The new AirPods Pro 3s came out in the Fall of 2025. Which for me, triggered the “big discount” mental alert for the 2s.
As a tech fan, I would love to buy and use the 3s over the 2s, but when you look at new and used prices for the 2s (and consider what they’re capable of) it’s hard to justify the extra cost of the 3s.
And besides, these are to workout in. So, if I’m climbing indoors, running outside, or lifting on a work trip, the 2s go far beyond what I need.
Fit and Finish
Whether you’re a fan of Apple or not, a few quick written reviews and YouTube videos quickly reveal how capable the AirPods Pro 2s are. From the assisted hearing aid function to the incredibly high level of noise canceling, these things are legit!
The quality of materials and build is beyond exceptional. They’re simply the standard that competing products are still compared to.
As for the fit, this is a hit or miss for everyone. Linus Sebastian of Linus Tech Tips loves the fit so much that he sleeps in them. Whereas Marques Brownlee of MKBHD enjoys them for daily use and traveling, but they don’t stay in if he works out in them.
For me, I can’t trust use them alone on a run that’s more than a mile. Every quarter to half mile I have to push them back into my ear. As for climbing or lifting, it’s the same case.
Whether I lie on my back or fall on a route, eventually one or both of the buds slip out.
You won’t know if they work for you until you try them.
Ear Hooks
Thankfully I didn’t give up after my first 5+ mile run with these AirPods. (Because of how nice they are for every other moment in life.)
Instead, I tried AirPods Pro 2 ear hooks. And my goodness the ones from Proof Labs are magic!
For context, I came from a pair of Jaybird X3s that use “wingtips” so the earbuds stay snug in my ears for hours. (I now use these as ear protection when working loud machinery.)
Proof Labs’ ear hooks don’t just match the quality of Jaybird’s solution; they improve on it. Where my ears get sore with the X3s after a couple hours, Proof Labs’ remain comfortable because of the soft silicone construction AND flexible finger-like shape.
However, you might look at these and think, “Wow, that’s really annoying to have to put those on the AirPods every time you go for a run.” Maybe you will find this annoying, I thought I would, but surprisingly I don’t mind it.
If anything, I actually like it because it gives me an extra minute to mentally prepare for the run.
Proof Labs did a really solid job designing these too, because after a year of using them I still haven’t replaced a single one.
5+ Years
I really enjoy the AirPods Pros 2 as running earbuds. Are they perfect? No.
They’re too expensive.
But their battery has yet to hit less than 50% on a run, which I really tried to do on a 14+ mile run last month. Plus, they’re phenomenal to have in general. Between the transparency and noise-canceling modes, I now understand why some of my family members practically live in them.
6+ hour flight? No problem.
Afternoon of yard work? Easy.
Need brown noise to help sleep, but you don’t want to wake up your spouse? Ain’t no thang!
Look, I don’t like to spend money. Even worse, if I have to spend money, then I prefer to spend more on a quality item that will last me years to come.
The AirPods Pro 2s fit this weird mentality perfectly. I am more than confident that after a year of using these, they’ll easily last another 5+ years as my dedicated running earbuds.
The Recap
I don’t like nonsense. I don’t like gimmicks. And I don’t like waste.
None of which the AirPods Pro 2s equate to.
Whether you’re running a marathon, jumping on a trampoline, or watching a YouTube video at midnight, these can handle practically every activity with perfection… as long as they stay in your ears.