Apple AirPods

Apple AirPods are sleek, wireless Bluetooth earbuds. They fit comfortably in your ear and are designed to work seamlessly with your iPhone or iPad, but they’ll also work with other Bluetooth devices like your computer or Android smartphone.

Advantages of owning AirPods

Now in their 3^rd generation, there are a lot of advantages to owning AirPods over any other type of earbud.

AirPods are completely wireless

AirPods are designed to be completely separate from one another, and they have no wires that connect them at all. Each AirPod has its own individual Bluetooth built in, so both left and right will pair with your phone.

Because each AirPod is separate, if you ever lose one or both you can use Find my iPhone to ping the AirPod individually. That way, if you’ve lost it in the couch or somewhere you can’t see it, you’ll hear a sound to let you know where your AirPod is.

Your storage case is also a battery source

When you store your AirPods you slide them into a small case that’s also a battery source. Depending on the generation of AirPod you choose, you’ll get several charges from the case before the battery gets low and you have to recharge it.

Differences in AirPod models

There are five versions of AirPods. The original AirPod were released in 2016, the second generation AirPod 2 released in 2019, and the third generation AirPod 3 was released in 2021.

There are also two other Airpods; the AirPod Pro and the AirPod Max.

AirPods vs AirPods 2

The first generation AirPods and the AirPods 2 are fairly similar. They both have built in optical sensors and accelerometers to sense when they are in your ears, pick up on your hand gestures, and for use during phones calls. AirPods 2 also have Siri built in to take your voice commands, are slightly faster than the original AirPods, and they have an optional wireless charging case while the original case was charged with a cable.

AirPod Max vs AirPod Pro

Between the AirPods 2 and the AirPod 3, Apple released the AirPod Pro and the AirPod Max. The main features on the AirPod Pro are active noise cancellation, IPX4 water resistance, interchangeable silicone tips so you can customize the fit, and an automated frequency profile setting. The AirPods Max are called AirPods but they’re not ear buds; they’re over-the-ear headphones. They have large speakers, use the Apple Digital Crown for control, and have a longer battery life than other AirPods.

AirPod 2 vs AirPod 3

The AirPod 3 have a different style than the first two generations, with a design that leans toward the AirPods Pro. AirPod 3 has IPX4 water resistance so you can use them in the rain, snow, or during an intense workout and you don’t have to worry about sweat or drips of water affecting your AirPods. They also have spatial audio, creating 3D surround sound that feels as though it’s projecting from the front, back, sides, and above you.

Are AirPods waterproof?

While AirPods will stand up to dust, can handle sweat during a workout, and won’t stop working in the rain, they are not waterproof. They are rated IPX4, so you can’t drop them in the water, swim, or shower with them.

Find the best type of AirPods for you at Best Buy.