Best for what? You aren't going to be listening to music on AirPods, are you?
I wouldn't use them to deliberately listen to music. I've got studio monitors and quality headphones for that. But I will listen to music if i'm at work, or whatever. I also, think Earbuds are a good litmus test when listening to a mixed track. I like to listen in my car, through my cans, through my monitors and through some earbuds.
The main reason is to be chord free when messing with my Macbook or using my Iphone.
I see... Deliberately or not, I can only really use wired or wireless Apple earbuds for calls, and sort of have to tolerate them for audiobooks, although that causes a considerable amount of suffering. Music? Come on. Even the wired version is cruel, wireless is abviously even worse.
That said, I understand that there’s not much alternative without the 3.5 jack - I’m in the same boat. But I just don’t listen to music on my phone anymore. If you can do it, I admire your tolerance really.
Put yourself in a car full of kids and a wife who listens to sugar pop music or the old Elvis station and those earbuds no matter how crappy they sound, are a blessing. Or go on a trip with a buddy who snores, and they'll save you by pumping the smooth sounds of the ocean or a rainforest, or some Ozzy.
Out of curiosity, what was your suggestion?
My ears don't work at all with Apple's headphones. They just fall immediately right out of my ears. I got a pair of Beats X as they use that Apple chip for quick pairing and longer battery life. Not bad. Just ordered some foam ear tips though because these also keep falling out of my ears.
I find these a great addition - help keep them in and improves the seal/bass a bit. No affiliation, just a customer.
https://www.earbuddyz.com/
AirPods are the shit, until the wrong moment for them comes to fall off into the toilet or the crack of your car seat.....