The Apple AirPods Pro are a more feature-packed, more exciting take on one of the tech giant’s most iconic products.
The completely wireless earbuds bring a host of novelties to the legendary product family, headlined by sophisticated noise-canceling tech and an IPX4 rating for water resistance. Priced at $249, the Pro are also the priciest AirPods to date — but well worth every cent.
I spent almost a week testing the AirPods Pro and loved everything about them. Here’s why I'm such a fan.
Design and Ergonomics
The refreshed design of the AirPods Pro results in vastly improved ergonomics. The buds have a different shape and silicone ear tips, which allows them to fit more comfortably and securely than the AirPods you're familiar with. Apple has accomplished this feat by creating thousands of scans to learn which bud-to-ear contact spots were the best.
I like that the AirPods Pro have kept the stems that made the first two iterations so recognizable. Thanks to them, the new earbuds are unmistakably an Apple product, despite having a different design from the regular AirPods.
The stems of the AirPods Pro are also the new location for their audio and noise-canceling controls. Each stem has a capacitive sensor, and you can control the audio playback and calls by pressing it. Pressing and holding the button, on the other hand, will adjust the noise cancellation. Of course, the AirPods Pro will also automatically pause the playback if you remove one or both buds.
What impressed me the most about the AirPods Pro is the intuitive ear tip fit test that Apple introduced alongside them. Available via your iPhone’s Bluetooth settings, the new feature works like a charm.
During the above-mentioned test, the earbuds will play music and use their inward-facing microphone to analyze the quality of the sound in your ear. A sophisticated algorithm will detect if the ear tips have a good fit, and prompt you to adjust the earbuds and change the ear tips if necessary. There are three sizes of the latter in the box: small, medium, and large.
Unlike all other AirPods, the Pro have an IPX4 rating for water resistance. Combined with their supremely comfortable fit, it makes the buds ideal for exercising.
Noise-Canceling Performance
I was thoroughly impressed with the noise-canceling capabilities of the AirPods Pro. The setup utilizes a duo of microphones and a sophisticated processing tech, which continuously adjusts the noise cancellation (200 times per second to be precise) with phenomenal results.
The earbuds expertly tuned out unwanted ambient noise everywhere I used them, allowing me to focus on the audio content, as well as the task at hand. Their noise-canceling experience is among the best I have experienced in wireless earbuds.
The AirPods Pro also have a dedicated Transparency mode, which will add a layer of external noise into your tunes to help you be aware of your surroundings. The feature utilizes the earbuds’ built-in microphones, as well as duo of vents. I found it incredibly handy during my commute, as well as during outdoor runs.
Sound
The AirPods have always been known for delivering a well-balanced, seriously entertaining sound, and the Pro variant is no exception. They're even better, thanks to the improved design, fit, and the available noise-canceling tech.
During my testing, I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of detail I heard in my favorite tunes throughout the entire audible frequency range. Their sound was consistently great regardless of the content I played. I enjoyed hearing the fine details in my favorite classic jazz albums, as well as the powerful low end of all-time great downtempo tracks.
On this instance, the latest AirPods are certainly worthy of their Pro moniker. Their audio quality during phone calls was also excellent.
The praiseworthy audio and noise-canceling performance of the AirPods Pro come courtesy of a cutting-edge hardware design. It includes a high-quality audio driver, as well as Apple’s well-known, excellent H1 wireless chip. The latter delivers excellent audio processing and a rock-solid connection between the buds and your iPhone. It also makes them compatible with Siri voice commands.
The H1 chip also makes the AirPods Pro as easy to pair with Apple devices as it gets. All you need to do is open their charging case next to your iPhone, then confirm the pairing. Once paired, the buds will become available on all Apple devices that use the same iCloud account.
Wrap-Up
In my opinion, the AirPods Pro tick all the boxes for a great pair of completely wireless earbuds. They're comfortable, intuitive to use, and capable of delivering a fantastic audio and noise-canceling experience. If they fit within your budget, go ahead and buy them!
Read More:
The Best Wireless Earbuds Worth Your Attention
The Coolest Gadgets of the Year
More of Our Favorite Noise-Canceling Headphones
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