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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you value portability and the convenience of True Wireless earbuds, the Apple AirPods (2nd generation) might be the better choice, offering seamless integration with Apple devices. However, if budget is a concern and you prioritize sound quality and battery life, the Sennheiser HD 250BT headphones could be more suitable as they generally offer superior audio performance and longer playtime, at a lower cost. Keep in mind that over-ear headphones like the Sennheiser could be bulkier and less inconspicuous compared to the compact design of AirPods. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods (2nd generation)
- The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has no clear advantages over the Sennheiser HD 250BT.
Advantages of the Sennheiser HD 250BT
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
5.8
6.5
The Sennheiser HD 250BT is only fair for music, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.
Gaming
4.8
8.8
The Sennheiser HD 250BT is very good for gaming, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.
TV and Video
5.4
8.4
The Sennheiser HD 250BT is very good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.0
The Sennheiser HD 250BT is only fair for noise reduction, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.
Battery
4.0 Hours
25.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has 4 hours of battery life. The Sennheiser HD 250BT has 25 hours of battery life.
Cost
$89
$71
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has a price of $89 and the Sennheiser HD 250BT costs $71.
Build Quality
7.6
9.0
The Sennheiser HD 250BT has excellent build quality, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
6.9
7.2
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sennheiser HD 250BT to be good for phone calls, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.1
8.1
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) and Sennheiser HD 250BT are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks.
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How the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) and the Sennheiser HD 250BT compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods (2nd generation) | Sennheiser HD 250BT |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $71 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2019 | May 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 4.9/10 | 8.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.8/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 4 Hours | 25 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.5 Hours | 3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.6/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 125 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods (2nd generation)
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Sennheiser HD 250BT
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Headphone Check
Pete Scholßnagel | 2020
"As a lightweight, robust audio provider with a long battery life, the Sennheiser HD 250BT offer a lot for their price: very good Bluetooth codecs, an app connection and an extremely understated design. These headphones may not be among the most comfortable, but they deliver adequate sound – without overdriving or distortion."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) or the Sennheiser HD 250BT
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
About Sennheiser
A family-owned company, Sennheiser is a German, high fidelity, audio equipment manufacturer founded in 1945. Their consumer audio division is now owned by the Swiss hearing aid and cochlear implant manufacturer Sonova. Sennheiser offers a wide variety of, very high quality, audio equipment solutions, from headphones to earbuds, full sets of monitoring speakers, amplifiers and microphones. They also make what is widely regarded as the best, and most expensive, headphones in existence, the HE-1 Orpheus, costing a whopping $59,000 dollars.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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