Apple Airpods Pro

The original Airpods had their flaws, including the one-sizefits-all approach. Apple aims to address this with the Airpods Pro. The most obvious difference is the Pro’s silicone tip and shorter stems, making them less conspicuous. The stems now house the sensors. We’re not convinced by this approach – the squeezes are fiddly to perform, particularly when running or cycling. The Airpods Pro are sweat- and water-resistant, but aren’t as sports-focused as a rival such as the Jaybird Vista. The Airpods Pro stay in our ears when running during testing. They are so light (5.4g each) and comfortable that they give the impression of being loose.

The biggest change here is, of course, the noise-cancelling. Each Pro has two microphones and the noise-cancelling is continuously adjusted 200 times per second. The good news is that it is effective, with constant noises such as a train are more or less eradicated. There is also a ‘Transparency’ mode that actively allows sound in.

Battery life is a claimed five hours with another 19 hours from the charging case. Sonically, Apple has taken its usual approach with the Pro, favouring clarity and a neutral tonal balance rather than lots of weighty bass. The midrange is where the Airpods Pro really shine, with vocals reproduced with plenty of texture and detail.

The Airpods Pro can’t match the best-in-class noise-cancelling true wireless headphones for sound quality, but their user experience and levels of comfort make them as well suited to a long-haul flight as a run around the block.