Just about everyone loves using wireless earbuds to listen to music, answer phone calls, and do many other things.
One of the best products out there is the AirPods from Apple. Whether you go with their original release or the Pro version, there is no doubt that they are a great piece of tech. The problem is, they can be expensive.
With that in mind, we wanted to take a look at the best alternatives to the AirPods that could give you a great experience without breaking the bank. Before we get started though, let’s take a look at how to go about choosing an alternative to AirPods.
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How to choose an AirPods Alternative (Without regretting it)
As you more than likely already know, there are a lot of different options out there for wireless or more commonly known as true wireless earbuds. Picking the wrong ones, however, can be a waste of not only your time but money as well.
Like you, we hate wasting both of these very important commodities so we thought we’d save you some disappointment with sub-standard earbuds and show you how to choose the best alternative to owning Airpods.
Battery Life
You know what battery life is and how important it can be when you’re listening to your favorite music or podcast like this one here (#shamlessplug) but many manufacturers will list a playing time of anywhere between three and five hours. In reality, you should reduce that time by about 20%.
In actuality, what they are telling you is that if the earbuds come with a charging case that when you put the earbuds back in, the charge in the case can “top up” the earbuds a few times before the case itself needs to be charged. If you see a time frame of 12 to 15 hours of playing time, this estimate is not for one continuous use on a single charge
Charging Case
Having a charging case for your wireless earbuds is very important if you’re going to be out in public wearing them or working away from your workplace or home office. The case you’re looking for needs to be robust and able to take a beating (so to speak), especially if you commute or throw the case into a backpack or purse.
Testing the hinge on the case can help you determine if the case is strong enough to handle day to day activities of being tossed around and banged against.
Ear Tips
The ear tips, or more importantly, the fit of the earbuds is one of the most important parts of your earbuds. Ear tips made from silicone that are too small or don’t have enough depth in your ear canal aren’t able to create a seal and as a result, won’t produce the good sound you should be hearing and will hear external noise when all you want is the music you love.
Making sure that the wireless earbuds you choose come with a wide range of sizes that can help you get a perfect fit and create an effective seal in your ear canal. Some manufacturers have added fins to the earbud to help it fit in the ear better. Fit and comfort are essential with earbuds. Without it, you’ll never have a proper experience.
Noise-canceling
Noise cancelation is becoming an increasingly common feature that many earbuds are coming with to reduce the noise of crowds, urban traffic, and other ambient noise. While it’s a great feature, it can also drain your earbuds’ batteries. This means that the listening time that you have won’t be as long as those without noise cancelation and they will likely be larger to accommodate the larger batteries.
Many noise-canceling earbuds also have a feature known as ‘Hear-Thru’ so you can adjust the noise cancelation level that is both safe and comfortable. Simply press a button to mute the music so you can hear what is happening around you.
Cost
Wireless earbuds come in a wide range of prices from cheap to very high-end. The earbuds that would be considered cheap are not considered this because of their price point but also the tech that goes inside them and should just be avoided at all costs. ‘
A good quality earbud is equipped with a Bluetooth chip from a reputable company like Qualcomm and also comes with some high-density batteries so that they will operate for more than an hour between charges. While a good quality product is seldomly cheap, be prepared to pay a good amount of money if you want something that will last a while.
Controls
While more commonly found on more expensive models of wireless earbuds, it is becoming more common to see control pads or buttons that allow you to control the volume, take phone calls, skip a track, or even issue voice commands. While some less expensive options still may not have these features, they can be pretty convenient to have.
Be sure to take a close look at the controls that the earbuds offer. Having a pair that comes with responsive controls can be worth the extra money especially if you don’t want to have to pull your phone out of your pocket every time you want to change the song.
Top 10 Best Apple Airpods Alternatives
It seems like you can’t swing a stick without hitting an alternative to Apple’s Airpods. Thankfully, we like doing the hard work so you don’t have to and built a list of the best AirPods alternatives. Whether you like our choices or have a choice of your own, these are the ones we’ve found can replace Apple’s white beacons of sound the best.
- Beats Powerbeats – $249
- Sabbat X12 Ultra – $58
- RHA TrueConnect – $140
- KZ S1 (Dynamic and Hybrid) – $29
- Klipsch T5 True Wireless – $84
- Anker SoundCore Liberty Air 2 – $99
- Haylou GT1 – $30
- Samsung Galaxy Buds+ – $129
- Lypertek Tevi – $70
- Huawei FreeBuds 3 – $148
- Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless – $177
- Sabbat E12 Ultra – $79
- 1MORE Stylish – $99
- Sony WF-1000XM3 – $178
Best Alternatives to the Apple AirPods Compared
Best Alternatives to the Apple AirPods
Beats Powerbeats – $249
A great set of earbuds for that early morning run
Maybe you’re that person that the rest of us can’t stand because you get up before the sun to run five miles while we hit the snooze button one more time. We’re kidding of course (not really) but for you, the Powerbeats from Beats are a perfect choice. With an ear hook design, you’ve ensured a stable and secure fit through every workout. Packed with Apple’s H1 chip, having hands-free access to Siri makes them even more power-efficient. With more than 10 hours on a single charge, you can take the Powerbeats on every powerwalk you go on in the morning.
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- Totally wireless high-performance earphones in black
- Up to 9 hours of listening time (more than 24 hours with charging case)
- Adjustable, secure-fit ear hooks for lightweight comfort and stability
- Reinforced design for sweat & water resistance during tough workouts or running
- Volume & track controls on each earbud, voice capability, and auto play/pause
Sabbat X12 Ultra – $58
A good, more affordable alternative to the Apple Airpods
With an excellent battery life that can last up to eight hours, the X12 Ultra from Sabbat may not be a name that you instantly recognize but believe us, you’ll want to pay attention to what they’re doing. While it doesn’t support active noise canceling like the Airpods Pro, many options at this price point don’t come with this option already. While the overall sound quality is good, the feature that helps it stand out is Qi wireless charging support which many manufacturers don’t place much emphasis on in their designs. While they aren’t meant to replace the quality that you get from Apple’s Airpods, at this price point, they are a good alternative.
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- Superb Stereo Sound. With the latest Bluetooth 5.0 technology and high quality 10mm driver, you can easily and freely enjoy lossless superior sound quality with deep bass and 3D crystal crisp treble....
- Lightweight and Long-lasting. The earbuds is mini and lightweight. It’s made based on ergonomics to fit your ears comfortably. Small lightweight earphones with included eartips will ensure your...
- 6-8 Working Time with a Single Charge. X12 Pro earphones can continuously play up to 6-8 hours with just one single full charge. With the charging case, you can enjoy worry-free earbuds up to 30...
- Exquisite Design. The earbuds will automatically be connected once you take out it. The button on the earphones offer easy control for pause and play control the volume, skip songs, activate SIRI and...
- What You Will Get? We at Linsoul are dedicated to give to utmost importance on our users satisfaction which is why we made sure to include a 12-MONTH limited warranty security for your audio...
RHA TrueConnect – $140
A clear upgrade to Apple’s design
While some people may complain about the overall design of the original AirPods, there are many out there that prefer the vertical pipe design. The RHA TrueConnect earbuds are a needed upgrade for those who prefer the design with a variety of silicone tips in the box to help ensure a proper fit, the TrueConnect earbuds offer more comfort options that the Airpods and punchy bass perfectly tuned sound signature won’t dominate your music. While five stand-alone hours of battery life is lacking, the durability, thanks to its water-resistant design helps the TrueConnect earbuds from RHA stand out from the crowd,
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- 5hrs playback from a single charge + 20hr charging case with fast charge (15mins = 2. 5hrs).
- Sweat proof and water resistant to IPX5 certification for durable performance. Driver - 6mm dynamic
- Bluetooth 5 and stem design for exceptional connectivity, digital assistant control & Call quality.
- Secure fit with comply foam & silicone ear tips designed specifically for True wireless earbuds.
- 3 year warranty included, when purchased from RHA or directly.
KZ S1 – $29
The best budget-friendly alternative
While not known to many, KZ (Knowledge Zenith), is a Chinese company that saw their popularity rise in 2016 when they created a budget-friendly inner-ear monitor and now, with true wireless earbuds being popular, the company is trying to capture lightning again with their S1 wireless earbuds. Unlike their previous offerings in this space, KZ has fixed their previous issues and created a great wireless earbud with a great price point. Like many other earbuds, the S1 features Bluetooth 5.0 and comes with four-hour battery life. However, the S1 earbuds have a unique design that allows you to use aftermarket ear tips and still be able to fit them into the charging case.
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- KZ has been accumulating experience in TWS earphones. After releasing the KZ E10, KZ T1, here comes the KZ S1D/S1 TWS earbuds. Both models adopts unique coding technology of AAC to achieve a faster...
- Customized Dynamic Unit. KZ S1D adopts a custom thin and light PEK composite diaphragm, the optimized unit structure is small and precise. Although the size is small but energy is large, releasing...
- Bluetooth 5.0 TWS Earphones. Adopting the Bluetooth 5.0 chip, KZ S1 D has a faster transmission speed of sound signal and you can feel more amazing features while using it. KZ has a strict standard of...
- One Touch Control and Long Standby Time. To facilitate the operation, this model adopts the one touch system. Simply touch the faceplate you can control everything. Built-in 40mAh earbud battery and...
- Eye-catching Look and Ergonomic Shape. Born as an art of fine design, the ergonomic shape, the novel color, the resin material, each elements are matching perfectly. It’s a product of function and...
Klipsch T5 True Wireless – $84
A classic brand with a high-quality product
Many people know the name Klipsch for many different products in the world of audio and while some of the classic audio brands haven’t always been adept at making technological strides forward, the T5 True Wireless earbuds are an exception. With up to eight hours, they offer some of the best battery life around, and aesthetically, the metal charging case adds 24 hours and is one of the most stylish cases around. A four-microphone array makes the earbuds perfect for phone calls as it can pick up your voice perfectly while counteracting background noises. With a customizable equalizer through the Klipsch Connect app and with IPX4 water resistance, this classic brand is ready to take on the big boys.
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- TRUE COMFORT: Rooted in decades of research, Klipsch earphones include patented oval ear tips in several sizes for a perfect seal, excellent bass, noise isolation and lasting comfort
- TRUE PERFORMANCE: Outfitted with the latest Bluetooth 5 technology and combined with aptX and AAC high-quality conversion technology, the signal is as good as wired with no delay during music or video...
- TRUE INDEPENDENCE: The T5 True Wireless earphones include a USB-C formatted, fast-charging case that provides more than two hours of listening time after just 15 minutes
- TRUE YOU
- Includes an industry-best TWO-YEAR Manufacturer's warranty
Anker SoundCore Liberty Air 2 – $99
A great versatile earbud for workouts and commuters
With support for both aptX and AAC, the Liberty Air 2 from Anker will work with any OS you’re using and the IPX5 water resistance makes them a great option for the gym. Seven hours of playback gives you the versatility to listen to any of your favorite music without worrying about them cutting out midsong and the charging case can supply an extra two hours with just 10 minutes of charge time. The AirPods Pro can be expensive for any budget, but the Liberty Air 2 from Anker offers almost everything you can get from Apple at half the price.
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- Diamond-Inspired Sound: Inspired by the ultra-hard structure of diamonds, Liberty Air 2’s driver domes maintain their rigidity even when vibrating at high frequencies. Music is reproduced with a 15%...
- Perfect for Home Offices: Each earbud is equipped with two microphones and cVc 8.0 noise reduction technology. Environmental noises are reduced by 60%, while 95% of your voice is retained so you sound...
- Up to 28 Hours of Playtime*: A single charge gives you a full 7 hours of listening, while the charging case extends it to 28 hours of playtime. And when the case needs a power boost, simply set it...
- HearID Technology: Take the test to create a custom set of EQ settings that are optimized for your ears. HearID maps your hearing sensitivity at multiple frequencies and intelligently analyzes the...
- One-Step Pairing and Bluetooth 5.0 Connectivity: Liberty Air 2 wireless earphones use Bluetooth 5.0 for a fast, strong, and ultra-stable connection.
Haylou GT1 – $30
Budget-friendly with great battery life
With the battery case, the GT1 earbuds from Haylou can offer you a whopping 11 hours of battery life which is considerable, and with IPX5 water resistance, plus touch-based controls, you are getting a lot of features for a great price.The sound signature puts its emphasis on the bass but it’s not overwhelming and won’t drown out the mids and highs. For calls, however, the GT1 falters a bit as the microphone is too far from your mouth, reducing the clarity of your voice. The overall build quality can’t match Apple’s but for the price, they don’t feel cheaply made.
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- Bluetooth 5. 0, superior sound quality, total 12 hours play time, 4g ultra-lightweight, zero pressure multi-function touch Control, DSP noise-canceling technology, voice assistant, IPX5(Professional...
- Powered by global Professional relate chipset and next-generation BT 5.0 technology, our wireless earbuds own stable connect and easier operation. Quick pairing out of the box. And just put them back...
- Superior Sound Quality: 7.2mm dynamic driver has been embedded in this small earbud. Coupled with Advanced Audio Coding(AAC) and high-polymer diaphragm, GT1 delivers punchy bass and soft, clear...
- 【Long Standby Time and 1 Hour fully Charging】With low power consumption design and Extreme charging technolog,Haylou GT1 wireless earbuds get up to 3.5 hours' playtime from a single charge and 12...
- Easy control with taps and hold: A high-precision touch sensor in both the earbuds allows you to effortlessly and comfortable using multiple functions without reaching for your phone.
Samsung Galaxy Buds+ – $129
One of the best AirPod alternatives available
When it comes to overall quality, there isn’t much that can beat products manufactured by Samsung, and the Galaxy Buds+ are no exception. The AKG-tuned sound is incredible, thanks to dual dynamic drivers, plus features, both new and existing on the Galaxy Wearable app help round out the experience. The biggest upgrade over their previous model is that the battery life is at the same level as most other earbuds with 11 hours of playback and a total battery time of 22 hours. If you’re looking to save some money without sacrificing quality, the Galaxy Buds+ from Samsung is more than worth it.
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- Exactly what you want to hear. Galaxy Buds+ are the perfect fitting earbuds to isolate you from distracting noises, so you can stay focused on what you want. And if you’d like to filter in some of...
- 22 hours of serious sound. Get up to 11 hours of nonstop music on a single charge, then pop your Galaxy Buds+ in the wireless charging case and get nearly 11 more. Forgot to charge them the night...
- Your voice, loud and clear. Ensure you’re heard clearly. A dedicated internal and two external microphones pick up your voice and isolate it from outside noises. When you’re on a call, your voice...
- Android & iOS compatible. Pair with smart devices via Bluetooth. Use the Galaxy Wearable app on Android and Galaxy Buds+ app on iOS to make the most of your earphones.
- Included Components: 3 Size Eargel
Lypertek Tevi – $79
The best mid-range earbud alternative
For the money, the Tevi from Lypertek gives you the most bang for your buck when compared to the AirPods Pro. Even without having a big brand name, the sound quality helps them stand among the best sounding earbuds available. A graphene-based dynamic driver appeals to audio enthusiasts and serious listeners and does not have a bassy sound to them, unlike the AirPods Pro. The bass is still there but dialed back to allow the mids and highs to shine through. When paired with the charging case, the Tevi boasts an incredible 70 hours of playback that is unmatched by many of its competitors. With IPX7 waterproofing, the Lypertek Tevi can stand up to even the sweatiest workout or accidental drop into a puddle.
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- Clean, Balanced, Good Bass and Wide Sound Stage Sound Signature
- Qualcomm Bluetooth 5.0 for Stable Connection & CVC8.0 for Excellent Calling Quality
- Super Light and Comfortable Wearing Experience
- IPX7 Waterproof, NO Fear for the Rain & Sweat
- Easy to Control the Call, Volume +/-, and other functions
Huawei FreeBuds 3 – $148
The best alternative to the original AirPods
With a design that will make you do a double-take, the Freebuds 3 from Huawei feel like a better-refined version of the original AirPods with better features and sound quality. With a warm and fun sound signature, the FreeBuds 3 put a strong emphasis on the bass coming through the earbuds with a good slam that goes well with many different types of music. Also featuring active noise canceling, that many other earbud-style TWS don’t come with this feature and while it can be spotty at certain frequencies, they do a good job removing background noise like voices. Like the AirPods, the FreeBuds 3 comes with the same pause function and will auto-pause the music when you remove an earbud. The biggest plus is that all of the functionality found in these earbuds crosses the aisle and works on both Apple and Android devices.
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- A TRUE WIRELESS STEREO EARPHONE - When paired with a phone over Bluetooth, free buds 3 provides users with a true stereo experience when making calls or listening to music. The two earbuds also...
- LOW POWER COMSUMPTION, LONG BATTERY LIFE – free buds 3 uses a low-power Bluetooth chip for reduced power consumption and long battery life. A single charge gives users about 2.5 hours of voice calls...
- NOISE REDUCTION - each earbud has two MEMS silicon microphones featuring call noise reduction technology, which effectively cancels out background noise.
- WIND NOISE REDUCTION - Supports wind noise reduction at a maximum wind speed of 20km/h to ensure the effect of the call.
- WIRELESS CHARGING (CHARGING CASE) - The earbuds are automatically charged when stored in the charging case. The included charging case supports both wired and wireless charging. When the earbuds are...
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless – $177
High-quality sound with a price to match
Released with a lot of features that would be considered common today, the Momentum True Wireless earbuds from Sennheiser offer IPX4 waterproof certification, touch controls, and ambient noise control. However, in the time since they’ve come out, many other brands have released similar earbuds at more affordable prices. The area where the Momentum shine is in its sound quality. Offering a balanced sound signature, the bass does pack a punch but not so much that is overpowers the mids and highs. Better than the sound quality of the AirPods Pro, they are more comparable to the WF1000XM3 from Sony. Unlike Apple and Sony’s offerings, the Momentum comes with IPX waterproof certification and APTX codec support for minimal latency.
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- Exceptional clarity experience sound that's like ‘being there’ thanks to sennheiser category leading truly wireless technology
- Fingertip control control your music, calls and voice assistant simply through intuitive touchpad technology built into both True Wireless earbuds
- Stay aware transparent hearing keeps you aware of your surroundings, allowing you to easily listen and chat wirelessly Without having to remove your earbuds
- Extended listening 4 hours of truly wireless listening becomes 12 with our compact charging case that gives you 2 full extra charges.Microphone sensitivity: 94 dB SPL at 1 kHz
- Handle conditions made for every True Wireless listening environment with durable, Tough, splash resistant materials. (IPX4 rated). NOTE: Kindly refer the Instructional Video from the Image Section...
Sabbat E12 Ultra – $79
A great combination of cost and innovation
Featuring the APTX HD codec which supports low latency, Bluetooth 5.0, noise-canceling microphones, and individual earbud pairing, the E12 Ultra from Sabbat can be a great alternative to their higher-priced competition. With the charging case, you can get up to 30 hours of battery life, much more than many other more expensive options. The sound signature comes with a bassy sound that may appeal to a general audience but may turn away audiophiles. Both the earbuds and the case come with a decent build quality that should be able to survive the bumps and knocks that occur every day.
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- 【♬New Bluetooth 5.0 technology♬】 Bluetooth 5.0 technology connection is more stable than Bluetooth 4.2 , not stuck, no delay. Power consumption is only half of Bluetooth 4.2.
- 【♬30 hours of endurance time♬】They're made to keep up with you, thanks to a charging case that holds multiple additional charges for more than 30 hours of listening time.
- 【♬Simple operation♬】Single-click: play/pause, answer/hang up. Double-click:Up/down song . Triple strikes: Volume +/- Long press: Summon Siri on/off.
- 【♬Quick access to Siri♬】: Supports access Siri and Android Voice Assistant for easier and more convenient use.
- 【♬Automatic connection♬】 Whenever you pull your Earbuds out of the charging case, they instantly turn on and connect to your device.
1MORE Stylish – $99
Professional sound signature at half the price
The sound signature of the Stylish earbuds from 1MORE was designed with help from Grammy Award-winning sound engineer Luca Bignardi and manages to outperform others thanks to the 7mm titanium drivers that have been expertly tuned. The bass profile is punchy but not overpowering plus, the well-balanced notes help make even the most eclectic tastes in music sound great. You can get six hours of playback on a single charge but up to 24 with the charging case. The best thing about the Stylish earbuds from 1MORE is quite simply the price. A great pair of TWS at a great price is nothing to dismiss.
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- This refurbished product is tested and certified to look and work like new. The refurbishing process includes functionality testing, basic cleaning, inspection, and repackaging. The product ships with...
Sony WF-1000XM3 – $178
Best Overall AirPods Alternative
If you’re looking to buy an alternative to the AirPods, you will not go wrong with the WF-1000XM3 from Sony, which in many ways, is superior to Apple’s product. With active noise cancelation, ear sensors, touch controls, and ambient noise technology, while these are all features that the AirPods Pro come with, the XM3 implements them much better. The sound quality of the XM3 is regarded by many to be an earbud rendition of their incredible WH-1000XM3 headphones and even offer a stronger bass than the AirPods Pro. The only real downside is that the battery life is average. With the charging case, the XM3 can last up to 24 hours which isn’t earth-shattering for such a great pair of earbuds.
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- Digital noise canceling: Industry leading anc lends a personalized, virtually soundproof experience. Phone call: A built-in mic enables you to take hands-free calls
- 24bit Audio signal processing delivers dramatically improved sound quality
- Battery life up to 24 hours with carrying case (with 10min quick charge for 90min of play time)
- Easy and clear hands free calling; Leave your phone where it is, just speak with a double tap to the earbud
- Truly wireless design with uninterrupted L/R simultaneous Bluetooth transmission
Best Alternatives to the Apple AirPods
There are a lot of options on the market when it comes to buying a good set of earbuds. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t find a good quality pair at a good price. We hope that with our list of the best alternatives to the Apple AirPods, we’ve given you some options that might be better suited for you.
The post Best Alternatives to the Apple AirPods first appeared on JUST™ Creative.
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