This Valentine's Day, Amazon offers the second-generation Apple AirPods Pro wireless noise-canceling earbuds for just $169.99 with free shipping—a remarkable 32% discount and the year's best price so far. While the new AirPods 4 earbuds are also on sale (the standard model is $99.99, and the noise-canceling version is $148.99), the AirPods Pro remain superior, boasting enhanced audio quality and noise cancellation.
Apple AirPods Pro: $169.99
### Apple AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C
$249.00 save 32%$169.99 at Amazon $249.00 save 32%$169.99 at Best Buy
The AirPods Pro deliver the best audio experience among truly wireless earbuds for iPhone users. This is due to their passively isolating in-ear design, combined with exceptional active noise cancellation, a low-distortion driver and amplifier, and the Apple H2 chip. Additional features include Adaptive Transparency Mode for enhanced ambient sound awareness without removing the earbuds, and Conversation Mode, which prioritizes the voices of those you're speaking with. The second-generation AirPods Pro features a more versatile USB-C port, replacing the Lightning port, and includes a MagSafe charging case.
AirPods Pro vs. AirPods 4 with ANC: Which Should You Choose?
The AirPods Pro surpasses the AirPods 4 ANC, justifying its $70 higher retail price. Both offer active noise cancellation, but the AirPods Pro provides superior sound quality and more effective noise reduction due to its design. The AirPods 4 ANC uses an open-ear design with non-adjustable tips, sitting outside the ear. This comfortable design, however, results in noticeable sound leakage and ambient noise intrusion.
Conversely, the AirPods Pro's in-ear design sits inside the ear canal, creating a seal that passively isolates it from external noise. Adjustable tips accommodate various ear sizes, ensuring a proper seal crucial for optimal performance. At this price point, the only compelling reason to opt for the AirPods 4 ANC is a preference against the in-ear style.
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