Let's dive into the world of premium wireless earbuds, where both Apple and Bowers & Wilkins have created impressive offerings at the $249 price point. I've spent extensive time with both models, and there's quite a bit to unpack about their different approaches to personal audio.
Wireless earbuds have come a long way since the first AirPods launched in 2016. The AirPods Pro 2 were released in late 2022 (with a USB-C update in 2023), while the B&W Pi6 arrived in mid-2023. Both represent the latest in what's possible with tiny wireless audio devices, though they take notably different approaches to achieving excellence.
Today's premium earbuds aren't just about playing music – they're sophisticated mini-computers that handle noise cancellation, spatial audio processing, and even health monitoring. But not everyone needs all these features, which is where our comparison becomes particularly interesting.
The AirPods Pro 2 and Pi6 represent different audio philosophies. Apple aims for a balanced, consumer-friendly sound that works well across all genres, while B&W leans into audiophile territory with their signature sound.
The AirPods Pro 2 use custom-designed drivers (the tiny speakers in each earbud) paired with Apple's H2 chip. This chip processes audio in real-time to adjust the sound based on how the earbuds fit in your ears – a feature called Adaptive EQ. In practice, this means you get consistent sound quality even if the earbuds shift slightly during use.
B&W takes a more traditional audiophile approach with their 12mm bio-cellulose drivers. These drivers are larger than those in the AirPods and use natural materials that reduce unwanted vibrations. The result is incredibly detailed sound with better separation between instruments. If you're someone who likes to close their eyes and pick out individual instruments in a complex piece of music, you'll appreciate what B&W has done here.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is a technology that uses microphones to detect external noise and creates inverse sound waves to cancel it out. Both earbuds offer this feature, but there are significant differences in implementation.
The AirPods Pro 2's noise cancellation is notably more effective, especially with consistent low-frequency sounds like airplane engines or air conditioners. Apple claims it can reduce twice as much noise as the first generation, and in my testing, that seems accurate. The transparency mode (which lets you hear your surroundings) is incredibly natural-sounding – sometimes you forget you're wearing earbuds at all.
The Pi6's noise cancellation is good but not class-leading. However, its pass-through mode (B&W's version of transparency) is quite clear and works well for quick conversations or environmental awareness. The trade-off seems intentional – B&W focused more on pure audio quality than on creating the strongest possible noise cancellation.
Here's where the products really diverge in their approach. The AirPods Pro 2 are deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem, offering:
The Pi6 takes a more platform-agnostic approach, offering:
Battery life has improved significantly in recent years. The Pi6 leads in single-charge duration:
However, the AirPods Pro 2 offer more charging options:
The Pi6 only supports USB-C charging, but does include fast charging capability that provides 2 hours of playback from a 15-minute charge.
For home theater use, the AirPods Pro 2 have a slight edge when paired with Apple TV due to their Spatial Audio feature, which creates a virtual surround sound experience that tracks your head movement. This makes movies and TV shows more immersive – it really feels like the sound is coming from your TV even when you turn your head.
The Pi6, while excellent for music, doesn't offer specialized home theater features. However, their superior sound quality makes them excellent for movie watching, particularly if you appreciate detailed audio. The longer battery life also means you can watch several movies before needing to recharge.
Both earbuds are priced at $249, but the AirPods Pro 2 are frequently discounted to around $200. At either price point, they offer excellent value for Apple users due to their feature set and integration. The Pi6 maintains its premium pricing more consistently but justifies it with superior sound quality and build materials.
Choose the AirPods Pro 2 if you:
Choose the Pi6 if you:
Both the AirPods Pro 2 and B&W Pi6 represent the current state of the art in their respective approaches to wireless audio. Apple continues to push the boundaries of integration and smart features, while B&W maintains their focus on premium audio quality. As we look to future generations, we'll likely see these philosophies continue to evolve, with possible improvements in battery life, noise cancellation, and sound quality.
The choice between them ultimately comes down to your priorities and how you plan to use them. Both are excellent products that serve their intended audiences well – it's just a matter of deciding which approach aligns better with your needs.
| Apple AirPods Pro 2 | Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 |
|---|---|
| Price - What you'll actually pay | |
| $249 (often on sale for ~$200) | $249 (rarely discounted) |
| Sound Quality - How good your music will actually sound | |
| Balanced, consumer-friendly sound with good detail | Audiophile-grade sound with superior instrument separation |
| Active Noise Cancellation - How well it blocks out the world | |
| Best-in-class ANC, excellent for commuting and travel | Good but not exceptional ANC, adequate for most situations |
| Battery Life - How long you can listen before recharging | |
| 6 hours (buds), 30 hours total with case | 8 hours (buds), 24 hours total with case |
| Ecosystem Integration - How easily it works with your devices | |
| Seamless Apple integration, instant pairing, auto-switching | Standard Bluetooth, multipoint connection but less reliable |
| Durability Rating - How well it handles sweat and rain | |
| IPX4 (splash resistant) | IP54 (dust and splash resistant) |
| Extra Features - Special capabilities that add value | |
| Spatial Audio, Find My tracking, wireless charging, head tracking | Superior codec support (aptX), better sound quality on Android |
| Fit and Comfort - How they feel during extended use | |
| Lightweight, secure fit with multiple tip sizes | Larger but comfortable, may not seal as well for some users |
| Case Features - Additional convenience factors | |
| MagSafe, Qi charging, lanyard loop, built-in speaker | USB-C only charging, standard case |
| Voice Call Quality - How clear you sound to others | |
| Exceptional with beam-forming mics and wind reduction | Good but not class-leading |
The AirPods Pro 2 offer superior movie watching experience due to their Spatial Audio feature, which creates virtual surround sound and head tracking. While the B&W Pi6 provide excellent sound quality, they lack specialized home theater features.
The B&W Pi6 delivers superior pure audio quality with better instrument separation and detail. However, the AirPods Pro 2 offer a more balanced, consumer-friendly sound that works well across all content types.
The AirPods Pro 2 feature significantly better Active Noise Cancellation compared to the Pi6, making them the better choice for noisy environments or travel.
Both can connect to TVs via Bluetooth, but the AirPods Pro 2 offer better integration with Apple TV and lower latency. The Pi6 work with any Bluetooth TV but may experience slight audio delay.
The B&W Pi6 offer longer single-charge battery life at 8 hours, while the AirPods Pro 2 provide 6 hours. However, the AirPods offer more total battery life with their case (30 hours vs 24 hours).
The B&W Pi6 work better with Android devices due to their aptX codec support. The AirPods Pro 2 work with Android but lose many special features that are Apple-exclusive.
The AirPods Pro 2 have lower latency and better gaming performance, especially with Apple devices. The Pi6 aren't optimized for gaming and may experience more audio delay.
Both are sweat-resistant, but the AirPods Pro 2 offer a more secure fit for active use. The Pi6 are slightly bulkier and may not stay in place as well during vigorous activity.
The AirPods Pro 2 provide superior call quality with better voice isolation and wind reduction compared to the Pi6.
The AirPods Pro 2 feature Spatial Audio with head tracking for virtual surround sound. The Pi6 don't offer surround sound simulation.
At $249, the AirPods Pro 2 offer better overall value due to frequent discounts and more features. The Pi6 justify their price through superior sound quality but have fewer smart features.
The B&W Pi6 offer standard multipoint connection for two devices, while the AirPods Pro 2 provide seamless switching between Apple devices but don't support true multipoint connectivity.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: recordingnow.com - apple.com - apple.com - cnet.com - hearingreview.com - target.com - support.apple.com - costco.com - cnet.com - quill.com - stuff.tv - bowerswilkins.com - youtube.com - tomsguide.com - bowerswilkins.com - audio46.com - crutchfield.com - baybloorradio.com - skybygramophone.com - nfm.com - ofinet.es - bowerswilkins.com
