The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are the next generation of the Apple AirPods Pro. 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 a misplaced case. Their ANC has improved greatly, and their sound profile has been tweaked, too.
Our Verdict
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are very good for sports and fitness. Although some users find that the buds can wiggle out of their ears with intense movements during HIIT, 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. Additionally, the updated buds with the USB-C case are certified IP54 to include dust resistance.
Stellar ANC performance.
- Comfortable and premium design.
Certified IPX4/IP54 (USB-C) for resistance against water splashes.
Tips can wiggle out during intense workouts.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are great for traveling. 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 does a superb job of blocking 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 bother others around you.
Stellar ANC performance.
- Comfortable and premium design.
No seamless device-switching outside Apple ecosystem.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are a good choice for the office. 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 until you clock out, their carrying case supplies an additional four charges, which is handy in a pinch. They're also equipped with an outstanding ANC system and can block out office noise like chatty coworkers or the high-pitched hum of AC units very well. That said, their microphone isn't the greatest, but it'll do if you have decent control of your environment.
Stellar ANC performance.
- Comfortable and premium design.
Six-hour continuous battery life and four extra charges in the case.
- Sub-par overall microphone performance.
No seamless device-switching outside Apple ecosystem.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are Bluetooth headphones. They aren't designed with wireless gaming in mind, as their latency falls outside of good values, which can result in noticeable audio/video desync.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are Bluetooth buds; you can't use them wired.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 have very good audio reproduction accuracy. Their frequency response hardly deviates from their warm sound profile. Overall, their left and right drivers are well-matched, with frequency and phase mismatches in the treble likely remaining inaudible in everyday listening. The drivers don't produce any audible harmonic distortion, either. Since they are in-ears, these earbuds don't produce an immersive sound through outer ear interaction.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 have remarkable noise isolation. Their best-in-class ANC attenuates noise from fridge compressors to raspy exhausts. In the other direction, sound barely leaks from the earbuds; at worst, neighbors will hear a thin, quiet reproduction of your music.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 have a sub-par microphone. Your voice will sound thin and muffled, and they don't separate your speech from loud continuous noise well.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 have great frequency response consistency. If you take the time to achieve a proper fit, you'll get consistent audio with each wear.
Performance Usages
Changelog
- Updated Apr 20, 2026: This review has been updated to Test Bench 2.2, which removes the Cumulative Spectral Decay (CSD) test, retiring its waterfall plot visualization from our reviews. You can read more about this change in the changelog.
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Updated Apr 13, 2026:
This review has been updated to Test Bench 2.1, which removes the Group Delay test and rebalances scoring for the Harmonic Distortion test and Audio Reproduction Accuracy performance usage. For more details, consult our full changelog.
- Updated Apr 09, 2026: We've converted this review to Test Bench 2.1, which features minor updates to our sound tests.
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Updated Nov 12, 2025:
This review was updated to show the results with firmware 8A358 and make comparisons to previous firmware versions with no changes to the scores. In addition, Sound Profile, Frequency Response Consistency, Peaks/Dips, Noise Isolation - Full Range, and Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios have been updated to show comparisons using aftermarket Comply TrueGrip ear tips and also to the Apple AirPods Pro 3.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 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 to charge 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.
Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are the next generation of the Apple AirPods Pro. As we've come to expect from Apple, these earbuds have the same premium build quality as their other products. Under the hood, however, their ANC has been improved to rival or even surpass competitors also vying for the title of the best noise cancelling earbuds, like the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 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, allowing you to track the case with the 'Find My' feature. While they may not be as customizable as other buds with graphic EQs and presets, like the Nothing Ear, they offer a solid performance, especially if you don't want to play around with settings. Still, the AirPods Pro 2's features have been eclipsed by the subsequent Apple AirPods Pro 3, which boast better ANC and a longer battery life.
Check out our recommendations for the best wireless Bluetooth earbuds and the best wireless earbuds for iPhone.
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are better than the Apple AirPods Pro 2, and you can read our more in-depth comparison. The AirPods Pro 3 improve on the last generation with longer continuous playback, a higher IP57 rating for the buds and case, and improved ANC. Their fit has changed, and they're comfortable and more secure with heart monitors. But if you prefer a fit that doesn't sit as deeply in your ears, you may prefer the AirPods Pro 2. The tuning of neither is easily modified without a third-party app, so if you prefer a smoother sound, the AirPods Pro 2's frequency response has fewer peaks and dips, while the AirPods Pro 3 deliver a heftier bass with a relatively more excited top-end. To keep perspective, the AirPods Pro 2 still have fantastic ANC, even if it's not as powerful, and both support spatial audio.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are better for most people than the Apple AirPods 4 mainly due their more predictable fit and the flexibility of active noise cancellation. On the other hand, if you prefer the environmental awareness of the open-back AirPods 4 and their looser fit, you may prefer that to the transparency mode on the AirPods Pro 2. Both have the H2 chip for switching between iCloud-registered Apple devices and Spatial Audio. However, the AirPods Pro 2 can also charge wirelessly, while the AirPods 4 only charge via USB-C.
The Apple AirPods Max and the Apple AirPods Pro 2 have different strengths, so depending on your usage, you may prefer either one. The Max are over-ears with better overall battery life performance. However, the Pro 2 have a more comfortable and stable fit, making them a solid choice if you want to use them for running or working out. The two have a comparable noise isolation performance, with the Pro performing better in common scenarios and the Max excelling across the full range. Both headphones support Apple's Spatial Audio for a more immersive sound, though, and are both equipped with H1/H2 chips for seamless pairing within the Apple ecosystem.
The differences between the Apple AirPods Pro 2 and the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are in the details. Both have fantastic ANC and use the H2 chip for device switching with Apple devices and support for Apple Spatial Audio. The Apple have a slightly higher IP rating and a better-performing mic. The Apple include an adaptive EQ. Meanwhile, the Beats have a longer continuous battery life and a more secure fit. Unlike the Apple, the Beats include an app that is compatible with Android. Other things are preference-based, such as whether you prefer the Apple's pressure and touch-sensitive controls or the physical buttons on the Beats.
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Test Results
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