Apple AirPods 2 (Wired Charging Case) (2nd Gen, 2019)

Great battery life and charging case ; Wireless charging a nice addition ; Fantastic connection

Doesn’t address problems with the first-gen product ; Wireless charging case costs extra ; Fit might be dodgy for some

The second-generation AirPods are simple yet great wireless earphones that are a pleasure to use

Improved wireless performance ; Same solid battery life ; Supports wireless charging if you’re into that

In-ear fit isn’t for everyone ; No meaningful change to sound quality ; Wireless charging is slow

Tonally balanced ; Improved sonic sophistication ; Flawless wireless tech

Won’t fit everyone ; No buttons ; Sound harsh when pushed

Technically and sonically better than before, the second generation AirPods offer unbeatable Bluetooth usability and decent sound quality

Crisp, clear audio. Excellent wireless charging case design. Solid mic clarity. Hands-free Siri access. Easy pairing.

Limited on-ear controls. In-ear fit and lack of canal seal can feel loose and impact audio. No IP rating for water resistance. Expensive.

The hands-free Siri feature is a welcome addition and the charging case improvements are nice, but the new AirPods don't represent a significant step forward from the previous model—but they cost $40 more. The on-ear controls are still awkward, the...

Quick to charge using the included case ; Now offers Hey Siri for voice control ; Easy to connect thanks to H1 chip

Not great in noisy environments ; The same polarising design ; Many premium competitors ; Can fall out ; Expensive

While the headline announcement is a wireless charging case, the real winner for the second-generation AirPods is the better managed battery that delivers a noticeable improvement in talk time between charges. Otherwise the divisive design remains the...

Convenience remains king ; Battery life improvements are noticeable ; Connects faster and with more stability ; Wireless charging is useful

Still no active noise cancellation ; Siri requires a data connection to work ; No waterproofing

Smarts tailored to iOS users ; Comfortable to wear ; Incredible beamforming mic technology

Doesn't fit all ears perfectly ; No custom eartips ; Mid-range audio quality

The second-gen AirPods are a great iterative upgrade, offering improved connection speed, talk time and Hey Siri support, although a lack of improvements in the audio department will leave audiophiles wanting more.

Fairly well-balanced mid and treble ranges. Very light and portable. Fast charging time. Great build quality. Unique and distinguishable design.

Mediocre noise handling. No EQ or presets. Poor noise isolation. Bass delivery varies significantly across users. Limited control scheme.

The Apple AirPods 2 are mediocre for neutral sound. Instruments and vocals are present and detailed, but an overemphasized treble range makes them sound bright and harsh. The bass range, although punchy, lacks low-end thump and rumble. However, their...

H1 chip is super speedy ; Hands-free Siri works well ; Wireless charging ; Very few performance issues

Still no noise isolation ; Expensive ; Unspectacular audio ; Don’t fit all ears

Not a major upgrade by any means, but Apple’s iconic earbuds are becoming harder to resist