Do Apple EarPods have better audio quality than AirPods?

Let’s get one thing straight: Apple EarPods do not have better audio quality than any of the AirPods currently sold by Apple. In addition to having specific audio chips inside, AirPods also have custom drivers, internal amplifiers, and an entire algorithm that makes music sound more complete. AirPods also have several audio features that EarPods lack, such as Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos, “Hey Siri” support, live translation, and even the AirPods Pro 3’s hearing aid and heart rate sensor.

That doesn’t mean a customer can’t have a good time with the company’s $20 headphones, though. First available in 2012, this product was designed to replace Apple’s older earbuds, which lacked this ergonomic shape, as they previously offered a traditional circular design. At the time, the company was trying to address a common complaint: its earbuds didn’t fit most ears (this same complaint was also repeated about AirPods). Since then, it has continued to sell these wired headphones in different versions, with a 3.5mm headphone jack, a Lightning or USB-C option.

It’s also worth noting that after disappearing from the streets, it’s been a few years since EarPods became cool again. Gen Z still has EarPods, and if you’ve scrolled through social media, you’ve probably realized that many creators have ditched their expensive wireless microphones just to create content with Apple’s 14-year-old EarPods.

Apple EarPods are cool and trendy. For the older generation, they still represent the freedom of carrying 1,000 songs in their pocket, thanks to Apple’s iconic iPod ads in the late 2000s. For the younger generation, not wearing fancy wireless headphones and just having something they can attach to their phone is a plus. The EarPods also don’t need to be charged and they can stream lossless audio since they offer a pure wired connection, although it’s debatable whether you can actually tell the difference.

On the other hand, the EarPods have some flaws that should not necessarily be compared to AirPods or wireless headphones in general. For example, EarPods consume more power from my iPhone than Apple AirPods. The problem here is that I have to blast them to almost 100%, which I don’t do with the AirPods. With the EarPods, it also takes me a full minute or more to untangle the cable. They are also more fragile, because their cable is ultra-thin and susceptible to breakage. Finally, integration with other products, besides being USB-C, is questionable. Try plugging USB-C EarPods into a Mac and let me know how long it takes you to figure out how to use them, while AirPods connect and work instantly.

I have a few songs that I use every time I test headphones, and one of my favorite tracks is “Keep An Eye On Dan” by ABBA, because I think it has a little bit of everything (good bass, multiple voices at the same time, drums, guitar, special effects, etc.). While the EarPods sound good in general, they have a few issues, especially compared to the $249 AirPods Pro 3: The wired headphones are always close to 100% full volume, even if I’m in a quiet environment — if I’m on the subway, I might as well forget about listening to songs; the vocals still sound a little muddy and there’s just no bass.

If you strictly compare the $20 price, I think the EarPods still sound great in 2026, and the built-in microphone is the best thing about them. However, sound-wise, all AirPods, especially those with ANC or eartips, will sound much better because the music isn’t leaking out of your ears. Plus, if you can actually hear the song, it also means you don’t need to use the headphones at maximum volume and, trust me, your ears will appreciate it.

That said, AirPods, especially the Pro line, make me feel like I’m actually enjoying the music I’m listening to, and the Dolby Atmos technology provides an immersion that really puts me in the mood for whatever I have on my ears. The EarPods, on the other hand, feel more like a fashion statement than anything else. If you want both, you can try Marshall headphones, like the Major V, instead.