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AirPods Pro 2

“The best earbuds for Apple people, full stop.”

check_circle BUY RECOMMENDATION

Check $199.00 on Amazon open_in_new

8.7

Inside Scoop Score

Buy · 8.7 / 10

auto_awesome INSIDE SCOOP

The Inside Scoop

THE VERDICT

The AirPods Pro 2 represent a genuine leap over the first generation — better sound, dramatically improved ANC, and an adaptive transparency mode that is genuinely in a class of its own. MKBHD, who wasn't even planning to review them, called them a significant upgrade after being won over by the H2 chip's real-time audio processing. For anyone already in the Apple ecosystem, this is the easiest recommendation in earbuds.

Anchored by Marques Brownlee's review

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ANC is genuinely class-leading

MKBHD puts the ANC on par with Sony XM5 earbuds and above the AirPods Max, with Apple claiming up to 2x more noise removed versus Gen 1 — reviewers at RecordingNOW confirm this is a worthy upgrade for that reason alone.

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Adaptive transparency is unmatched

The H2 chip samples outside sound 48,000 times per second to suppress sudden loud noises above 85dB in real-time — no competitor comes close, and it's the feature that separates AirPods Pro 2 from the entire field.

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Sound quality is a big step up

TechGearLab calls the sound profile well-balanced and natural with robust bass and pleasing mids, and MKBHD calls them easily the best-sounding earbuds Apple has ever made with noticeably more lows and mids.

Owner Reception

Verified owner data

shopping_cart Amazon 10,100 ratings

88% loved 9% critical

Critical reviews ≈ 909

warning WATCH OUTS

Before You Buy — What Nobody Tells You

Most owners are happy — only 9% of 10,100 Amazon ratings are 1–2★. These are the specific gripes worth weighing before you buy:

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Computational EQ makes them hard to evaluate

The AirPods Pro 2 constantly adjust their own EQ in real-time at every volume level, which means they sound different from track to track in ways you don't expect — and it makes direct A/B comparisons with other headphones feel inconsistent and confusing.

— from MKBHD review transcript

lightbulb Accept that these aren't reference headphones — they're tuned for enjoyment, not accuracy, and that's a deliberate Apple choice.
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No lossless audio, despite premium price

You're still capped at AAC Bluetooth compression with all its quirks, so audiophiles paying $250 expecting hi-res audio will be disappointed — the hardware is capable but the wireless protocol is the ceiling.

— from petersaudiojournal.com long-term review, MKBHD transcript
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Volume gesture is awkward at first

The new stem-pinch-and-slide volume control feels unnatural out of the box and takes real adjustment time before it becomes second nature — something you won't discover until you're fumbling with it mid-commute.

— from MKBHD review transcript

lightbulb Give it a week of daily use before judging it; most reviewers report it clicks eventually.

groups VERDICT

Who it's for

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Best For

iPhone and Apple Watch users who commute, travel, or live in noisy cities and want the best transparency mode and ANC available in an earbud form factor.

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Skip If

Android users, audiophiles chasing lossless or neutral sound, or anyone already on AirPods Pro Gen 1 who doesn't prioritize ANC — the upgrade math is harder for them.

forum REDDIT

Voices of Reddit

better airpods sound review sounds same quality ones buds bass right noise well other almost transparency overall seller didn original link bought slightly apple battery high difference wise tips work being warehouse posts regards upgrade exactly amazing oneplus solid both experience hear does price clarity machine decided washing post mode

Praised Criticized Mentioned · Drawn from 8 threads · 38 comments

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smart_display VIDEO REVIEWS

Video reviews

11:17

person

AirPods Pro 2 Review: 1 Underrated Thing!

Marques Brownlee • 8573219

"AirPods Pro take computational audio to the limits, which makes them hard to review, but great to listen to The water bottle: ..."

14:50

person

AirPods Pro 2 Review - 6 Months Later

6 Months Later • 278361

"We almost forgot to review the AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C Case because they feel like a product we've always had. But what truly ..."

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