4 years later and the AirPods 2 are still as great as we remember

Can you believe it has been nearly seven years since the original AirPods came out? How quickly time flies. Since then, the series has welcomed four additional true wireless entries and an over-ear model, all of which have been considered category leaders during their launch cycles. I could talk your ears off about how amazing every AirPods release has been, from the AirPods Pro to the AirPods Max, but I won’t.

Instead, I want to highlight the one model that has stood the test of time and not only set off the AirPods revolution but also laid the groundwork for today’s entry-level wireless earbuds. That would be the AirPods 2.

I liken the AirPods 2 to the iPhone 3G. Their predecessors were game changers that showed immense promise, but it was their follow-ups that revolutionized the wireless audio and smartphone categories, respectively.

The fact that you can still buy the AirPods 2 brand new (they’re currently on sale for just $99) speaks to their longevity. That, and the millions of iPhone users who continue to purchase them. If you’ve used these buds recently, then you’re probably shocked by how well they still perform, despite being several generations older. I am.

What convinced me to pull out these old-timers? Coincidence. My Sony WF-1000XM5 buds died before jumping on a conference call, and I scrambled for a secondary pair of buds, only to find the AirPods 2 in my office drawer with enough juice to get me through the video chat. Talk about coming through in the clutch. Bringing them back into my true wireless rotation made me realize just how great the AirPods 2 were, and still are.

I asked, “How in the world could four-year-old wireless earbuds remain so effective and highly functional?” Those answers came to me quickly.

Integration is everything

It starts with Apple’s H1 processor, which debuted on the AirPods 2. The chipset flawlessly communicates with iOS and macOS to execute common tasks on iPhones, iPads, Macs and Apple TV while also delivering instant connectivity with these products. In addition, it extends battery life and talk times, demonstrating elite power management that most of the best true wireless earbuds have yet to match.

Having the AirPods 2 automatically pair to my last recognized Apple device when opening the charging case is as gratifying as it is with newer AirPods models. More impressive is how seamlessly the buds operate with Apple devices, despite running on less powerful hardware. “Hey Siri” is excellent for hands-free voice commands. Motion detection and touch controls also respond quickly on the AirPods 2. It doesn’t matter if you’re on an iPhone 14, a MacBook or an Android smartphone (yes, these are compatible with Google-operated devices).

They still pack plenty of features

Every iteration of the AirPods has a wide feature set that grows with every major iOS update. Here’s a comparison of each model.

Newer entries like the AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro 2 received notable upgrades, such as personalized spatial audio and skin-detect sensors for accurate wear detection. The AirPods 2 lack such upscale features, as well as active noise cancellation, but they still carry a handful of new ones tied to iOS. You can customize sound through the EQ in Apple Music, manage decibel levels in the Headphone Safety setting and set the mic to the left or right AirPod. Series staples like automatic switching, hands-free Siri and wireless charging remain accounted for.

Simply put, that’s a robust spec sheet for a product that many might consider old and obsolete.

Audio and call quality are still better than most sub-$100 buds

The AirPods 2 are not audiophile buds. Their poor noise isolation doesn’t allow listeners to fully consume audio. Still, they come with a solid soundstage that delivers clean vocals and decent bass for pleasant listens in quiet settings. I can name a few sub-$100 models that sound better than them, but I could also name several that don’t sound better than them.

Call quality is where the AirPods 2 prove their worth. The H1 chip and dual mics produce clear-sounding voice and video calls and minimize background noise surprisingly well.

Apple’s commitment to software is keeping them alive

Apple could have discontinued or phased out the AirPods 2 after releasing the AirPods 3, but the brand chose to keep them around. Why exactly? They’re still serviceable buds with a huge following. We can thank iOS updates for that.

Optimizing features and performance around the AirPods 2’s hardware through newer software is a genius move that has extended their shelf life. None of this would be possible without the H1 chip.

Are the AirPods 2 still worth owning?

That’s a tough call. As great as the AirPods 2 perform to this day, several factors must be considered, specifically price. These are the most affordable AirPods. At the same time, some of the best budget earbuds out there — including our top pick in the EarFun Air Pro 3 — come with stronger features and sound quality. We also must consider the Beats Studio Buds, which are a fantastic AirPods Pro alternative with adequate ANC and near-flagship sound for the same price.

It’s a hard sell when compared to current models, but the AirPods 2 are still a top performer at $99, as well as a high-quality backup for your AirPods Pro when they need to recharge.

In any case, there’s no denying the AirPods 2’s contribution to the true wireless category, nor their value as a solid audio companion for your iPhone.