Apple AirPods Pro 2

Dan Seifert from The Verge highlights the Apple AirPods Pro 2 as a refined evolution of Apple’s popular earbuds, emphasizing their stellar active noise cancellation (ANC) and comfortable, premium design. The upgraded H2 chip enhances audio performance and seamless pairing within the Apple ecosystem, while the carrying case’s U1 chip aids in easy tracking. The earbuds excel in noise isolation, portability, and offer solid battery life with convenient charging options. However, the review notes some drawbacks, including a subpar microphone that struggles in noisy environments, occasional fit issues during intense workouts, and limited device-switching capabilities outside Apple products. The sound profile is warm and consistent, though lacking built-in EQ customization, and latency issues make them less ideal for wireless gaming. Unique insights include detailed frequency response analysis and the impact of aftermarket foam tips on sound and isolation. Overall, the AirPods Pro 2 deliver excellent ANC and comfort, making them a strong choice for everyday use, especially within the Apple ecosystem, despite some minor limitations.

What Hi-Fi? highlights the Apple AirPods Pro 2 as a significant leap forward for Apple’s wireless earbuds, delivering a five-star experience with notably improved sound quality, active noise-cancelling, and battery life. The review praises the earbuds’ rich, detailed audio performance, which now competes confidently with top rivals like Sony and Bose, alongside effective new ANC features such as Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness. Comfort and intuitive iOS integration remain strong points, with added convenience from the updated USB-C charging case. However, the review notes some limitations, including the lack of high-res codec support and feature restrictions for non-iOS users. While the USB-C case model offers no sound improvements over the original Lightning version, the overall package is described as a polished, enjoyable, and competitive flagship product that finally elevates Apple’s AirPods Pro to the top tier of wireless earbuds.

Tim Gideon from PCMag praises the Apple AirPods Pro 2 as the premier true wireless earphones for Apple users, highlighting their exceptional active noise cancellation, rich and well-balanced sound quality, and seamless integration with iOS devices. He emphasizes the advanced features like Conversation Aware mode, personalized spatial audio, and a feature-rich charging case with USB-C and Find My support. The review notes the earbuds’ comfortable fit and the powerful H2 chip that enhances performance and power efficiency. While the AirPods Pro 2 lack adjustable EQ presets and support only AAC and SBC codecs (limiting hi-res audio streaming), their overall audio experience remains impressive, especially for bass and vocal clarity. Minor criticisms include occasional inconsistency in ANC effectiveness depending on fit and the hidden placement of some customization settings. The upcoming hearing aid functionality and ongoing software updates promise to extend their value. Overall, the AirPods Pro 2 earn PCMag’s Editors’ Choice for delivering a well-rounded, top-tier package tailored to Apple users.

Christopher Null from WIRED highlights the innovative hearing aid features newly enabled on the Apple AirPods Pro 2 via a software update, marking a unique industry first. He appreciates the convenience of integrating hearing tests and audiogram uploads directly through iOS, making customization faster and more accessible than traditional hearing aids. The review praises the earbuds’ comfort and outstanding streaming experience, especially with the Media Assist mode enhancing audio clarity. However, Null notes several drawbacks: occasional audio artifacts like hiss and sudden volume jumps, the lack of environmental listening modes common in dedicated hearing aids, and relatively poor battery life for extended hearing aid use. He also points out the challenge of managing multiple audio modes and the isolating effect of closed eartips. Overall, the AirPods Pro 2 serve best as an occasional hearing boost rather than a full-time hearing aid replacement, offering a compelling option for users who want discreet, situational hearing support alongside premium earbuds.

David Carnoy from CNET highlights the Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) as a solid, incremental upgrade over the previous Lightning model, primarily benefiting Apple users who want the convenience of USB-C charging. While the earbuds maintain the same excellent noise cancellation, voice-calling quality, and battery life, the new model adds increased dust resistance and lays groundwork for future lossless wireless audio support, though current devices don’t yet enable this feature. Carnoy’s listening tests suggest a subtle, possibly perceptible improvement in sound refinement, though differences are minimal. He praises the AirPods Pro 2’s comfortable fit, seamless Apple ecosystem integration, and competitive performance against pricier rivals like Sony and Bose, despite minor fit limitations for larger ears. The review conveys a cautiously positive tone, emphasizing that existing owners have little reason to upgrade, but new buyers—especially those with Apple devices—will find these earbuds hard to beat for their balanced feature set, lightweight design, and overall value.

Nick Pino from Tom’s Guide highlights the Apple AirPods Pro 2 as a significant evolution of Apple’s noise-canceling earbuds, delivering twice the noise cancellation performance of the original and earning top honors in the publication’s 2023 Audio Awards. The review praises the improved custom amplifier and driver, personalized spatial audio via the iPhone’s TrueDepth camera, and longer battery life with a more functional charging case. While the design changes are subtle, comfort and fit improvements stand out, especially with the new Skin-detect sensor and additional ear tip sizes. The AirPods Pro 2 excel in spatial audio and noise cancellation, though some audio nuances—like slightly thin bass and occasionally fatiguing highs—lag behind competitors like Sony’s WF-1000XM5. Call quality remains a weak point due to limited microphone upgrades. Overall, Pino regards these earbuds as nearly perfect for iOS users, especially first-time buyers, offering a premium, tailored listening experience despite minor flaws.

TechRadar’s Gareth Beavis highlights the Apple AirPods Pro 2 as a significant and worthwhile upgrade over the original model, especially for users embedded in the Apple ecosystem. Praising the new H2 chip, he emphasizes the earbuds’ excellent noise cancellation, improved sound quality with expansive spatial audio, and longer battery life, though the latter remains average compared to some rivals. Unique features like volume control on the stems, a speaker-equipped charging case with Find My integration, and compatibility with Apple Watch chargers add practical value. While the design changes are subtle, the addition of extra ear tips and Adaptive Transparency mode enhance usability. Criticisms include the lack of lossless audio support, fiddly volume controls, and limited appeal for Android users. Despite a premium price, the AirPods Pro 2’s combination of immersive sound, seamless Apple integration, and thoughtful refinements make them a top choice for Apple fans seeking high-quality true wireless earbuds.

Andrew Liszewski from Gizmodo highlights the Apple AirPods Pro 2 as a thoughtful, evolutionary upgrade rather than a radical redesign, emphasizing their standout improvement in active noise cancellation (ANC). While the design remains largely unchanged, the addition of four ear tip sizes and subtle hardware tweaks enhance comfort and fit. The new charging case’s features, like a built-in speaker and Apple Watch charger compatibility, add practical value. Sound quality sees modest refinement, with better balance at higher volumes, though not surpassing some competitors. The reviewer praises the seamless integration with Apple devices, citing rock-solid connectivity and effortless device switching as key advantages. Minor criticisms include finicky touch controls and the fact that some rivals offer better sound or ANC, but their bulk and less polished ecosystem integration make them less appealing. Overall, Liszewski recommends the AirPods Pro 2 as the best wireless earbuds for iPhone users who prioritize excellent noise cancellation and ecosystem synergy.

Samuel Gibbs from The Guardian highlights the Apple AirPods Pro 2 as Apple’s best earbuds yet, praising their improved sound quality, enhanced noise cancelling, longer battery life, and new onboard volume controls. He notes the earbuds deliver richer bass, clearer vocals, and a more immersive spatial audio experience, especially with Apple devices. The adaptive transparency mode and sweat resistance add practical value, while call quality remains strong. However, Gibbs points out several drawbacks: the design remains largely unchanged with the same stalks, the earbuds lack repairability and hi-res audio support, and some advanced features are missing on non-Apple platforms. He also criticizes Apple for not improving sustainability beyond recycled materials and for the relatively high price. Overall, the review conveys a moderately positive but measured enthusiasm, recognizing meaningful upgrades while lamenting missed opportunities in repairability and cross-platform functionality.

Amazon users consistently praise the Apple AirPods Pro 2 for their outstanding sound quality and industry-leading noise cancellation. Reviewers highlight the earbuds’ ability to deliver clear, balanced audio with notably improved bass response and a wide frequency range, attributing this to Apple’s advanced H2 chip and sophisticated computational audio processing. Many emphasize how the noise cancellation adapts rapidly—sampling at 48,000 times per second—to effectively block a broad spectrum of sounds, including loud, high-decibel noises, while transparency mode preserves natural sound without the tinny effect common in competitors. Customers appreciate the comfortable, secure fit that stays in place during movement, and several note the seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem, especially the near-instant device switching and reliable connectivity improvements over previous generations. Battery life impresses many users, often exceeding Apple’s official estimates, with quick charging during short breaks supporting extended daily use. Some reviewers share unique insights about real-world noise cancellation performance, such as its reduced effectiveness when lying down due to acoustic factors, and the practical use of transparency mode for safety during outdoor activities like biking. Additionally, users report that the earbuds maintain their noise-canceling capabilities even after months of heavy use in noisy environments. While a few mention minor quirks on Android devices, the overall consensus on Amazon underscores the AirPods Pro 2 as a high-quality, versatile choice that elevates both audio fidelity and noise management to new levels.

Users on Target express a polarized experience with the Apple AirPods Pro 2. Many praise the earbuds for their impressive noise cancellation, spatial audio, and seamless integration with Apple devices, highlighting features like adaptive sound modes, USB-C charging, and improved battery life as significant upgrades. Several reviewers celebrate the earbuds’ comfort and secure fit, noting how the noise cancellation creates an immersive listening environment and enhances everyday activities, from workouts to hearing assistance. However, a substantial portion of Target customers report receiving counterfeit or previously used AirPods, often discovered only after taking the product to an Apple Store for verification. These fake units frequently suffer from connectivity issues, poor sound quality, malfunctioning noise cancellation, and battery problems. Users describe receiving unsealed or tampered packaging, empty boxes, or mismatched components, which has led to frustration with Target’s customer service and strict 14-day return policy. Many warn others to verify authenticity immediately upon purchase and recommend buying directly from Apple to avoid counterfeit risks. Additionally, some users find the fit uncomfortable due to the earbuds’ shape pressing against ear cartilage, causing soreness, while others mention that the AirPods occasionally fall out or require frequent resetting. Despite these drawbacks, those who receive genuine products often consider the AirPods Pro 2 a worthy investment for their advanced features and sound quality. Overall, Target customers urge caution when purchasing these earbuds from the platform, emphasizing the importance of authenticity checks and swift returns to ensure satisfaction.