Apple AirPods (1st Gen, 2016)

Strong Bluetooth connection ; Great battery life ; W1 chip is the future of wireless headphones

Sound quality not much better than average ; Don't fit in all ear types ; Design isn't for everyone

Ultimately, the Apple AirPods make me excited for what Apple can achieve for future versions, as the first attempt falls short in some important areas.

Battery life is exceptional Sound is great Pairing is quick and easy

One-size-fits-all design No in-line remote Controversial looks

The Apple AirPods are still a perfectly respectable pair of true wireless earbuds – even now that the upgraded AirPods (2019) have replaced them. With decent sound quality and seamless device pairing, all you have to worry about is if they fit your...

Tiny and light ; Pure wirelessness ; Weighty, balanced sound ; Good fit for most ears ; Clever case that carries extra charge

Lack detail and dynamic subtlety ; Siri isn’t a good substitute for buttons ; Attention-grabbing design, and not in a good way

The Apple AirPods are true next-generation wireless headphones, but sadly they are only of average sound quality

Easy to connect ; Work instantly across the Apple eco-system ; Carry case is the charger ; Sound isolation for calls and Siri control

Design will polarise opinion ; Lose the charging case you're stuffed ; Expensive ; No audio upgrade compared to EarPods ; Can fall out

The simplicity of connectivity, automated cross-device use via iCloud, and automatic stop/start controls based on whether one or both AirPods are in your ears is a glimpse into the future of wireless headphones. In these regards Apple is setting the...

Brilliant, transformative wireless tech ; Very decent sound ; Awesomely neat, battery-boosting carry case ; Amazingly lightweight, compact and comfortable for those with average ears

Non-adjustable size and shape means they won’t fit everyone ; Attention-grabbing design, and generally not in a good way ; Easily lost and expensive to replace ; Siri isn’t yet a good replacement for buttons

They make you look daft and are in some ways ahead of their time, but tech-wise the AirPods are undeniably awesome

Set-up with Apple products takes seconds ; Comfortable fit ; Sweat resistant

No active noise cancellation ; Average battery life ; Leak sound

If you don't own an iPhone, iPad or another Apple device, the

AirPods aren’t meant for everyone. The EarPods that come in the box with the iPhone 7 are the earphones meant for the proletariat; AirPods are meant for people who want to free themselves from a life of tangled wires and a physical tether to their phones.