@matigo I never used regular EarPods. Prefer in-ear to wall out noise without needing active noise cancellation. So dunno. I originally got them for my wife, but they felt uncomfortable to her, so I inherited them.
They work well enough for me as I use them now - quick way to convert a phone call into hands-free, easy opportunistic music or podcast listening while still able to hear the kids if they need me, safe to run in since I can hear what’s going on around me…
The big win for me is them storing away in a charging case that lives in my pocket. I always have them, so I wind up actually using them.