The AirPods Pro have quickly become my favorite piece of Apple technology, surprisingly one of the more affordable options. Their seamless integration and convenience have made them my daily headphones.

Why am I so fond of the AirPods Pro? About two years ago, during one of the lockdowns in 2020, I stumbled upon my first pair of AirPods. Interestingly, I didn't purchase them; they came as a free gift with a MacBook Air I bought for my daughter, who already owned a pair. Thus, I inherited a pair of AirPods.

Prior to this, I had only used wired headphones with a lightning adapter, unaware of the convenience and quality that AirPods offered. However, once I tried them out, I truly understood their appeal: no tangled wires, easy pairing, impressive sound quality, and outstanding battery life made them an instant favorite.

After using that initial pair daily, I decided to upgrade to the AirPods Pro in March of this year, and it has been one of the best audio decisions I've made.

What's all the excitement about?

With my background in audio production, I own several professional headphones, and while I knew the AirPods Pro wouldn't rival those, sound quality still mattered greatly to me. The audio experience with the AirPods Pro is noticeably enhanced compared to the original model, featuring richer bass, clearer highs, and less muddiness in the mids. The standout feature for me is the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC).

I often found it frustrating to miss parts of podcasts due to outside noise leaking in with the original AirPods. Initially, I doubted the AirPods Pro's capabilities and almost opted for the AirPods Max instead. If you're facing the same dilemma, trust me, save over £300 and go for the AirPods Pro—the ANC is truly impressive!

These in-ear headphones may not earn audiophile accolades, but they are fantastic for everyday use and sound remarkably decent.

The Marvel of Active Noise Cancellation

Without a doubt, the ANC feature is the highlight of the AirPods Pro. While they may not block sound as effectively as over-ear noise-cancelling headphones, they perform admirably given their size.

The noise-cancelling feature offers three modes: off, transparency, or on. Upon unboxing, you'll find three pairs of silicone ear tips, which are easy to swap. Taking the time to choose the best fit for your ears is worthwhile, as the effectiveness of ANC relies heavily on a good seal. The AirPods Pro are unique in using Active Noise Cancellation among in-ear headphones.

An outward-facing microphone detects external sounds, which are then countered with anti-noise generated by Apple's ANC algorithm, cancelling out unwanted noise before it reaches your ears. Additionally, an inward-facing mic listens for sounds within your ear, eliminating those with the same anti-noise process. This all happens up to 200 times a second, ensuring an optimal listening experience.

The moment you insert the AirPods Pro, the outside world fades away. It's so effective that you might forget you're wearing them. Only when you remove them do you realize how well they worked.

Spatial Audio is stunning with these headphones. Watching content on Apple TV with the AirPods Pro provides an incredibly immersive experience, as the audio follows your head movements thanks to Dynamic Head Tracking.

Fit and Comfort

I had no complaints about my original AirPods; in fact, I found the fit slightly better with them. However, I did experience some discomfort from the stem after prolonged use.

With the AirPods Pro, the lack of a long stem reduces fatigue, but they are more prone to falling out, particularly while exercising or even eating. During workouts, I often find myself readjusting them, although I'm confident that they fit my ears correctly. It seems to be a common issue, which is reassuring.

Despite the need for occasional adjustments during physical activities, the AirPods Pro are generally more comfortable for longer listening sessions and are also sweat and water-resistant.

Call Quality

The call quality is outstanding, likely due to the advanced ANC technology. The AirPods Pro seamlessly connect to all your devices, sometimes a bit too well.

One of my pet peeves is how they constantly attempt to connect to nearby devices. Apple’s efforts to enhance connectivity can be quite annoying. However, there’s hope on the horizon, as recent beta firmware updates are aimed at improving this Automatic Switching feature.

Battery Life & Controls

Battery life is another strength of the AirPods. The case is MagSafe compatible and charges quickly. Just five minutes of charging provides about an hour of listening time, and a fully charged case can power the AirPods Pro for around 24 hours. Note that the ANC feature will consume more battery.

While the original AirPods offered slightly longer battery life due to their simpler functionality, the trade-off for the Pro model is well worth it.

When the battery is low, you’ll receive a notification on your phone, so battery life is not a major concern.

Unlike the original AirPods, the Pro model doesn’t use taps for controls; instead, you squeeze the stem, which provides a slight haptic feedback. This allows you to manage music, calls, and switch between ANC modes. For volume adjustments, you’ll need to use the Control Center on your iPhone.

Waxing Lyrical

It's worth mentioning that earwax accumulation can be a challenge with the original AirPods, leading to decreased sound quality over time. Unfortunately, there's not much you can do to prevent this build-up.

The AirPods Pro, however, come with silicone tips that help keep the speakers clean and free from wax.

Additionally, the case for the AirPods Pro is more convenient to carry, being flatter and more compact.

Hold Fire

If you’re considering upgrading to or purchasing your first pair of AirPods Pro, you might want to pause for a moment. Reports suggest that a new generation of AirPods Pro may be on the horizon later this year, potentially featuring lossless audio, an updated H1 chip, full Find My functionality, and USB-C charging.

Are AirPods Pro Worth It?

Absolutely—based on my experience, they are worth the investment. Currently, there are three versions of AirPods available on Apple's website:

• AirPods 2nd Generation at £119
• AirPods 3rd Generation at £169
• AirPods Pro at £239

While you can find various deals online, the additional £70 for the Pro model compared to the 3rd Generation is a worthwhile investment.

Describing the ANC feature is challenging, but it performs exceptionally well. For everyday use, the ANC enhances your listening experience significantly. The comfort, battery life, and fit of the AirPods Pro make them a smart purchase—though if you can, wait a few months for potential updates; you may thank me later.

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Originally published on June 28, 2022, at https://talkingtechandaudio.com