I Tried AirPods Pro 2 for a Month—The Truth Will Surprise You

When I first opened the box, I wasn’t blown away by packaging flair—it was Apple‑simple: earbuds in a white case, a USB‑C cable, and extra ear tips. The case looked familiar, almost identical to the first‑gen version. But once I held it, I noticed it felt sturdier. The lid snapped closed firmly, and there’s now a little speaker and loop for a lanyard. It felt more secure.

Pairing took just seconds—open the case, and my iPhone popped up a pairing window. That seamless feel continued across my Apple devices. I turned it on, watched the battery show up, and the quick setup steps for Spatial Audio began. Everything felt smooth. Pairing with a Windows PC worked too, but I lost smart features like automatic switch-over and volume gestures.

Table of Contents

Fit and Comfort: Wearing Them All Day

Getting the right ear tip mattered more than I expected. Apple now includes four sizes (XS to L), and after testing them, I settled on small. They sealed well and stayed in place, even when I walked fast.

At first, they felt snug but okay. After wearing them for two or three hours, though, my ears started to fatigue. It wasn’t painful, just mild soreness. I read on forums some people felt the same. So in meetings or long flights, I’d take them out for breaks. Still, compared to bulky earbuds I’ve tried, these felt lighter.

During workouts—especially sweaty ones—I worried they might slip. A couple of times they did when I tossed a towel or lifted my bike helmet. Not a deal‑breaker, but worth being careful.

Overall comfort is good, but not perfect for all‑day wear. If you don’t mind occasional breaks, they’re fine.

Sound Quality: Music, Podcasts, Calls

Let’s talk sound. My first memory is how clear voices sounded—perfect for podcasts. Music came next: bass felt strong without drowning out mids, and highs were clean, never harsh. Listening to electronic or orchestral tracks, I noticed instruments I’d never heard before with cheaper earbuds. Reviewers call it a natural, balanced sound.

I even compared them to over‑ear audiophile headphones. No, the AirPods don’t match them for spaciousness or micro‑detail, but they come close—maybe 80 % as good at 10 % of the price. For everyday listening, that’s enough for me.

Phone calls have been clear, too. Most people on the other end say I sound fine, even in outdoor settings. Review sites mention solid mic performance that isolates your voice well.

Noise Cancelling & Transparency

This was a big selling point for me. Apple’s Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) feels twice as strong as the original version. Walking down busy streets or sitting in noisy cafés, background noise fades away. Combined with Spatial Audio, I often found myself just… in the music.

Switching to Transparency mode is surprisingly natural—voices sound clear, and it even amplifies soft sounds without distortion. That “Adaptive Audio” feature introduced in iOS 17 blends ANC and Transparency smoothly as your environment changes. It’s great when I want to go from metro to street without fiddling with settings.

That starts and stops automatically, which is good—but I did notice a slight pressure sensation when ANC activated. Not painful, just different. After some time, it fades from my attention.

Controls: Taps, Swipes, Hey Siri

Controlling the AirPods Pro 2 is straightforward. Pressing the stems plays/pauses or skips tracks. Swipes up and down adjust volume—a welcomed addition. But it can be a bit finicky; I sometimes swipe too much or too little, and it doesn’t feel completely reliable.

Holding the stem switches between ANC and Transparency. Removing one earbud pauses music, thanks to skin detection.

“Hey Siri” works here too. I ask her to skip a track, read a message, or adjust volume hands‑free. That’s convenient during cooking or cleaning.

Smart Features & Apple Integration

This is where AirPods truly shine—for Apple users. Automatic switching between iPhone, iPad, and Mac is seamless. One minute I’m on Zoom, the next I jump on a FaceTime call on my phone—the earbuds follow.

They link to “Find My,” which helped me track them down when I misplaced the case. Hearing a chirp and following on the map was a relief. The case now works with USB‑C and even Apple Watch chargers.

iOS 17 also added volume adaption (so they turn down when someone talks or external noise spikes) and Conversation Awareness. These small touches matter in real life.

One friend said they use AirPods as hearing aids thanks to the software improvements. That opened my eyes to another use case I hadn’t considered.

Battery Life & Charging

Battery life matched my needs: about 5–6 hours of music with ANC on. It’s a bit shy of Apple’s 6‑hour claim, but close. The case gives me at least four full charges—so nearly 30 hours total.

Charging is quick: just 5 minutes adds an hour of listening. I like that it uses USB‑C, so one cable charges everything. And the little speaker in the case chirps when the battery is low or it’s receiving a ping from Find My.

Pros and Drawbacks in Daily Life

✅ What I Liked:

Seamless Apple ecosystem integration—automatic switching, Siri support, Find My.
Strong sound with balanced bass and clear vocals, close to audiophile levels.
Noise cancelling and Adaptive Transparency that adapt to surroundings.
USB‑C charging, quick charge, and extended battery replication via case.
Smart features like personalized Spatial Audio, dynamic volume, conversation recognition.
Comfortable fit for most people, and extra ear tip sizes included.

⚠️ What Wasn’t Perfect:

Long‑wear comfort: noticeable fatigue after two hours.
Swipe volume controls: handy but not always precise.
ANC pressure feeling: takes a slight adjustment period.
Battery life: decent but shorter than some competitors (Sony, Bose) which offer 8+ hours.
Features limited to Apple devices: Android users won’t get Spatial Audio, adaptive volume, or seamless switching.
Call mic: good, but some rivals offer even clearer call quality.

Comparison with Alternatives

I tried earbuds from Bose, Sony, Sennheiser, and some niche brands:

Sony WF‑1000XM5: A bit clearer sound and longer battery, but bigger and less comfortable for me.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II: Strong ANC, but they felt bulky and lacked automatic device switching.
Skullcandy x Bose Method 360 ANC: Excellent sound, but required manual device switching—a deal‑breake.
Final ZE8000 MK2: Thoughtful soundstage but felt huge and uncomfortable.
AKG N5 Hybrid: Great audio, but sore ears after a few hours.

None of these matched the combination of comfort, ecosystem magic, and smart features Apple delivers. Real‑World Usage Scenarios

Commuting: ANC blocked traffic noise. Adaptive transparency let me hear announcements without pausing.
Work calls: Auto pause when I removed one earbud, and Siri would read notifications.
Workout: Stayed put during light gym and runs. After sweaty sessions, though, I’d rinse them gently and dry tips thoroughly.
Home & chores: “Hey Siri” helped with timers, music changes, and messaging hands‑free.
Travel: Find My case speaker saved me from lost baggage stress once.

In all scenarios, I found myself reaching for the AirPods Pro 2 over alternatives because of how easy they are to use.

Value over Time

The AirPods Pro 2 launched in September 2022 at $249 USD. As of mid‑2025, they still hold that price on Apple’s site, but sales often dip to around $169–199 during Amazon or Prime Day events.

When on sale, I consider them excellent value. When full price, they still feel worth it—if you’re in the Apple ecosystem. Reviewers still rank them among the top earbuds in 2025.

If you’re not deeply integrated into Apple devices, the same price could get you Sony or Bose earbuds with similar sound and battery performance.

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy?

Best for: iPhone, iPad, Mac users who want frictionless switching, ANC, and smart features.
Not ideal for: Android or Windows users who won’t use Apple‑only perks, or listeners who need 8–10 hour battery per charge.
If you want: Compact, stylish earbuds with Siri, Spatial Audio, Adaptive Transparency, and good noise reduction.
If you prefer: Bulkier earbuds with bigger batteries and deeper bass, check out Sony or Sennheiser.

Parting Thoughts

Two years in, the AirPods Pro 2 still deliver. They blend great sound, intelligent noise control, and seamless Apple integration. Yes, they’re not flawless—comfort dips with long‑wear, the swipe controls could be smoother, and battery life isn’t class‑leading—but they’re consistently easy to use. That ease is why I stick with them.

If you relate—if you want earbuds that just work across all your Apple gear without fuss, and you don’t need marathon battery life—they’re a solid pick. But if you spend full days in earbuds, or you’re on Android, it may be worth looking at alternatives.