Apple first launched the AirPods in December 2016, allowing users to listen to audio streamed from their iPhone or another Bluetooth device without the hassle of untangling a mess of EarPods wires.

Executive Editor David Carnoy has been a leading member of CNET's Reviews team since 2000. He covers the gamut of gadgets and is a notable reviewer of mobile accessories and portable audio ...

Executive Editor David Carnoy has been a leading member of CNET's Reviews team since 2000. He covers the gamut of gadgets and is a notable reviewer of mobile accessories and portable audio ...

This makes them look like Apple just snipped the wires off its EarPods headphones. It's not a bad look (it's become iconic) but the style isn't as sleek as the shorter stems on Apple's other models.