What is the best AirPods model of all time?

Featherweight buds, noise-sealing flagships and a bold over-ear outlier put every era of Apple's wireless obsession on the table. Which one wins?

1

AirPods Pro 2

Apple's 2022 flagship earbuds with the H2 chip, dramatically improved active noise cancellation and adaptive audio.

1000pts

2

AirPods (3rd generation)

The 2021 redesign with a shorter stem, spatial audio and a contoured open-fit shape.

672pts

3

AirPods Max

Apple's premium 2020 over-ear headphones with aluminum earcups and high-fidelity ANC.

624pts

4

AirPods (1st generation)

The original 2016 wireless earbuds that defined the true-wireless category.

567pts

5

AirPods 4

The 2024 base model with a refined open-fit design, H2 chip and USB-C charging case.

567pts

6

AirPods Pro 3

The 2025 redesign adding in-ear heart-rate sensing and further noise-cancellation and fitness gains.

499pts

7

AirPods (2nd generation)

The 2019 refresh adding the H1 chip and hands-free 'Hey Siri' to the classic open-fit design.

416pts

8

AirPods 4 with ANC

The 2024 open-fit model that surprised with active noise cancellation despite having no ear tips.

416pts