Top Apple Headphones for Different Budgets: Which Ones Should You Buy?
For Apple fans, owning a pair of the tech giant’s headphones may be a natural desire. Apple provides a variety of headphones that suit various budgets and preferences.
Their products range from basic earbuds to high-end over-ear headphones with noise-canceling features. With a wide range of options available, selecting the best one to purchase can be challenging.
This article explores some of the top Apple headphones with different budgets to help you figure out which one is worth your money.
If you enjoy listening to music, are someone who travels often, or listens to podcasts, there’s an Apple headphone right for you.
What Is the Importance of Headphones?
Headphones make it possible to listen to any kind of audio content, like music, podcasts, audiobooks, or movies, without disturbing those around you.
They enhance the quality of the audio you’re listening to. With quality headphones, the audio you’re listening to is more accurate and detailed.
Headphones can make communication convenient by using them for phone calls, video calls, and online gaming, allowing you to hear and be heard more clearly.
Some headphones also have active noise-cancellation features. This feature is most efficient in noisy areas like airplanes or trains by reducing the amount of external noise that reaches your ears.
Popular Apple Headphones
Over the years, there have been several different releases of Apple headphones, including wired, wireless, and wireless earbuds. Below is an overview listing some of their popular models:
- Earpods: These are the standard Apple wired earbuds that came with many of their products before Apple released the AirPods Pro and AirPods.
- Airpods: This is Apple’s first truly wireless earbuds released in 2016. With a compact design and touch controls, the Airpods can also be used with Siri.
- Airpods Pro: This is the premium version of the Airpods released in 2019. It has features like noise cancellation and better sound quality.
- Beats by Dre: Ever since Apple acquired Beats Electronics in 2014, the company has released a variety of Beats headphones, including wireless over-ear headphones and earbuds.
- Airpods Max: This is Apple’s first over-ear wireless headphone, with a luxurious design and exceptional sound quality.
You may also like: How to increase AirPods’ battery life
Generally, Apple’s headphones place a premium on comfort and seamless device connectivity. There are different choices available to match various needs and tastes, from cheaper alternatives to more expensive models.
Low-Budget Apple Headphones
If you’re looking for low-budget Apple headphones, below are some options you can consider;
Apple EarPods Lightning Connector
Price: $15.63
The design of the Apple Earpods is completely different from the traditional, circular earbuds. It is defined by the visible shape of the ear, making them more comfortable to use.
- Brand: Apple
- Model Name: EarPods with Lightning Connector
- Color: White
- Form Factor: In Ear
- Connectivity Technology: Wired
Features
It has a built-in remote that lets you adjust the volume, control the playback of music and video, and answer or end calls with a pinch of the cord.
Works with all devices that have a Lightning connector and support iOS 10 or later, including iPod touch, iPad, and iPhone. Also works with iPad models with iPadOS.
Pros
- Has a good sound quality
- Has convenient controls
- Very portable and lightweight
- Does not need to be charged
Cons
- Does not provide good noise isolation
- Not very durable
Beats Flex Wireless Earbuds
Price: $44.16
- Brand: Beats
- Model Name: Beats Flex
- Color: Black, Flame Blue, Smoke Gray, Yuzo Yellow
- Form Factor: In Ear
- Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth, Wireless
Features
Built-in microphone with wind reduction for elevated voice clarity. Audio Sharing lets you wirelessly share audio with another pair of Beats headphones or AirPods.
Pros
- Affordable
- Comfortable fit
- Solid battery life
- Compatible with Apple and Android
Cons
- Less durable
- No volume controls
- No active noise cancellation feature
Mid-Range Apple Headphones (Wireless)
These options are the mid-range options you get. They sport better sound and build quality.
Apple AirPods (2nd Generation) Wireless Earbuds
Price: $159.99
The standard AirPods are better than the EarPods in terms of how easy they are to use and the quality of sound they produce. They are wireless and have a battery life of up to 5 hours; the charging case extends it by another 24 hours.
- Brand: Apple
- Model Name: AirPods
- Color: White
- Form Factor: In-Ear Wireless
- Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth 5.0
Features
Dual beamforming microphones, dual optical sensors, motion-detecting accelerometer, and speech-detecting accelerometer are standard. The AirPods with the charging case can last more than 24 hours of listening time and up to 18 hours of talk time.
On a single charge, you have up to 5 hours of listening time and up to 3 hours of talk time. When you charge the Airpods in the case for 15 minutes, this equals up to 3 hours of listening time or up to 2 hours of talk time.
Pros
- Great sound quality
- Convenient to use on the go with no wires
- Long battery life
Cons
- No active noise cancellation
- Poor fit for some ears
- Pricey
High-End Apple Headphones
The cream of the crop. These high-end headphones can fetch a high price tag, but the sound and build quality is top-shelf.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) Wireless Earbuds
Price: $274.99
The Apple-designed H2 chip pushes advanced audio performance even further, with 2x more active noise cancellation with adaptive transparency mode and personalized Spatial Audio. Also comes with multiple ear tips (XS, S, M, L) for a more secure fit.
- Brand: Apple
- Model Name: AirPods Pro
- Color: White
- Form Factor: In Ear
- Connectivity Technology: Wireless
Features
Dual beamforming microphones, inward-facing microphone, skin-detect sensor, motion-detecting accelerometer, speech-detecting accelerometer, and touch control.
Up to 6 hours of listening time on a single charge (up to 5.5 hours with Personalized Spatial Audio and Head Tracking enabled). Up to 4.5 hours of talk time with a single charge.
AirPods Pro with the charging case can take you up to 30 hours of listening time and up to 24 hours of talk time. Charge it 5 minutes in the case provided, and you have around 1 hour of listening time or around 1 hour of talk time.
Pros
- Improved noise cancellation
- Excellent sound quality
- Sweat and water-resistant
- A more comfortable and secure fit
Cons
- Short battery life
- Expensive
Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
Price: $549
The AirPods Max is Apple’s first over-ear wireless headphone, designed with a dynamic driver that provides high-fidelity audio.
- Brand: Apple
- Model Name: AirPods Max
- Color: Green, Pink, Silver, Sky Blue, Space Gray
- Form Factor: Over-Ear
- Connectivity Technology: Wireless, Wired
Features
Optical sensor (each ear cup), position sensor (each ear cup), case-detect sensor (each ear cup), accelerometer (each ear cup), gyroscope (left ear cup).
AirPods Max has up to 20 hours of listening time on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation, or Transparency mode enabled.
You can get up to 20 hours of movie playback on a single charge with spatial audio on and up to 20 hours of talk time on a single charge.
About 5 minutes of charge time provides 1.5 hours of listening time. Storage in the Smart Case preserves battery charge in an ultra-low-power state. Charging via the Lightning connector is also available.
Pros
- Extended battery life
- High-end sound quality
- Excellent noise cancellation
Cons
- Very expensive
- Less comfortable to carry around
Why People Prefer Wireless Apple Headphones
Wireless Apple headphones are a popular choice for many people who enjoy listening to music or taking phone calls without having to deal with cords.
The two main wireless Apple headphones are the Airpods and the Beats headphones. AirPods are tiny wireless earbuds that fit snugly inside your ear and connect to your iPhone, iPad, or other Apple device using Bluetooth.
They come with a small case that you can use to charge them while you’re out and about. Some versions come with wireless chargers as well.
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Beats headphones, on the other hand, are over-ear or on-ear headphones that also connect wirelessly to Apple devices. Both headphones deliver superb sound and noise-canceling features.
Conclusion
Apple has a variety of headphones to suit different budgets and preferences, ranging from basic to premium models. When choosing an Apple headphone, consider factors like sound quality, comfort, connectivity, and budget.
Getting a nice pair of headphones can make your listening experience better and help with productivity and communication. No matter what your interests are, there is an Apple headphone that will meet your needs.
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