Apple Airpods Pro (2019)

Clear, engaging sound ; Excellent noise canceling ; Comfortable ; Superior call quality ; Wireless charging case

Questionable long-term battery life

Improved audio ; Comfortable ; Refined design ; Hands-free Siri ; IPX4 water resistance

Polarizing design ; Awkward touch controls ; Settings buried in iOS

Better sound and ANC than Studio 3 ; Transparency mode works well ; Lossless USB-C audio ; Natively supports both iOS and Android ecosystem features

The vibe has gone unchanged for a little too long ; Build quality doesn’t fully rise up to the premium price ; UltraPlush ear cups aren’t replaceable ; Audio quality is clear and balanced but unexceptional

Photography by Chris Welch / The Verge

Exceptionally comfortable ; Strong noise-cancelling ; Balanced, easy-going sound

Noise-cancelling impacts timing ; Sony rival sounds more engaging

The noise-cancelling AirPods Pro can be beaten for sound, but they are a joy to live with and use all day, every day – especially if you're an Apple device user

Really great audio quality ; Very secure and comfortable fit ; Noise cancellation is impressive ; Battery life isn't bad ; The 'arms' protrude less far from your ear

Still feel very iOS-focused ; More nuance in Transparency mode would be nice ; Obviously, over-ear headphones have better ANC

Apple AirPods Pro are among the best true wireless earbuds you can get. They sound excellent, the noise cancellation is strong, and the secure yet comfortable fit means they work very well for exercise too. They're still better suited to iOS than...

In-ear design allows them to fit more people’s ears ; Better sound quality than other AirPods ; Noise cancellation is surprisingly effective ; Deep software integration with iOS

Most expensive AirPods yet ; No improvements to battery life ; Best experience reserved for those in Apple’s ecosystem ; Limited lifespan of two or three years

Apple’s new AirPods Pro have a new in-ear design that will fit more people, and they can quiet your surroundings with active noise cancellation. They’re more expensive than regular AirPods, at $250, but they’re basically the perfect wireless earbuds —...

Strong audio performance. Quality active noise cancellation. Secure in-ear fit. Hands-free Siri access. Wireless charging case. Splash-resistant build.

Expensive. No on-ear volume controls. ANC and EQ aren't adjustable.

If you're just looking for quality true wireless in-ears and don't need the ANC—or the Apple branding that adds to the price—consider the JBL UA True Wireless Flash or the RHA True Connect. Both options cost about $170, with the JBL pair delivering a...

Noise cancellation Excellent Transparency pass-through mode Much better fit

Higher price Capacitive controls fiddly USB-C charging cable in box

The new AirPods Pro have already impressed in a number of ways in our early testing - we need to spend more time assessing them, but already the Pro earbuds feel like a marked step up over the original AirPods.