Mashable Choice highlights the best of everything we cover, have experienced first-hand and would recommend to others. People love Apple's AirPods . I know this because I can't walk down the street or ride the subway or go anywhere without spotting the striking white "stems" poking out of peoples'...

Slightly longer battery life (for talk time; Hands-free 'Hey Siri' voice controls; Faster switching between Apple devices; Optional wireless charging case

No sound quality improvements; Wireless charging case version costs an extra $40; No improvements to battery life for music

The new AirPods are an incremental upgrade to an already excellent, fully wireless headphone, but sound quality, design and fit are basically the same.

The second-generation AirPods add a couple of small but key improvements to the original, including always-on voice recognition and a wireless charging case option. They're a top-notch headset for making calls, indoors and out.

No design changes to help them fit more ears securely; their sound hasn't improved, and their open design allows for a lot of ambient noise to leak in.

Really, the Airpods 2 could easily be seen as AirPods v1.5 because Apple hasn't touched the overall design or sound capabilities at all. Heck, there isn't even a new colour to show you've got the new model.

Quick to charge using the included case; Now offers Hey Siri for voice control; Easy to connect thanks to H1 chip

Not great in noisy environments; The same polarising design; Many premium competitors; Can fall out; Expensive

While new features like wireless charging and faster pairing are useful, the AirPods (2019) aren't a significant improvement over their predecessors, so while they're well worth a look if you're buying your first pair of true-wireless buds, if you have the original AirPods it's hard for us to...

Faster pairing; Wireless charging; Hands-free ‘Hey Siri' functionality

Wireless charging case costs extra; Audio hasn't improved; Identical design to the originals

When it comes down to it, there's not a big difference between the first and second generation AirPods. Talk time, improved connection speed, and Hey Siri are the headlining features, and to some, they won't mean all that much.

Battery life; Long range; quick pairing; Wireless charging optional

Wireless charging is going to cost you

For Apple fans, AirPods 2 are still the safe path to wireless freedom

Brilliantly simple setup; Sleek Apple design; Wireless charging; Clear; solid connection; Easy access to Siri

Still no waterproofing or workout features; Upcharge for wireless case; Smoothed-over sound lacks definition

When it comes down to it, there's not a big difference between the first and second generation AirPods. Talk time, improved connection speed, and Hey Siri are the headlining features, and to some, they won't mean all that much.

Battery life, Long range, quick pairing, Wireless charging optional

Wireless charging is going to cost you

The AirPods are still arguably among the best all-round true wireless earbuds, especially if you’re a happy resident in Apple’s ecosystem. They’re so fast and reliable that it’s still hard to imagine anyone not being converted. However, if you're not of the iPhone persuasion you might want to look at something like the excellent Samsung Galaxy buds, which do offer noise isolation. The AirPods are now more enticing than ever, but those still rocking the first model might find it hard to justify the upgrade, especially as the wireless charging case is compatible with both generations. While the improved battery life and hands-free Siri experience afforded by the H1 chip are handy enhancements, £160 (or £200 if you want wireless) is a lot of money just to save you a double tap. Although they fall some way short of being the perfect evolution, the 2019 AirPods are better than ever. Who’s laughing now?

H1 chip is super speedy; Hands-free Siri works well; Wireless charging; Very few performance issues ;

Still no noise isolation ; Expensive ; Unspectacular audio; Don’t fit all ears ;

H1 chip is super speedy; Hands-free Siri works well; Wireless charging; Very few performance issues ;

Still no noise isolation ; Expensive ; Unspectacular audio; Don’t fit all ears ;

H1 chip is super speedy; Hands-free Siri works well; Wireless charging; Very few performance issues ;

Still no noise isolation ; Expensive ; Unspectacular audio; Don’t fit all ears ;