Apple AirPods are undeniably a great product. You can expect great battery life, a super affordable wireless charging case, and even active noise cancellation if you can afford the AirPods Pro.
But what if you can’t afford AirPods? Or maybe the feature list doesn’t tick enough boxes? Thankfully, there’s a whole market filled with great alternatives to Apple AirPods, and we’re about to showcase some of the best choices.
We’ve made it as simple as possible – for all of the earbuds we have, we’ve listed the price, key features, and potential drawbacks compared to Apple AirPods so you can quickly know if it’s worth reading more about each choice.
Samsung Galaxy Buds + – Latest wireless earbuds in 2020 ($ 149.99)
Samsung is back with a more powerful set of earphones and they definitely deserve our attention as alternatives to AirPods.
Why should i buy them?
Much like previous Galaxy Buds, you can expect a well-balanced sound stage that delivers songs with some impact. You have noticeable mids, highs, and lows, but they’re not as powerful as some bass-focused earbuds mentioned below.
You get 11 hours of battery life on a single charge, and the charging case can give you 11 more. Wireless charging is available and you can also take the battery out of your Samsung smartphone if it supports the PowerShare function. A triple microphone setup ensures great call quality, something that the cheaper options are a little flat on.
What am I losing?
For $ 100 less we can’t complain but you don’t get active noise cancellation like you do with the AirPods Pro, which can also be used on Android.
Sony WF-1000XM3 – Best alternative to Apple AirPods Pro ($ 228)
The Sony WF-1000XM3s are expensive, but they are the absolute best experience you can find compared to the Apple AirPods Pro, hitting the mark on the most important features.
Why should i buy them?
There are three main reasons why you would want to buy Sony WF-1000XM3 earphones: comfort, sound quality and active noise cancellation. The WF-1000XM3 has excellent audio quality, being able to offer a fresh experience for most music genres: it delivers powerful bass but doesn’t skimp on mids and lows.
Sony’s main feature here is active noise cancellation – the WF-1000XM3s are heralded as one of the best for it and are one of the few truly wireless earbuds to offer such a feature.
The WF-1000XM3s fit perfectly too, with different sizes of lines available. You also get a wireless charging case that can hold 18 hours of use. A full charge on the earbuds alone will give you around 6 hours of battery life. Voice assistant support is also available.
What am I losing?
The WF-1000XM3 has no volume control and you don’t have wireless charging with the charging case, which you might miss if you’ve used Apple AirPods. Call quality is decent, but not perfect, which is Sony’s only downside to these earbuds.
Beats Powerbeats Pro – Ideal for workouts and battery life ($ 249.95)
If you care about battery life, you can’t go wrong with Beats Powerbeats Pro.
Why should i buy them?
If you’re interested in getting high-quality sound while exercising, then you’ll be interested in Powerbeats Pro over AirPods Pro. These earbuds feature adjustable ear hooks designed to stay firmly on your head, even while exercising. The earbuds are also sweat and water resistant, and the 9 hours of listening is a bonus for those extra long marathons.
What am I losing?
Lose wireless charging with the Powerbeats Pro case and active noise cancellation in the earphones. For sound quality, the Powerbeats Pro beat the standard AirPods, of course, but don’t quite match the AirPods Pro’s punchier bass and wider dynamic range.
Jabra Elite 75t – An upgrade to standard Apple AirPods ($ 179.99)
The Jabra Elite 75t are expensive, but they are a great alternative to AirPods for sound quality and design.
Why should i buy them?
You will appreciate the audio quality of the Jabra Elite 75t. The sound profile is much more impactful than the Airpods. Even if that means a lot of bass, which might be a little overwhelming for some. Thankfully, you have more control over how everything sounds thanks to the available Jabra Sound + equalizer app.
You also get 7.5 hours of battery life from the earbuds, and the charging case can extend that to 28 hours. The Elite 75t are also super comfortable and feature an IP55 rating for water and dust resistance.
What am I losing?
You lose a more balanced soundstage, by this we mean the Jabra Elite 75t’s bass may be a little too much for your taste. Also, you don’t get wireless charging with the case.
JBL Reflect the flow – Cheaper alternative to exercise ($ 149.95)
A pair of true wireless headphones intended for the sportier types, with a more affordable price.
Why should i buy them?
JBL has established itself as a great option for training enthusiasts. Get a comfortable experience with these true wireless earbuds thanks to the extra earbuds and ear hooks included. The JBL Reflect Flow has a very punchy bass that will resonate with those who need powerful tunes to fuel their day.
The earphones are IPX7 certified, which guarantees protection from sweat and water. Battery life is great, with 10 hours in the earbuds alone and 20 more with the charging case, which can be charged either with a cable or wirelessly.
What am I losing?
You don’t lose much: JBL has hit the ball with this AirPod alternative. Our only complaint is that the charging case is quite large compared to the AirPod case.
A pair of true wireless earbuds for just $ 60. And what’s more, they’re from a reputable brand, Anker.
Why should i buy them?
Price is the main reason. On top of that, you get an excellent charging case that holds 40 hours of battery. The buds alone have 7 hours of autonomy. You also get IPX7 protection, voice calls, Siri or Google Assistant support, and if you’re using a headset, the audio profile will automatically switch to mono.
What am I losing?
You won’t get a mind-blowing sound with these. They sure fall flat compared to AirPods. However, they are not bad. It is more an enjoyable listening experience than an impressive listening experience.
Jaybird Vista – A great audio experience ($ 168.99)
Jaybird Vista earphones are another high-end choice for those looking for a better audio experience than Apple AirPods.
Why should i buy them?
You can expect a very loud audio experience with Jaybird Vista earphones. Bass is powerful, but you get crisp, noticeable highs. Overall the soundstage is well balanced but still impactful.
You can customize your EQ settings with the Jaybird companion app. The design includes ear hooks and IPX7 water and sweat resistant protection, making them a good option for exercise. You can get 6 hours of battery life from Jaybird Vistas, but the charging case can hold another 10 hours.
What am I losing?
There’s no wireless charging on the case, and the total 16 hours of charging combined between the case and earbuds are quite lacking compared to the Apple AirPods’ 24-hour battery life.
A first foray into true wireless earphones from a HiFi audio manufacturer.
Why should i buy them?
Buy Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 for accurate stage sound with well represented mids, highs and lows. These won’t offer powerful bass, so they’re more of an on-the-go option for audiophiles than those who like fun, punchy tunes. You get 9 hours of battery life from the earbuds, and the charging case can provide 45 hours of battery which is huge.
What am I losing?
Bass might be something you’re missing out on and there’s no wireless charging for the case, but beyond that, you’ve got a very comprehensive set of earphones here.
Free EarFun – Definitely fun, not quite free ($ 49.99)
A very affordable earphone set that offers a fun sound range and wireless charging.
Why should i buy them?
The EarFun Free earphones are perfect if you are looking for true wireless earbuds with powerful bass at a very affordable price. The highs and mids are a bit lacking, so these are the kind of earbuds you use for a quick workout or to power yourself up in boring moments here and there throughout the day.
You get IPX7 sweat and waterproof protection, 6 hours of battery life in the earbuds and 24 hours in the charging case. You also get wireless charging on the case which is rare to see at this price point.
What am I losing?
There are controls on the ear, but you have to press physical buttons that put some uncomfortable pressure on your ears and there’s no physical volume control.
Amazon Eco Buds – Affordable noise cancellation ($ 129.99)
If voice control is an important feature for you and you like Amazon Alexa, Amazon Echo Buds could be a great option.
Why should i buy them?
Get hands-free Alexa voice control with Echo Buds, making it easy to ask Alexa questions and get quick answers. There is noise reduction, but not adequate noise cancellation, thanks to Bose technology. It’s still a huge advantage over other options at this price point.
The Bose noise reduction isn’t the same as the AirPod Pro or Sony WF-1000XM3, but it does a job of silencing background noise. Audio quality is decent, focusing on the mids for a more balanced sound profile.
What am I losing?
There’s no wireless charging on the case and it uses micro USB, which feels archaic in today’s USB-C-centric world.
Summary
Hopefully, this overview of the best alternatives to Apple AirPods has proved useful. Which of these earphones are you interested in? Share your thoughts or opinions on other alternative options with us in the comments section.