Apple’s AirPods Pro are available for just $169 today — find out why they’re so popular!

Apple's beloved AirPods Pro got a significant update in September 2022, making them even more convenient for travelers.

With Amazon running a fantastic Prime Day sale on the second-generation AirPods Pro, now is the perfect time to check them out.

Purchase Apple AirPods Pro today for $168.99 (regularly $249)

Since the first generation AirPods Pro debuted in 2019, they've become my preferred choice for long-haul flights. With exceptional noise cancellation in a remarkably compact design, it's a hard combo to beat, especially given their seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem.

Naturally, some travelers will always choose over-ear headphones, like Apple's AirPods Max, which provide superior noise cancellation but are much bulkier.

However, for many travelers, AirPods Pro are the ideal option. With the arrival of the second-generation model and Amazon's latest sale, I started to wonder if an upgrade would be worthwhile.

After testing them through five flights and covering nearly 11,000 miles in the air, I have my answer.

Purchase Apple AirPods Pro today for just $168.99 (regularly $249)

Noise cancellation that surpasses all expectations

The first generation AirPods Pro delivered an outstanding audio experience in a highly portable design, and the new version elevates that even further.

As a long-time user of Apple's premium earbuds, I’ve come to expect a certain audio quality, and I anticipated that the next-generation model would be a modest upgrade in that regard.

However, when I tried them on for the first time, I was particularly impressed by the enhancements to the active noise cancellation.

Featuring the advanced Apple H2 silicon chip, the new AirPods Pro can execute sophisticated algorithms that the first generation couldn’t handle. Coupled with a more powerful audio driver that generates the sound, they deliver nearly double the active noise cancellation of the previous model.

Naturally, there’s no better way to test Apple's claims than flying at 30,000 feet in an airplane.

After taking five flights with the new AirPods Pro, I found the active noise cancellation to be truly remarkable. I alternated between my first- and second-generation models during the trips to compare the sound quality enhancements.

With the second-generation earbuds, I noticed fewer interruptions from announcements and chatter compared to the original model. The sound quality was also significantly improved.

Enhanced battery life for long journeys

During my travels, I made an effort to test the battery life enhancements that Apple introduced with the second-generation AirPods Pro.

I was particularly impressed during my two transcontinental flights. With the first-generation earbuds, I typically needed to recharge my AirPods about three-quarters of the way through a long flight.

However, with the new AirPods Pro, the music kept playing until just after we landed. On my flight from New York to Seattle, I put on my AirPods Pro during boarding to focus on some last-minute tasks.

I then enjoyed a podcast and listened to music for the remainder of the flight. When I reached Seattle, I still had about 10% battery left on the AirPods Pro.

With a total travel time of just over six hours, my experience with the second-generation AirPods Pro slightly exceeded Apple’s claim of up to six hours of listening time, representing a one-third improvement over the previous model.

The extra 90 minutes of listening time made a significant impact during my transcontinental flights, and it was especially beneficial during my long-haul journeys. (You also gain an extra hour of talk time with the new Pros.)

While you can always recharge the AirPods Pro when the battery runs out (five minutes in the case gives you about an hour of listening time), I valued the ability to keep enjoying my music or podcasts throughout my flights without interruption.

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Compact speakers can make a significant impact

The new AirPods Pro are an excellent upgrade for travelers who often misplace their belongings.

For starters, you can easily keep them attached to your bag with the new lanyard loop on the charging case.

If you happen to lose your second-generation AirPods Pro, the new U1 chip in the charging case allows for precise tracking within the Find My network, giving you a clear indication of their exact location.

As you get nearer, a new speaker in the case can emit a sound to help you swiftly locate your AirPods, whether they’re hidden in your couch or wedged between seats on an airplane.

I tend to keep my AirPods in my pocket, but I now feel confident that if they were to slip out during my travels, it wouldn’t take long to find them again.

Volume at your fingertips

Managing your audio experience while on the move is becoming simpler with the second-generation AirPods Pro.

Apple has revamped the touch area on the stem of each AirPod, providing users with greater control when listening to music or making phone calls.

Thanks to the new capacitive sensing layer, you can now swipe up and down on the stem to control the volume. Pressing the stem adjusts your audio, while holding it toggles between noise cancellation and transparency modes. (These settings can always be customized through the menu on your connected iOS device.)

Personally, I found the new volume slider feature particularly useful during my travels, especially when flight attendants passed by and during critical announcements.

In those moments, I was able to quickly lower the volume directly on my AirPods without reaching for my phone or Apple Watch. This allowed me to interact with the flight crew and hear the full announcement without missing a beat. (Alternatively, I could have switched to transparency mode — more on that below.)

While reaching for your phone or pausing your audio isn’t too much of a hassle, the new volume slider is definitely a handy feature to have.

Transparency Mode has received a major enhancement

At times, you might want to stay aware of your surroundings while enjoying audio through your headphones. Whether you want to hear what's happening around you as you explore a new city or while you’re waiting to board a flight,

In those situations, remember to enable transparency mode on your AirPods Pro. This feature allows you to hear ambient sounds while your music continues to play.

Moreover, the new AirPods Pro elevate the transparency mode experience with the addition of Adaptive Transparency.

When you encounter loud construction noises or if a fire alarm sounds, the new AirPods Pro will automatically reduce those sounds to a safer volume.

You can adjust various aspects of this feature in the accessibility settings on your iOS device, but by default, adaptive transparency activates for any sound above 85 decibels. This should help protect your hearing from potentially damaging sounds.

In summary

While some travelers still swear by over-ear headphones, the new AirPods Pro provide a compelling reason to leave those bulky options behind on your journeys.

Offering an enhanced sound experience in a compact design that easily fits in your pocket or handbag, the second-generation AirPods Pro are perfect for travelers. They're also superior to the entry-level AirPods, which lack active noise cancellation—a crucial feature for those wanting to escape while on the move.

Priced at $249, the new Pros cost $70 more than the standard third-generation AirPods, not including any special deals or promotions. This investment is well worth it, especially if you intend to travel with your earbuds.

The enhanced noise cancellation and improved battery life are standout features geared towards travelers, but added enhancements like precision finding, redesigned controls, and a new adaptive transparency mode make these the best travel-friendly earbuds from Apple to date.

It's important to note that AirPods (and Bluetooth headphones overall) still encounter issues when used with existing seat-back monitors on airplanes. Although Bluetooth support is gradually being introduced on newer aircraft, you'll typically need to bring a dongle (we recommend the AirFly) for most older models.

For those moving up from the first-generation model, the new Pros present several valuable enhancements. While an immediate upgrade may not be essential, adding the next-generation earbuds to your holiday wishlist certainly wouldn’t hurt.

Purchase Apple AirPods Pro today for $168.99 (regularly $249)