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We've recently released our Test Bench 1.6 update for Headphones! Read the Latency R&D Article to learn more.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless Headphones Review

Tested using Methodology v1.6
Review updated Nov 27, 2023 at 09:58 am
Latest change: Writing modified Mar 13, 2024 at 02:42 pm
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless Picture
7.4
Neutral Sound
8.2
Commute/Travel
8.3
Sports/Fitness
7.3
Office
5.8
Wireless Gaming
5.6
Wired Gaming
6.4
Phone Calls

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are the next generation of the Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless. They look remarkably similar to their predecessor, but there have been some notable changes. The Gen 2 have an upgraded H2 chip, which the manufacturer advertises to improve their audio performance and lets you seamlessly pair them with other devices in your Apple ecosystem. Their carrying case also has its own U1 chip, allowing you to easily track it if you misplace the case. Their ANC has improved, and their sound profile has been tweaked for a better all-around experience.

Our Verdict

7.4 Neutral Sound

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are decent for neutral sound. Compared to their predecessor, their bass is more extended, which helps improve their overall bass. That said, their sound profile is a little warmer rather than rumbly this time around, making vocals and instruments sound cozy and soft. The treble is more recessed, taking the edge off of sibilants and instruments. They're still in-ears, though, and their passive soundstage doesn't feel as natural or spacious as dedicated audiophile headphones. Luckily, their Spatial Audio feature allows audio to follow your head movements when using compatible content, which can feel more immersive.

Pros
  • Spatial Audio available.
Cons
  • Bad passive soundstage.
8.2 Commute/Travel

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are great for commute and travel. Thanks to their lightweight and portable design, you can easily store these comfortable and well-built earbuds in your pocket or bag on the go. Their ANC can also block out a lot of the low rumble of bus and plane engines, and with their ANC on, they last about six hours continuously. They don't leak very much audio at high volumes either, meaning you won't annoy others around you.

Pros
  • Excellent ANC performance.
  • Comfortable and premium design.
  • 6-hour continuous battery life and four extra charges in the case.
Cons
  • Bad passive soundstage.
8.3 Sports/Fitness

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are great for sports and fitness. Although some users find that the buds can wiggle out of their ears, they're comfortable and stable enough for moderate exercise once you get a good fit. These lightweight buds are certified IPX4 for resistance against water splashes and have a durable build quality.

Pros
  • Comfortable and premium design.
  • Certified IPX4 for resistance against water splashes.
  • 6-hour continuous battery life and four extra charges in the case.
Cons
  • Bad passive soundstage.
7.3 Office

The Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen are decent for office use. These in-ears have a comfortable and well-built design that's suitable for long days at the office. While their six-hour continuous battery life may not completely last through your day, their carrying case supplies an additional four charges, which is handy in a pinch. They're also equipped with an excellent ANC system and can block out office noise like chatty coworkers or the high-pitched hum of AC units very well.

Pros
  • Excellent ANC performance.
  • Comfortable and premium design.
  • 6-hour continuous battery life and four extra charges in the case.
Cons
  • Sub-par overall microphone performance.
  • Bad passive soundstage.
5.8 Wireless Gaming

The Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation are Bluetooth headphones. They aren't designed with wireless gaming in mind, as their latency falls outside of good values, resulting in lip sync issues.

5.6 Wired Gaming

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are Bluetooth headphones; you can't use them for wired gaming.

6.4 Phone Calls

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are mediocre for phone calls. These buds have an integrated mic, but since it sits far away from your mouth, the mic struggles to capture your voice clearly. As a result, speech sounds muffled and thin. It can also be drowned out if you're taking a call from a noisy environment like a busy street. On the upside, their ANC system can help block out background noise so that you can better focus on your calls.

Pros
  • Excellent ANC performance.
Cons
  • Sub-par overall microphone performance.
  • 7.4 Neutral Sound
  • 8.2 Commute/Travel
  • 8.3 Sports/Fitness
  • 7.3 Office
  • 5.8 Wireless Gaming
  • 5.6 Wired Gaming
  • 6.4 Phone Calls
  1. Updated Nov 27, 2023: We've updated this review's text to ensure it's up to date and accurate.
  2. Updated Nov 10, 2023: iOS 17 has added several features to these headphones. You can find more information on these in Controls, Noise Isolation, and App Support.
  3. Updated Nov 02, 2023: The following test group has been updated following TB 1.6: Bluetooth Connection. There have also been text changes made throughout the review, including to the usages and product comparisons to match these results.
  4. Updated Nov 02, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.6 , which updates how we measure latency. We've updated and renamed the following test groups: Wired Connection, Bluetooth Connection, and Wireless Connection (Dongle). We've also added new codec latency measurements and provided an audio sample of recorded latency.
  5. Updated Sep 22, 2023: We've added the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Charging Case (USB‑C) as a variant within Differences Between Sizes And Variants.
  6. Updated May 04, 2023: We've retested Sound Profile and Noise Isolation using firmware 5E133. However, we didn't measure a change in performance, and our results haven't changed.
  7. Updated Nov 23, 2022: Review published.
  8. Updated Nov 15, 2022: Early access published.
  9. Updated Oct 28, 2022: Our testers have started testing this product.
  10. Updated Oct 17, 2022: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  11. Updated Sep 15, 2022: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

The Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen come in 'White', and you can see our model's label here. You can also purchase this model with a carrying case that either has a Lightning or USB-C port. While we tested the model with the Lightning case, the USB-C variant includes a cable for charging up the case. It also supports MagSafe charging, which is handy if you want to go completely wireless. The buds themselves have an updated rating of IP54 for dust and water resistance, which is a slight change from the original model's IPX4 rating, which only certifies water resistance.

If you encounter another variant of these headphones, please let us know in the forums, and we'll update our review.

Compared To Other Headphones

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are the next generation of the Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless. As we've come to expect from Apple, they have the same premium build quality as their other products. However, their ANC has been improved to rival competitors also vying for the title of the best noise cancelling earbuds, like the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro True Wireless and the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Truly Wireless. In addition, Apple has updated the chip technology inside their buds from H1 to H2, making it easy to pair your headphones with other iOS devices. Their carrying case also has a U1 chip, which allows you to precisely track down your carrying case. While they may not be as customizable as other buds out there, like the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3, they offer a robust performance, especially if you don't want to play around with settings.

Check out our recommendations for the best wireless Bluetooth earbuds and the best wireless earbuds for iPhone.

Beats Fit Pro True Wireless

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are better in-ears than the Beats Fit Pro True Wireless. The Apple are more comfortable, are better built, and have a significantly better noise isolation performance. They also have a longer continuous battery life and more charges in their carrying case. However, the Beats have a more stable in-ear fit, making them a more suitable choice for sports and fitness.

Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless

If you care about customizability, you'll want to check out the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless over the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless. While both earbuds have a similarly balanced sound, the Sony headphones' companion app offers a graphic EQ and presets. The buds support multi-device pairing so that you can stay connected to your PC and smartphone simultaneously. Their noise isolation performance is also better largely due to their memory foam ear tips, which form an airtight seal to block background sound. However, the Apple headphones are better built and have an H2 chip for seamless pairing with other iOS devices.

Apple AirPods Max Wireless

The Apple AirPods Max Wireless and the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless have different strengths, so depending on your usage, you may prefer either one. The Max are over-ears with better overall battery performance and have flatter, more even mids, so vocals and instruments sound accurate. They also have a better overall noise isolation performance. However, the second generation of the Pro have a more comfortable and stable fit, making them a solid choice if you want to use them for running or working out.

Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are the next version of the Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless. While not a lot has changed in terms of comfort, and premium build quality, there have been slight changes to their sound profile and noise isolation performance. The 2nd generation sound a little warmer than the 1st generation and can reproduce better low bass. Their ANC also does a significantly better job of blocking out background noise across the spectrum. Additionally, they have a longer continuous battery life, though they're one extra charge short of their predecessor. Their carrying case has a U1 chip too, so you can easily locate your case if you lose it. Overall, the changes are somewhat minor, but the 2nd generation make good strides in the right places.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Truly Wireless

The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Truly Wireless and the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are both great in-ears with different strengths. Whole both earbuds have similarly great levels of noise isolation thanks to their ANC systems, the Bose are more comfortable in-ears. Their companion app also offers graphic EQ and presets to help you customize their sound to your liking. However, the Apple headphones are well-designed for Apple users. They have a more premium feel, have an H2 chip for seamless pairing with other iOS devices, and support Spatial Audio. They also have a slightly more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer.

Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 and  Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are both premium earbuds. While both are well-built, the Sennheiser have a significantly better battery performance, and you can customize them using their companion software's graphic EQ and presets. In comparison, the Apple are more comfortable and have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer. They also have a better overall noise isolation performance.

Sony WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are better in-ears than the Sony WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless. The Apple are more comfortable and have a more neutral overall sound profile, which some users may prefer, and their ANC can block out more background noise across the range. They also have an H2 chip for seamless pairing with your Apple devices. However, the Sony headphones have a better overall battery performance, and their companion app offers customization features like a graphic EQ and presets to help you adjust their sound to your liking.

JBL Live Pro 2 TWS True Wireless

The Apple Airpods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are better overall wireless earbuds than the JBL Live Pro 2 TWS True Wireless. The Apple are more comfortable, are better built, and have a higher quality case. They also have a more neutral sound out of the box, are better noise isolation performance, and have spatial audio compatibility. That said, the JBL have a longer continuous battery life and their companion app is compatible with both iOS and Android devices, while the Apple can only access customization options through the iOS interface. 

Nothing Ear (2) Truly Wireless

The  Nothing Ear (2) Truly Wireless are better in-ear headphones than the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless. While both buds have similar comfort, battery life, and build quality, the Nothing come with more features for a lower price than the Apple, like multi-device pairing, ANC presets, and a graphic EQ with presets. However, the Apple have a better-functioning ANC that isolates you from more ambient noise, making them ideal for commutes and working in loud offices. They also have better compatibility with Apple's product ecosystem thanks to their H2 chip which allows for seamless pairing with other Apple devices.

EarFun Air Pro 3 True Wireless

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are better in-ears than the EarFun Air Pro 3 True Wireless. While both buds are comfortable, the Apple are better built, have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer, and support Spatial Audio for a more immersive audio experience. Their ANC performance is significantly better too, and they have an H2 chip for seamless pairing with your Apple devices. However, the EarFun are more customizable via their companion app and support multi-device pairing and aptX Adaptive.

Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro True Wireless

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless have a slight edge over the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro True Wireless. While both in-ears are comfortable and have similarly excellent levels of noise isolation, the Apple have a more premium build, and their battery performance is better. They also have an H2 chip for seamless pairing with your Apple devices, and sound more neutral out of the box, which some users may prefer. However, the Samsung headphones have EQ presets, which some users may prefer to adjust their sound to their liking.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Truly Wireless

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are better for most uses than the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless. Both earbuds are equipped with virtual soundstage technology and have decent neutral sound performance, but the Bose headphones have better sound customization options. They have access to a graphic EQ and presets via their app, while you can only tweak the Apple headphones' sound profile through the accessibility settings of a paired iOS device. The Bose have a better noise isolation performance and a more comfortable fit, too, making them an ideal choice for the office and on-the-go use. The Bose feature Google Fast Pair for rapid integration with Android devices, but if you're an iOS user, you'll prefer how the Apple headphones' H2 chip lets you pair seamlessly with other Apple devices.

Beats Studio Buds + True Wireless

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are better in-ears than the Beats Studio Buds + True Wireless. While both buds are equally comfortable, Apple's buds are better built and have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer, and their noise isolation performance is significantly better. They also have an H2 chip, so you can easily pair these buds with other devices in your Apple ecosystem.

Devialet Gemini II True Wireless

The Devialet Gemini II True Wireless and the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are both premium buds with different strengths. The Devialet have a companion app with a graphic EQ and presets and support multi-device pairing and aptX codec, which can help give you better sound quality over Bluetooth. Their ANC also does a better job of blocking out bass range noise, though the buds reduce more noise passively than the ANC from the mid-range onwards. The AirPods Pro have iOS-centric features like Spatial Audio for a more immersive sound and an H2 chip for seamless pairing with your iPhone or MacBook. They also have a better battery performance.

Status Between 3ANC True Wireless

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are better in-ears than the Status Between 3ANC True Wireless. The Apple are more comfortable, are better built, and have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer. They also have Spatial Audio to help make your audio even more immersive, their ANC does a significantly better job of blocking out background noise, and they have an H2 chip for seamless pairing with other devices in your Apple ecosystem. However, the Status have a companion app with sound customization features, support multi-device pairing, and have a longer continuous battery life.

Beats Solo3 2019 Wireless

The Beats Solo3 2019 Wireless and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are two different categories of headphones belonging to Apple's lineup. The Beats are pretty basic on-ear headphones with little app support, no active noise cancellation (ANC), and a longer battery life. They use the Apple W1 chip so connections are optimized, and you can switch between Apple devices, but you don't get any luxuries like Spatial Audio. The Apple earbuds have the newer H2 chip (and U1 chip for the case), which offers benefits similar to the W1 chip. Otherwise, the Apple earbuds are wildly different in that you get ANC, Spatial Audio, touch controls, a portable in-ear fit, and a shorter continuous battery life. For most genres, the default Apple sound profile works great, but if you like lots of bass, the Beats have that. Overall, the Apple earbuds supply more features and are the better pick.

Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed True Wireless

Depending on your preferences, you may prefer either the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless or the Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed True Wireless, since they're intended for different uses. The Apple are designed primarily for casual use, are more comfortable, are better built, and have a significantly better noise isolation performance. They also have Apple-centric features like an H2 chip for seamless pairing with your Apple devices and Spatial Audio support for a more immersive sound. Conversely, the Razer are well-suited for gaming. They have a USB-C dongle for low latency, support RGB lighting, and have more customization features like a graphic EQ and presets to help you fine-tune their sound.

Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2 True Wireless

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are slightly better earbuds than the Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2 True Wireless. The Apple headphones offer features like seamless pairing with your other iOS devices as well as Spatial Audio to help give you a more immersive sound. They're also more comfortable and have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer. Their ANC can block out background noise, and they have a better overall battery performance. However, the Bowers & Wilkins support aptX Adaptive, which is nice if you want to stream high-quality audio or lower latency, and their carrying case doubles as a wireless transmitter.

Denon PerL Pro True Wireless

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are a bit better than the Denon PerL Pro True Wireless. The Apple headphones have better noise isolation and a sturdier, sleeker design. They have more robust virtual surround sound features, including personalized head tracking. There are benefits for Apple users, like quick pairing and multi-device pairing with iOS. However, you may still prefer the Denon, depending on what you're looking for. All their features, like multi-device pairing, are available on Android and iOS devices. They also support the aptX Lossless codec, which allows you to stream higher-resolution audio. They're more customizable since you can use the app to create a personalized EQ, adjust it with a graphic EQ, and remap all the controls.

Creative Aurvana Ace 2 True Wireless

The Creative Aurvana Ace 2 True Wireless aren't as versatile as the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless. The Creative have a greater selection of high-quality codecs for Android users than the Apple headphones, but they have imaging issues and distortion. Their active noise cancelling can't compete well with the Apple buds. The Apple earbuds have a more neutral sound profile by default, spatial audio, and seamless connectivity with other Apple devices.

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Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
Design
Style
Type In-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless Truly Wireless
Transducer Dynamic

The Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation have nearly the same design as their predecessor, the Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless. They have a sleek white design with a stem design and white silicone tips. They only come in one color variant, which is to be expected from Apple products.

7.5
Design
Comfort
Weight 0.02 lbs
Clamping Force
0 lbs

These in-ears are comfortable and lightweight. Unlike their predecessor, Apple has included an extra small pair of ear tips, raising the total number of pairs of included ear tips to four. Their fit doesn't apply pressure to your ear and won't be pushed further into your ear if you're trying to register commands. However, like the previous generation, the earbuds can wiggle out of your ear over time. While this doesn't affect all users, some people have solved this issue by purchasing foam ear tips, which mold to your ear.

8.2
Design
Controls
OS Compatibility
Not OS specific
Ease Of Use Good
Feedback Great
Call/Music Control Yes
Volume Control Yes
Microphone Control Mute/Unmute
Channel Mixing
No
Noise Cancelling Control On/Off
Talk-Through
On/Off
Additional Controls Voice Assistant

These buds have very good controls. Compared to the first gen, the manufacturer has improved the 'Force Sensor' controls, and there's click feedback for the amount of clicks you make on the stem. There are different chimes when cycling between ANC modes and touch volume chimes when adjusting the volume and reaching the min/max volume. Overall, the controls are easy to use and responsive. If you're on iOS 17 or later, you can also pinch the stems to mute and unmute the mic during calls.

On either stems' force sensor:

  • Single press: Plays or pauses audio. Also answers and ends a call.
  • Double press: Skips the track forward.
  • Triple press: Skips the track backward.
  • Press and hold: Cycles between ANC on, off, and transparency mode, which allows you to hear your surroundings without turning off your audio.
  • Say 'Hey Siri': Activates Siri voice assistant. This command only works on iOS devices, though.

9.6
Design
Portability
L 1.2" (3.0 cm)
W 0.9" (2.3 cm)
H 0.9" (2.3 cm)
Volume 0.99 in³ (16.20 cm³)
Transmitter Required No

These lightweight buds are very portable. You can easily put them into most pockets or bags without an issue. They also come with a carrying case that's small enough to take with you on-the-go.

9.0
Design
Case
Type Hard case
L 1.8" (4.5 cm)
W 2.4" (6.1 cm)
H 0.9" (2.2 cm)
Volume 3.67 in³ (60.10 cm³)

The Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen's carrying case is great. It has the same plastic design and finish as the previous generation. It supports MagSafe charging and has a lanyard loop if you want to attach it to something. It's also certified IPX4 for resistance against water splashes and has a U1 chip that lets you easily find the case if you lose it using the 'Find My' app. The original version of this case uses a Lightning port, but Apple offers a carrying case with a USB-C port.

8.0
Design
Build Quality

The Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation have a great build quality, like other products from this manufacturer. They're mostly made of plastic with silicone ear tips. They're also certified IPX4 for resistance against water splashes, which is good if you want to wear them to the gym.

7.5
Design
Stability

These in-ears have a stable in-ear fit. Some users may find that the buds wiggle out of their ears over time, but once you achieve a good fit, they'll stay in place with moderate head movements. If you want to use them while running, they may fall out of your ears.

Design
Headshots 1
Design
Headshots 2
Design
Top
Design
In The Box

  • Apple AirPods Pro Gen 2 headphones
  • Charging case
  • USB-C to Lightning cable
  • 4x tip size options
  • Manuals

Sound
Sound
Sound Profile
Bass Amount
-1.65 dB
Treble Amount
-2.74 dB

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 have an adaptive EQ, and when on, they have a slightly warm sound profile, which is great if you like genres with a bit more bass or if you like your vocals and instruments to sound cozier in your mixes. Compared to their Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless, they have a better bass extension, which helps improve the depth of bass in your audio. Overall, their sound is quite versatile and well-suited for various audio content. However, there are no built-in EQs or presets to help you tweak their sound. If you're an iOS user, you can access sound customization features in your settings via the 'Accessibility' tab, though.

Thanks to their H2 chip, these headphones can adjust their bass and treble response, depending on the listening volume. However, this is only noticeable when connected to an iOS device. This change mitigates the effects of equal-loudness contours (and, more specifically, the Fletcher-Munson curve). The listener perceives more bass and treble at high volumes than mid sound. However, the listener perceives less bass and treble at low volumes than mid sound. These headphones counter this issue in their frequency response by increasing bass and treble at lower volumes to encourage people to listen to audio at lower volumes. You can see the change in frequency response when using an iOS device with ANC on and ANC off. This effect doesn't apply to PCs or Android devices.

There have been user reports that firmware 5E133 added more bass and treble to the frequency response. However, upon retesting them using several reseats, we didn't notice a change. It's important to note that frequency response changes depending on whether you turn the ANC on/off.

Note: There's a slight discrepancy between the left and right drivers in the raw frequency response graphs. It's due to how the files were processed and level-matched. However, all other graphs are correct, and this difference isn't audible. We also don't expect users to encounter this issue with their own units.

9.3
Sound
Frequency Response Consistency
Avg. Std. Deviation
0.15 dB

The frequency response consistency is outstanding. As long as you achieve a proper fit, you'll get consistent bass and treble delivery each time you use them.

Sound
Raw Frequency Response
8.3
Sound
Bass Accuracy
Std. Err.
2.37 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
10 Hz
Low-Bass
-3.72 dB
Mid-Bass
-1.69 dB
High-Bass
1.89 dB

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 have great bass accuracy. They have an extended low-bass, which helps the bass have more depth in your mixes. There's also a bump of extra warmth to help balance their underemphasized low-bass. While the bassline in songs like Lavender Haze by Taylor Swift feels a little lacking compared to other in-ears, like the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro True Wireless, the bass still feels satisfying and present without overwhelming vocals and instruments.

8.6
Sound
Mid Accuracy
Std. Err.
1.89 dB
Low-Mid
2.86 dB
Mid-Mid
-0.17 dB
High-Mid
-0.44 dB

The mid accuracy is excellent. There's some warmth coming from the bass range into the mid. This overemphasis slightly clutters vocals and instruments, but the rest of the range is flat, so these sounds are still present and detailed in mixes. In vocal-centric songs like Vegas by Doja Cat, Doja's voice sounds cozy and warm but a little muddy.

8.4
Sound
Treble Accuracy
Std. Err.
2.44 dB
Low-Treble
-2.51 dB
Mid-Treble
-1.33 dB
High-Treble
-6.31 dB

The Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation have great treble accuracy. The response is slightly underemphasized across the range, which takes the edge off of vocals and instruments. The upper harmonics of these sounds are slightly veiled, while sibilants like hi-hats lose a bit of their sharpness.

8.1
Sound
Peaks/Dips
Peaks
1.33 dB
Dips
0.71 dB

The peaks and dips performance is great. There are only a few prominent deviations, meaning the headphones can control their sound profile well. There's a peak across the high-bass to low-mid, which adds boom and muddies mixes a bit, while a dip in the mid-mid affects the left driver more prominently and nudges vocals and instruments to the back of the mix. Another bump in the mid-treble makes sibilants like cymbals piercing.

9.3
Sound
Imaging
Weighted Group Delay
0.08
Weighted Phase Mismatch
1.65
Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
0.44
Weighted Frequency Mismatch
1.03

The Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation have an outstanding imaging performance. This manufacturer has shown consistent quality control and ergonomics across all of the products that we've tested. That said, imaging varies across units. Our unit's L/R drivers are well-matched across all of our tests, which results in the accurate placement of sound objects like voices and instruments in the stereo image.

0.8
Sound
Passive Soundstage
PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)
N/A
PRTF Size (Avg.)
N/A
PRTF Distance
N/A
Openness
1.2
Acoustic Space Excitation
1.9

These in-ears have a bad passive soundstage, but that's normal for in-ear headphones. Since they bypass the pinna by design, their soundstage feels closed-off and as if sound is coming from inside your head rather than from speakers placed in the room around you.

5.0
Sound
Virtual Soundstage
Head Modeling
On/Off
Speaker Modeling
On/Off
Room Ambience
No
Head Tracking
On/Off
Virtual Surround
Personalized Spatial Audio

The Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation are compatible with Apple's Spatial Audio in the iOS interface. It scans your face from the front as you rotate it to capture all the angles of your face. Once complete, sound will follow your head movements, creating a more immersive and dimensional audio experience.

8.1
Sound
Weighted Harmonic Distortion
WHD @ 90
0.224
WHD @ 100
0.086

The weighted harmonic distortion performance is great. All frequencies fall within good limits, resulting in clear and pure audio reproduction.

Sound
Test Settings
Firmware
5B58
Power
On
Connection
Bluetooth 5.0
Codec
SBC, 16-bit, 44.1kHz
EQ
Adaptive EQ
ANC
On
Tip/Pad
Silicone (small)
Microphone
Integrated

These are the settings used to test these headphones. Our results are only valid when used in this configuration.

Isolation
8.8
Isolation
Noise Isolation
Isolation Audio
Overall Attenuation
-23.44 dB
Noise Cancelling Yes
Bass
-22.01 dB
Mid
-26.43 dB
Treble
-22.45 dB

The Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation's noise isolation performance is excellent. They can block out a wide array of noise very well. This includes the low rumble of buses, ambient chatter, and the high-pitched hums of an AC unit. As a result, these buds are a solid choice if you're looking for something to use during busy commutes or noisy days at the office. There are also some handy features like Adaptive Audio and Conversational Awareness that automatically adapt the headphones' performance based on the noise around you. These features are only available on iOS 17 (or later), and you can read more about them here. Consider the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Truly Wireless if you want an even better noise isolation performance from in-ears.

Note: Due to user feedback, we've tested these headphones using firmware 5A377 and 5B58 to see if the noise isolation changed. You can see a comparison of both firmware here. We also did multiple passes using firmware 5E133, and you can see a comparison of 5B58 and 5E133 here. However, there wasn't much of a difference between firmware updates.

8.3
Isolation
Leakage
Leakage Audio
Overall Leakage @ 1ft
31.85 dB

The leakage performance is great. Leakage is mostly concentrated in the mid to treble range and sounds pretty thin. Overall leakage is quite low, so if you like to listen to your favorite tracks at high volume, then others around you won't hear it.

Microphone
Microphone
Microphone Style
Integrated
Yes
In-Line
No
Boom
No
Detachable Boom
No
Mic Yes
5.3
Microphone
Recording Quality
Recorded Speech
LFE
216.68 Hz
FR Std. Dev.
4.98 dB
HFE
3,466.89 Hz
Weighted THD
57.033
Gain
-4.91 dB

The integrated mic has disappointing recording quality. Your voice sounds thin and somewhat muffled, making it harder to be understood well.

6.4
Microphone
Noise Handling
SpNR
10.15 dB
Noise Gate
No
Speech + Pink Noise Handling
7.0
Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample
Speech + Subway Noise Handling
5.5
Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample

The integrated mic has a mediocre noise handling performance. If you're taking a call from a moderately noisy environment like a busy office, your voice can be obscured by background sound and even drowned out. Instead, it's best to take calls from quieter spaces like an empty meeting room.

Active Features
7.0
Active Features
Battery
Battery Type
Rechargable
Continuous Battery Life
5.9 hrs
Additional Charges
4.0
Total Battery Life
29.5 hrs
Charge Time
0.9 hrs
Power-Saving Feature
Standby mode
Audio While Charging
Yes
Passive Playback
No
Charging Port Lightning

The Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation have a decent battery performance. Apple advertises that they last six hours continuously, which is on par with what we measured. It's worth mentioning that battery life varies depending on usage, the features you're using, and even your listening volume. On the upside, you can always pop them in their carrying case if you need more battery life since it holds an extra four charges. The buds also enter standby mode when not in use to conserve battery life further.

6.5
Active Features
App Support
App Name iOS Interface
iOS Yes
Android No
macOS Yes
Windows No
Equalizer
No
ANC Control
On/Off
Mic Control No
Room Effects
No
Playback Control
No
Button Mapping Yes
Surround Support
Yes

You can access the headphones' interface if you're connected via iOS; check out a video of how the interface works here. If you're on iOS 17 or later, you'll be able to access features like Adaptive Audio, which shifts your volume level depending on the amount of noise around you. There's also a Personalized Volume feature, which uses AI to generate a profile for your Apple account to record your content, volume, ANC mode, and external noise for the headphones to dynamically adjust to you. Conversation Awareness reduces your content's volume and switches to transparency mode so you can hear your conversation. Subjectively, it also seems to boost the mid-range so that you can better hear yourself and the other person. If the feature detects that the conversation has stopped, it turns off. Lastly, there's Automatic Switching. If you play audio from one device, it'll switch over to that device. It's useful if you've paired your headphones to your MacBook and iPhone, as you can easily switch between audio sources.

In addition to the iOS 17 features mentioned above, the iOS interface allows you to check the battery life of the headphones as well as the case, switch between ANC modes, and remap the press and hold control. You can also use the 'Find My' feature to track the case if you misplace it, and do a fit check to ensure the best possible fit. While there isn't any EQ in this app, you can access sound customization features via your iOS device's 'Accessibility' tab.

Connectivity
0
Connectivity
Wired Connection
Analog Audio
No
USB Audio
No
Detachable
No
Length
N/A
Connector
No Wired Option
Latency - Analog
N/A
Latency - USB
N/A
Recorded Latency
N/A
Recorded Latency Connection No Wired Audio

Since our model's carrying case has a lightning port, these headphones come with a Lightning to USB-C cable for recharging them. You can't use this cable for audio. If you have the carrying case with a USB-C port, Apple provides a USB-C cable in the box.

8.0
Connectivity
Bluetooth Connection
Bluetooth Version
5.3+H2 chip
Multi-Device Pairing
No
Quick Pair (Android)
No
Quick Pair (iOS)
Yes
Line Of Sight Range
334.65 ft (102.00 m)
Latency - SBC
160 ms
Latency - aptX
N/A
Latency - aptX Adaptive (High Quality)
N/A
Latency - aptX Adaptive (Low Latency)
N/A
Latency - LDAC
N/A
Recorded Latency
Recorded Latency Codec SBC
AAC Support
Yes

The Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation have great Bluetooth connectivity. They have an H2 chip for seamless pairing with other devices in your Apple ecosystem, and you can connect them simultaneously to two different Apple devices. However, you'll only be able to receive audio from one device at a time. However, this won't work if you're using Android devices. They also support AAC codec, which can offer better audio quality than SBC. That said, their SBC latency falls just outside of good values, resulting in lip sync mismatch, which can be annoying if you're streaming video. Latency can vary depending on the app and device, though. It's also worth mentioning that these buds don't support any codecs designed for high-quality audio, which is disappointing if you want to listen to Hi-Res audio via services like Tidal or Apple Music.

0
Connectivity
Wireless Connection (Dongle)
Line Of Sight Range
N/A
Latency - Dongle
N/A
Recorded Latency
N/A
Connectivity
PC Compatibility
Analog
No
Wired USB
No
Non-BT Wireless
No

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 can connect to Bluetooth-enabled PCs with full audio and mic compatibility. However, you can't connect them to your PC in any other way.

Connectivity
PlayStation Compatibility
PS4 Analog
No
PS4 Wired USB
No
PS4 Non-BT Wireless
No
PS5 Analog
No
PS5 Wired USB
No
PS5 Non-BT Wireless
No
Connectivity
Xbox Compatibility
Xbox One Analog
No
Xbox One Wired USB
No
Xbox One Non-BT Wireless
No
Xbox Series X|S Analog
No
Xbox Series X|S Wired USB
No
Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless
No
2.2
Connectivity
Base/Dock
Type
Charging Case
USB Input
No
Line In
No
Line Out
No
Optical Input
No
RCA Input
No
Dock Charging
Yes
Power Supply
Lightning

This model comes with a carrying case with a lightning point for recharging. It also supports wireless charging. However, you can also purchase this model with a case that has a USB-C port and wireless charging support.