How to Tell Which Airpods I Have

Found a pair of AirPods in a drawer, inherited them from a family member, or bought them secondhand and now can’t figure out which generation you’re holding? You’re not alone — Apple has shipped at least nine distinct AirPods models since 2016, and most of them look nearly identical at a glance.

Check Your iPhone’s Bluetooth Settings First

If your AirPods are already paired to an iPhone, this is by far the quickest method and requires zero flashlight squinting or case-flipping.

1. Open Settings on your iPhone
2. Tap Bluetooth
3. Find your AirPods in the device list
4. Tap the blue “i” info icon next to the name
5. Read the model name at the top of the screen (e.g., “AirPods Pro (2nd generation)”)

This method works because your iPhone actually identifies the exact hardware over Bluetooth, not just a generic name you assigned. It’s more reliable than eyeballing the earbuds, especially since Apple has released multiple AirPods models that share nearly identical physical designs.

Pro tip: if you’ve renamed your AirPods to something custom like “Dave’s Buds,” this Settings screen still shows the real model underneath the nickname.

You can also check via Settings > General > About > [scroll down to your paired AirPods] on newer iOS versions, which sometimes displays additional details like firmware version — useful if you’re trying to figure out whether a firmware update is even available for your specific generation.

Find the Model Number Stamped on the Case or Earbuds

No iPhone handy, or the AirPods aren’t paired to anything yet? Apple stamps a physical model number on both the charging case and the earbuds themselves.

Here’s where to look:

• Charging case: Open the lid and look on the inside, near the hinge — you’ll see tiny text like “Model A2190”
• Earbud stems: Some generations print a model number directly on the stem, though it’s extremely small
• Original packaging: If you kept the box, the model number is printed on the bottom near the barcode

Once you have that alphanumeric code, match it against this table of the most common AirPods model numbers:

These numbers occasionally get revised across regions and manufacturing runs, so if yours doesn’t match exactly, search “[your model number] Apple support” and you’ll usually land on the right identification page within a couple of clicks.

Use Apple’s Official Support Page for Visual Comparison

If you don’t trust the model number lookup or just want visual confirmation, Apple maintains a dedicated identification page at support.apple.com that shows photos of every generation side by side.

This is genuinely the most foolproof method because it accounts for subtle design differences that are easy to miss:

• Stem length: 1st and 2nd gen AirPods have long, uniform stems; AirPods 4 shortened the stem noticeably
• Silicone ear tips: Only Pro models have removable silicone tips; standard AirPods are one-piece plastic
• Vent notches: AirPods Pro (2nd gen) added a small speaker vent visible from the outside that the 1st gen lacks
• Case shape: 3rd gen and AirPods 4 cases are shorter and more rounded than the original “domino” shaped case used for 1st/2nd gen

Apple’s photos are updated whenever a new model ships, so as of this year the page includes AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods Max in both Lightning and USB-C variants. If you’re trying to figure out whether your Pro model even has the newer USB-C charging port versus the older Lightning connector, this visual page settles it in seconds — just look at the bottom of the case.

Understand the Design Differences Between Generations

Sometimes it helps to know what changed and why, rather than just matching a number. Here’s a breakdown of what actually distinguishes each generation functionally, not just cosmetically.

Standard AirPods Lineup

• AirPods (1st gen, 2016): No sweat/water resistance, single-button-free tap controls only, H1 chip absent (uses older W1 chip)
• AirPods (2nd gen, 2019): Added “Hey Siri” hands-free support and the faster H1 chip, still no water resistance
• AirPods (3rd gen, 2021): Shorter stem, IPX4 sweat resistance, spatial audio support, MagSafe-compatible case
• AirPods 4: Comes in two variants — one with Active Noise Cancellation and one without — plus USB-C charging as standard

AirPods Pro Lineup

• AirPods Pro (1st gen, 2019): Introduced Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode to the lineup
• AirPods Pro (2nd gen, 2022 Lightning / 2023 USB-C): Doubled ANC effectiveness, added touch-based volume control on the stem, added a speaker on the case for Find My
• AirPods Pro 2 (current): Includes hearing health features like clinical-grade hearing aid functionality and hearing protection, something no earlier Pro model supports

If you’re weighing whether it’s even worth upgrading from an older set once you’ve identified it, this comparison guide on whether AirPods are worth it breaks down the real-world value case by generation. And if water resistance specifically is your concern — say you run or work out with them — this deep dive on whether AirPods Pro are actually waterproof clarifies the difference between “sweat resistant” IPX4 ratings and true waterproofing, which matters a lot depending on which generation you own.

Don’t Forget About AirPods Max

AirPods Max get overlooked in most identification guides because they look so different from the earbud-style AirPods, but there’s still a distinction worth knowing.

• Original AirPods Max (2020): Lightning port for charging, five color options
• AirPods Max (USB-C refresh, 2026): Switched to USB-C, added new colors, kept the same H1-chip-based audio performance

The easiest way to tell these apart is flipping the headphones over and checking the charging port on the bottom of the right ear cup. Lightning is the small elongated port; USB-C is the small oval symmetrical port that also charges MacBooks and iPhones now.

If you’re trying to decide whether the Max model is worth the price premium over regular AirPods Pro, there’s a dedicated breakdown on whether AirPods Max are worth it that compares sound quality, comfort for long listening sessions, and how the over-ear design holds up against in-ear alternatives.

What to Do Once You’ve Identified Your Model

Knowing your exact AirPods generation actually matters for a few practical reasons beyond pure curiosity.

• Battery replacement decisions: Apple’s battery service pricing and eligibility differ by model, and very old 1st-gen units may no longer qualify for official service at all
• Firmware compatibility: Some features like Conversation Awareness or Adaptive Audio only work on specific chip generations (H2 or newer)
• Resale value: Listing accurate model info on eBay or Facebook Marketplace prevents disputes and gets you a fairer price
• Feature expectations: Knowing you have 2nd-gen Pro versus 1st-gen Pro tells you immediately whether you have USB-C, hearing aid features, and improved ANC

Industry reviewers consistently note that the single biggest identification mistake people make is assuming all “Pro” branded AirPods have identical features — the jump from 1st to 2nd generation Pro models actually introduced more functional changes than any other AirPods revision to date.

If you’re now shopping for a replacement or upgrade rather than sticking with what you found, it’s worth comparing against non-Apple wireless earbuds too, since price-to-performance ratios vary wildly across brands — this guide on telling if wireless earbuds are worth the price difference is a useful gut check before spending $250+ on a new pair.

Conclusion

Identifying your AirPods doesn’t require guesswork once you know where Apple hides the clues — the Bluetooth settings menu on a paired iPhone gives you an instant, definitive answer, while the stamped model number inside the case works even for unpaired or secondhand units. The physical design differences, from stem length to charging port type, are reliable backup indicators if you ever lose access to both of those. Given how many AirPods variants now exist — nine and counting as of 2026 — taking two minutes to properly identify yours pays off the moment you need a repair, a resale listing, or just want to know if that firmware update rumor actually applies to your pair.

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