Twelve  South AirFly Pro 2

Bluetooth headphones like the Apple AirPods accompany us almost everywhere, but the fun often ends on a plane, treadmill, or in front of an old TV where Bluetooth isn’t available. This is exactly where the Twelve South AirFly Pro 2 comes in. The small device can be plugged into any 3.5 mm jack and wirelessly sends or receives audio. The second generation promises improved sound, easier operation, and longer battery life. This hands-on test examines whether it’s worth the nearly €60 price tag.

What the Twelve South AirFly Pro 2 can do

Twelve South is known for filling gaps in the tech market, and the AirFly Pro 2 is a perfect example. Smaller and thinner than an AirPods case, weighing just 14 g, it features a short 3.5 mm cable attached directly to the body. Its job is to bring Bluetooth to devices that don’t have it.

In transmitter mode, it lets you use wireless headphones with an in-flight entertainment system, gym treadmills or bikes, and even retro consoles or handheld devices without built-in wireless.

Switch to receiver mode, and you can make an old AUX car radio Bluetooth-capable, stream music to speakers without re-pairing, or turn a wired hi-fi headphone into a wireless headset. This makes it especially appealing to frequent travellers, commuters, gym-goers, and tech enthusiasts who want to use their favourite gear anywhere.

Design and operation

The glossy plastic housing feels slightly “budget” but slips easily into any pocket. Two large front-mounted volume buttons are easy to locate by touch, which is particularly useful when controlling devices with awkward access. There’s a power slider to turn the unit on or off (or place it in standby) and a mode switch to toggle between transmit and receive. Two pairing buttons make connecting to Bluetooth devices quick and simple.

A small LED shows the status: blue for pairing mode, white for active, and red for low battery. Double-tapping the plus button reveals battery charge in 25% increments.

The short 3.5 mm cable is long enough for in-flight screens without pulling, yet short enough to avoid tangling. Frequent travellers may opt for the optional hard-shell case with carabiner, which stores the adapter and cable safely. However, it’s worth noting that the standard version does not include an airline double adapter – you’d need to buy the Deluxe version or a third-party alternative for that.

Technical update

Inside, the Twelve South AirFly Pro 2 now uses a Qualcomm QCC3056 chip, enabling aptX HD support. This allows audio transmission at up to 24-bit/48 kHz with a maximum of 420 kbps, dynamically adjusting bitrate and latency. It falls back to SBC if the connected device doesn’t support aptX HD.

The downside for Apple AirPods users: Apple mobile devices don’t support aptX, instead relying on AAC for higher-quality audio. Since the AirFly Pro 2 doesn’t support AAC, AirPods will only connect using SBC – a noticeable downgrade for discerning listeners.

Bluetooth 5.3 improves range and power efficiency. In testing, the connection remained stable at up to 25 metres without obstructions, and pairing typically took under five seconds. A key upgrade is the ability to connect two headphones simultaneously with aptX HD, making movie nights for two lag-free.

Sound quality

Tested with various headphones (Apple AirPods Pro, Sony WF-1000XM5, CMF Buds Pro 2), the AirFly Pro 2 delivered pop, jazz, classical, and electronic music with precise, balanced sound. Bass remained tight, vocals were clear, and hi-hats had sparkle without harshness. aptX HD offered the best results. In video streaming tests on an iPad Air, speech and lip sync were spot on, with even Dolby Atmos tracks sounding surprisingly spacious through AirPods Pro.

Battery life

Twelve South claims up to 25 hours of use, which our tests confirmed at around 70% volume. A 30-minute charge via USB-C restored roughly 40% battery.

How it compares to its predecessor

Compared to the original AirFly Pro, the new model offers Bluetooth 5.3, double the battery life, aptX HD, and dual-headphone support. For existing owners, the main gains are endurance and refined sound; for new buyers, the combination of dual pairing, aptX HD, and long battery life makes it a more compelling package.

Drawbacks

While decently built, the AirFly Pro 2 doesn’t feel as premium as its price might suggest, with slightly misaligned buttons and a basic plastic finish. AAC support is absent, which particularly affects Apple users, and true lossless audio isn’t possible over Bluetooth. Also, the stated supported impedance range (16–32 ohms) means high-impedance studio headphones will play at lower volumes.

Who should buy the Twelve South AirFly Pro 2?

• Frequent flyers can enjoy AirPods Pro with in-flight systems
• Gym-goers can connect to treadmill or spin bike displays
• Drivers can modernise an old AUX-only car radio
• Couples/families can share audio on two headphones at once

It’s unnecessary if all your devices already have modern Bluetooth or if you require bit-perfect hi-res audio.

Conclusion

The Twelve South AirFly Pro 2 is a versatile travel companion, offering both transmit and receive functions. It sounds good, lasts far longer than its predecessor, and is pleasingly portable. If you can live without detailed battery status and AAC support (especially important for Apple users), it’s a practical and capable gadget. Given the number of cheaper rivals now available, though, it’s worth comparing features before buying.