True Wireless
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)
84Great
$125
Full review dataApple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) vs Beyerdynamic Free BYRD: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) - Great overall at around $125.
True Wireless
Beyerdynamic Free BYRD
78Great
$147
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)
Sound8.5
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery7.5
Calls8.0
Value7.5
Beyerdynamic Free BYRD
Sound8.0
Noise cancelling7.0
Battery8.0
Calls6.5
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C) | Beyerdynamic Free BYRD |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $125 | $147 |
| HearWiki score | 84 / 100 · Great | 78 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2022 | 2022 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 11 mm | 10 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz | 10Hz-22kHz |
| Impedance | 16 Ω | - |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Multipoint pairing | No | No |
| Wireless range | - | 10 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | - | 11 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 8.5 h |
| Battery incl. case | 30 h | 30 h |
| Quick charge | - | 10 min = 70 min |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | - | Yes |
| ANC type | adaptive | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | No | Yes |
| Wear detection | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | both | touch |
| Voice assistant | Siri | Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 10.6 g | 7 g |
| Case weight | 50.8 g | 60 g |
| Water resistance | IP54 | IPX4 |
| Foldable | No | - |
| Detachable cable | No | No |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | - | 2 |
| Call noise reduction | - | Qualcomm cVc |
What reviewers said
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen, USB-C)
These wireless earbuds deliver strong active noise cancellation and a natural-sounding transparency mode, making them a solid pick for Apple users. With around 6 hours of playback per charge and a case that boosts total listening time to 30 hours, they offer dependable daily use. The IP54 rating adds some protection against sweat and splashes, while Bluetooth 5.3 ensures a stable connection for most devices.
- Pro:Excellent active noise cancellation
- Pro:Natural transparency mode for ambient awareness
- Pro:Decent battery life with case
- Con:No multipoint connection
- Con:Limited to AAC codec
- Con:No custom EQ in app
Beyerdynamic Free BYRD
The Beyerdynamic Free BYRD are premium true-wireless earbuds that combine solid audio performance with a robust feature set, including hybrid ANC, transparency mode, and multi-device connectivity. They offer dependable battery life—around eight hours with ANC active and 30 hours total with the case—along with wireless charging and strong codec support, though their larger case and fit may not suit everyone.
- Pro:Strong, detailed sound with dynamic drivers
- Pro:Good battery life, especially with ANC off
- Pro:Hybrid ANC and transparency mode work well
- Con:Case is bulky and not pocket-friendly
- Con:Fit may be tricky for smaller ears
- Con:No wireless charging for the buds themselves
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
Compare something else
Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.