Best for iOS and phone calls
In our testing, the Apple AirPods's better connectivity and extra sensors made them the best for phone calls. Photo: Kyle Fitzgerald
Of all the headphones we tested for this guide, the AirPods are by far the easiest to set up and use with Apple products. (They will pair with non-Apple devices, too, just not as seamlessly.)Apple's proprietary W1 chip does seem to give the AirPods better connectivity. The AirPods use a combination of microphones and jaw movement to detect when you are speaking, so phone calls sound great to the person on the other end.The fit is pretty comfortable—AirPods feel just like corded EarPods.The latency delay when watching video is nearly nonexistent.
Like corded EarPods, AirPods are unsealed and lack any low bass. At more than $150, we'd like better sound.Only one control can be assigned to AirPods: either play/pause or triggering Siri (you have to choose just one). Everything else (e.g., volume, track skipping) must be done via your phone, Apple Watch, or voice commands. "Hey Siri" does work, but can feel awkward in public.Though Apple claims that AirPods are designed to take the same stress as EarPods, neither is rated for sweat or water resistance, so we wouldn't use these headphones for serious exercise. If they break because of sweat exposure, you might void the warranty.Because AirPods are not noise-isolating, you will need to listen at a higher volume in busy environments, and that can be bad for your hearing health.
In our testing, the Apple AirPods's better connectivity and extra sensors made them the best for phone calls. Photo: Kyle Fitzgerald
Pros:
Of all the headphones we tested for this guide, the AirPods are by far the easiest to set up and use with Apple products. (They will pair with non-Apple devices, too, just not as seamlessly.)Apple's proprietary W1 chip does seem to give the AirPods better connectivity. The AirPods use a combination of microphones and jaw movement to detect when you are speaking, so phone calls sound great to the person on the other end.The fit is pretty comfortable—AirPods feel just like corded EarPods.The latency delay when watching video is nearly nonexistent.
Cons:
Like corded EarPods, AirPods are unsealed and lack any low bass. At more than $150, we'd like better sound.Only one control can be assigned to AirPods: either play/pause or triggering Siri (you have to choose just one). Everything else (e.g., volume, track skipping) must be done via your phone, Apple Watch, or voice commands. "Hey Siri" does work, but can feel awkward in public.Though Apple claims that AirPods are designed to take the same stress as EarPods, neither is rated for sweat or water resistance, so we wouldn't use these headphones for serious exercise. If they break because of sweat exposure, you might void the warranty.Because AirPods are not noise-isolating, you will need to listen at a higher volume in busy environments, and that can be bad for your hearing health.
No comments