Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) review: why I still use these superb wireless in-ear headphones

Telegraph

a day ago

What are the Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C)?
Apple first announced its AirPods headphones in 2016, and they have since been instrumental in the design and development of wireless earbuds ever since. Back then, they launched with a divisive design, with the buds sitting in your ears and short stems dropping down beside them into your cheeks, but this is something that is much more commonplace in wireless in-ear headphones these days.
Four generations of the regular AirPods headphones have launched since their humble beginnings, with the latest being the AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC, both of which were announced in 2024. The first generation of the more expensive AirPods Pro earbuds, meanwhile, launched in 2019, adding silicone ear tips and noise cancellation to the familiar design. The second generation of AirPods Pro then followed in 2022, charged via Apple's proprietary Lightning port, before this connection was replaced with the much more widely used USB-C charging a year later in 2023.
It's this model I am testing for this review, specifically the earbuds I've been using daily for the last two years. However, are they still the in-ear Apple headphones to buy in 2025?
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How we test headphones
I have been reviewing consumer technology for over 12 years, testing everything from the best wireless earbuds and best headphones to the best smartphones and best tablets. For the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) specifically, I have used these headphones every single day for the last three years, first in their Lightning form and more recently in their USB-C form. I have also tested them alongside Apple's other AirPods options, as well as against leading noise-cancelling headphones from Bose, Sony, Sennheiser and others.
When I test headphones, I consider five testing metrics: design and comfort, sound quality, noise cancellation and EQ, battery and charging and connectivity. I have used the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) for every phone call, every commute and every plane journey since they launched, so I have tested their comfort, sound performance, battery life and active noise cancellation capabilities extensively.
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Design and comfort
Score: 9/10
There are few in-ear wireless headphones as distinctive as Apple's AirPods. The original AirPods had longer stems than the AirPods Pro models, and their white glossy finish did somewhat resemble a toothbrush head that you might pop on your Oral-B electric toothbrush. The shorter stems of the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) and latest AirPods 4 have allowed them to move slightly away from that comparison, though they are still only available in glossy white, which is a missed opportunity.
The AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) come with four silicone tip size options in the box, and I find they fit very well (I use the medium tips) and are exceptionally comfortable. I wear these headphones daily, including on the way home from the school run, during my weekly Sainsbury's shop and commuting around London. Once they are in, I barely notice them.
There's a responsive touch sensor on the stem of the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) that allows for various on-device controls. Sliding your finger up and down will adjust volume (this takes a bit of getting used to), while a single press will play or pause audio, or answer or end a call. A double press will skip to the next track and a triple press will go back to the previous song. You can also mute yourself on a call by pressing and holding the sensor.
IP54 ingress protection rating means they can withstand splashes and light rain, but shouldn't be submerged or exposed to constant water streams.
Sound quality
Score: 9/10
The AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) aren't just comfortable to wear; they offer excellent sound quality, which isn't something that could be said for the original AirPods models. AirPods have always been exceptionally convenient earbuds for Apple users, but they haven't always sounded as good as they do now, especially not in the case of the AirPods Pro 2.
Each of the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) earbuds benefits from all sorts of high-end technology, including a low-distortion, high-excursion audio driver, transducer and high dynamic range amplifier, combined with what Apple calls a H2 audio chip. That's a lot to take in, but basically, all of these features combined help to deliver exceptional sound.
There is a lovely amount of clarity and a great range that results in an engaging and entertaining listen, whatever your musical tastes. I have listened to a range of genres over the last two years of wearing these, and while there is more detail and clarity from the Sony XM5 headphones and better audio balance from the Bose QC Earbuds, the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) still do a superb job across the board – and they're cheaper, too.
Call quality is also excellent, which isn't the case for all wireless headphones. I've made and received hours of calls on the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) over the last couple of years, and while they can sometimes take a few seconds to calibrate when you take a call, once fully connected, your voice and the voice of the person you are talking to is crystal clear.
Noise cancellation, EQ and features
Score: 9/10
Score: 9/10
The Apple's AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) silicone ear tips provide a decent seal even without active noise cancellation (ANC) turned on, so you can just wear these to drown out a plane engine while you're sleeping, for example, or minimise the hustle and bustle of the London Underground. Switch on the ANC mode, however, and you'll barely hear a thing. It's rather brilliant.
There's also a Transparency mode, which is best used if you want to hear what is happening around you (such as colleague chatter) while filtering out some of the unnecessary noise (like the office air con). Adaptive Audio, meanwhile, is a blend of both modes. You can switch between these modes either on the earbuds themselves or through the settings on your iPhone. There's no dedicated smartphone app like you'll find with Sony and Bose headphones, but control of the ANC modes and audio settings/features are still easy to access for Apple users.
Speaking of features, there are plenty on board the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) for those with Apple devices – less so if you are using these earbuds with Android. Ear detection means audio will play or pause when you put the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) in or take them out of your ears, while Conversation Awareness mode is a particular favourite of mine, recognising when you're speaking to someone and lowering audio until you stop chatting. I'd rather it paused, especially when listening to podcasts or audiobooks, but it still works very well.
Announce Notifications and Announce Calls are also useful, with Apple's Siri assistant telling you who is calling or reading out notifications when you have the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) in your ears, while automatic switching between Apple devices, such as your iPhone and MacBook, makes for a seamless overall experience.
Battery life and charging
Score: 9/10
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) offers six hours of battery life with active noise cancellation turned on, and you get a total of 30 hours with the charging case. This is around six hours more than the first generation of AirPods Pro, and it is comparable to competitors like the Sony WF-1000XM5s, which allow for eight hours from the buds themselves and 24 hours in total. The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 offers seven hours from the buds and 28 hours in total.
If you're a talker, the talk time is 4.5 hours on a single charge, but I've always found that to be more than sufficient and I usually find myself charging the AirPods Pro 2 once a week just to keep them topped up and ensure I don't run out of battery on a commute. Charging via USB-C is quick and just five minutes in the case will give you around an hour of listening and talk time from the earbuds, which is handy if you forget to charge them fully.
Connectivity
Score: 8/10
Like other AirPods models, the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) support two audio codecs: the Subband Codec (SBC) and Apple's Advanced Audio Codec (AAC), and this is basically how the earbuds stream high-quality audio from your iPhone, iPad or Mac. If your non-Apple device, however, such as an Android phone or Windows laptop, uses its own audio codecs like aptX or LDAC, then these won't be supported on the AirPods Pro 2.
As such, the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) play much better with Apple devices and those already invested in the Apple ecosystem. You not only get a simple one-tap setup with iPhone and iPad, but there are additional useful features, such as being able to use the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) as a hearing test and hearing aid, both of which require an iPhone.
Technical specifications
The AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) are positioned at the top of Apple's in-ear headphone portfolio, though the AirPods 4 also have active noise cancellation and they are slightly cheaper. The AirPods 4 don't have an adjustable fit with silicone tips like the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) and they lack some of the Pro's features, but you can see how they compare on paper below:
Should you buy the Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C)?
Apple's AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) are a fantastic pair of in-ear wireless headphones for Apple users. They deliver excellent sound quality, brilliant noise cancellation and a collection of features, such as acting as a hearing aid to automatically reducing the audio volume when a conversation is detected.
Setup for Apple devices is incredibly simple and they are easy to use as well, with everything from automatic switching between Apple devices to automatic ear detection. I'd love to see them offered in colours other than white and they aren't the best in-ears for Android users, but if you already own an Apple device, whether iPhone, iPad or Mac, the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) are a fantastic complement.
Yes, if:
You want clear and detailed sound
You want great noise cancellation
You want smooth connectivity with Apple devices
No, if:
You don't own any other Apple devices
You have the AirPods Pro 2 (Lightning)
You are looking for some colour from your headphones
Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) FAQs
What is the battery life of the Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C)?
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) offer up to six hours of battery life with ANC on, and up to 4.5 hours of talk time. They have a total of 30 hours, including the charging case.
How do you reset Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C)?
To reset AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C), put them in the charging case, close the lid and wait for 30 seconds. Be sure to forget them from your device's list of Bluetooth connections, too. You'll then need to open the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) case up and press and hold the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds. The status light should flash amber and then white, after which you can follow the steps to reconnect your AirPods to your device.
How good is the active noise cancellation on the Apple AirPods Pro (USB-C)?
Apple's AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) have excellent noise cancellation. The ear tips create a good seal on their own, but they do a superb job of drowning out noise when the ANC is on, whether that's a plane engine or the hustle and bustle of city streets.
How do you connect Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) to iPhone?
Open the AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C)'s charging case with the AirPods inside and hold the case near your iPhone. A setup animation should appear on your iPhone's screen, offering a quick guide for setting them up.