Apple AirPods Pro 3 Wireless Earbuds. Active Noise Cancellation. Live Translation. Heart Rate Sensing. Hearing Aid Feature. Bluetooth Headphones. Spatial Audio. High-Fidelity Sound. USB-C Charging

Been looking for hearing aids for the last 2 years. Four years ago I purchased a hearing aid from the hearing specialist for $3000 and hated it. I gave the $3K hearing aid to my wife who had light hearing loss and has been using it but doesn't like it either. So, after much research and consternation about buying hearing aids with reviews all over the board I was skeptical about getting the Apple Airpods2 pro to help remediate my partial hearing loss. However, I felt at ease getting these thru Amazon since I knew I could easily return them if they did not work out. So I went for it! I received the Airpods and immediately took the hearing test and configured them as hearing aids. I was blown away that they worked as advertised. I could hear the TV and conversations better than the $3000 pair. The extra attachments are great so I could get the right fit. They are comfortable and don't fall out. I had my wife try them and she loved them also. We tested them at church and we could now hear the entire sermon without issue. The next day I ordered another pair for my wife and now we both enjoyed hearing conversations along with all of the other features that Airpods 2 Pro provide. These Airpods are great for hearing conversation via my apple iPhone and listening to music. I can pair them with my smart TV via Bluetooth and enjoy watching TV again. I use the noise cancelation features when cutting my grass and using power tools. The noise cancelation feature work perfectly to cut out load noise completely. So if you have minor hearing loss, then this item is a perfect tool to improve your quality of life without spending thousands of dollars or having to go to the optometrists. I highly recommend these to anyone that has minor hearing loss. I can not speak If you have major hearing loss or if these will work for you but at least give them a try and return them if they fail to meet your expectations.

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 have completely redefined my audio experience! The active noise cancellation is so powerful that it drowns out subway noise and chatter, letting me focus on music or podcasts effortlessly. I love the transparency mode for staying aware of my surroundings, and the personalized spatial audio makes movies feel like I’m in a theater. The sound quality is crystal clear with deep bass, and the H2 chip ensures seamless switching between my iPhone, iPad, and Mac. The USB-C charging is convenient (one cable for all my devices!), and the battery life lasts all day. Whether I’m commuting, working, or working out, these earbuds deliver perfect comfort, unmatched features, and premium performance. Pure white color, exquisite design, suitable size, I am very satisfied with it in every aspect!Worth every penny!

The AirPods Pro DOT really impressed me. The sound is crystal clear with solid bass and a very nice balance, even at low volume. The noise cancellation works perfectly, blocking out almost all background noise, and the transparency mode feels very natural, almost like you’re not wearing earbuds.

Battery life is solid — around 5 to 6 hours of continuous use, and the case charges them quickly. The case is compact, easy to carry, and the magnetic closure is strong so it doesn’t open accidentally.

What I like the most is the comfort: they fit very well, and I can wear them for hours without any discomfort. Pairing with the iPhone is instant — literally just seconds and they’re ready to go.

Overall, if you’re looking for earbuds with excellent sound quality, strong noise cancellation, and great comfort for daily use, these are definitely worth it.

This is my second pair of Air Pod Pros and I love them. I have extremely small ear canals and there aren’t many that will stay in my ear. These stay in even better than my first pair and I haven’t even changed out the tips for the smaller size yet. I’ve used these a lot since I got them. I had only one instance where one of the buds didn’t charge but a little while on the charger and we were good to go. This not charging in one ear or the other—one in particular—was a real problem with my first set. I had purchased Apple Care and sent the faulty bud back and got another. It cost $100 to get it replaced and it very quickly did the same thing the other one did. I didn’t buy Apple Care this time but things are going well so far. I purchased them on Prime Day in the summer of 2025. They have worked seamlessly and no problems with connectivity. I love all the new features that you can set up for the level of transparency you want and how you can signal with head movements whether to read a text or take a call or respond to a notification. The controls are also easier to access than my first pair. I haven’t used the hearing test function yet, but I may give it a try soon. I know you are supposed to be able to use them for hearing aids but I find that people don’t talk to others when they have a headset or earbuds and it certainly makes sense, I don’t. But if you were using them for hearing aids, you’d probably want people to talk to you.

My wife is thrilled for these new set of headphones I got her. She has been using them non-stop and absolutely loves them! They fit perfectly in her ears and connect effortlessly to her iPhone 15 Pro. Whether she's working out or just relaxing, they stay in place, which is fantastic. We recently took a flight, and the noise cancellation feature was a game-changer. It helped her get some much-needed sleep during the journey. She also appreciates how lightweight they are, making even a long 4-hour flight comfortable.

The design is sleek, and the quick charging feature is a huge plus. Overall, these are definitely high-quality in-ear headphones that have exceeded our expectations!

My favorite feature is definitely the noise cancellation (10/10). I came here to buy one after being scammed ( and subsequently refunded) on eBay lol.

Not an heavy bass earphone so you might want to look elsewhere if that's what you're after, however it will be fine for most people. (7.5/10)

The stem controls are good and responsive. (10/10)

The sound quality is very good (9/10)

The call quality is good could be a tad better microphone wise (8/10)

There is this guy on Youtube with a channel called " Picky Audio". If you're seeing my review I would definitely recommend checking his stuff out before making a purchase so that you can be more informed. (I'm not paid for this lol, just sharing my experience when I was researching)

Recientemente adquirí los Apple AirPods Pro 2 y no puedo estar más satisfecho. Desde que los probé, me sorprendió la calidad de sonido increíblemente clara y nítida, con graves profundos y un balance perfecto que hace que cada canción, podcast o llamada sea una experiencia envolvente.
La cancelación activa de ruido es simplemente impresionante; incluso en entornos ruidosos puedo concentrarme completamente sin distracciones. Además, la comodidad es notable: se ajustan perfectamente a mis oídos, y puedo usarlos durante horas sin sentir fatiga. La integración con el ecosistema Apple hace que cambiar entre dispositivos sea rápido y sin complicaciones, algo que realmente valoro como usuario frecuente de productos Apple.
Como cliente agradecido, puedo decir que estos auriculares superan todas las expectativas. No solo son tecnología de punta, sino también una herramienta que me hace la vida más práctica y disfrutable, ya sea para trabajar, hacer ejercicio o relajarme escuchando música. Definitivamente, los recomiendo a cualquier amante de Apple que busque comodidad, calidad y rendimiento premium.

Love these! The noise cancellation is outstanding. Great for traveling, when you want to have a restful night and cancel out all noise. Comfortable to sleep in as they fit well and are easily adjustable. You can also listen to music and audiobooks and the clarity of sound is outstanding. Great features - including control sound volume and function. The touch control takes some getting used to. Able to answer calls and hold conversations clearly and without interference. Great product and quality. What else can you expect from Apple. Worth every penny!

If you have never tried these, they are a must have. I got my boyfriend a pair first, any he will turn back around if he forgets to take them to work. They really make his day not having to use his hands, and he can control everything with Siri. I got myself a pair shortly afterwards and I love that it is hands free too. I normally hate being on the phone or doin zoom conferences but the noise quality and noise cancellation, and not having to hold the phone is awesome. They feel so natural, like why haven't I always had these. The Siri option is nice too, if Im watching a youtube video or something i just tell it rewind 30 seconds if i need to write something down or whatever im doing it is easier to mutitask and save time.

The AirPods Pro 2 completely exceeded my expectations. I’ve tried many different brands of earbuds over the years, but none of them come close to the sound quality these deliver. The audio is crystal clear, with rich bass, detailed mids, and smooth highs that make every song sound more immersive. I can actually hear little details in my favorite tracks that I never noticed before.
The noise cancellation is outstanding—when I turn it on, the background world almost disappears, making it perfect for traveling, commuting, or just focusing at work. The transparency mode is equally impressive, allowing me to stay aware of my surroundings when needed. The fit is also very comfortable; the earbuds feel lightweight and secure, and I can wear them for hours without my ears getting sore.
Another big plus is how seamlessly they connect with my iPhone and other Apple devices. The setup was instant, switching between devices is smooth, and the touch controls are intuitive and responsive. Even the battery life is strong enough for daily use, and the case is compact but powerful with fast charging.
Overall, these AirPods Pro 2 are absolutely worth the price. If you care about premium sound quality, comfort, and reliable features, this is by far the best in-ear headphone choice. Truly a five-star experience!

First Impressions

Apple’s AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) continue to set the standard for wireless earbuds. Setup is effortless—as soon as I opened the case, they paired instantly with my iPhone. The new USB-C charging case is compact, sturdy, and convenient.

Sound Quality

High-fidelity audio: Clear mids, detailed highs, and stronger bass than the previous generation.

Personalized spatial audio: Creates an immersive, theater-like experience for music and movies. It adapts well depending on what you’re listening to.

Noise Control

Active Noise Cancellation: Very effective—blocks out constant background sounds like AC units, traffic, or crowded environments. Easily among the best in earbuds.

Transparency Mode: Natural and clear. Voices and environmental sounds come through without distortion, making it easy to hold conversations or stay aware of surroundings.

Features

H2 chip: Improves efficiency, audio performance, and adaptive sound.

Adaptive Audio & Volume: Adjusts sound levels intelligently based on your environment.

Hearing aid feature (Conversation Boost): Useful for amplifying voices in noisy settings, adding extra practicality beyond music and calls.

Battery life: Around 6 hours per charge with ANC on, with multiple recharges from the case for all-day use.

Comfort & Fit

Lightweight and comfortable with multiple ear tip sizes. They stay secure even during long wear or light exercise.

Pressure equalization vents make them comfortable for extended use.

Integration

Works seamlessly with the Apple ecosystem—quick switching between iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Full Siri voice assistant support.

Find My integration makes it easy to locate the earbuds or the case if misplaced.

Pros

Excellent sound quality with adaptive features.

Industry-leading noise cancellation and transparency modes.

Hearing-aid style features for accessibility.

USB-C charging with long battery life.

Comfortable fit with multiple tip sizes.

Seamless Apple ecosystem integration.

Cons

Best features are only fully realized within Apple’s ecosystem.

Price is premium compared to other wireless earbuds.

Bottom Line

The AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) are a top-tier option for anyone in the Apple ecosystem. They offer excellent sound, class-leading noise cancellation, comfort, and smart features that adapt to your environment. The accessibility tools like Conversation Boost make them even more versatile.

Crazy awesome...and I'm an Andriod user. Unfortunately, the Airpod Pro 2's that I had owned for a couple of years, the right ear had something messed up. Bought this pair and all the new improvements blow the other ones away; especially the noise cancelling!!

With my old Airpod Pro's I could still hear someone talk to me when I had them in and music on; it wasn't the "Pass Through" or Ambient function turned on because I don't know how you'd do that with an Android phone because you don't get the Apple software.

Now when someone says something I have to shut off my music and take them out of my ears.

I had my girlfriend try my old ones and new ones to make sure I wasn't crazy and she too noticed a considerable difference.

Not great battery life, they spec. 6 hours, I get just a little over 4 hours. Otherwise, its hard to find something that has all the features sets if you have their Apple Iphone. I found the adaptive noise canceling works really well where 3rd party tests confirm its almost as good as foam ear plugs. I also found that the hearing aid tests correlate well from from audiologist tests perform on my hearing. The bad is I can't use it for hearing aid because my hearing is only 10db below normal, where if you buy hearing aids the will bring you hearing back to 0db. My biggest issue is battery life. Otherwise, this is a great for most of your activities and allows you to stream music and reduce outside noise that is extremely loud. Moreover, it will mute my music stream if I have conversation with friends. Also its way cheaper than buying hearing aids!

These ear buds have been the most significant purchase I have made this year. My $6,000 hearing aids died after five years. Did not want to spend another six grand and for the price I decided to try the Air Bud Pro 2 because of the hearing feature. Far exceeded my expectations. Sound quality is excellent for hearing and music. You can switch from hearing to music with a simple click on the stem. You can wear one or two buds and still be effective. Here is where I was really amazed; When listening to music if you start to have a conversation the music turns off until you stop talking. (I have tinnitus and love having music readily available with just a touch of the Bud Stem). I customized the sound quality using the hearing aid test app. (no extra app fee or subscription required with these buds). There are extras you can purchase but nothing necessary for my needs. I recommend replacing the original tips with memory foam tips available on Amazon. They stay put better and eliminate any sound leaks. These are high quality with many features.

I’ve been holding off on buying AirPods for years — they always fell out of my ears. I stuck with Beats Fit Pro because of the wing tip, and even tried the Bose Ultra Earbuds (great sound, but clunky to use). But with the AirPods Pro 2, Apple finally nailed it.

Whatever design tweak they made… it works. These stay in my ears securely, even during travel and movement. I was hesitant, but now I’m blown away. As someone who’s pretty obsessive about audio quality, I’m honestly impressed. The sound is beautifully balanced — crisp highs, rich mids, and punchy bass without being overbearing. The noise cancellation is shockingly effective, and the Transparency and Adaptive modes feel smart, not gimmicky.

Bonus: I lost them the other day and found them under my car seat using the Find My app. That alone made me a believer.

I also love the small touches — like nodding your head to answer a call. It’s subtle but super convenient. Battery life has held up great so far, even during long travel days. And yes, I’m deep in the Apple ecosystem, so the seamless connectivity and features are a big win.

My only complaint? I wish they came in other colors. But honestly, these have smashed every other pair I’ve tried. Worth every penny.

I'm a pro audio engineer who's tried dozens of headphones and earbuds over the years. The airpods pro 2 are the best earbuds I've used yet.

The sound quality is top tier. Well balanced, neutral in quality. Prefer no spatial settings for music and spatial fixed settings for movie watching to sound like I'm in a room.

The microphone quality is better than anything else by a large margin. Check out youtube comparisons to hear how crystal clear they are compared to any other option. This matters a lot for sounding clear and professional in any setting.

The noise cancellation is incredibly clear with multiple options. Generally prefer transparent while walking around to ensure safety, which sounds crystal clear for surroundings, and noise cancellation to isolate the sound.

The additional features are super useful. Auto switching between macbook and iphone or ipad when playing audio is a super convenient workflow boost. No more fumbling disconnecting and reconnecting bluetooth headsets.

The hearing test ability almost 100% matched my professional audiologist tests from a few years ago. I think it's remarkably accurate if you are in a quiet room.

I also bought the matching comply tips for $20 which provide a slightly more secure fit and more isolation. Well worth it.

Particularly worth it at $170. I still use the cheaper earbuds for the gym and some purposes that I don't care if I lose them, but 80% of my earbud time has been with these since I got them and I'm a big fan.

I try to give 5 stars ratings only to products that perform near perfection (though that's a subjective thing.)

So, my wife and I are both in our seventies and have hearing loss; what I would currently describe as moderate. A while back, not too long ago, I paid big money at Beltone for behind the ear hearing aids for myself. My wife's hearing is getting worse and that can no longer be ignored. Arm twisting was necessary.

She wanted to try these first before deciding if she'll need to spend more on more expensive name brands like Beltone.

I read many reviews of this product (before purchasing these) and, more often than not, the hearing assist setting "wasn't anything to shout about." I can tell you that my wife noticed a distinct difference, an improvement, immediately. She is not one to "gush" about things.

I am anxious to listen using them myself to determine how the Air Pod Pro 2 compares to my Beltones.

She went ahead and also purchased (from Apple ) a warranty. That's saying something, when she does anything like that.
She frequently used Apple Air Pods, (an earlier version) until her recent birthday.

She has not experienced any problems with the music features or the sound they produce.

I appreciate them too because I'm doing less repeating. She's a happy camper, since July 30. 2025

The hearing test the Air Pod offers with the purchase isn't as specific (I doubt) as the ones done by a hearing specialist; if that is important to you. The product you purchase through ENT is probably way overpriced. (IMO)

I had an earlier version and decided to upgrade because the battery life on the previous model was declining. I am extremely happy with this product. The noise cancellation is unbelievable. The hearing aid and hearing testing functions are top-notch. I was really surprised how good they are. I had audiograms done by a professional within the last six months and compared that chart with the chart produced by the AirPods, and it was nearly identical. Of course, the other test was much more in depth, etc. but wow for $200!
I have not run or worked out vigorously with them, so I don’t know how well they stay in the ears probably not great.
Overall, I am super happy with them would highly recommend.

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 have completely redefined my listening experience,these earbuds are worth every penny! The active noise cancellation (ANC) is insanely good, blocking out subway noise, chatter, and even construction sounds so effectively that I can focus on music, podcasts, or calls without distractions. The transparency mode is just as impressive, letting me hear announcements or conversations naturally while still enjoying my audio. The personalized spatial audio (with dynamic head tracking) makes movies and music feel immersive, as if I’m in a theater, and the high-fidelity sound delivers crisp, balanced audio with deep bass and clear highs.
The new H2 chip improves connectivity,pairing is instant, and the Bluetooth stability is flawless, even in crowded areas. I also love the USB-C charging, which means one less cable to carry (it even works with my MacBook charger!). The adaptive EQ automatically tunes music to my ear shape, and the sweat/water resistance makes them perfect for workouts.
Battery life is stellar (6+ hours with ANC on, 30+ with the case), and the wireless charging is super convenient. The customizable controls (via squeeze gestures) and Find My integration add even more value.At the same time, it is the right size, fits my ears perfectly and is very functional!
Whether for travel, work, or relaxation, the AirPods Pro 2 are the best wireless earbuds I’ve ever owned!

I work on a farm with tractors, mowers, and weed trimmers and use them for hours on end. I’ve had the Apple Airpod Pro (1st release), the Beats Fit Pro, and the Beats Studio Buds + and have still had to almost max volume with podcasts to keep me awake and alert in big fields. I have a slight genetic hearing loss, and knew these were geared more to assist, but a random google search during Prime Day shopping led me to some articles on noise cancellation and hearing protection - of ear plugs, muffs, or buds, and the Pro 2 was high on the list.

After almost two weeks, they’re the only earbuds I’m interested in using anymore for noise cancellation. When using a lawn mower or my smaller tractor (closer to engine), I have to turn up the buds on podcasts to maybe 3/4 full volume. I haven’t had to turn them up with weed trimmers or bush hogging. I have even gotten startled a few times when the podcasts transition to commercials, because it’s so much easier to hear and so much more is cancelled out.

Battery life is comparable to previous version, and I do like the extra fit options for the ear tips. At first I felt they weren’t going to seal better, but by the end of my first day working in them they’d softened to seal better than previous AirPods, and seemed to stay secure better.

love love love this product!! I used to only use my BOSE headphones, except they kept falling off during workouts. I wanted something a little less bulkier and decided on the airpods (2nd gen). I didn't love those airpods, but when I bought these. I ended up using my airpods more than my headphones. The battery life is good for earbuds. Noise cancellation and sound quality are good, however my bose headphones were far superior in that aspect. if you wanr something portable, and don't want to spend 400+ on headphones, this is a great option.

The AirPods Pro 2.0 earbuds are very close to perfection. I have four pairs. Two with the lightning connectors, and two with the now standard USB-C connectors. My USB-C pairs have the Mag-Lock charging as well. The sound is awesome! There are earbuds with more bass and higher volumes. But I believe for recreating quality live sound the Airpods produce clear sound that rivals listening to live music. They put out a reasonable amount of bass. I don’t honestly think that folks will be satisfied if you want ear shattering bass. The vocals are crisp. The battery life is pretty darn good too! Even the first pair that I purchased in 2023 still runs for at least 4.5 hours playing music. If the Airpods are totally dead, they’re recharged in about an hour. With the different sized silicone eartips, they will comfortably fit in most ears. Plus when they wear out, you can purchase replacements on Apple’s store, or right here on Amazon. I think one of the best features is the sound dampening ability. I usually have this feature on. I believe that even with no music playing the Airpods cut noise down by at least 50%-70%. You can have the microphones set to when you start talking, they let sounds through. I think the microphones are of wonderful quality. The clarity is really good. It is very rare that someone says they’re having a hard time hearing me. About the only negative is they are susceptible to interference from other devices every once in awhile. This is more prevalent in the summer than in the cooler months. They are discounted now to $169.00! This is much better than paying $249 or even $199. These are the best cordless earbuds I have ever purchased. I would definitely recommend these Airpods Pro 2.0 for the value they are. As I can’t afford $300+ for Seinheiser or Bose products.

If you have mild to moderate hearing loss this is great. If you bought the hearing aids from Costco and wasn’t satisfied with their “affordable” $1800 hearing aids, return them and buy these Airpod Pro2 ear buds.

I’m so glad I did. The AirPod Pro 2 has a more natural sound than the Costco hearing aids costing almost 10x in price.

These BT sounds wayyy better than the Costco hearing aids.

What I love about these is the ability to function as really good hearing aids, while being able to listen to your music streaming, knowing when an external sound such as cars passing by or people talking, these AirPods will lower the volume (Transparency mode) so you can hear what’s going on.

When connected to your iPhone, it will send Siri voice notifications to the AirPods as well as allow you to answer or receive phone calls thru Siri voice commands…all while functioning as a hearing aid.

You can also turn off your iPhone and it will still function as hearing aids.

This is literally what ALL hearing aids should be. The AirPod Pro 2’s are a big game changer.

This is one review you believe when I say these work a heck of a lot better than traditional hearing aids and at 1/10th the price.

Now here’s the kicker, if you still don’t think these work well, give em to your grandkids. They’re well under $200 (cheaper when they go on sale) and they still function like a great pair of BT EarPods.

I switched to the Apple ecosystem from Android a few months ago and had been telling myself I wouldn’t get AirPods, especially since I’ve used Google Pixel Buds Pro for the past three years without any major issues. They even worked well with my Apple devices. But once the AirPods Pro 2 went on sale for a good price, I decided to give them a shot, and I’m so glad I did.

First off, the unboxing experience (as with any Apple product) was smooth and satisfying. I’m not someone who usually cares much about that, so I had a friend who loves aesthetic packaging open it with me. They were thrilled with the experience, so I’ll give Apple credit for that.

From a performance standpoint, the AirPods Pro 2 have blown me away. The audio quality is rich and crisp, and the noise control options, especially the adaptive mode, are excellent. I love that the earbuds automatically adjust based on the environment, and the conversation awareness feature is a huge plus. It allows me to hear people clearly when I'm talking to them, avoiding the awkwardness of missing what’s being said.

Another big win for me is the integration with Apple's Health app on the iPhone. The hearing protection features are a nice touch, and I appreciate the ability to monitor safe listening habits. The force and touch controls are intuitive and responsive. While I was worried about losing the touch functionality I had with the Pixel Buds, I was pleasantly surprised at how accurate and even customizable the controls are on the AirPods.

Something else I love are the silicone tips. One of my must-haves when looking at Apple-branded earbuds was an earbud that included silicone tips, and the Pros were the only option that offered them. They’re incredibly comfortable and help the earbuds stay securely in place, especially during long listening sessions or exercising.

The Find My integration and U1 chip are lifesavers. I love being able to track my AirPods down or get a heads-up if I’ve accidentally left them behind. Also, for anyone curious, AppleCare+ coverage for these is just $15 per year. Considering how often I use them and how easy they could be to misplaced or damaged, it's a price I'd be willing to pay for peace of mind.

If I had one complaint, it’s just that I wish they came in other colors besides white. While the white color is classic and easily recognizable for the AirPods branding, I’d love to see black or other color options in the future. Maybe someday!

Overall, I highly recommend the AirPods Pro 2. They’re thoughtfully designed, packed with useful features, and offer a fantastic user experience, especially if you’re already in the Apple ecosystem.

I’ve been using these AirPods Pro 2’s for a little over a month and a half I think, and honestly they’ve been fantastic. Had the original AirPods Pro before these and loved them, but these are definitely a step up.
The noise cancellation is seriously impressive - I use these daily in my weld lab and they handle all the grinding, cutting, and general shop noise like a champ. Even when I’m traveling on planes, the engine noise just disappears. Same goes for busy coffee shops or walking through crowded areas - it’s like having your own little bubble of quiet.
What really stands out is how well they work in extremely loud environments. The fact that they’re now certified as hearing aids is pretty cool too, even though I don’t personally need that feature. The transparency mode is great when I need to hear what’s going on around me but still want some protection.
Sound quality is top notch as expected. Music sounds crisp and clear, and calls come through perfectly even in noisy spots.
A couple minor complaints though - the case plastic scratches way too easily. Mine’s already pretty beat up from being in my pocket with keys and tools, plus it picks up metal shavings in the shop (probably my fault for not being more careful). Also, occasionally when there’s really intense arc noise from welding, I get a weird popping sound through the noise cancellation. It’s not constant, just happens sometimes with the really loud stuff.
But honestly, these are minor issues. The earbuds themselves stay put really well - never had one fall out even when I’m moving around a lot or leaning over workbenches. Battery life is solid and the case charges them up quick.
Overall, definitely recommend these if you’re on the fence. They’re pricey but worth it, especially if you’re in loud environments regularly. Haven’t let me down yet and I put them through their paces daily.

I purchased these Airpods 2 Pro after many bluetooth listening accessories, and these are my all time favorites. It is hard to beat the integration into the Apple Ecosystem, but apart from that, these have just been the most convenient bluetooth headset to use all around. I have 2 other in-ear earbuds systems and one Sony over the ear noise cancelling headset, and I prefer these. Sure, there are pros and cons, but for the quality of audio along with the ease of use at home and traveling, the airpods have just been my go to.

The airpods have rich sound easy to manage form factor and are of little inconvenience to have around. Sure, my Sony WH-1000XM4's sound great, but do not readily connect or maintain connection for my use all the time. My other bluetooth headsets have great battery life, but volume is a guessing game when I initially connect and I can't secure that I won't have my eardrums blown out when I first start using them, which is an extra step to consider when using, which I shouldn't despite zeroing volume when I stop using said audio accessory. My other personal audio accessories are larger or slightly more cumbersome to use than the airpods pro 2s. The airpods can also act in multiple modes, negating the need for seperate open-ear or noise cancelling personal audio equipment, though using a little extra power to do so.

The only gotcha I have a half a year later is that the battery life is slightly better on the other equipment, which isn't a huge deal because these are more compact and expected. Again, ease of use rules with audio quality to match - it only takes a few seconds to pop these in an be listening to music and/or transition to calling in a matter of moments. That just can't be be and I default to it when making most calls as hands-free is my preference and the conversations are held in both ears.

Naturally, I am inclined to use these with my iPhone, Mac Pro and Macbook Pro by design and these units can be connected to both in simultaneous standby, but only switch to one or the other for active use. I do use other devices for listening on each computer, but I prefer these, again for convenience. I only switch to wired for ridiculously long gaming or movie-watching sessions.

I highly recommend these airpods and will continue to buy replacements as needed. Try them and you'll see it is hard to go back to anything former without a highly specific reason. I hope this review helps!

WAY LONG REVIEW, BUT ABOUT SOMETHING IMPORTANT, SO…

TL;DR: Apple AirPods Pro 2s actually help “turn down the volume” of my life-long tinnitus. YMMV…



So, for those of us crusty old codgers with beat up ears, here's an interesting discovery I made today:

I (unsurprisingly) listen to a lot of stuff while working out in my shop. And as a DOACA ("Dude of a Certain Age") who worked as a roadie & stage tech in the age of Grunge, I have pretty pronounced tinnitus, so I'm doubly careful about my hearing when using some of my larger shop tools, like my cabinet saw, mill, etc, which means I'm often putting hearing protection on, and taking it off repeatedly. I have a decent "bone conduction" headset that allows for environmental awareness, but the protectors don't work with those on. I have tried a few wireless earbuds (most recently the well reviewed certain-Lab “Mini”s) but there was some problem or other with all of them (the Minis sound great, but have terrible connectivity).

So I finally sucked it up and got a set of Apple AirPod Pro 2s (yeah, mostly after hearing Adam Savage rave about them in a recent video you can easily find.) An interesting thing about them is that Apple actually worked with the US FDA (for those of you not in America, that's the federal agency that regulates medical devices here in the States—you need to be certified by them to make any medical claims about a product or device) and got these to be certified as Class II hearing aids in the US and Canada. And in addition to a clinical-grade hearing test feature included that runs in the app, the Hearing Aid feature is easy to employ, and actually useful. But that's not what has me so jazzed about these.

Aside from the Bluetooth being rather astounding (my wife took my phone to the other end of the house about 40' away, with our chimney stack between us, and stuck it in her sock drawer—totally fine), the noise cancellation is *shockingly* good. And this is where things get interesting, and where we get back around to my tinnitus.

Putting these in my ears this morning while sitting in my dining area, next to our furnace closet with the HVAC running, the ANC immediately kicked in. And even with no music or sound playing, the furnace noise (I'd guess about ~50dB) just... *disappeared*. I literally had to take them out and put them back in a few times to see if I was going a bit bonkers. But not only did that sound disappear, but my tinnitus—a group of between five and seven tones of various frequencies between 4kHz - 8/9kHz that has a perceived volume of about 40dB all the time—suddenly had its volume "turned down" by about 10-15dB.

It was rather startling.

I've heard those tones from the age of 17 on (I'm now 57). Incessantly. Unforgivingly. Perpetually.

For them to get quieter was pretty amazing.

I suspect that the Active Noise Cancellation is at play here. If you're not aware, AirPods have microphones built into them. The main, obvious ones, are the little sticks that come off them outside your ears that listen to the environment around them. But there is a second set of microphones that detect the sounds *inside your ear canal when the buds are in them* that are likely the heroes here. The buds take both of those sound profiles (technically, it's *four* sound signatures—two for each ear) and then uses machine learning combined with Apple's H2 chip to create "anti-noise."

Now, anti-noise is nothing new: I mean, *that's how ANC works*. It's also nothing new to tinnitus sufferers, either. "Noise generators" have been around for decades. There are even apps available that allow you to pump white, gray, pink, brown, or other noise "colors," or other environmental sounds (ocean waves, rain, fireplace crackling, etc) into your ears -via- buds throughout the day to "mask" tinnitus. Many people have decent luck with this kind of tinnitus self-treatment—I never have.

I suspect that it's the inner microphones (Apple is one of a handful of current makers that have this) that are really helping to effectively mask the sound that gets past the bud seals, combined with (love 'em or hate 'em) Apple's crazy level of R&D that gets these buds to analyze not only the environmental noise profile *outside* the buds, but the sound that *gets past the buds*. This winds up being a broader noise profile, so the buds generate a broader palate of anti-noise, and then puts it *right in your ear*.

Now to be clear, I can still hear my tinnitus tones. They're just less present in the... what? *"auditory mix"* in my head. But boy oh boy is the change noticeable. At least for now. It may be that in time my ears get used to the trick. But as of right now? I'm fine with being fooled.

It may be that other buds with ANC also do this, but I can't speak to any other solutions except the comparison to my -Labs. I get nothing if you buy these or any other buds. This is just my experience, but as someone who's lived with this affliction for so long, ANY positive change is important enough for me to take time, write down, and share my experience. YMMV.

If you have tinnitus, or hearing problems (or suspect you might) these are a serious consideration.

I’ve tried several hearing aid substitutes over the years, my past favorite being the now unavailable Bose Hearphones and costing $500. Rather than just a sound amplifier, these had several functions allowing you to filter and focus sounds in various ways and for various situations. They were pretty good.

But now Apple has added some great features to their AirPods 2—features that function like far more expensive hearing aids and at less than half the price of the Bose product. I’ve owned these for a month or so and am now just getting the hang of how to use them. If there is a downside to these earbuds it is the rather deep and confusing tech included in them (or, at least confusing for a grandfatherly type like me). Once they are Bluetooth connected to your iPhone (They connect very easily with the button on the front of the EarPod’s charging case.) they should automatically connect every time you put them in your ears. You will then be able to access all the functions by tapping the “settings” app on your phone. You will find a heading near the top of the list just below the box with your name and iCloud options. Tapping on this will allow you to drill down through several pages of options. There are a lot of options there and it can be confusing, but experimenting with the various functions will help you figure out their purpose.

The key here is to drill down to find the hearing test. This will quickly test for hearing loss by leading you through a series of tones of varying in pitch and volume. The end result will be an audiogram that can be used to program your EarPods as hearing aids. As stated before, it took me several weeks to find and activate this feature, but when I did a whole new experience dawned. Just be patient and search around for this function. It works very well.

Of course, these things also serve as EarPods to listen to music or podcasts. (May I recommend “Pat Gray Unleashed!” if your bent is conservative commentary and just plain fooling around). The quality of sound is phenomenal and the buds are more comfortable than most to keep in your ears for an extended time. To control the volume for this function you can TRY to use the external control buttons located on those silly looking stems that hang out of your ears (good luck) OR just open the “Control Center” page (slide one finger upward on your iPhone screen to access this page) where you’ll find the volume slider. If your EarPods are connected and in your ears you’ll see the slider is marked as controlling the AirPods.

I really like these things now that I’m a little more familiar with them. The quality and value are exquisite. If I discover more, I’ll edit this comment.

4 MONTHS LATER: Apple has improved the controls for these in their latest iOS update. The functions I had to dig around to find are now more easily accessed. Getting to the hearing test is now fairly straight forward.

A couple months ago I got “commercial” hearing aids from the VA. However, I didn’t like how they operated so I gave them back, and they’re going to order a different brand/model, which I’ll have in about three months (!) So I went in search of quality, inexpensive hearing aids to fill the gap. (My hearing loss is considered mild, at -32db on one side and -39db on the other.) I got the AirPods last Friday, and the software for hearing aid support rolled out last night (iOS 18.1) So this will be a two part review.

Part one is the overall operation as earbuds for music and calls. These are my first ever Apple branded sound devices. Once I got the correct tips installed and the buds fitted, I was ready to go. OMG! The sound quality overall is the best of any earbuds I’ve ever owned, and by a huge margin. Astonishing bass, and crisp high range. (My hearing loss is in the upper ranges.) I’m beyond happy. Overall, the only thing I’m dissatisfied with is the battery life at 5-6 hours, but the extremely fast recharge speed eases that compliant. Voice quality when on a call is crystal clear. Controls are easy, though a bit hard to operate considering how small they are.

Part two is the hearing aid function. The first thing I had to do was take a hearing test with the included software. (However, if you prefer to use a third party hearing test, you can import that profile and use it.) The hearing test takes about 5 minutes, after which the hearing aid sound enhancement profile is set automatically and they start up. I was totally gobsmacked at how well these things work! They boost the exact freqs I need. They actually work considerably better than those $7000 (egads!) hearing aids that I returned.

Now for the ANC. At home, I sit right in front of a large, noisy window air conditioner. On the opposite side of the room is a dehumidifier (I live in south central Texas, where it was 91° yesterday.) Between these two pieces of equipment, it’s pretty noisy here. I turned on ANC and the room went absolutely silent. So silent that I thought I’d popped a circuit breaker and everything had stopped running. I removed one of the AirPods, and the noise returned. Amazing.

In short, everything I’d hoped the commercial hearing aids would do, the AirPods actually DID. I consider this the smartest purchase I’ve made in years. Only one negative, and that’s the ear tips. None of the provided sizes are a good fit for me, so I’m now looking to memory foam replacements. But that’s a very small gripe. If you’re looking at these, either for music or hearing, don’t hesitate. You’ll be glad you got them.

EDIT: I had to go to a doctor appointment across town today. Part of the route is on a toll highway with an 80 mph speed limit and heavy traffic. I got up to speed and turned on noise cancel mode. INSTANTLY the car was completely silent at 80 mph. No road rumble, no engine noise, no wind noise, no traffic noise. It was an amazing and invigorating experience. Oh, for those wondering about recharge time, if you take them all the way down to 0% battery and they shut down (I’ve now ascertained that 6 hours is about what you get with all the options turned on), it only takes about 15 minutes in the charge case and you’ll easily get another 3-4 hours out of them.

EDIT2: Okay, I’ve had these for almost a month, and I just keep liking them more and more. I didn’t mention pairing in my original text above, so I need to mention it here. There is, in effect, no pairing that you need to do, at least in the Apple-verse. By the time I’d opened the charging case and looked at the buds, they’d already paired with both my iPhone and iPad. I didn’t have to go into settings on my iOS devices, or press any buttons on the case. Just open case and it’s done. As a computer engineer for 40 years, I have never seen a faster or more seamless pairing of anything.

One more word on recharging: just today I took them all the way to zero. Dropped them in the charger and in FIVE MINUTES they were at 24%.

I am in love with the hearing aid functionality. I hear sounds in movies that I’d never heard before in my life, even when my hearing was perfect. And I can adjust amplification either by going into settings on my iPhone, or sliding my finger up or down on the stem.

First, please comment if you have any questions and I would love to respond to help!

I had the AirPods Pro Gen1 prior to these, but the new AirPods blew them out of the water. The added ear tips make customability even better especially for small ears like mine.

The Active Noise Cancellation is clearly superior to the first generation and the addition of Adaptive audio is super cool and very useful.

The battery is even better than I was expecting. The AirPods charge super fast in the case, and the case charging itself is also super fast. The USB-C cord is a very nice addition especially with the new, more common, USB-C charging block. The new Apple Braided USB-C cord is also a small but nice touch.

I personally do not use the ring on the side, but I imagine many people may find it useful. The addition of the Find My capabilities with both the case and the AirPods themselves is beyond helpful because I always seem to misplace them. Small bonus, every time you charge the case or the AirPods, the case sounds off a little chime to let you know that they are charging or if the battery is low.

As an owner of the AirPods Max and a former owner of the AirPods Pro gen 1, I would 100% recommend this new generation. The noise cancellation is superior to the gen 1, but slightly behind the Maxes because they are in-ear instead of over-ear. If you want the maxes, I would get them, but it depends on your activities. I have noticed recently how good the sound quality is. It’s stunning. Sometimes I still prefer my Maxes for certain listening experiences or if I’m heavily invested in a movie or I have a long flight, but the quality on the 2nd gen pros is so crisp. Some pitches you can notice are superior to that of the Maxes. In terms of listen, Maxes win, but it’s so damn close. AirPods Pro are ideal because they are small, discrete, and light weight. You can slip them in your pocket or place just one in your ear. They are also very useful and comfortable to use while working out, as opposed to the maxes.

The AirPods are quite durable too. If my first pair is any indication to this pair, then I promise you, they can take a beating. After 4 years of having the first gen AirPods Pro, I have thrown them around, dropped them hundreds of times and they often got small scratches, but only chipped once or twice after higher falls on super hard surfaces. But they worked every single time.

Long story short, if you’re on the fence, get them. They are super great for travel, workouts/runs, house chores, and all activities in general.

Hope you find this helpful, if you have any questions please comment them!