Which AirPods should you choose if you can’t imagine life without music?

If headphones are something you can’t leave the house without, this guide is for you. We’ve compared the current AirPods models by key features and answered the most common questions. How does the sound differ between versions? Which models are best for workouts? And which ones have the top-tier noise cancellation? After reading this article, choosing the right pair will be easy.

Best Apple Headphones: How to Choose?

There are six models in Apple’s lineup of wireless headphones:

• AirPods (2nd generation)

• AirPods (3rd generation, with either a Lightning or MagSafe charging case)

• AirPods (4th generation — available with or without Active Noise Cancellation, ANC)

• AirPods Pro

• AirPods Pro (2nd generation)

• AirPods Max

But not all of them are relevant anymore.
According to many tech bloggers, the best AirPods in 2025 are:
AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods Max, as they are the latest in their respective lines.
That’s what we’ll focus on in this article.

AirPods in 2025: Key Differences

Apple’s headphones vary in design, controls, battery life, and supported features.
So which AirPods you choose will largely depend on your preferences and lifestyle.

• Fly often or mostly wear headphones while at your computer — for work, video calls, or gaming?
  Go for the over-ear AirPods Max with their soft headband, memory foam ear cushions, and top-tier noise cancellation.
  However, they’re not ideal for running or working out — they can slip with intense movement, and they lack water resistance.

• Listen to music on trains, subways, trams, or while walking around the city?
  Choose the compact AirPods Pro 2 with ANC, IP54-rated water resistance, and volume control via swipes.
  Or go for the AirPods 4 with ANC — we’ll explain the differences between them below.

• Mainly drive, and use headphones at the office, at home, or the gym — in quieter settings?
  The classic AirPods 4 earbuds with IP54 splash resistance won’t disappoint.

All of these models run on Apple’s latest chips, support modern features, and have impressively long battery life — enough for a transatlantic flight.
You won’t be left without music when it matters most.
They also connect instantly to iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and work seamlessly within the Apple ecosystem.

AirPods Max – The Largest and Most Luxurious Sounding Headphones

If you prefer over-ear headphones that fully cover your ears, the question of which AirPods are best is easy to answer.
Because AirPods Max are the only over-ear headphones in Apple’s lineup. And the most stylish. Their full-metal ear cups are made of anodized aluminum, while the soft ear cushions are made from acoustic foam with memory foam effect. The headband is made of stainless steel and mesh. AirPods Max can be easily adjusted to fit the shape of your head and ears, so they feel incredibly comfortable, even if you wear them all day long.

Each ear cup houses two powerful Apple H1 chips with 10 cores. Deep bass and precise mids are guaranteed. Overall, the sound is transmitted with maximum accuracy: if the musician whispers in the video, you’ll feel as if they’re whispering right next to your ear. The adaptive equalizer adjusts the sound based on the position of the headphones on your head. You can switch songs and manage calls directly from the device, with a button and Digital Crown wheel located on the top-right.

Moreover, AirPods Max feature industry-leading noise cancellation. You put them on and it’s like entering your own isolated world. This effect is achieved thanks to the work of 8 high-precision microphones.

AirPods Pro are in-ear headphones with four sizes of ear tips.

These are the best AirPods of 2025 for those who listen to music on the noisy streets of a metropolis, in public transport, at the gym, and in other busy places.
Firstly, the in-ear design of the headphones means that sound is delivered directly into the ear canal. The silicone ear tips ensure a secure fit and isolate ambient noise. Secondly, the active noise cancellation system effectively blocks background sounds. You’ll be able to listen to podcasts at medium volume even in the subway. The combination of form factor and noise cancellation provides an amazing result.

AirPods Pro 2 are powered by the H2 chip: the sound quality is simply outstanding — deep, loud, and without frequency distortion. The headphones support the maximum number of Apple features. Here we have adaptive transparency, dynamic head-tracking, and even the ability to check your hearing and prevent damage to it — especially useful for those who love to crank up the volume to the max.

Unlike the 1st generation, the AirPods Pro 2 case has a speaker on the body: if the headphones fall behind the couch, you can find them by the sound.

Another interesting feature of the model is that you can control the volume by swiping on the stem. This is especially convenient on the go: you don’t need to take out your smartphone to adjust the volume while jogging.

AirPods 4 come in two versions: with and without noise cancellation.

If we were to imagine the best AirPods for everyday use in 2025, this new model would be at the top.
Because it fits almost every user.

Unlike the previous model, AirPods 4 are traditional earbuds. They stay in the ear thanks to the ear’s shape and the design of the headphones themselves. And they stay quite securely — they don’t fall out even during jumps, active movements, or running. The sweat and water resistance ensures that the device will stay safe during workouts.

AirPods 4 were released in the fall of 2024. They run on the ultra-low-latency H2 chip, just like the Pro version. The chip controls important functions: noise cancellation quality, music processing, and more. The sound in AirPods 4 is clear, loud, and versatile. No matter what genre you prefer, listening to your favorite tracks on them is pure enjoyment.

When you first hold this model, the first thing that stands out is the case. It’s so compact that it fits even in the smallest jeans pocket. By the way, the case has a speaker for Find My.

As we mentioned earlier, AirPods 4 come in two versions: with and without active noise cancellation (ANC). These are, in fact, the first Apple earbuds to feature this option. The noise cancellation reduces background noise to a minimum. Though it doesn’t completely block them out — after all, the earbuds don’t sit as tightly in the ear as the in-ear “earbuds.” If AirPods Pro put pressure on your ears but you still want noise cancellation, consider AirPods 4.

Conclusion: Apple AirPods: which one to choose?

Any of the listed headphones are the most popular AirPods models of 2025. So, any of them would be a great choice.

We all have different ears, so the only way to know which model suits you best is to come to the store and try them all. You can do this at iSpace: AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods Max are available for testing.

At iSpace, you can buy AirPods on installment or credit. Come in, and we’ll help you choose the best option for you. Or buy online with delivery across Armenia.

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