Apple Airpods: Are they really worth it?

Throwing it back to Christmas 2018, AirPods were the bestseller in technology. The only reason I know this and care is because I was trying to find a pair for my fiance for months before Christmas and everywhere was sold out! In years past, I never knew what the hype was, but after finally getting my hands on a pair for myself and Nathan, two months after Christmas, I know see why they are the best-kept secret and will be sharing pros and cons in this post!

Cons

I love ending on positive notes, so we will start off with the cons. There aren’t many, but some valid things to consider when purchasing!

1. Price: This is the number one factor why many people are turned away from the initial purchase. Before looking into wireless headphones, I had no idea how expensive they could get and thought $150 was somewhat outrageous. After looking into the market, I found the Beats, Sony and Jabra were the top competition. The variety in price and style made the comparisons very hard to judge vs. Airpod’s and eventually led me to many unsettling reviews that pushed me towards the apple purchase. Overall, $150 is not the cheapest option, but relative to what the Airpod’s claim to provide is the best price vs. value.
2. Bluetooth: After using the headphones for over a month, my only negative review is the lack of immediate Bluetooth connection. For initial Bluetooth connection, you have to keep the headphones in the case with the lid open until the battery life shows on the device screen. Once connected, every time you place them in your ear a small noise is made to let you know they are ready to use. Occasionally, if I open the case to fast, the Airpods will not connect and I have to go through the entire initial setup process again before use. This isn’t a big problem, but for everyday use when running in the gym, it can be annoying.
3. Easy to Lose: This is a tiny con, but one to be recognized. When purchasing, I originally thought the small case was so cute and I’d never lose it, but after having them for a few months, it can be so easy to misplace due to the size. Many brands have created cases that include some kind of hook for your keys, purse or backpack, which is something I would highly recommend buying. To charge the headphones, you must put them back in the case, so the value of the case is just as important as the headphones themselves.

Pros

Relative to cons, I have so many pros I never thought I would have upon initial purchase of the Airpods.

1. Sound: Being an Apple lover, I always thought the free headphones that came with the purchase of a new iPhone was good enough for my everyday use. After purchasing the Airpods, I realize a huge difference in the range of sound and ability to hear the music clearer. With the price tag of $150, the range of sound these headphones cover is amazing to me! While they do not claim to be noise canceling headphones, while wearing them at work or at the gym, I can put them in and only hear what I’m listening too. In comparison to the original iPhone headphones, there is a tremendous difference in sound!
2. Fit: This is definitely a personal preference, but again being an Apple lover, I’ve always been a fan of the fit of Apple headphones. Nathan and I clearly have different sized ears, and both can wear these during workouts that include running – heavy lifting and have no problems with them falling out. Once they are in, they really stay put until you take them out!
3. Aesthetic: Compared to many other headphone types, the sleek style of the Airpods was very appealing to Nathan and I. Being white and relatively small was a huge plus for me so they can easily be hidden while wearing them at work. Again this may be a plus or negative for some people, but it was a positive for me! For Nathan, they are seen much more than when I wear them, but he also loves the way they look and appreciates the lack of wire or bulk that other headphones carry.
4. Phone Calls: Another pro I wasn’t expecting was the sound quality when making phone calls. Every day when I get off work, I usually call Nathan to see how his day was before heading into the gym, and always had the hardest time hearing him as I was usually on speaker. Now, he talks to me with the Airpods and I can hear him clear as day! I even wear them while walking Sofie now for business calls and because the quality is so good, you can’t tell I’m outside! Again this is a huge plus I wasn’t expecting and has been so helpful in my daily life.
5. Battery Life & Case: Before the purchase, neither Nathan or I realized that the case the Airpods came with is actually the charging case. Not only does the small white box help keep your Airpods from being lost, but it has its own battery within the case acting as a second battery source. If you are on a long trip, or just don’t want to charge them often, you can keep the case charged and just pop the Airpods in for a re-charge. While at work, I leave my case charging and am able to only charge the case/Airpods once a week before leaving them on a charger overnight. This is my biggest pro when looking for wireless headphones as most only last an hour before needing a charge. Since I purchased these mostly for workouts, I wanted to be able to finish a long workout without my headphones dying and have never had that problem with the Airpods.

In conclusion, I 100% belive that the Apple Airpods are worth the price! With so many options on the market, for the functionality vs. price point, in my opinion these are your best bet. I hope this review has been helpful when deciding which pair of wireless headphones are right for you and giving a little more insight into the Apple Airpods!

XOXO Hannah K.