Are AirPods Pro Still Worth the High Price? (Helpful Tips)

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The AirPods Pro are refined products of years of Apple’s work on true wireless tech. They’re a higher-end version of previous generation AirPods with lots of superb features. 

While the AirPods Pro are on the upper price spectrum compared to other wireless buds from competitors, you get value for your money.

Let’s get started to figure out if it’s worth upgrading to them or sticking with the previous AirPods generations.

Here’s Why AirPods Pro Are Still Worth It:

AirPods Pro combine the latest technology to give better noise cancellation and improved sound quality. They also have unbeatable features like Adaptive EQ, support for spatial audio, and a pressure sensor so you can squeeze the stems to control your music and activate Siri. 

How Much Exactly Do AirPods Pro Cost?

The AirPods Pro usually retail at $249 in leading stores countrywide, so be sure to pay no more than that during your deals hunt. You could also be lucky to get nice discounts from Amazon and Walmart, and your luckiest period is Black Friday.

The AirPods Pro sold at around $169 in the US during Black Friday, a record low that became popular during the much-awaited offer period. Likewise, in the UK, the prices have dropped to £ 169 in the past. You’ve got a good bargain if you spot the AirPods Pro price hovering around these levels.

While you could land good deals occasionally, the AirPods Pro price is still higher than that of previous AirPods generations and wireless buds from notable competitors. However, you might want to overlook that if you’re more interested in enjoying a luxurious experience with these premium earbuds.

But if you’re on a budget, you can’t go wrong with the AirPods 3 or AirPods 2. You could even get more handsome discounts for these.

Do AirPods Pro Cost More Than Similar Brands?

Similar brands to the AirPods Pro include the Sony WF-1000XM4, Beats Fit Pro, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, Edifier TWS 330NB, and Earfun Air Pro 2. All these are reputable brands with decent sound quality and good noise cancellation.

The noise cancellation is only good; not particularly great to rival what the AirPods Pro offer. These earbuds also have Transparency mode and are comfortable to wear, giving you a seamless listening experience.

Here’s a highlight of the prices of similar earbuds to the AirPods Pro:

Similar Brand of Earbuds	Price
Sony WF-1000XM4	$228.00
Beats Fit Pro	$199.95
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds	$190.00
Edifier TWS 330NB	$70.00
Earfun Air Pro 2	$80.00

You may not get some AirPods Pro bonus features like the spatial audio virtual surround mode with these earbuds. But they won’t disappoint you on core performance attributes like noise cancellation, sound, and voice calling.

All in all, the AirPods Pro are still pricier than these earbuds, and you get a lot more for that extra cash.

What Is So Special About AirPods Pro?

The AirPods Pro is a huge step from the regular AirPods. For starters, they have shorter stems and rubberized tips to give you a snugger fit and provide a better seal that boosts sound quality.

They also boast Active Noise Cancellation, and the Transparency mode is among the most fantastic features you can expect for such tiny earbuds.

As of writing, most iOS’ unbeatable features work only with the AirPods Pro. For example, you can enjoy spatial audio in Apple Music with all AirPods, but enabling the unique surround sound feature is a perk you only get with the AirPods Pro or AirPods Max.

And with iOS 15, you’ll notice the Find My utility is expanded, together with spatial audio on M1-based Macs and Apple TV.

The AirPods Pro also have a pressure sensor inside the stems so you can gently squeeze them to adjust your music volume, play or pause songs, skip songs, and activate Siri. 

What’s more, these buds have a new vent system that equalizes pressure. Apple says this minimizes the discomfort you’d experience with other in-ear designs, giving you a better fit and seamless wearing experience.

Why Do People Choose AirPods Pro Over the Competition?

While there are dozens of true wireless earbuds out there, most people still choose AirPods Pro because they have better features that make them reign supreme.

AirPods Pro have Active Noise Cancellation, with two-oppositely facing microphones and advanced software to adapt to each ear. The built-in Transparency mode allows you to listen to music while still hearing ambient sounds. This is useful when you’re jogging in neighborhoods with many cars and need to stay alert and safe.

Moreover, Apple says these earbuds have an Adaptive EQ feature that lets you enjoy superior sound quality. It achieves this by tuning the low and mid frequencies of the music to the shape of your ears for a more customized, immersive listening experience.

In terms of charging, the AirPods Pro case supports Qi-based wireless charging on top of the standard Lightning charging. The charging case offers a relatively long listening time (more than 24 hours) and an extended talk time of over 18 hours.

While competitors may pack their earbuds with unique features, they’re not leveraging revolutionary tech upgrades that would make AirPods Pro buyers think twice. Apple is notorious for continuously setting and raising standards, which gives them the real edge.

Most of their competitors simply sit in their shadow, as they can’t keep up while at the same time enhancing cross-platform compatibility. Therefore, if you’re an Apple user and prefer the best true wireless earbuds to connect to your latest iPhone, there’s no better choice than the AirPods Pro.

Do AirPods Pro Keep Their Value Better?

The AirPods Pro are well-built and durable. You can rely on them for some 2-3 years of everyday use before you notice any severe degradation. 

They can serve you longer than their predecessors if you don’t drop them too often on hard surfaces. Remember, they’re made of high-quality plastic, but don’t expect them to be insanely shock-resistant.

Due to their IPX4 rating, the AirPods Pro are also water-resistant and will hold out against moderate moisture and light water splashes. But if you notice they’ve been exposed to moisture, dry them immediately to boost their longevity.

What Are Typical Alternatives To AirPods Pro?

Besides the brands we’ve looked at above, other typical alternatives to the AirPods Pro include the Sony LinkBuds S, Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 Earbuds, and TCL S600 Wireless Earbuds.

So if you’re not ready to spend $249  for brand new AirPods Pro, these are some of the more affordable options you can go with. They’re all true-wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation, decent battery life, and remarkable sound and voice-calling capabilities.

While you could pair these alternative buds with your iPhone, you’ll likely miss out on many features that make the AirPods Pro worth considering. This goes due to the lack of cross-platform compatibility.

Final Thoughts

If you need an immersive listening experience, robust water resistance for running and working out, or simply don’t like the tight sensation in your ears with earbuds, it’s worth buying the AirPods Pro. While you’ll pay a bit more for them, you’ll get unmatched value for your money.

But if you can overlook the AirPods Pro’s high performance and bonus features, you can save a good chunk of money if you stick to the standard AirPods or alternative earbuds from notable competitors.