Yes, AirPods are worth it for most people who own an iPhone or other Apple device. They pair instantly, sound excellent for their size, and offer some of the best battery-plus-case longevity in the wireless earbud market. The real question is which model makes sense for your budget and use case.
Apple's new lineup spans three tiers: the AirPods 5, announced on September 9, 2026 with in-store availability from September 18, which makes Active Noise Cancellation standard on the entry model, the AirPods Pro 3, and the AirPods Max 2 over-ear model. The AirPods 4 that the AirPods 5 replaced now joins the AirPods 3 and the AirPods Pro 2 as models Apple no longer sells new but which stay strong refurbished buys. Refurbished AirPods start from around $49 on RefurbMe, cutting the cost of entry sharply. Keep reading for a full breakdown.
According to RefurbMe's own tracking (the RefurbMe Refurbished Apple Price Index), a refurbished AirPods Pro model first reaches the refurbished market a median of 292 days after Apple's release (as of September 2026), which is why the AirPods Pro 3 only began appearing refurbished this summer. The standard AirPods line runs longer at a median of 391 days, while AirPods Max is the fastest of the three at 244 days (as of September 2026), which is how a refurbished AirPods Max 2 reached the catalog within six months of going on sale. Across every AirPods model RefurbMe has ever tracked, the median refurbished discount versus the original Apple price is 65 percent (as of September 2026). That family figure spans older models, so it does not mean any single current model is 65 percent off, but it shows how far refurbished pricing falls once a model has been on the market a while.
Table of contents
- Which AirPods model should you buy?
- AirPods model overview
- 5 reasons AirPods are worth it
- AirPods 2 vs. AirPods 3: which is the better buy?
- FAQ
Which AirPods model should you buy?
The short answer depends on your budget and priorities:
- Best value overall: AirPods 4 from $89 refurbished at Amazon Renewed. Apple stopped selling it new when the AirPods 5 arrived, so refurbished is the only way to buy one now. Good sound, USB-C, IP54 rating.
- Best noise cancellation for the money: AirPods Pro 2 from $109 refurbished at eBay Refurbished. H2 chip and adaptive ANC, undercutting the newer Pro 3 by $48.
- Best noise cancellation outright: AirPods Pro 3 at $249 new or from $157 refurbished. Roughly 2x the noise cancellation of the Pro 2, plus heart rate sensing and Live Translation.
- Best for casual listeners: AirPods 3, listed between $49 and $91 refurbished. Spatial audio, MagSafe charging, IPX4 resistance.
- Best for audio enthusiasts: AirPods Max 2 from $269 refurbished, only $25 above the cheapest 1st-generation unit. Over-ear design, H2 chip, and 20 hours of listening with ANC.
- Newest entry model: AirPods 5 at $129 new, or $149 with the Wireless Charging Case. Too recent to have reached the refurbished market.
The pecking order flipped since August 2026, so the advice that held last month no longer does. A refurbished AirPods Pro 2 now lists from $109 while the AirPods Pro 3 starts at $157, which makes the Pro 2 the cheaper way into Apple's noise cancellation again. Pay the extra $48 for the Pro 3 if you want heart rate sensing, Live Translation, and the stronger ANC. The over-ear gap has nearly closed too: at $269 the AirPods Max 2 costs $25 more than the cheapest 1st-generation listing, which makes the older model hard to justify unless you find one well below $244. If you do not need ANC at all, a refurbished AirPods 4 at $89 is still the best value in the lineup.
AirPods model overview
Apple first released its wireless earbuds in December 2016. Since then, each generation has improved on design, chip performance, and audio quality. Here is a complete look at every model.
AirPods (standard line)
AirPods (2nd generation) - 2019
- H1 chip with "Hey Siri" hands-free support
- Up to 5 hours of listening time; more than 24 hours with the charging case
- Optional wireless charging case
- No water resistance
Refurbished AirPods 2 are no longer widely listed as separate inventory since the AirPods 3 and 4 have pushed them out of most refurbisher catalogs.
AirPods (3rd generation) - 2021
- Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking
- Adaptive EQ for optimized sound
- MagSafe charging case
- IPX4 sweat and water resistance
- Up to 6 hours of listening time; 30 hours with case
Apple no longer sells the AirPods 3 new. Refurbished units are listed between $49 at eBay Refurbished and $91 at Amazon Renewed, though stock at the bottom of that range is thin and sells through quickly, so treat $49 as a floor you may have to wait for rather than a price you can count on today.
AirPods (4th generation) - 2024
- H2 chip for improved audio processing
- Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) on the higher-end model
- Improved bass response and sound separation
- USB-C charging case
- IP54 dust and water resistance (better than the IPX4 on the 3rd gen)
- Standard model: up to 5 hours listening; 30 hours total with case
- With ANC: up to 4 hours listening with ANC on (5 hours with ANC off); 20 hours total with case with ANC on (30 hours with ANC off)
Apple discontinued the AirPods 4 in September 2026 when the AirPods 5 replaced it, and its specification page now redirects to the newer model, so both versions are refurbished-only purchases from here on. Refurbished standard AirPods 4 start from around $89 at Amazon Renewed, with eBay Refurbished at $94. The ANC version is listed at $86 at eBay Refurbished, which is also the lowest figure RefurbMe has recorded for it.
AirPods (5th generation) - 2026
- H2 chip with Active Noise Cancellation standard, no separate ANC model
- Removes up to 50 percent more noise than the AirPods 4 with ANC, according to Apple
- Live Translation and Siri intelligence features
- IP57 dust, sweat, and water resistance, up from IP54 on the AirPods 4
- Up to 4 hours of listening with ANC on (6 hours with noise control off); 20 hours total with the case
- With the Wireless Charging Case: up to 5 hours with ANC on (7 hours off); 22 hours total with the case, plus a force sensor for volume swipes
Apple announced the AirPods 5 on September 9, 2026 and puts it in stores on September 18, at $129 with the USB-C charging case or $149 with the Wireless Charging Case. Nothing this new is refurbished yet. Based on RefurbMe's median of 391 days from release to first refurbished listing for the standard AirPods line, the first refurbished AirPods 5 should appear around late 2027.
2021 release
Related article: AirPods 2 vs. AirPods 3: Key Differences and Which to Buy
AirPods Pro
AirPods Pro (1st generation) - 2019
- Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode
- H1 chip
- Interchangeable ear tips (3 sizes: S, M, L)
- Adaptive EQ
- Up to 4.5 hours listening with ANC; 24 hours total with case
Refurbished AirPods Pro 1 are listed from $84 at eBay Refurbished, with Amazon Renewed at $125. The lowest price RefurbMe has ever recorded for this model is $65, at Back Market in October 2022.
AirPods Pro (2nd generation) - 2022
- H2 chip with significantly improved ANC (up to 2x more effective than Gen 1)
- Adaptive Transparency mode
- Personalized Spatial Audio
- Touch control for volume
- Up to 6 hours listening with ANC; 30 hours total with case
- Four ear tip sizes (XS, S, M, L)
- Find My support via U1 chip in the case
Apple discontinued the AirPods Pro 2 as a new product in September 2025 when the AirPods Pro 3 launched, so it is now sold refurbished or used only. As of September 17, 2026 the spread across refurbishers is unusually wide: $109 at eBay Refurbished, $208 at Amazon Renewed, and $380 at Back Market for the same generation. At the bottom of that range it undercuts the newer Pro 3 by $48, which reverses the position it held in August. At the top of the range it is poor value, so the seller you buy from matters more here than on any other AirPods model.
AirPods Pro (3rd generation) - 2025
- H2 chip with roughly 2x the noise cancellation of the AirPods Pro 2, according to Apple
- Heart rate sensing via an infrared sensor for workout tracking
- Live Translation for real-time in-person conversations
- Conversation Boost hearing aid features and improved Transparency mode
- Up to 8 hours listening with ANC; 7.5 hours with Spatial Audio and head tracking; 6.5 hours with heart rate sensing during workouts; 24 hours total with the case
- Personalized Spatial Audio and USB-C charging case with Find My
The AirPods Pro 3 launched in September 2025 at $249 new, the same launch price as the outgoing Pro 2, and Apple still sells it at $249. Refurbished units start from $157 at eBay Refurbished, with Amazon Renewed at $169, checked September 17, 2026. That $157 is also the lowest RefurbMe has recorded for the model, so the Pro 3 is currently as cheap refurbished as it has ever been, even though the older Pro 2 is cheaper still.
2022 release
2019 release
2025 release
AirPods Max
AirPods Max (1st generation) - 2020
- High-fidelity audio with an Apple-designed 40mm dynamic driver
- Industry-leading Active Noise Cancellation
- Transparency mode
- Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking
- Digital Crown for volume control and playback
- Up to 20 hours of listening time with ANC enabled
- Smart Case for ultra-low power mode
The original AirPods Max retailed for $549 new. Refurbished 1st-generation units now run from $244 to $374 depending on the color, with eBay Refurbished holding the cheapest listings and Back Market and Amazon Renewed at the top of the range. Colors are priced far apart on this model, so the color you are willing to accept moves the price more than the condition grade does.
AirPods Max (2nd generation) - 2026
Apple announced the second-generation AirPods Max on March 16, 2026, opened orders on March 25, and began deliveries in April, also at $549. It uses the H2 chip in each ear cup, delivers up to 20 hours of listening with ANC enabled, and Apple rates its noise cancellation at up to 1.5x the original AirPods Max. It now comes in Blue, Purple, Midnight, Starlight, and Orange, and it is the only AirPods Max generation Apple still sells new.
The 2nd generation reached the refurbished market faster than the older model did, so both generations are listed on RefurbMe as of September 17, 2026. Refurbished AirPods Max 2 runs from $269 for Starlight at eBay Refurbished up to $409 for Purple at Amazon Renewed. At $269 it sits just $25 above the cheapest 1st-generation unit, which is the single most useful thing to know about buying a refurbished AirPods Max right now: unless you find a 1st-generation listing well under $244, the newer model with better ANC and a current warranty is the better buy. Check the generation on any listing before you commit, because both are in stock and the names differ by one digit.
green • 2020 release
silver • 2020 release
sky-blue • 2020 release
Related: Beats Studio 3 vs. AirPods Max: A Guide to the Best Headphones | Is the AirPods Max 2 Worth It Refurbished?
5 reasons AirPods are worth it
1. Battery life
Battery life is one of the strongest arguments for AirPods across the full lineup. Here is how each current model stacks up:
- AirPods 5: 4 hours with ANC on, 20 hours total with case. With the Wireless Charging Case, 5 hours and 22 hours total.
- AirPods 4 (standard): 5 hours listening, 30 hours total with case.
- AirPods 4 (with ANC): 4 hours with ANC on, 20 hours total with case.
- AirPods Pro 2: 6 hours with ANC on, 30 hours total with case.
- AirPods Pro 3: 8 hours with ANC on, 24 hours total with case.
- AirPods Max (1st gen and 2nd gen): 20 hours with ANC on. Neither has a charging case battery to top up from.
These numbers compare favorably with most competitors. The Sony WF-1000XM5, for example, offers 8 hours of earbud-only time but only 24 hours total. The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro delivers 6 hours and 26 hours total. AirPods Pro 2's 30 hours total puts it near the top of the market, while the standard AirPods 4 matches it without ANC.
2. Sound quality and noise cancellation
AirPods deliver clear, balanced audio across every model, but noise cancellation varies considerably:
- AirPods 4 (standard, no ANC): Good passive isolation, no active noise cancellation. Suitable for everyday listening.
- AirPods 4 (with ANC): The first standard AirPods model to offer ANC, as a separate higher-priced version. Effective in medium-noise environments such as offices or public transport.
- AirPods 5: ANC is standard rather than a paid upgrade, and Apple says it removes up to 50 percent more noise than the AirPods 4 with ANC.
- AirPods Pro 2: The H2 chip delivers up to 2x better noise cancellation than the previous generation according to Apple. Adaptive Transparency lets you hear your surroundings at reduced volume without removing the earbuds.
- AirPods Pro 3: Apple rates its ANC at roughly 2x the Pro 2, which makes it the strongest in-ear noise cancellation Apple has shipped. It adds Live Translation and heart rate sensing on top.
- AirPods Max: The best ANC Apple makes overall, comparable to the Sony WH-1000XM5 in real-world use. Suited to frequent flyers and commuters who need deep quiet. Apple rates the 2nd generation at up to 1.5x the 1st generation.
3. Apple ecosystem integration
Seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem is a major, practical advantage.
All AirPods models connect instantly to iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, and Apple TVs. Once paired with one device using the same Apple ID, they appear automatically on all your other Apple devices. Switching from a MacBook call to an iPhone call takes one tap, with no re-pairing needed.
AirPods also work with Android and other Bluetooth devices, though automatic switching and Siri integration are Apple-only features.
4. Fit and comfort
Fit is subjective, but Apple offers three distinct approaches across the lineup:
- AirPods 2, 3, 4, and 5: Universal one-size design with no ear tips. The stem shape has shortened across generations, and the 4th and 5th gen have a more contoured outer shell. Some people find the open fit uncomfortable for extended wear; others prefer it for breathability.
- AirPods Pro 1 and 2: Silicone ear tips in 3 or 4 sizes create a seal in the ear canal. This improves passive isolation, helps ANC performance, and gives a more secure fit for exercise. The built-in ear tip fit test (in Settings on iPhone) helps you find the right size.
- AirPods Max (1st generation): Breathable knit mesh headband, memory foam ear cushions, and a telescoping arm for size adjustment. They weigh 385g, which some users find heavy during very long sessions. The 2nd generation keeps the same headband and cushion design.
If you are unsure about fit, any of the AirPods Pro are the safest choice because the ear tip system accommodates a wide range of ear shapes, and at $109 refurbished the Pro 2 is the cheapest way to try it.
5. Price: new vs. refurbished
These are the current Apple new prices for the models still sold new:
- AirPods 5: $129, or $149 with the Wireless Charging Case
- AirPods Pro 3: $249
- AirPods Max (2nd generation): $549
The AirPods 3, the AirPods Pro 2, and now both versions of the AirPods 4 have all been dropped from Apple's new-product lineup (the Pro 2 in September 2025 when the Pro 3 launched, the AirPods 4 in September 2026 when the AirPods 5 replaced it), so Apple no longer lists a new price for any of them. All three are still widely available refurbished, though discontinued models are also the ones counterfeiters copy most heavily, so it pays to know how to tell real AirPods from fakes before buying from an open marketplace.
Refurbished models on RefurbMe bring these prices down sharply. Checked live on September 17, 2026, the cheapest in-stock listing per model and the seller holding it are:
- AirPods 3: $49 at eBay Refurbished, up to $91 at Amazon Renewed
- AirPods 4: $89 at Amazon Renewed, $94 at eBay Refurbished
- AirPods 4 with ANC: $86 at eBay Refurbished
- AirPods Pro 1: $84 at eBay Refurbished, $125 at Amazon Renewed
- AirPods Pro 2: $109 at eBay Refurbished, $208 at Amazon Renewed, $380 at Back Market
- AirPods Pro 3: $157 at eBay Refurbished, $169 at Amazon Renewed
- AirPods Max (1st gen): $244 to $374 by color, cheapest at eBay Refurbished
- AirPods Max 2: $269 to $409 by finish, cheapest at eBay Refurbished
Two things to read off that list. The spread between refurbishers on the same model is often larger than the gap between two generations, so comparing sellers matters more than picking the newer model. And a refurbished AirPods Pro 2 at $109 costs $20 less than a new AirPods 5 at $129 while adding ear tips and adaptive ANC, which is the strongest argument in the lineup for buying refurbished over new. Prices move week to week as listings come and go, so treat these as reference points rather than a fixed floor and check the live comparison widgets for today's figure. All units on RefurbMe are professionally tested and sold with a warranty. For the full picture on the Pro line specifically, read our verdict on refurbished AirPods Pro.
Learn more: How Long Do AirPods Last? (Battery and Lifespan)
AirPods 2 vs. AirPods 3: which is the better buy?
This is one of the most searched AirPods comparisons. The short verdict: buy the AirPods 3 over the AirPods 2 if you can.
The AirPods 3 add spatial audio, Adaptive EQ, MagSafe charging, and IPX4 water resistance compared to the AirPods 2. Refurbished AirPods 3 are listed from $49 on RefurbMe, while AirPods 2 inventory has dried up entirely: RefurbMe tracked no in-stock AirPods 2 listing at any refurbisher on September 17, 2026. The price gap between the two is small enough that the AirPods 3 wins on features at nearly every price point.
If you want a detailed side-by-side, see our full article: AirPods 2 vs. AirPods 3: Key Differences and Which to Buy.
FAQ
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2021 release
Last updated: Sep 17, 2026 · First published: Dec 27, 2024
