The AirPods 2 were launched back in 2019, but if you’re an iPhone user, they’re the best cheap wireless earbuds you can buy. While the second-generation AirPods are usually priced at $129, they’re currently available on Amazon for $99, which is a fantastic price. While the AirPods 2 can be used with Android phones, many of their features are exclusive to the iPhone, including one-touch pairing, Siri voice commands, audio sharing, and the ability to view battery life.
The AirPods 2 have automatic in-ear detection, allowing them to pause playback when you remove them from your ears. They have touch controls on the stems, letting you play or pause music, play the next or previous track, or summon Siri. These controls can be customized on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, but not on an Android or Windows device. The AirPods 2 earbuds also feature a speech-detecting accelerometer, which can automatically detect when you’re speaking and filter outside sound.
While the AirPods 2 don’t feature ANC, their semi-in-ear design makes them a comfortable choice if you don’t like ear tips. The earbuds offer five hours of battery life, while the case takes that up to 24 hours. Charging the AirPods for 15 minutes results in three hours of listening time.