Apple Earpods
Apple Earpods
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MUSIC: Good—7.8/10
CALLS: Very Good—8.0/10
GAMING: Very Good—8.3/10
TV: Good—7.4/10
PODCASTS & AUDIOBOOKS: Good—7.4/10
EXERCISE: Poor—4.1/10
AIR TRAVEL: Poor—4.6/10
NOISE REDUCTION: Poor—2.5/10
BUILD QUALITY: Good—7.6/10
Apple's Earpods are a budget-friendly earbud option known for their open enclosure design, which means they don't create a seal in your ear and allow you to remain aware of your surroundings. They're comfortable and provide good overall sound quality, with very good mic quality making them suitable for calls and meetings. Despite being wired with a 1.14-meter cable and not having wireless capabilities, they are highly portable. Suitable for general music listening, their open design is not ideal for use during exercise or air travel due to poor noise isolation. They lack features like sweatproofing, active noise cancelling, and app-based customization. However, they are optimized for Apple devices and are durable for everyday use. If you're looking for an affordable and reliable wired option mainly for use in quiet environments or for calls, the Earpods could serve you well. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Evaluation
Pros
- Good overall sound quality
- Very good mic quality
- Optimal for calls and meetings
- Portable and lightweight
- Wired connection ensures reliability
Cons
- No wireless connectivity
- Poor exercise suitability
- No noise isolation
- No app customization
Ratings by Category
Portability:5.0
The Portability score is based on an overall assessment that includes volume and maximum dimension of the product (and case, if relevant), and its weight. Special features like foldability for headphones are also taken into account.
Gaming:4.5
Apple EarPods provide a low latency experience due to their wired connection, which is crucial for gaming where timing and fast response are important. Additionally, they offer very good microphone quality ensuring clear communication with other players during gameplay.
Calls:4.4
This evaluates the product when used solely to make and receive calls. It takes into account how well the products are able to clearly reproduce the human voice, the quality of the integrated microphones and the battery life, when available, to be able to use them for longer sessions or conferences.
Music:4.3
Apple Earpods provide a good overall sound quality and have a notably good soundstage and imaging, which means they can create a convincing and immersive sense of space in the music, enhancing the listening experience. Since they have a stemmed, open enclosure type and a dynamic driver, they offer a natural sound and a comfortable fit, which can positively affect the enjoyment and clarity of music.
TV & Video:4.2
Apple Earpods are well-suited for watching TV and videos because they are wired, eliminating latency issues that can cause audio sync problems, and they provide good sound quality with a decent soundstage, offering a more engaging listening experience. Additionally, they score high on comfort, making them suitable for long viewing sessions without causing ear discomfort.
Podcasts & Audiobooks:4.2
This score evaluates the product when used solely to listen to podcasts or audiobooks. It takes into account sound quality and sound signature, to be able to keep voices clear and intelligible. It also considers battery life, when available, and comfort.
Full Specs
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
| Price | $20 | ||
Brand | Apple | ||
Release Date | September 1, 2012 | ||
Form Factor | Earbuds | ||
Connectivity | Wired | ||
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score  | 7.9/10 | ||
Phone Calls Score | 8/10 | ||
Gaming Score | 8.4/10 | ||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | ||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | ||
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | No | ||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | ||
Mic Quality | 8.3/10 | ||
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | 7.6/10 | ||
Comfort score | 7/10 | ||
Size | Small | ||
Weight of single earbud | 6.5 Grams | ||
Microphone style | In-Line | ||
Apple Earpods
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CNN Underscored
Michael Andronico | May 2023
"Apple’s wired buds sound just fine for the price, and their handy inline controls and clear microphone give them an edge on wireless earbuds that are much more expensive. Plus, you never have to worry about running out of battery — or worse, a stray earbud going missing."
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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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