AirPods Pro 2 Long-Term Review: Pros and Cons After 2 Years of Use
I’ve had my AirPods Pro 2 for nearly two years now, and at this point, I feel like I’ve experienced just about everything they have to offer (both the good and bad).
From cross-country flights to grocery store runs, these earbuds have become a daily essential for me. They’re far from perfect, but overall, I love them.
The Pros: What I Love About the AirPods Pro 2
1. Way More Reliable Than Gen 1
The first-gen AirPods Pro had their issues (connection dropouts, case weirdness, inconsistent charging) but Apple seriously stepped it up with version 2. After two years, these still work reliably. That level of consistency alone makes them worth the price.
2. Excellent Battery Life
One of the best things about the AirPods Pro 2 is the battery life. I can wear them through most of a six-hour flight without needing to recharge. For such tiny earbuds, that’s impressive. I also only charge the case about once a week, even with two or more hours of daily use.
3. Super Solid Case Design
The case is one of those things you don’t think about until it fails (but this one doesn’t). It feels sturdy, opens and closes with a satisfying click, and the magnets hold the earbuds tight. Even if I accidentally leave the lid open, they’re not going anywhere.
4. Build Quality (Mostly) Holds Up
The case and earbuds still feel well-built after tons of use. The materials don’t feel cheap, and the hinge on the case lid still clicks cleanly after all this time.
5. Tether Loop on the Case
There’s a small loop on the side of the case for attaching a lanyard or tether. I’ve never used it, but I’ve seen others tie it to backpacks or keychains. It’s a nice touch for the accident-prone among us.
6. Magnetic Hold is Strong
Unlike some older models, the AirPods Pro 2 snap securely into the case. Even if the case is open and upside down, the earbuds don’t fall out easily. That sounds minor, but it’s a big quality-of-life thing if you’re constantly pulling them out on the go.
7. Sound Quality Is Solid
Let’s be real: these aren’t studio monitors, but they sound great for casual listening. Whether I’m listening to rap, metal, country, or pop, everything comes through with a rich, bass-heavy profile. The only genre where I think they struggle is classical music. They sound a bit muddy compared to other earbuds that I’ve tried.
8. Good On-Device Controls
The haptic press on the stems works well, even after years of use. I can still control music and podcasts without ever reaching for my phone.
The Cons: Where the AirPods Pro 2 Fall Short
1. Noise Cancellation Has Degraded Over Time
This was the biggest disappointment. For the first year, noise cancellation was amazing (honestly, shockingly good for earbuds). But now? It barely works. It feels like I’m just using regular AirPods 3 with no noise isolation. I’m not sure if it’s the hardware aging, my ears changing, or worn-out silicone tips, but it’s not what it used to be.
2. Fit Has Become Unreliable
These used to fit snugly, but lately, if I don’t seat them just right, they’ll pop out at the worst moments.
3. Visible Wax & Grease Buildup
Real talk: the all-white finish shows everything. After two years, there’s noticeable earwax staining. You don’t notice it right away, but once you do, you can’t unsee it. It doesn’t affect performance, but it’s not exactly pleasing.
4. Cracked Earbuds
Both earbuds have small cracks near the base. They still work fine, but it’s disappointing considering I had the same issue with the first-gen model. You’d think Apple would have improved the durability by now.
5. Silicone Tips May Be Worn
This ties into the noise cancellation and fit issues. The silicone tips don’t feel as snug or grippy as they once did. Maybe my ears have changed or the tips have just worn out, but I wish they held up longer without needing replacements.
6. Still Uses Lightning
Mine is the older version with the Lightning port instead of USB-C. The newer ones fix this, but it’s worth noting if you’re buying secondhand.
