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Along with all of our wireless earbuds and headphones, we test Apple AirPods against six key criteria: design, sound quality, noise cancellation performance, voice call performance, features and value.
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 wireless headphones and earbuds, we’ll note whether they’re water-resistant, but only a few full-size headphones have water- and dust-resistance ratings, which is especially important for workout headphones you can go to the gym or go for a run.
Sound quality
We assess sound quality by listening to a set playlist of music tracks and comparing the headphones to top competitors in their price range. Sound characteristics such as bass definition, clarity, dynamic range and the natural sound of the headphones are key factors in our evaluation.
Noise cancellation performance
If the AirPods we’re testing have active noise cancellation, we evaluate ANC performance by wearing the headphones in the same spot indoors near a noisy HVAC unit to see how well they dampen lower frequencies. Then we hit the city streets to test the headphones in a real environment where we see how well they dampen not only street noise but also people’s voices. Those that are able to reduce the greatest amount of ambient noise are highlighted and rated highly on this list.
Additional features
Some great-sounding AirPods aren’t loaded with features, but we take into account what extra features there are. This includes everything from quick access to awareness via double-tap to transparency mode (your music pauses and the headphones open to the outside world so you can talk) to special sound modes to ear-detection sensors that automatically pause music when you take the headphones off your ears. The latest models even include hearing health metrics with hearing tests and a new hearing aid mode. We’ll also take a look at the AirPods companion app if there is one and how easy it is to use and wireless charging capabilities.
Voice calling
When we test voice call performance, we make phone calls on noisy city streets and evaluate how well 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 areas.
Value
We determine the value after considering the AirPods’ strength against all these criteria and what they can deliver compared to other models in their price class. Some models require additional purchases, such as a wireless charging case, to get the most out of their features, so we take those needs into account as well.
