Editor’s note: Amazon’s fall Prime Day event kicks off on October 7th; however, if you want to shop ahead of the two-day sale, we’ve rounded up the best early Prime Day deals you can already get.Whether you’re buying your first pair of AirPods or replacing a well-used older pair, it’s easy to understand why so many iPhone owners prefer Apple’s earbuds and headphones over other options. Apple has spent years gradually adding new features that work best — and sometimes only work at all — with the company’s own devices. These convenient tricks include audio sharing, automatic switching between Apple’s various devices, live translation, Apple TV integration, and more.There are currently four AirPods models to choose from, each with its own distinct appeal and upside. You likely already know whether you’re more interested in earbuds or over-ear headphones, so that’s the first divide. In the case of over-ear headphones, your only choice is the AirPods Max. But in the earbuds category, Apple offers three options: the AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, and the plain old AirPods 4.The best AirPods overallThe best AirPods for those who find ear tips uncomfortableThe best for those who prefer headphonesWhat’s coming nextThe best AirPods overallAirPods Pro 3Score: 9ProsConsImproved ANC and soundLonger batteryStandalone workout trackingLive translationSame priceIP57Better fitCamera remote control is handy!If you’re hoping for traditional foam ear tips, this isn’t thatWhere to Buy: $249 at Amazon $249 at Apple $249.99 at Best BuyNoise cancellation: Yes / Battery life: 8 hours (ANC on) / Water resistance: IP57 / Bluetooth codecs: AAC, SBC / Multipoint: No / Works best with: iOS, Windows, macOS / Ear tips: Foam and silicone (XXS, XS, S, M, L)The third-generation AirPods Pro are better than its predecessor in numerous ways, starting with the fit. Apple’s latest flagship earbuds feature a more angular design and a wider range of ear tip sizes — including an XXS option. These “foam-infused” tips combine foam and silicone, so they expand slightly for better comfort and a tighter seal. If you’ve ever cursed at AirPods for falling out of your ears, the Pro 3’s improved fit alone might sell you.They also deliver upgrades to noise cancellation — even rivaling the over-ear AirPods Max. They’re noticeably better at dampening high-frequency sounds, like voices, than prior generations of AirPods Pro, and they can eliminate the low hum of an airplane engine. Sound quality has also been improved in ways that were surprisingly easy to pick out: bass is punchier, vocals are clearer, and you’ll notice new layers in your favorite tracks. Meanwhile, battery life will last you a full work day with ANC enabled before the buds need to go back into the charging case for a refill.In addition to giving users the flexibility to use these earbuds as a clinical-grade hearing aid — a feature introduced last year — Apple has added a heart rate sensor to this model, allowing you to track workouts right from your ears. Add in IP57 water and dust resistance, stronger Find My capabilities, and a live translation feature, and it’s clear the AirPods Pro are Apple’s best wireless earbuds by a wide margin.Read our full AirPods Pro 3 review.The best AirPods for those who find ear tips uncomfortableApple AirPods 4Score: 7ProsConsUpgraded sound qualityVoice isolation can noticeably improve call clarityDeep Apple ecosystem integrationNo wireless chargingNo built-in speaker on the caseNo proper multipointWhere to Buy: $129.99 $119 at Amazon $129.99 $119 at Walmart $129.99 $121.2 at Best BuyNoise cancellation: No / Battery life: 5 hours / Water resistance: IP54 / Bluetooth codecs: AAC, SBC / Multipoint: No / Works best with: iOS, Windows, macOSNot everyone likes the way ear tips feel. Even with venting and the other measures Apple has taken to improve comfort and reduce that clogged-up sensation in the AirPods Pro 3, some people just prefer the regular, one-size-fits-most AirPods. Their open design means you’re never totally cut off from the outside world. The AirPods Pro have an impressive transparency mode, but the AirPods 4 don’t need it.Apple sells two versions of the AirPods 4. No matter which you choose, you’ll get the same good sound quality, microphone performance on voice calls, and IP54 water resistance. The more expensive pair has features that you might want, including active noise cancellation and a more advanced charging case (it supports Find My and wireless charging). You might be surprised by how well the noise cancellation works even with an unsealed design; it reduces office ambience and annoying hums, but louder sounds and voices still cut through the ANC, since these don’t use a sealed ear tip.If you’re truly interested in noise-canceling earbuds, consider upgrading to the AirPods Pro 3. They offer much better audio quality, stronger ANC, and a better experience overall. I’d only steer you to the noise-canceling AirPods 4 if you’re really opposed to ear tips.Read my full AirPods 4 review.The best for those who prefer headphonesAirPods Max (USB-C)Score: 8.5ProsConsHigh-luxury designTerrific, balanced sound qualityVery effective noise cancellationDependable and foolproof controlsSpatial audio for immersive entertainmentHeavier than many competitorsNo 3.5mm jackWired listening requires $35 cableCase is an abominationLacks latest AirPods Pro featuresWhere to Buy: $549 $519 at Amazon $549 $519 at Best Buy $549.99 $529 at WalmartNoise cancellation: Yes / Battery life: 20 hours (ANC on) / Water resistance: No / Bluetooth codecs: AAC, SBC / Multipoint: No / Works best with: iOS, Windows, macOSWe’ve gone back and forth recommending Apple’s $549 AirPods Max over the last few years. They have a standout design, but the good looks and premium feel come at a high cost. Not just that, these headphones are considerably heavier than most competitors and can get fatiguing over extended use. But the fabric ear cups on the AirPods Max are much more pleasant in warm weather than the pleather you’ll find on Bose and Sony products, and probably won’t leave you with sweaty ears. The AirPods Max provide impressive noise cancellation, and the transparency mode is clearer and more natural-sounding than any other set of headphones on the market. As for sound, Apple’s headphones have a pleasant sound signature that works well across a wide range of genres. They’re easy to listen to with an impressive soundstage for closed-back headphones.You lose some features — like conversation awareness and adaptive audio — that are included on the AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 4 with ANC; this is due to the AirPods Max having Apple’s older H1 chip. However, the company added lossless audio over USB-C in April, meaning these headphones are capable of offering the richest audio fidelity of the entire lineup. Read my full AirPods Max (Lightning) review.What’s coming nextWith Apple’s fall hardware event in the rearview mirror, we’re at a point where the company’s lineup seems settled. Apple doesn’t upgrade its entry-level AirPods line on an annual basis like some of its other products, and the Pro 3 just hit the market. Meanwhile, the AirPods Max have gone relatively unchanged since their release in 2020, with Apple adding a model that has a USB-C port, plus new colors, last year. Looking further into the future, a report from last year claimed Apple was exploring a camera-equipped AirPods concept paired with AI courtesy of Apple Intelligence.How we test AirPodsWe spend dozens of hours using AirPods products for our initial reviews, and that testing extends for weeks and months afterward. That’s where we assess sound quality, mic performance, and overall reliability. Where applicable, we try the active noise cancellation in a wide range of different environments and have put the hearing protection of the AirPods Pro through the paces at concerts. We also closely examine ecosystem benefits and how the AirPods and Apple’s other products work together.Update, September 29th: Adjusted pricing / availability, and added the AirPods Pro 3 as our top pick. Brandon Widder and Brandon Russell also contributed to this post.