Which AirPods Should You Buy in 2026?

If you've never used AirPods before, or it's been awhile since you upgraded, here are some answers to general questions, from what kind of features you can expect to how to clean your buds.

Yes, you can use AirPods with non-Apple devices, since they use the standard Bluetooth protocol. But you'll lose out on features like Siri integration, device switching, and the ability to customize shortcuts or adjust software features. In contrast, Beats headphones offer a mix of Apple-friendly features and Android features, including a dedicated Android app and features like one-touch pairing.

Yes! If you lose an AirPod, you can buy a replacement for the right or left AirPod through Apple. AppleCare+ doesn't cover lost or stolen AirPods, so it will cost you. You can use Apple's Get an Estimate tool to calculate the possible cost. The same applies if you lose the Charging Case. Your replacements will be new versions.

If you can't hear audio in one AirPod, make sure your case is fully charged. Plug the case in, and place both AirPods in the case and charge them for at least 30 seconds. Next, open the charging case and use your iPhone or iPad to check that each AirPod is charging. Put both AirPods in your ears and test the audio. If that doesn't work, you could try to reset your AirPods.

Start by checking your connections. If you have the AirPods or AirPods Pro, make sure the case is fully plugged in or properly set on the wireless charger (use Apple cables or Magsafe chargers if possible). Allow your AirPods to charge for at least 15 minutes. If you have the AirPods Max, allow them to charge for at least five minutes. Then, open the case and hold them near your iPhone or iPad. You should then see the charging icon appear when looking at the battery status. If that doesn't work, contact Apple Support.

If you have the AirPods 3 (or newer), AirPods Pro (all versions), and AirPods Max, you can track your AirPods using the Find My app. First, make sure Find My turned on by going to your device's Settings app, tapping on your AirPods, and scrolling down to Find My. If it's already on, go to the Find My app and, under the Devices tab, tap on your AirPods. From there, you'll see the exact location of both your left bud and your right bud. If you're nearby, you can also press Tap Sound to listen for beeps. If you have the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) or newer along with an iPhone 11 or newer, you can also use Precision Finding.

If your AirPods show “No location found” or “Offline,” this means they're out of range or need to be charged, so you'll only see their last known location. At that point, you might be able to get directions, but you won't be able to use Find Nearby or play a sound. You'll get a notification on your Apple device if they do come back online.

Yes. You can use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth to wipe down the AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max. But there are other additional steps you can take, depending on the type of AirPods you have. Apple has steps on how to properly clean each version here, and we've also got a full guide on how to clean your earbuds.

If your AirPods won't connect, you should start by checking that your iPhone, iPad, and Mac are all updated to the latest version of their respective operating systems. Then, make sure both AirPods are charging, Bluetooth is on (Settings > Bluetooth), and double-check that AirPods appear in your list of devices via Settings and that they're selected. If they aren't on the list, hold the button on the back of the charging case until the status light flashes and follow the onscreen instructions.

If you're hearing crackling or static sounds from your AirPods Pro, make sure you're running the latest software. You should also check that your connected device is nearby and that there is no wireless interference or obstructions between you and your iPhone, iPad, or Mac (like walls or floors, a lot of Wi-Fi activity, wireless speakers, etc). If none of these are issues, try listening to audio from a different app to see if it's the app causing the problem.

Check that you're running the latest software version on your Apple devices. When both AirPods Pro are in your ears, check that ANC is turned on by swiping down to open Control Center on your iPhone or iPad. Then, while wearing your AirPods, touch and hold the volume slider to get additional controls, and tap the Listening Mode button. From their you can adjust the modes. You should also check if Adaptive Audio is on. It helps to clean the microphone and speaker since earwax and debris can build up over time.

Yes, if you don't want Siri annoyingly reading aloud text messages and other notifications while you're trying to listen to music or a podcast, you can turn them off. Simply open the Settings App, Tap Siri or Apple Intelligence & Siri, and tap Announce Notifications. Then turn Announce Notifications off.

If you're looking for new AirPods earbuds, then yes. The AirPods Pro 3 are shiny and new considering their long cycle, and they're the best version we've tested yet. If you're looking to save big on the previous generation, they're getting tougher to find online, but are likely still available at smaller retailers.

Apple's AirPods Pro Max have seen some upgrades like USB-C connection and lossless audio support but otherwise have remained largely the same since their 2020 release. By my clock, that makes them the headphones equivalent of a stale green light. I wouldn't be surprised if a new pair was introduced within the year (but that is purely conjecture, not inside information).

As for Beats, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are also relatively new, and I was impressed by their multiple performance and design improvements. The Beats Studio Buds Plus are getting older, so you may want to hold if you want the latest and greatest model.

That's anyone's guess, but like all things Apple, rumors abound. If you look around the mill, as it were, you'll notice recent rumors about a new “high-end” version of the AirPods Pro, possibly imbued with Apple Intelligence. Given that a new AirPods Pro model was recently released, I'd say that seems like a long shot, but stranger things have happened.

A more intriguing thought, given the state of the earbuds market, is that Apple has yet to release a pair of open earbuds, contrary to almost every other major player in the space. Open earbuds, which leave your ear canals open for environmental awareness, are the hottest trend in wireless earbuds, if not audio as a whole. Could those “high-end” rumors be wrong, obfuscating the possibility of Apple entering, and disrupting, yet another market? WIRED editor Parker Hall recently raised this tantalizing idea in a brainstorm, and that seems like a safer place to put your chips to me.

Then there's the AirPods Max, which are downright archaic in hardware terms. Could we see a new pair of Max headphones at Apple's September event? It's an exciting thought, but we'll have to wait till fall to find out.