10 Best Earphones 2025 in the United States

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are premium wireless earphones that excel in delivering immersive sound and effective active noise cancellation, removing twice as much background noise compared to the previous model. Their 3D spatial audio and adaptive EQ provide rich bass and clear vocals, making music and calls enjoyable. Comfort is well-addressed with five sizes of silicone tips to ensure a secure, personalized fit for most ears. Battery life is impressive, offering up to 8 hours with noise cancellation active and even longer when using other modes.

The earbuds support seamless Bluetooth connectivity and quick switching between Apple devices, adding convenience for users in the Apple ecosystem. Durability is reasonable with water resistance and a sturdy build, although the charging case does not include a cable, so you'll need your own USB-C charger. Additional features like heart rate sensing, live translation, and hearing aid support make these earbuds stand out for fitness and accessibility needs.

These earbuds suit those seeking advanced noise cancellation, excellent sound quality, and smart health-related extras in a compact, comfortable design.

Apple AirPods 4 are designed with comfort in mind, featuring a redesigned shape that stays stable during daily use and quick-press controls that make handling calls and music easy. They deliver impressive sound quality thanks to the new H2 chip, which also enhances call clarity by isolating your voice from background noise. The Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking offers an immersive listening experience, which is great for enjoying music and movies.

In terms of noise handling, these earbuds provide active noise cancellation alongside a transparency mode, helping you focus or stay aware of your surroundings. Battery life is solid, offering up to 5 hours on a single charge and up to 30 hours with the charging case. The new case is smaller, supports USB-C charging, and includes a speaker to help locate it if misplaced. The AirPods 4 are sweat, dust, and water resistant (IP54), making them suitable for workouts and outdoor use. Connectivity is seamless with Bluetooth 5.3 and effortless pairing, especially for iPhone users. Built-in sensors pause playback when you remove the earbuds, which adds convenience.

On the downside, although the case supports USB-C, the charging cable is sold separately, which might be inconvenient. While active noise cancellation is effective, it may not match the depth offered by some specialized competitors. The earbuds also have a somewhat premium price point, which may not suit all budgets. These AirPods shine for iPhone users looking for comfortable, stylish earbuds with strong sound, smart features like Siri voice controls and spatial audio, and reliable battery life. They work well for everyday activities, workouts, and media consumption but might be less suited for those who want the absolute top-tier noise cancelling or a more budget-friendly option.

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds bring several impressive features to the table, making them a strong contender in the earphones market. The sound quality is top-notch, thanks to the Apple-designed H2 chip and custom-built drivers that provide clear highs and rich bass. The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) effectively reduces background noise, and the Transparency mode allows you to stay aware of your surroundings when needed. For those prioritizing comfort, the earbuds come with four pairs of silicone tips in different sizes to ensure a snug fit for various ear shapes.

They are also IP54 dust, sweat, and water-resistant, enhancing their durability for active use. Battery life is solid, offering up to 6 hours of listening time with ANC enabled and up to 30 hours with the charging case. Connectivity is seamless with Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring a stable and efficient connection with various Apple devices. The case supports multiple charging options, including USB-C, MagSafe, and Qi-certified chargers, adding to the convenience.

Personalized Spatial Audio and Adaptive Audio features create an immersive listening experience tailored to your ear shape, which is a standout feature for audio enthusiasts. The premium price tag might be a deterrent for budget-conscious users. Additionally, while the earbuds work best with Apple devices, their functionality may be limited when used with non-Apple products. Despite these drawbacks, the AirPods Pro 2 are an excellent choice for users seeking high-quality sound, advanced noise cancellation, and seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem.