Apple AirPods Pro 2 review: buy or skip?

Consider8.4/10 research score

Quick answer

Consider it, if you use an iPhone and find them well below the AirPods Pro 3. Why: previous AirPods Pro, still excellent and often deeply discounted. The catch: shorter battery than Pro 3.

By Buyrskip Editorial Team Updated November 2, 2026 1 min read

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Our verdict on the Apple AirPods Pro 2

Buy it if: you use an iPhone and find them well below the AirPods Pro 3.
Skip it if: the AirPods Pro 3 are only slightly more.

Best for: Discounted iPhone buds
Key feature: Previous AirPods Pro, still excellent and often deeply discounted
Typical price: $169–$249

Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Key specifications

Noise cancelling	Adaptive ANC
Battery (buds)	Up to 6 hours
Water resistance	IP54
Charging	USB-C, MagSafe

Who should buy it, and who should skip it

A good fit if you

you use an iPhone and find them well below the AirPods Pro 3
value seamless iPhone pairing
can spend around $169–$249

Skip it if you

the AirPods Pro 3 are only slightly more
mind this: shorter battery than Pro 3
mind this: fit not for everyone

Pros and cons

Pros

Seamless iPhone pairing
Great noise cancelling
Hearing health features
USB-C case

Cons

Shorter battery than Pro 3
Fit not for everyone

The verdict in one breath

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 is a good pair of wireless earbuds for the right buyer, not an automatic pick. Its strength: previous AirPods Pro, still excellent and often deeply discounted. Check the skip-if line before you order.

Reasons to buy

Seamless iPhone pairing
Great noise cancelling
Hearing health features
USB-C case

Reasons to skip

Shorter battery than Pro 3
Fit not for everyone

The specs that matter

Noise cancelling: Adaptive ANC
Battery (buds): Up to 6 hours
Water resistance: IP54
Charging: USB-C, MagSafe

Worth knowing

Apple still sells and Amazon frequently discounts the Pro 2, making it a strong value pick for iPhone owners.

Buy it or skip it?

Consider it if you use an iPhone and find them well below the AirPods Pro 3. Skip it if the AirPods Pro 3 are only slightly more; the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro is the better buy then. Everything else is in our list of the best wireless earbuds.

Alternatives worth considering

Samsung · Earbuds

Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro

Buy it if you use a Samsung Galaxy phone.

Verdict: Buy
Best for: Samsung owners
Typical price: $179–$249

Pros

Great with Galaxy phones
Strong ANC

Cons

Features locked to Samsung

Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Google · Earbuds

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

Buy it if you use a Pixel or Android phone.

Verdict: Buy
Best for: Android users
Typical price: $179–$229

Pros

Small and light
Strong noise cancelling

Cons

Best features need Pixel

Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Frequently asked questions

Should I buy the Apple AirPods Pro 2?

Consider it, if you use an iPhone and find them well below the AirPods Pro 3. Why: previous AirPods Pro, still excellent and often deeply discounted. The catch: shorter battery than Pro 3.

When should I skip it?

Skip it if the AirPods Pro 3 are only slightly more. The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro is the better buy then.

What does the Apple AirPods Pro 2 cost?

Usually $169–$249 on Amazon.com. It tends to dip during Prime Day and Black Friday.

Buyrskip Editorial Team

Part of the Buyrskip research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

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Apple AirPods Pro 2: the full buy-or-skip review

Is the Apple AirPods Pro 2 worth buying? Short answer: consider it, if you use an iPhone and find them well below the AirPods Pro 3. This review explains what this Apple model gets right, where it falls short, what it usually costs in the US and which pair of wireless earbuds to buy instead if it is not the right fit for you.

What the Apple AirPods Pro 2 does well

The headline: previous AirPods Pro, still excellent and often deeply discounted. Key specs: Noise cancelling: Adaptive ANC; Battery (buds): Up to 6 hours; Water resistance: IP54; Charging: USB-C, MagSafe. In our list it is the pick for: discounted iPhone buds. It usually sells for $169–$249.

Apple still sells and Amazon frequently discounts the Pro 2, making it a strong value pick for iPhone owners.

The trade-offs

Good: seamless iPhone pairing, great noise cancelling, hearing health features, USB-C case. Not so good: shorter battery than Pro 3, fit not for everyone. Read the skip-if line before you order: skip it if the AirPods Pro 3 are only slightly more.

What to buy instead

Instead, consider the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro ($179–$249): every Galaxy feature, including 24-bit audio and live translate, with strong ANC. Better if you use a Samsung Galaxy phone.

Instead, consider the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 ($179–$229): small, comfortable buds with strong ANC and Gemini integration. Better if you use a Pixel or Android phone.

Instead, consider the Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation ($149–$179): open-fit AirPods with noise cancelling for people who dislike ear tips. Better if you hate silicone ear tips but want some noise cancelling.

Before you buy

Match your phone: AirPods work best with iPhone, Galaxy Buds with Samsung, Pixel Buds with Pixel; cross-platform models suit everyone else. Fit decides sound: try every ear-tip size; a good seal improves bass and noise cancelling. Battery: 6 hours per charge plus a case with two to three refills covers most days.

US buyer tip

Buy from Amazon.com itself or the brand's storefront: counterfeit earbuds from third-party sellers are common, and they will not get warranty service.

Prices on Amazon.com move in a pattern. The deepest cuts land on Prime Day in July, Prime Big Deal Days in October and the Black Friday to Cyber Monday week, with smaller drops around Presidents Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and back-to-school. Judge a deal against the usual price we show, never against the crossed-out list price.

Order from Amazon itself or the brand's official storefront so the US manufacturer warranty applies, keep your order confirmation and register the product with the brand. Most items can be returned within 30 days, and holiday purchases often get an extended return window into January.