AirPods have quickly become one of the most popular lifestyle tech gadgets on the market. For a while, they were only available in the traditional white offered by Apple. And while these white AirPods may have their place, having a more stylish and alternative color can add a unique look to your tech set up.
Luckily, if you are in the market for black AirPods, you have a range of options available to you. With a mix of official color variants, custom modifications, and third-party hardware replicas, you can now easily find those stylish black AirPods.
In this article, we tell you about all the different black AirPods available for you to buy, including their notable differences and some other considerations to bear in mind. Let’s get started.
Types of Black AirPods
There are several types of black AirPods available for you to choose from, all of which come with their own advantages and drawbacks.
Original Color Variants
The official AirPods from Apple originally only came in white, but the company has since released two models – the AirPods Pro and the AirPods Max – in a glossy black finish. This is a great option for anyone wanting to have the official wiring, Apple branding and guarantee.
Custom Modifications
Beyond the original Apple black variants, you can customise the color of your AirPods by getting them professionally modified. There are a range of modification services to choose from that use a custom matte process to paint the existing white AirPods black, giving your tech a stylish fresh look.
Third-Party AirPods
Lastly, a cheaper and simpler way to get your hands on black AirPods is to buy third-party replicas. Whether or not these are made up to the same industry standards, and the technology inside them tends to be a lot more basic, but they are a great way to get a set of black AirPods on a budget.
Choosing the Right Product for You
Now that you know about the different types of black AirPods available, it’s time to decide which is the best option for your needs.
When choosing black AirPods, it’s important to consider the following:
Price
The most important factor to consider is price.
Original Color Variants
The official AirPods from Apple starts at $ 159 for the AirPods and up to $ 499 for the AirPods Pro, making them the most expensive option.
Custom Modifications
For those looking to customise their AirPods, modification services are available from around $ 65 to $ 90, depending on the company.
Third-Party AirPods
Third-party AirPods are the most affordable option out of the three, costing around $ 40 to $50.
Quality
Once you’ve considered price, the next factor to consider is quality.
Original Color Variants
The original black AirPods from Apple are obviously tested and certified by the company, so you know you are buying a quality set of headphones approved by the brand.
Custom Modifications
Custom modifications come with a degree of risk as you may not always get the perfect color match. However, if you approach a reputable modification services, you can expect to get a quality, professional finish to the black coloring.
Third-Party AirPods
Finally, third-party headphone replicas are a hit and miss when it comes to quality. You can expect an adequate finish on the outer, but the quality and fit of the actual headphones tend to lack, so it’s important to shop around when considering third party replicas.
Style
Style can also be an important factor, with each option offering a different look.
Original Color Variants
The official Apple AirPods in black come with the stylish contrast of matte black against the iconic white charging case.
Custom Modifications
Custom modifications offer a unique custom look and you can often find other color option styles too.
Third-Party AirPods
Third-party AirPods usually come with a matte black finish, but are also likely to have heavier plastic casing compared to the original models.
Compatibility
Compatibility is also worth considering when choosing black AirPods.
Original Color Variants
The official Apple black AirPods are compatible with iOS, macOS and watchOS devices, meaning you can easily and quickly pair them to your Apple device.
Custom Modifications
The custom modified AirPods are also compatible with your Apple device, though you may run into with some compatibility issues.
Third-Party AirPods
Third-party AirPods are usually compatible with Android and iOS devices, though some specific features like the “Hey Siri” command may not work on some devices.
Warranty
Lastly, it’s important to consider the warranty when buying black AirPods.
Original Color Variants
Black AirPods from Apple come with the same 1-year limited hardware warranty as the white version.
Custom Modifications
Custom modifications usually do not come with any warranty.
Third-Party AirPods
Third-party headphone replicas come without any warranty, so you’re essentially buying them at the risk of them failing soon after purchase.
If you’re in the market for a set of black AirPods, then you have plenty of options to choose from.
You can start with the official AirPods from Apple, which come with the same excellent quality and guarantee as the original white version. Alternatively, custom modifications are a great way to get a custom look for your headphones, though it could come with some compatibility issues. Finally, third-party AirPods offer great value for money, though you may sacrifice quality and features.
Whichever black AirPods you choose, make sure that you research each option carefully and consider all the factors before making your purchase.
