AirPods (2nd gen) Review
True-wireless · 2019
Specdex verdict The AirPods (2nd gen) is a competent mid-range pick when the price is right — see our cheaper-and-better alternatives below for context.
Apple's AirPods (2nd gen) — 2019 true-wireless earbuds.
Specdex doesn't run benchmarks in-house. The verdict is an editorial assessment based on manufacturer specs and public reviewer consensus. See methodology.
AirPods (2nd gen) versus its closest rivals
- +Compact carry
- +Platform integration (brand-dependent)
- +Quick pair
- −Battery life limited
- −Fit varies by ear
- −Case bulkier than pod
Who's the AirPods (2nd gen) for?
Quick verdicts for the most common buyer profiles, derived from the sub-scores above.
Compute scores trail current top-tier — look at our step-up alternatives below if performance is the priority.
Battery sub-score of 78 trails category leaders by a meaningful margin — see the “Best for Battery” lists.
Mid-tier pricing at $159 — review whether the score-per-dollar lines up against the cheaper alternatives we recommend.
In the box
What you get when you unbox the AirPods (2nd gen).
- Earbuds
- Wireless charging case
- USB-C cable
- 3 sizes of ear tips (S/M/L)
Standard contents — region/SKU may vary; confirm at retailer.
Sources & benchmarks
Cited, not generatedSpecdex does not run benchmarks in-house. We're rolling out cited public benchmark data category by category — PassMark for CPUs and GPUs is wired today; DXOMark, RTINGS, Geekbench, and NotebookCheck will follow.
Sources we use when available: PassMark for CPU/GPU, Geekbench Browser for synthetic, DXOMark for camera scores, RTINGS for TVs, monitors, and headphones. See methodology.
Specifications
Editorial · awaiting verification| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | True-wireless |
| Release year | 2019 |
Cheaper alternatives to the AirPods (2nd gen)
Same category, at least 20% cheaper, best-scoring picks from our catalog.
Step up from the AirPods (2nd gen)
Higher-scoring earbuds if you've got more to spend.
More from Apple
Also consider
Where the AirPods (2nd gen) appears on Specdex
Curated lists, spec rankings, and buying guides where this product is mentioned or ranked.