetooth, you're out of luck. There is a workaround, though: The AirFly Pro 2 is a Bluetooth dongle that plugs into those AUX jacks, effectively bridging the gap.

Do AirPods come in different colors?

To paraphrase Henry Ford, you can have AirPods in any color you want, as long as it's white. The exception is AirPods Max; Apple offers those headphones in five different colors (white not among them, surprisingly).

Do AirPods go on sale?

All the time! As noted above, we routinely see the AirPods Pro 2 selling for $199 or less, despite having a $249 list price. Similarly, the $129 AirPods 4 can often be found for $99. Around the office we refer to this as "perma-sale" pricing. The only exception is new products, which tend to stay at full price for at least the first few months.

When will Apple release new AirPods?

There's no set schedule, but new AirPods are sometimes announced during Apple's September product-launch event, albeit with two or three years between upgrades. Based on the rumor mill, we're fully expecting new AirPods Pro next month, though this isn't official just yet.

Are new features coming to AirPods in 2025?

Yes! The arrival of iOS 26 will bring several new AirPods features, including studio-quality recording, improved call clarity (it's already extremely good, though) and a camera remote (meaning you can squeeze the stem to snap a photo). These will be free upgrades on compatible hardware.

How do I pair my AirPods to my iPhone?

It's shockingly easy: Just flip open the AirPods case. Your iPhone should automatically detect it and walk you through the pairing process. Now, there's a little more to it if you want to pair the AirPods to a second or different device. For that, check Apple's AirPods pairing instructions.

How do I connect my AirPods to my MacBook?

First, venture into your MacBook Settings and make sure Bluetooth is turned on. Then put your AirPods in pairing mode; in the list of devices on your MacBook, choose the AirPods and click Connect. That's all there is to it! If you need help enabling pairing mode, check Apple's AirPods pairing instructions.