Apple AirPods 2From real comments

Name: Apple AirPods 2
Rating: 2.8 (14 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 14 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment54%

PROS 54%

CONS 46%

Rank based on 14 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You want comfortable earbuds usable across iOS, Android, and laptops
You're upgrading from 1st-gen AirPods and want a noticeable step up
You like a minimalist white case that develops character over time

What users love

Worthwhile Upgrade0 mentions

Widely praised

Impressive Sound Quality0 mentions

Strongly positive

Comfortable Fit0 mentions

Widely praised

Cross-Platform Compatibility0 mentions

Widely praised

Case Develops Character0 mentions

Widely praised

Skip this if...

You need built-in EQ customization for sound tuning
You want a case that resists scratches, dust, and hair buildup
You're waiting on USB-C instead of Lightning charging

What users complain about

No EQ Customization0 mentions

Frequently criticized

iOS Dependency0 mentions

Generally negative

Case Scratches Easily0 mentions

Generally negative

Weak Lid Magnets0 mentions

Generally negative

Still Uses Lightning0 mentions

Generally negative

Mediocre Mic Quality0 mentions

Generally negative

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choiceBest value

1Budget

EarFun Free

Strong bass and sound qualityGreat value for priceComfortable, secure, low-profile fit

EarFun Free

Strong bass and sound quality

Great value for price

Comfortable, secure, low-profile fit

2Mid

Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz

Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns

Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz

Articulate sound

Great with extended-range guitars

Strong overall tone quality

Price concerns

3Premium

Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay

Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings

Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay

Musical analog tone

Long-term reliability and board loyalty

Simple, intuitive controls

High price point

Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable

Distortion at high settings

4Premium

Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive

Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control

Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive

Touch-sensitive dynamics

Long-term favorite / durability of appeal

Sweet, low-gain tone quality

High price versus clones

Deluxe loses some original character

Limited mid control

5Mid

MXR Super Badass Distortion

Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged

MXR Super Badass Distortion

Exceptional versatility

Natural, amp-like tone

Powerful 3-band EQ

Demo videos undersell the pedal

Noticeable noise floor

Volume drop when engaged

6Premium

Lewitt MTP W950

Studio-quality vocal soundMinimal monitor and drum bleedTrusted for regular gig useDistracting large logoHigh price tag

Lewitt MTP W950

Studio-quality vocal sound

Minimal monitor and drum bleed

Trusted for regular gig use

Distracting large logo

High price tag

7Mid

Wharfedale Denton 85

Warm, non-fatiguing soundStrong bass without needing a subwooferExcellent build quality and finishCan be overwhelming at higher volumes in smaller roomsLess precise detail retrieval than pricier speakersPlacement-sensitive for best imaging

Wharfedale Denton 85

Warm, non-fatiguing sound

Strong bass without needing a subwoofer

Excellent build quality and finish

Can be overwhelming at higher volumes in smaller rooms

Less precise detail retrieval than pricier speakers

Placement-sensitive for best imaging

8Premium

Eventide Orville

Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you

Eventide Orville

Exceptional reverb quality

High-quality warm pitch shifting

Strong aspirational appeal

High price

Cheaper alternatives may suffice

Effect can feel like it plays for you

9Premium

Origin Effects Deluxe61

Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb

Origin Effects Deluxe61

Authentic amp-like tone

Excellent low-to-mid gain drive

Underrated favorite among owners

High price point

Limited gain-staging flexibility

No built-in reverb

10Premium

Sennheiser MKH 8040

High Owner SatisfactionExceptional Sound ClarityGreat for Field RecordingHigh PriceNot Omnidirectional / More MuffledUltrasonic Self-Noise & Wind Rumble

Sennheiser MKH 8040

High Owner Satisfaction

Exceptional Sound Clarity

Great for Field Recording

High Price

Not Omnidirectional / More Muffled

Ultrasonic Self-Noise & Wind Rumble

You are here

Apple AirPods 2

Worthwhile UpgradeImpressive Sound QualityCase Develops CharacterCase Scratches EasilyMediocre Mic QualityNo EQ Customization

Apple AirPods 2

Worthwhile Upgrade

Impressive Sound Quality

Case Develops Character

Case Scratches Easily

Mediocre Mic Quality

No EQ Customization

Versatile
1. MXR Super Badass Distortionarrow_upward15
2. Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrivearrow_upward4
Expensive
1. Sennheiser MKH 8040arrow_downward2
2. Origin Effects Deluxe61arrow_downward3
3. Eventide Orvillearrow_downward4
Good value
1. MXR Super Badass Distortionarrow_upward6
2. Wharfedale Denton 85arrow_upward3
Build quality
1. Wharfedale Denton 85arrow_upward5
2. Origin Effects Deluxe61arrow_upward1

Overall Impression

Comfort and everyday sound quality win over long-term users. Commenters who wore the buds for extended stretches said they were comfortable enough to forget they had them in. One long-time regular gen 2 owner called the sound profile seriously impressive for the compact form factor, while another praised the Dolby Atmos output when paired with a Samsung S9 Plus and Lenovo laptop, highlighting solid cross-platform performance beyond just Apple devices.

Upgraders from 1st gen report zero regrets. Several buyers moving from the original AirPods said the gen 2 model was a solid upgrade and worth the price of admission, with one saying they have zero regrets. A case-design fan also noted the white finish picks up character over time like leather, becoming more personal the longer it's used, adding to overall satisfaction with the purchase.

Software lock-in and case build quality draw complaints. A former Apple employee said the lack of any EQ option is a longstanding letdown despite the presets. Others were annoyed that firmware updates and settings require an iOS device, effectively blocking non-Apple owners. Case complaints included plastic that scratches easily and attracts dust and hair, weak lid magnets that let it pop open when dropped, and continued reliance on Lightning instead of USB-C.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

thumb_upWorthwhile Upgrade

3 mentions

Widely praised

Multiple commenters upgrading from 1st-gen AirPods described the gen 2 model as a solid upgrade worth buying, with one saying they have zero regrets about the purchase.

@c.s.4505

If you're thinking about buying them, go ahead and buy them. I have zero regrets

smart_display

December 5, 2022

@JTMango121

These were an absolute solid upgrade from the 1st gen. I was hesitant at first, but I’m glad I bought them.

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September 25, 2022

@hartballer24

Love my pods 2 so far, definitely worth the upgrade and the price of admission! Keep up the great work my man!

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September 25, 2022

music_noteImpressive Sound Quality

2 mentions

Strongly positive

Long-time owners said the sound profile was seriously impressive given the small form factor, and another user praised the Dolby Atmos output as amazing when paired with non-Apple devices.

@antnyneveruploads

I had the regular gen 2 AirPods for years and was smitten with the sound profile. Sure it wasn’t perfect, but it was seriously impressive given the form factor. I switched to the gen 2 Pros, and I’m even more impressed. All things sound-related are phenomenal on these (music, transparency, noise cancellation). I just can’t get the damn things to stay in my ears through all activities. I wish they could be my everything headphones, but I’ll probably get gen 3 AirPods for the house, and only use the Pros for office and travel.

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January 24, 2023

@rahulpunjabi9605

I have been using these airpods since a year now with my Samsung S9 Plus phone and the sound is amazing when I turn on the Dolby Atmos. Also it is very compatible with my Lenovo Laptop.

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November 24, 2021

check_circleComfortable Fit

1 mentions

Widely praised

Users reported being able to wear the AirPods 2 for hours without discomfort, unlike some other earbuds they had tried before. This comfort was highlighted as a standout trait compared to prior buds.

@lamouke420

To my ears these 3rd Gen Air pods are more comfortable compared to the newer Pro version with the soft gel tips. https://www.youtube.com/post/Ugkxgl8SzyQoymMu-S3V55Dskg5QJ8xr1yCR That said, compared to the 3rd Gen, I notice these do not stay planted in the ear as well. One design issue I think, is you squeeze the stem and click it twice to advance your songs. On 3rd gen you tap the large speaker. The difference is by grabbing the stem each time, you tend to loosen the bud fit in your ear. Not always, but the bud falls out a few times while running. The old tap to change never had that problem for me. I would not have changed that tap function. That said, the newer Pro version sticks in the ear, almost airtight if you want that. I do not like that Airtight fit. So that's why I'd stay with this version as the best trade off of comfort, use, and overall feel.

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September 16, 2023

devicesCross-Platform Compatibility

1 mentions

Widely praised

One user used the earbuds daily with a Samsung S9 Plus phone and a Lenovo laptop, finding them very compatible and enjoying Dolby Atmos sound outside the Apple ecosystem.

@rahulpunjabi9605

I have been using these airpods since a year now with my Samsung S9 Plus phone and the sound is amazing when I turn on the Dolby Atmos. Also it is very compatible with my Lenovo Laptop.

smart_display

November 24, 2021

styleCase Develops Character

1 mentions

Widely praised

One user felt the white case ages gracefully like leather, changing color and picking up character the longer it's owned, making it feel more personal over time.

@VynZography

I have convinced myself that the white case ages like a leather case, changes colour and picking up character. The longer you have it, the more 'yours' it becomes.

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October 5, 2022

equalizerNo EQ Customization

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

A former Apple employee said they wouldn't buy AirPods even with an employee discount due to the lack of an EQ option, feeling Apple's presets don't cover everyone's preferences.

@gtwester

As a former long time Apple employee I wouldn't even buy Airpods with my employee discount due to the lack of an EQ. It blows me away Apple still refuses to do something so simple thinking their presets cover everything and everybody. I wish they offered them in black too but I can get over that.

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October 3, 2022

phone_iphoneiOS Dependency

1 mentions

Generally negative

One user noted that firmware updates and settings essentially require an iOS device, which they saw as an artificial lock-in that limits the product for non-Apple users.

@karmakh

These earbuds would be the only product I would like to buy from Apple, but they essentially block it by forcing an iOS dependency for FW updates & settings.

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October 4, 2022

warningCase Scratches Easily

1 mentions

Generally negative

A user complained that the plastic case scratches easily and attracts dust and hair, calling it their only real complaint about otherwise wonderful earbuds.

@ronaldspada489

My only complaint is the plastic scratches easily on the case and attracts dust and hair really bad. Otherwise they are wonderful Bluetooth ear buds!

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October 5, 2022

warningWeak Lid Magnets

1 mentions

Generally negative

One commenter felt the case lid magnets should have stayed stronger, or the lid should be harder to open, since the buds scatter when the case is dropped.

@Erick080

I think the magnets should’ve stayed the same, or at least make the lid harder to open so they don’t scatter when dropped

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April 7, 2019

usbStill Uses Lightning

1 mentions

Generally negative

A user said they were holding out on buying until Apple switches everything to USB-C, expressing reluctance to be stuck with the Lightning connector as it phases out.

@Neoxon619

I’m just holding out until everything Apple makes the switch to USB-C, which will apparently be next year. I’d rather not be stuck with Lightning when it’s on its way out.

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October 4, 2022

micMediocre Mic Quality

1 mentions

Generally negative

One user said the microphone quality for sending audio messages leaves a lot to be desired on automatic settings, only improving somewhat when switched to manual mode.

@SauceBabilonia

About the microphone in just one earphone, it is very useful to send audio messages in any IM. If you leave it automatic, the quality leaves a lot to be desired. It improves a bit when you leave it on manual. It's not the best, but it's an improvement

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November 4, 2022

Apple AirPods 2chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

thumb_up_off_altBuy this if...

What users lovefavorite_border

thumb_down_off_altSkip this if...

What users complain aboutheart_broken

Compare in seconds

Who wins on what

Versatile

Expensive

Good value

Build quality

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

Apple AirPods 2From real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression