AirPods Pro 2 Review: Great for Apple, Mixed Elsewhere
Apple’s latest AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds have generated a rare degree of uniform praise — and equally vocal pockets of criticism — culminating in a cross-platform sentiment that lands them at 9/10 for iPhone users, and closer to 7/10 for everyone else. Digging into thousands of verified reviews and long-term user stories reveals a product that excels in sound, ecosystem integration, and usability, but stumbles in areas like Android compatibility, price-point accessibility, and durability under certain conditions.
Quick Verdict
Recommendation: Yes — if you’re in the Apple ecosystem, value top-tier noise cancellation, and want seamless device switching. Conditional for non-Apple users due to feature lockouts.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Exceptional sound clarity with adaptive EQ | Limited to iOS for full feature set |
| Up to 2x better noise cancellation than Gen 1 | Premium price compared to rivals |
| Adaptive Transparency reduces sudden loud noises | No manual EQ setting |
| Comfortable fit with four tip sizes | Reports of mediocre call battery life |
| Case with precision Find My + speaker alert | Durability concerns in sweaty use |
| Integrated hearing aid & hearing test (region-dependent) | ANC performance reduced after firmware updates per some users |
| Intuitive stem swipe volume controls | Only available in white |
Claims vs Reality
Apple’s marketing makes three major promises with AirPods Pro 2: “groundbreaking sound,” “adaptive audio for any environment,” and “industry-leading integration with Apple devices.”
Groundbreaking sound: According to Best Buy customers and Reddit owners, the H2 chip does bring noticeable improvement — deeper bass and clearer mids/highs, especially in spatial audio-encoded content. A long-term Redditor recounted leaving his Pro 2 in a pants pocket through three washing machine cycles and still loving the “head and shoulders” quality gap over standard AirPods. However, some users on Apple’s own forums countered that audio can sound muffled, suggesting possible firmware or defective unit variance.
Adaptive audio for any environment: Users on Trustpilot and Best Buy repeatedly applauded adaptive transparency mode’s uncanny ability to let in voices while cutting harsh peaks from sirens or loud tools. Yet Reddit discussions point out that at the gym or in windy conditions, adaptive mode sometimes lowers voices excessively, nearly muting conversation partners.
Industry-leading integration: For iPhone and Mac owners, cross-device switching is “instant and reliable” per Trustpilot reports, with Find My’s Precision Finding for the case saving hours for chronically forgetful owners. In contrast, Quora experts warn Android users lose spatial audio, find my case speaker alerts, and even firmware updates without an iOS device — a restriction that significantly diminishes the value proposition outside Apple’s ecosystem.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Sound quality is the most consistent win. Trustpilot reviewers call it “phenomenal,” with adaptive EQ subtly tailoring music to ear shape in real time. Bass-heavy genres gain punch without drowning vocals, a facet appreciated by gym-goers like Best Buy user shaw, who wears them “from squat rack to boardroom” without discomfort.
Active Noise Cancellation earns acclaim from commuters and office workers alike. A Reddit user upgraded from first-gen and found ANC so effective he “couldn’t tell the AC was running” on day one. In-flight travelers describe the cabin hum dropping to a gentle murmur.
Comfort and fit are another standout. Apple’s addition of an extra-small tip size addressed a lingering complaint from Gen 1 owners. Long-session wear — even in intense workout settings — is common in positive reports.
The charging case enhancements resonate strongly: the U1 chip for Precision Finding, built-in speaker alerts, and lanyard loop elevate day-to-day convenience. A Trustpilot story details recovering a misplaced case in minutes by following Find My’s on-screen arrow to its hiding spot.
Common Complaints
Price is the first hurdle. Even satisfied users acknowledge the $249 MSRP (outside promotional discounts) as steep. eBay resale listings show average “new in box” units going for NZD 138–189, hinting at quick depreciation from retail.
Feature lock-in sparks frustration. Android owners, or iOS households lacking regular access to iPhones, find themselves without firmware updates, spatial audio, automatic switching, or a case speaker-triggered find function — all major selling points.
Durability has mixed notes. While Redditors share stories of Pro 2 surviving accidental washes, others report mic failure after just months when exposed to sweat-intensive workouts. Apple forum posters highlight loose case lids developing from minor drops.
Battery performance during calls attracts criticism; Reddit members note that even with healthy battery status, extended calls drain faster than music playback sessions.
Divisive Features
Adaptive Transparency divides opinion: Apple loyalists hail it as the most realistic ambient mode yet, while gymgoers complain it overcorrects, reducing nearby speech to inaudibility when paired with environmental noise.
Spatial audio sees similar split sentiment. While cinematic and gaming contexts draw raves for immersion, music listeners on Apple Music often find toggling the mode makes minimal difference — raising questions about its universal benefit.
Trust & Reliability
Several threads in Apple Community warn about counterfeit AirPods Pro 2, often with serial numbers that appear valid but fail to update firmware or support head tracking. Physical giveaways include non-glossy plastic and off odors. This underscores the importance of purchasing from verified retailers or sellers with guarantee-backed authenticity, as “good-sounding” fakes can still miss critical features.
On durability, Reddit hosts a spectrum from “three years and still flawless” owners to those replacing units within months due to sweat damage. The IP54 water/dust resistance helps with rain or workouts, but doesn’t confer waterproofing — immersion or persistent sweat exposure appears to challenge longevity.
Alternatives
Quora experts consistently recommend Sony WF-1000XM5 for cross-platform ANC supremacy; they outperform AirPods Pro 2 in pure noise reduction and offer a customizable EQ in an OS-agnostic app.
For Android integration akin to Apple’s, Google Pixel Buds Pro deliver decent ANC plus a sound profile you can tweak, although they lock certain spatial features to Pixel phones.
Apple’s own AirPods 3 provide much of the ecosystem magic minus ANC and silicone tips, retaining spatial audio and device-switching in a cheaper form factor — a logical pick for non-ANC listeners.
Price & Value
At mainstream retail, AirPods Pro 2 hover near USD $249. Market data from eBay suggests aggressive markdowns in secondary sales, especially on open-box or refurbished units — often landing below USD $150 equivalent. For resale-conscious buyers, this reflects quick depreciation, so paying full MSRP is best reserved for those intent on brand-new ownership and warranty coverage.
Community buying tips hinge on timing around Apple events: Redditors recommend waiting until just after product announcements for both official and third-party discounts. Given rumors of a September refresh, mid-year buyers weighing retail pricing may secure better deals holding out for seasonal sales.
FAQ
Are AirPods Pro 2 waterproof?
No, they are IP54 rated — resistant to dust, sweat, and splashes, but submersion will damage them.
Do AirPods Pro 2 work with Android phones?
Yes, as basic Bluetooth earbuds. No firmware updates, spatial audio, or Find My integration without an iOS device.
Does the hearing aid feature work everywhere?
No, it’s region-dependent due to regulatory approvals. Apple limits rollout geographically.
How long does the battery last?
Around 6 hours with ANC on; up to 30 hours including case charges. Call time is shorter.
Is Adaptive Transparency worth it?
For urban use and commuting, most praise it. In gyms or windy settings, some find it overly suppressive.
Final Verdict
Buy if you’re an Apple device owner who values high-fidelity sound, premium ANC, and seamless switching — especially if you’ll use the Find My case features and appreciate hearing health tools. Avoid if you depend on Android, demand manual EQ control, or need waterproofing for sweat-heavy sports.
Pro tip from community: Lock in discounts during Apple keynote weeks; even if no new Pro model drops, this timing tends to trigger markdowns across major retailers.
