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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're considering the Apple Earpods for their significantly lower price and mainly use wired connections, they're a practical choice; they're known for good microphone quality and are suitable for calls. However, the Grado GT220s offer better overall sound quality and have wireless capabilities with a long battery life, potentially justifying their premium price. The GT220s also have a closed-back design for better noise isolation but may not be as comfortable for extended use as the open-back Earpods. The Earpods are lightweight and highly portable, perfect for everyday casual use, while the GT220s are more durable, sweatproof, and include wireless charging, making them ideal for active users or audiophiles who prefer superior sound and tech features. 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 Earpods
Good for music
Very good for phone calls
Very good for gaming
Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Grado GT220
Good for air travel
Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.8/10
6.3/10
The Apple Earpods is good for music, while the Grado GT220 is only fair.
Gaming
8.3/10
5.1/10
The Apple Earpods is very good for gaming, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Phone Calls
8.0/10
6.9/10
The Apple Earpods is very good for phone calls, while the Grado GT220 is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.4/10
8.8/10
The Grado GT220 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Apple Earpods is good.
TV and Video
7.4/10
5.5/10
The Apple Earpods is good for TV and video, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5/10
5.3/10
The Grado GT220 and Apple Earpods are both poor for noise reduction, though the Grado GT220 is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
5.5 Hours
The Apple Earpods does not have a battery. The Grado GT220 has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$20
$259
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Apple Earpods has a price of $20 and the Grado GT220 costs $259.
Build Quality
7.6/10
8.8/10
The Grado GT220 has very good build quality, while the Apple Earpods has good build quality.
"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."
"With its superb and functional interface and its highly satisfying imaging, Grado has shown a new talent for delivering a solid true wireless system, and with future improvements, has the potential to really be one of the best."
Get a great deal on the Apple Earpods or the Grado GT220
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 Grado
Grado Labs is a small, family-owned, business based in Brooklyn New York that specializes in high-end, boutique, dynamic headphones and turntable cartridges. They boast a particular house sound, that is to say their products have a particular sound signature unique to Grado, that some audiophiles seem to really like and are unable to find anywhere else. Their high-end headphones are all hand made, completely in house, from a variety of exotic woods and materials going so far as to making one of their most popular products out of hemp.
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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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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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
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.
Luis Torres
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.