AirPods are the most popular wireless headphones in the world. Currently, there are three product lines: regular, Pro, and Max. While known for their superior audio quality, AirPods have another lesser-known yet powerful use: turning text into speech for listening on the go. Whether you’re reading long PDFs, e-books, or web articles, AirPods combined with a quality text-to-speech (TTS) app can enhance productivity and make multitasking easier.
Why Use AirPods for Text-to-Speech?
One notable use case for AirPods is listening to text while commuting, exercising, or doing household chores. This is especially beneficial when you need to listen to documents such as PDFs or long-form content. While all AirPods models can be used for this, the experience becomes significantly better on models with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). ANC is available on four models: AirPods 4 (variant with ANC), AirPods Pro (1st and 2nd generation), and AirPods Max.
ANC is crucial when listening to spoken word content, such as PDFs or eBooks, because external noise can be distracting. When listening to music, you might not notice every sound detail, but when it comes to human speech, clarity is essential. Noise-canceling AirPods minimize these distractions, making them ideal for TTS apps.
Best Apps for Listening to PDFs on AirPods
To make the most out of your AirPods, you need the right software to convert text into speech. Text-to-speech (TTS) apps can turn your digital content into spoken word, so you can “read” PDFs, ePub files, Microsoft Office documents, and even web pages with your AirPods. With hundreds of TTS apps available, it’s essential to choose one that offers robust features and seamless integration.
We’ve tested and compared three of the most popular TTS apps, each boasting a wide range of features, including voice customization, text importing, and multi-format support. Check out our detailed comparison here: Speech Central vs Voice Dream Reader vs Speechify.
Why Speech Central Is the Best Choice
Among the TTS apps we reviewed, Speech Central stands out as the best value option. While other apps offer similar features, Speech Central delivers more comprehensive functionality at a fraction of the cost—nearly 100x less than some competitors! It supports a wide range of text formats, including PDFs, web articles, and e-books, and offers various voice customizations for a fully personalized listening experience.
If you’re looking for the best app to turn PDFs into spoken word content for your AirPods, we strongly recommend Speech Central. Available on the App Store, it combines powerful features with an affordable price, making it a must-have tool for anyone who frequently listens to text on the go.
Whether you’re a student, a professional, or someone who enjoys learning new things, using AirPods for listening to PDFs or other digital texts with a TTS app can transform the way you consume information. ANC-enabled models, such as AirPods Pro and AirPods Max, are ideal for ensuring clear audio even in noisy environments. Pair your AirPods with a top-notch TTS app like Speech Central, and you’re all set for an immersive, hands-free reading experience.