# Apple AirPods Pro 2 Review Roundup: What 8 Experts Say > DataDesign surveys published reviews and manufacturer data. We do not test products ourselves. > Updated 2026-09-27. Source: https://datadesign.one/wireless-earbuds/apple-airpods-pro-2/ **Consensus score: 82/100** (low confidence, from 1 rated reviews) **Bottom line.** The Apple AirPods Pro 2 suits iPhone owners who want strong noise cancellation with Apple-ecosystem convenience: RTINGS, TechRadar and What Hi-Fi? all rate its ANC among the best in the category [@rtings-apple-airpods-pro-2][@techradar-apple-airpods-pro-2][@whathifi-apple-airpods-pro-2]. Its most consistent reservations are limited Android support — SoundGuys, TechRadar and Digital Trends each flag it as unsuited to non-Apple phones [@soundguys-apple-airpods-pro-2][@techradar-apple-airpods-pro-2][@digitaltrends-apple-airpods-pro-2] — and battery-life measurements that land at or just below Apple's 6-hour rating in two outlets' own tests — 5h43m at SoundGuys and closer to 5 hours at Tom's Guide [@soundguys-apple-airpods-pro-2][@tomsguide-apple-airpods-pro-2]. Buyers who need the single best ANC on the market or an Android-friendly earbud should weigh the alternatives below. ## Who it's for The Apple AirPods Pro 2 targets iPhone owners already inside Apple's ecosystem rather than general earbud shoppers. SoundGuys recommends the earbuds only for iPhone owners, warning that Android owners should look elsewhere since ecosystem-exclusive features — Spatial Audio personalization, battery optimization, Find My and hearing aid functionality — don't work outside Apple devices [@soundguys-apple-airpods-pro-2]. TechRadar lists poor suitability for Android users among its cons [@techradar-apple-airpods-pro-2], and Digital Trends' cons list repeats the same limitation [@digitaltrends-apple-airpods-pro-2]. Digital Trends' review sums up the case for Apple loyalists bluntly: "There's simply no better option for anyone with Apple devices." [@digitaltrends-apple-airpods-pro-2] Fit and stability matter too. TechGearLab calls the AirPods Pro 2 among the most comfortable in-ear buds it has tested, saying they passed stability tests including headstands, jump boxes and headbanging [@techgearlab-apple-airpods-pro-2]. RTINGS is less convinced for high-intensity workouts, listing tips that can wiggle out during intense exercise as a con [@rtings-apple-airpods-pro-2] — buyers doing sprint intervals or contact sports may want to size their tips carefully or consider another pair. Water resistance also depends on which case a buyer gets. Apple's tech-specs page for the original Lightning-case model states IPX4 [@apple-apple-airpods-pro-2-specs]. On the newer USB-C-case model Apple introduced in September 2023, RTINGS reports IP54 for the earbuds [@rtings-apple-airpods-pro-2], while SoundGuys and TechGearLab report IP54 for both the earbuds and the case [@soundguys-apple-airpods-pro-2][@techgearlab-apple-airpods-pro-2][@apple-apple-airpods-pro-2-usbc-announcement]. Buyers deciding between generations should also weigh the newer AirPods Pro 3. RTINGS says the successor is better overall, with longer continuous playback, a higher IP57 rating, improved ANC and heftier bass, though it notes the AirPods Pro 2 sit less deeply in the ear, which some listeners may prefer [@rtings-apple-airpods-pro-2]. TechGearLab goes further, saying the AirPods Pro 3 offers more for every listener and would be its pick over the AirPods Pro 2 unless the older model turns up on sale [@techgearlab-apple-airpods-pro-2]. ## What reviewers praise Active noise cancellation draws the most consistent praise across outlets. RTINGS' pros list credits "Stellar ANC performance" [@rtings-apple-airpods-pro-2], and its review separately says noise isolation is remarkable, attenuating sound from fridge compressors to raspy exhausts while little sound leaks out the other way, matching or beating rivals like the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 and the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Truly Wireless [@rtings-apple-airpods-pro-2]. TechRadar scored noise cancelling 5 out of 5, and a January 2024 update note calls the ANC "only just behind the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2" [@techradar-apple-airpods-pro-2]. Apple claims up to double the Active Noise Cancellation of the original AirPods Pro [@apple-apple-airpods-pro-2-usbc-announcement]; What Hi-Fi? relays that figure as blocking out twice as much background noise and calls the improvement dramatic in its own listening, though it isn't "quite as cocooned in silence" as its ANC benchmark, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II [@whathifi-apple-airpods-pro-2]. Tom's Guide lists "world-class noise cancelation" among its pros [@tomsguide-apple-airpods-pro-2], and Digital Trends calls ANC close to a toss-up against the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II, preferring the AirPods Pro 2 because the Bose produces an audible hiss in quiet rooms that the AirPods Pro 2 doesn't [@digitaltrends-apple-airpods-pro-2]. Sound quality is praised almost as consistently. What Hi-Fi? scored sound 5 out of 5, saying it now sounds richer and more full-bodied than the Sony WF-1000XM4, though the newer Sony WF-1000XM5 offers greater detail, clarity and power, and the pricier Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II has the edge for subtlety and balance [@whathifi-apple-airpods-pro-2]. TechRadar scored sound quality 4.5 out of 5 and lists strong sound and Spatial Audio quality among its pros [@techradar-apple-airpods-pro-2]. Tom's Guide lists Dolby Atmos spatial audio among its pros [@tomsguide-apple-airpods-pro-2], and Digital Trends calls sound quality very good, one of five pros it lists for the earbuds [@digitaltrends-apple-airpods-pro-2]. Battery life measurements vary, but TechGearLab and Engadget both found real-world results that beat or match Apple's 6-hour ANC-on rating [@apple-apple-airpods-pro-2-specs]. TechGearLab measured 8.5 hours of continuous battery life at 75% volume, exceeding Apple's figure, with the case extending total listening to 34 hours across four full recharges [@techgearlab-apple-airpods-pro-2]. Engadget measured 6 hours 15 minutes of mixed use covering ANC, transparency mode and calls, longer than the first-generation AirPods Pro's 4.5 hours [@engadget-apple-airpods-pro-2]. Engadget also says the transparency mode is the best on the market, running Adaptive Transparency processing 48,000 times per second to dampen sudden loud sounds [@engadget-apple-airpods-pro-2]. Call quality earns praise from more than one outlet, even where others disagree (see below). Digital Trends lists great call quality among its pros: in paired calls between two of its editors, each caller's own background noise — a passing truck in one instance — could not be heard by the person on the other end of the line [@digitaltrends-apple-airpods-pro-2]. TechGearLab calls call quality some of the best in its test group, saying voices stayed clear even over subway and office background noise, though it sees room for improvement in challenging environments [@techgearlab-apple-airpods-pro-2]. ## Common criticisms Fit security during high-intensity use draws a recurring complaint. RTINGS lists tips that can wiggle out during intense workouts as a con [@rtings-apple-airpods-pro-2], and Tom's Guide similarly says the fit feels less secure during intense athletic activity, adding it wouldn't wear them for sports [@tomsguide-apple-airpods-pro-2] — though TechGearLab reports the opposite, saying the buds passed its stability tests (see above) [@techgearlab-apple-airpods-pro-2]. Android compatibility is the other major limitation. Digital Trends' cons list includes limited Android support and the lack of EQ adjustments [@digitaltrends-apple-airpods-pro-2]. TechRadar and SoundGuys make the same point about Android suitability [@techradar-apple-airpods-pro-2][@soundguys-apple-airpods-pro-2], and it extends to connectivity: Digital Trends notes the earbuds still lack Bluetooth Multipoint, relying instead on automatic device switching across Apple devices signed into the same iCloud account [@digitaltrends-apple-airpods-pro-2][@soundguys-apple-airpods-pro-2]. Microphone and call performance draw frequent complaints. RTINGS calls overall microphone performance sub-par, listing it as a con [@rtings-apple-airpods-pro-2]. Tom's Guide lists lackluster call quality among its cons, describing calls as always sounding a bit muffled compared to speakerphone — a listened-to voicemail recording convinced the reviewer why callers preferred the phone's own speaker [@tomsguide-apple-airpods-pro-2]. SoundGuys found the onboard microphone sounds quite good in ideal conditions, but says voices can drop out entirely when the mic tries to reject unpredictable background noise, and windy conditions make voices very hard to hear [@soundguys-apple-airpods-pro-2]. Smaller complaints round out the list. TechRadar's cons include a lack of alternative colors and battery life it calls only average [@techradar-apple-airpods-pro-2]. Tom's Guide notes the carrying lanyard costs extra [@tomsguide-apple-airpods-pro-2], and What Hi-Fi? points out that many useful features are restricted to iOS devices only [@whathifi-apple-airpods-pro-2]. ## Where reviewers disagree Battery life is the clearest split, and it's a spread rather than a single disagreement. Apple rates the AirPods Pro 2 at 6 hours with ANC on, 5.5 hours with Spatial Audio and head tracking also enabled [@apple-apple-airpods-pro-2-specs]. SoundGuys measured 5 hours 43 minutes standalone with ANC on, just short of that rating [@soundguys-apple-airpods-pro-2]. Tom's Guide's own testing landed closer to 5 hours per charge, also short [@tomsguide-apple-airpods-pro-2]. TechRadar matched Apple's 6-hour ANC-on figure in its own testing, but with head tracking and Spatial Audio also enabled got about 4-5 hours, short of Apple's 5.5-hour rating for that configuration [@techradar-apple-airpods-pro-2]. Engadget measured 6 hours 15 minutes of mixed use, essentially matching Apple's figure [@engadget-apple-airpods-pro-2]. TechGearLab's result is the outlier: 8.5 hours at 75% volume, well past Apple's rating [@techgearlab-apple-airpods-pro-2]. The five figures don't converge on one number. Noise cancellation ranking against rivals splits opinion, even though each review rates the AirPods Pro 2's ANC highly on its own terms. RTINGS and What Hi-Fi? both rate it at or near the top of the category [@rtings-apple-airpods-pro-2][@whathifi-apple-airpods-pro-2]. Tom's Guide disagrees on the ranking, if not the quality: it says the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and the Sony WF-1000XM5 both outperform the AirPods Pro 2 for noise cancelling specifically, even while still calling its ANC excellent in its own right [@tomsguide-apple-airpods-pro-2]. SoundGuys' measurement backs the same split, finding the Sony WF-1000XM5 reduces noise better than the AirPods Pro 2, especially in the mid and high frequencies, while rating the AirPods Pro 2's out-of-the-box sound closer to its target curve than the WF-1000XM5 [@soundguys-sony-wf-1000xm5]. Call quality is a split, partly over severity and conditions and partly outright. Digital Trends and Tom's Guide both report some muffling in calls, but weigh it differently. Digital Trends scopes the muffling to loud, outdoor settings and still lists call quality among its pros because of the noise suppression: in paired calls between two of its editors, each caller's own background noise — a passing truck in one instance — could not be heard on the other end of the line [@digitaltrends-apple-airpods-pro-2]. Tom's Guide finds it enough to list lackluster call quality among its cons, describing calls as always sounding a bit muffled next to speakerphone [@tomsguide-apple-airpods-pro-2]. The flat disagreement is between TechGearLab and RTINGS: TechGearLab calls call quality some of the best it tested even over subway and office noise, while still seeing room for improvement in challenging environments [@techgearlab-apple-airpods-pro-2], and RTINGS calls the microphone sub-par [@rtings-apple-airpods-pro-2]. SoundGuys splits the difference again: it calls the mic quite good in ideal conditions but says it fails badly in wind and heavy background noise [@soundguys-apple-airpods-pro-2]. Water resistance ratings differ by case variant rather than by disagreement over the same hardware. Apple's tech-specs page for the original Lightning-case model states IPX4 [@apple-apple-airpods-pro-2-specs]. On the newer USB-C charging case model Apple introduced in September 2023, RTINGS reports IP54 for the earbuds [@rtings-apple-airpods-pro-2], while SoundGuys and TechGearLab report IP54 for both the earbuds and the case, consistent with Apple's own announcement of added dust resistance for that variant [@soundguys-apple-airpods-pro-2][@techgearlab-apple-airpods-pro-2][@apple-apple-airpods-pro-2-usbc-announcement]. ## Alternatives For the single best noise cancellation on the market, several reviewers point elsewhere. Tom's Guide says both the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and the Sony WF-1000XM5 outperform the AirPods Pro 2 for ANC specifically [@tomsguide-apple-airpods-pro-2]. Against the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II directly, TechRadar and What Hi-Fi? both still give Bose a narrow edge [@techradar-apple-airpods-pro-2][@whathifi-apple-airpods-pro-2], while RTINGS says the AirPods Pro 2's ANC rivals or surpasses that same Bose model, along with the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 [@rtings-apple-airpods-pro-2], and Digital Trends calls the two a near toss-up, preferring the AirPods Pro 2 because the Bose hisses audibly in quiet rooms [@digitaltrends-apple-airpods-pro-2]. Against the Sony WF-1000XM5, SoundGuys found the Sony reduces noise better in the mid and high frequencies, but says the AirPods Pro 2's out-of-the-box sound tracks its own target curve more closely [@soundguys-sony-wf-1000xm5]. What Hi-Fi? separately says the AirPods Pro 2 now sounds richer and more full-bodied than the Sony WF-1000XM4, though the WF-1000XM5 still offers greater detail, clarity and power [@whathifi-apple-airpods-pro-2]. For sound quality specifically, Digital Trends and Engadget both point to the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 as having an edge over the AirPods Pro 2, though Digital Trends says the gap has narrowed compared with the first-generation model [@digitaltrends-apple-airpods-pro-2][@engadget-apple-airpods-pro-2]. Engadget separately names Sony's WF-1000XM4 as its pick for features [@engadget-apple-airpods-pro-2]. Apple's own successor is the other obvious comparison. RTINGS says the AirPods Pro 3 is better overall — longer continuous playback, a higher IP57 rating, improved ANC and heftier bass — though the AirPods Pro 2 sit less deeply in the ear, which some may prefer [@rtings-apple-airpods-pro-2]. TechGearLab agrees the AirPods Pro 3 is the better buy at full price, but says the AirPods Pro 2 remains worth it if found on sale [@techgearlab-apple-airpods-pro-2] — and it often is: the AirPods Pro 2 launched at $249 in September 2022 [@apple-apple-airpods-pro-2-announcement], and TechRadar reported in January 2024 that they were commonly discounted to around $189 during sales [@techradar-apple-airpods-pro-2]. ## Questions **Does the Apple AirPods Pro 2 support Bluetooth multipoint?** No. Digital Trends notes the AirPods Pro 2 still lack Bluetooth Multipoint, relying instead on automatic device switching across Apple devices signed into the same iCloud account [@digitaltrends-apple-airpods-pro-2][@soundguys-apple-airpods-pro-2]. **What's the AirPods Pro 2's water resistance rating?** It depends on the case. Apple's tech-specs page for the original Lightning-case model states IPX4 [@apple-apple-airpods-pro-2-specs]. On the USB-C-case model Apple introduced in September 2023, RTINGS reports IP54 for the earbuds [@rtings-apple-airpods-pro-2], and SoundGuys and TechGearLab both report IP54 — adding dust resistance — for the earbuds and the case [@soundguys-apple-airpods-pro-2][@techgearlab-apple-airpods-pro-2]. **How long does the AirPods Pro 2's battery actually last?** It varies by test. Apple rates it at 6 hours with ANC on [@apple-apple-airpods-pro-2-specs]. SoundGuys measured 5 hours 43 minutes [@soundguys-apple-airpods-pro-2], Tom's Guide closer to 5 hours [@tomsguide-apple-airpods-pro-2], TechRadar 4-5 hours with Spatial Audio and ANC both enabled [@techradar-apple-airpods-pro-2], Engadget 6 hours 15 minutes of mixed use [@engadget-apple-airpods-pro-2], and TechGearLab 8.5 hours at 75% volume [@techgearlab-apple-airpods-pro-2]. **Is the AirPods Pro 2 still worth buying now that the AirPods Pro 3 has replaced it?** RTINGS says the AirPods Pro 3 is better overall, with longer continuous playback, a higher IP57 rating, improved ANC and heftier bass, though the AirPods Pro 2 sit less deeply in the ear, which some listeners may prefer [@rtings-apple-airpods-pro-2]. TechGearLab says the AirPods Pro 3 offers more for every listener and would be its pick over the AirPods Pro 2 unless the older model is found on sale [@techgearlab-apple-airpods-pro-2]. **How does the AirPods Pro 2's noise cancellation compare to Bose and Sony rivals?** Reviewers disagree. RTINGS and What Hi-Fi? both rate the AirPods Pro 2's ANC at or near the top of the category [@rtings-apple-airpods-pro-2][@whathifi-apple-airpods-pro-2]. Tom's Guide instead says the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Sony WF-1000XM5 both outperform it for noise cancelling specifically [@tomsguide-apple-airpods-pro-2], and SoundGuys' own measurement found the Sony WF-1000XM5 reduces noise better in the mid and high frequencies [@soundguys-sony-wf-1000xm5]. **Is call quality good on the AirPods Pro 2?** It depends who you ask. Digital Trends and Tom's Guide both report some muffling but weigh it differently: Digital Trends still lists call quality as a pro, scoping the muffling to loud, outdoor settings [@digitaltrends-apple-airpods-pro-2], while Tom's Guide lists it as a con, saying calls sound muffled next to speakerphone [@tomsguide-apple-airpods-pro-2]. TechGearLab rates it among the best it tested, with some room to improve in hard environments [@techgearlab-apple-airpods-pro-2], while RTINGS calls the microphone sub-par [@rtings-apple-airpods-pro-2]. SoundGuys found the mic good in ideal conditions but says it fails badly in wind and heavy noise [@soundguys-apple-airpods-pro-2]. ## Sources - [@rtings-apple-airpods-pro-2] Apple AirPods Pro 2 Review — rtings: https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/apple/airpods-pro-2nd-generation-truly-wireless - [@techradar-apple-airpods-pro-2] AirPods Pro 2 review: fantastic wireless earbuds for Apple users — techradar: https://www.techradar.com/reviews/airpods-pro-2 - [@whathifi-apple-airpods-pro-2] Apple AirPods Pro 2 review — whathifi: https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/apple-airpods-pro-2 - [@soundguys-apple-airpods-pro-2] Apple AirPods Pro 2 review — soundguys: https://www.soundguys.com/apple-airpods-pro-2nd-generation-review-78938/ - [@digitaltrends-apple-airpods-pro-2] Apple AirPods Pro 2 review: great buds get even better — digitaltrends: https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/apple-airpods-pro-2-review/ - [@tomsguide-apple-airpods-pro-2] Apple AirPods Pro 2 review: Best noise-canceling and spatial audio for iOS — tomsguide: https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/airpods-pro-2-review - [@techgearlab-apple-airpods-pro-2] Apple AirPods Pro 2 Review — techgearlab: https://www.techgearlab.com/reviews/audio/wireless-earbuds/apple-airpods-pro-2 - [@apple-apple-airpods-pro-2-specs] AirPods Pro 2 - Tech Specs - Apple Support — apple: https://support.apple.com/en-us/111851 - [@apple-apple-airpods-pro-2-usbc-announcement] Apple introduces new AirPods Pro 2nd generation with USB‐C charging capabilities — apple, 2023-09-12: https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2023/09/apple-upgrades-airpods-pro-2nd-generation-with-usb-c-charging/ - [@engadget-apple-airpods-pro-2] Apple AirPods Pro review (2nd-gen): Big improvements, all on the inside — engadget: https://www.engadget.com/airpods-pro-review-second-generation-130048218-130048292.html - [@soundguys-sony-wf-1000xm5] Sony WF-1000XM5 review — soundguys: https://www.soundguys.com/sony-wf-1000xm5-review-95465/ - [@apple-apple-airpods-pro-2-announcement] Apple announces the next generation of AirPods Pro — apple, 2022-09-07: https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2022/09/apple-announces-the-next-generation-of-airpods-pro/ Licence: prose © DataDesign; the structured data at https://datadesign.one/data/ is CC BY 4.0.