Is Apple’s AirPods Pro right for you?
We are now about a year removed from Apple’s release of the AirPods Pro. There have been changes in this competitive market, but the way I feel about these earbuds has not changed. The Pros can take care of all your daily tasks between work calls, gym sessions, and keeping up with your favorite podcasts while walking your dog. While these are perfect for the Apple enthusiast like me, they’re still just Bluetooth buds and are compatible with most modern devices that have Bluetooth capabilities. But, these aren’t the right earbuds for everybody. If you’re interested in reading about our other top selections of best wireless earbuds for working out, you can learn more here.
Are they secure?
One of the main issues with the first generation AirPods was the fact that they did not come with earbuds or in different sizes. This meant that if the AirPods didn’t fit your ears securely, welp, you were out of luck. The first generation AirPods nestled in my ears, but not securely. For many people like myself, this was the case.
This was addressed in the AirPods Pro. They moved to a more traditional silicone ear tip. Three different sizes are even included within the box to help ensure a secure fit. It’s still definitely not a universal fit but Apple did a great job of addressing this issue for a lot of people. Now you can comfortably take the AirPods Pros for a run without worrying about an earbud falling out. I’m the kind of person who holds their breath in fear of breaking anything that they drop. So it’s reassuring that the Pros won’t fall out of your ears when going for long runs.
Are they waterproof?
The first-generation AirPods didn’t have any type of water resistance and this was a problem for many people who wanted to use their AirPods when working out. However, this isn’t something you’ll have to worry about with the AirPods Pro. The Pros are sweatproof and splashproof, but not totally waterproof. This should give you peace of mind when taking them along for your next HIIT workout.
Okay, but how do they sound?
Compared to the standard AirPods, the Pros sound great. They have more bass thanks to their noise-isolating design. The standard AirPods also didn’t perform well in loud areas because of their open design. As long as you are able to get a tight seal with one of the Pros earbud sizes, their active noise cancellation helps block out external noises.
Want to hear outside noise? No problem! Apple’s AirPods Pro has a transparency mode to let ambient noise leak in. I take full advantage of this when I run into acquaintances at the gym. I never know how long our conversations are going to go and I don’t like to keep taking out my earbuds over and over again to talk. By squeezing the stem of the AirPod, transparency mode is activated to let you hear everything that goes on in the outside world. I’ve also had friends tell me that they use the transparency feature when running on busy trails because they can hear when bikers try to pass them by.
But the sound quality isn’t the best in its price range
I love my AirPods, they sound great. But they’re not $250 great. What I mean is you’d expect a more textured sound and definition from a pair of headphones that you’re paying $250 for. For example Sony’s WF-1000XM3’s offer better sound quality but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re a better overall pair of earbuds. It’s still hard to beat the AirPods lightweight design, comfortable fit, and call quality.
How’s the call quality?
With the AirPods Pro’s increased noise reduction, it improves your ability to hear callers. For example, the Sony WF-1000XM3 that offers great sound quality doesn’t live up to the standard of the AirPods Pro. The Pro’s also filter out background noise so your speaking clarity is superb for the other end. The only thing Apple seems to be missing in comparison to competitors is a sidetone feature allowing you to hear your own voice while speaking. It’s supposed to help you from speaking too loud when you’re out in public which can be found on the Jabra Elite 75t.
Pros:
- Splash-resistant
- Call quality with active ambient noise filtration feature
- Ability to allow outside noise leak in
Cons:
- Price
- No volume adjustment capability on buds
In Conclusion, TLDR
At the end of the day, a noise-canceling headphone is only as good as the fit. Apple did a great job of creating noise-canceling headphones that can fit a majority of people in the AirPods Pro. They’re excellent for working out because they feel secure in your ear and are splash-resistant. They’re a bit pricey but there are loads of features to like, it’s easy to see why they’re such a popular choice for wireless earbuds. Offering superb call-quality, these earbuds can handle all of life’s tasks.
Disclaimer: All product prices listed are accurate at the time of writing and are subject to change.
