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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize portability and wireless convenience for use during activities like exercise or travel, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 with active noise cancelling and sweatproof certification would be a compelling choice. They offer good sound quality and have a lower latency mode which is suitable for TV and video content. However, if you seek exceptional comfort and sound quality for home use, especially for music and TV where the soundstage is important, and don't need wireless functionality, the Philips SHP9500 headphones with an open-back design and higher comfort score may better suit your needs. Keep in mind the AirPods Pro 2 provide more features such as a microphone for calls, whereas the SHP9500 lacks a microphone and built-in controls, which may affect your decision depending on your use case. 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 Pro 2
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Philips SHP9500
- Excellent for music
- Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.0
9.2
The Philips SHP9500 is excellent for music, while the Apple Airpods Pro 2 is good.
Gaming
8.4
7.2
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is very good for gaming, while the Philips SHP9500 is good.
Phone Calls
7.8
4.9
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is good for phone calls, while the Philips SHP9500 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.8
8.0
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 and Philips SHP9500 are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Apple Airpods Pro 2 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
7.8
9.0
The Philips SHP9500 is excellent for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods Pro 2 is good.
Noise Reduction
9.1
2.5
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Philips SHP9500 is poor.
Battery
6.0 Hours
N/A
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 has 6 hours of battery life. The Philips SHP9500 does not have a battery.
Cost
$199
$48
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 has a price of $199 and the Philips SHP9500 costs $48.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 has excellent build quality, while the Philips SHP9500 has very good build quality.
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How the Apple Airpods Pro 2 and the Philips SHP9500 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Pro 2 | Philips SHP9500 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$199 | $48 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Philips | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2022 | August 1, 2013 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.1/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.8/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.4/10 | 7.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 4.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.5 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 10/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.3 Grams | 294.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods Pro 2
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | May 2023
"Apple's upgraded H2 chip begets better active noise canceling (ANC) and battery life, while the case's U1 chip and integrated speaker lets you precisely locate it from the Find My app. If you own an iPhone, the new AirPods Pro is an obvious choice."
Philips SHP9500
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphones Lab
Brian Stone | April 2020
"You can’t go wrong with the Philips SHP9500 for their price. Their audio quality is superb, and the fact that you can use them for just about anything you can think of makes them well worth your money"
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Pro 2 or the Philips SHP9500
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 Philips
Philips is a Dutch conglomerate and electronics manufacturer with over 130 years of history. Philips makes the Fidelio audio line which includes several models of full-sized wired and wireless headphones, true wireless earbuds. soundbars and wireless speakers.
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Why trust us
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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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