Apple AirPods Pro

Apple AirPods Pro suit the person who wants their music up front and the surrounding chatter offstage. Active noise cancellation is the draw, but Transparency mode is the useful flip side: you can hear what’s happening around you without making taking out your earbuds a recurring hobby.

The small detail worth caring about is the choice of three soft, tapered silicone tip sizes. That gives you room to find a fit that suits your ears, while Adaptive EQ tunes the music to their shape. Sweat and water resistance adds practical appeal, too. These make the most sense for someone already using Apple devices, thanks to easy setup and hands-free access to Siri.

The wireless charging case delivers more than 24 hours of battery life, giving the whole package a useful reserve. For an Apple fan who wants a little more control over what reaches their ears, there’s plenty to like here.