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Along with all of our wireless headphones and earbuds, we test Apple AirPods based on six key criteria: design, sound quality, noise cancellation performance, voice call performance, features and worth.
Design
We evaluate not only how comfortable the AirPods fit (their ergonomics), but also their build quality and how well the controls are implemented. With headphones and wireless earbuds, we’ll look to see if they’re waterproof, but only a few full-size earbuds have water and dust resistance ratings, which is especially important for workout headphones that you might take to the gym or on a run. .
Sound quality
We evaluate sound quality by listening to a set playlist of music tracks and comparing the headphones to the best competing products in their price range. Sound features such as bass definition, clarity, dynamic range and naturalness of the headphones’ sound are key factors in our evaluation.
Noise cancellation performance
If the AirPods we’re testing feature active noise cancellation, we evaluate ANC performance by wearing the earbuds in the same location indoors near a noisy HVAC unit to see how well they dampen lower frequencies. We then take to the city streets to test the headphones in a real-world environment where we see how they muffle not only street noise but also people’s voices. Those that are able to reduce the most ambient noise stand out and receive a high rating on this list.
Additional Features
Some great-sounding AirPods aren’t packed with features, but we do take into account the extra features on board. These include everything from quick access recognition via a double tap to transparency modes (the music stops and the headphones open to the outside world so you can have a conversation), special sound modes and ear detection sensors that pause Automatically plays your music when you remove the headphones from your ears. Newer models even incorporate hearing health metrics with hearing tests and a new hearing aid mode. We also take a look at the companion app for the AirPods, if it exists, and how easy it is to use and its wireless charging capabilities.
voice calls
When we test voice call performance, we make phone calls on noisy city streets and evaluate how well the AirPods reduce background noise and how clearly callers can hear our voices. Call quality is a key metric in today’s work-from-home world, so we’re sure to evaluate this feature in several fields.
Worth
We determined the value after considering how strong the AirPods are against all of these criteria and what they can offer compared to other models in their price category. Some models require additional purchases, such as a wireless charging case, to take full advantage of their features, so we take those needs into account as well.
