Design

The AirPods come in three styles: open earbuds (AirPods 2 and AirPods 3), noise-isolating earbuds with noise canceling (AirPods Pro 2) and over-ear headphones (AirPods Max). Some people like the standard AirPods because they have an open design and don't require you to jam silicone ear tips into your ears. Note that the AirPods 2, which are based on the original AirPods design, have longer stems and slightly smaller buds than the AirPods 3, which feature a new design. The AirPods 3 have better sound and spatial audio, but the AirPods 2 may fit some smaller ears better. Meanwhile, the Beats Fit Pro has built-in wingtips that may help you get a more secure fit. 

Budget

Before anything else, you'll want to figure out how much you're willing to spend on new AirPods. The quality of value-priced AirPods continues to improve as more models release, so you can often find good affordable AirPods on sale for less than $100. The premium models, which offer better build quality and performance, tend to cost $300 or more -- sometimes much more in the case of the AirPod Max. 

Fit

It's key that the AirPods you buy fit your head well. They should offer a comfortable fit that's snug yet not too snug. Ideally, you want headphones you can wear throughout the day with minimal breaks. Consider the differences between in-ear and over-ear AirPods before buying.

Durability

You want headphones that hold up well over time, so look for AirPods models that we note have sturdy build quality.

AirPods or Beats earbuds and headphones?

Because Apple owns Beats, the various AirPods models and Beats models can share similar components and features. Beats products tend to be geared to both Apple and Android users, while the AirPods tend to be focused more toward Apple users (they have more exclusive features for Apple users), although they can be paired with Android devices. 

Return policy

Because the fit of your earbuds is so important, it's critical to buy your buds at a retailer that has a good return policy, in case the buds aren't a good match for your ears.