Are you looking for the best alternative to Airpods without having to compromise on quality? Here are the best value for money options to buy today.
The Apple Airpods are not the only solution for iPhone owners who are looking for a pair of true wireless Bluetooth headphones. The market offers several interesting wireless earphone alternatives, both for Apple users and for those looking for the best Airpods alternative for Android.
The new Airpods Pro boast impressive technical specifications and are undoubtedly among the best true wireless noise canceling headphones, but they are also very expensive bluetooth headsets. And even if we go down a level with traditional Apple Airpods headphones, we’re still in a pretty high price range.
If we look instead at the global market for true wireless headphones , there are models that really compete with Airpods earphones for performance, wearability and price, offering better solutions, at a more affordable cost.
So here are the best alternatives to Apple’s Airpods , from high-quality true wireless earbuds to cheaper alternatives.
1. Bose Sport Earbuds
The best alternative to Airpods for sound quality and for playing sports
Pros:
- Excellent wearability
- Stable Bluetooth connectivity
- IPX4 certification
Cons:
- No active noise canceling
The true wireless Bose Sport Earbuds are currently the best quality alternative to Apple Airpods.
The real advantages of these headphones, compared to the AirPods 2, are the better wearability for running and playing sports (Apple headphones often fall out of the ear while we are in the gym) and the noticeably better sound quality.
For sound quality they are in fact superior to Apple earphones, they have a more stable grip on the ear and offer a better value for money.
In addition, for those looking for better sound insulation, Bose headphones are more suitable than the Airpods 2. They are not really noise canceling (they do not have noise reduction technology), but offer more effective insulation thanks to the presence of rubber fins. of different sizes. The fin design allows you to block the earphones to your ears and reduce background noise, without having to completely block the ear canal.
Also convenient is the presence of touch controls directly on the headphones , to change track (double tap), pause (single tap) and activate the voice assistant (long press).
Excellent bass quality, in this respect the Bose Sport Earbuds are the best ever. For listening to music the earphones are sensational, and are also useful for voice calls, with good quality of the microphone (positioned on the right earphone, also usable in mono).
The battery life is more than satisfactory, 5 hours of autonomy at medium volume and wireless Bluetooth connectivity with smartphone, plus another 10 hours (15 in all) if you use the fast charging case. It is true that Apple Airpods last longer (24 hours with the charging case), but 15 hours of autonomy are enough and advance to anyone.
Finally, the Bose Sport Earbuds are IPX4 certified, therefore sweat-proof and resistant to rain and splashes of water, but remember that they are not totally waterproof.
2. Sony WF-1000XM3
The best true wireless earphones of the moment
Pros:
- Unprecedented audio quality
- Noise cancelling
- Design
Cons:
- aptX HD assente
The Sony WF-1000XM3 are the best alternative to the Airpods Pro, as well as the best true wireless earbuds available today. They sound great , have a modern and understated design, and provide great features, including active noise cancellation.
Already the previous model (the WF-1000X released in 2017) were excellent alternatives to the airpods. This latest model, the Sony WF-1000XM3, exceeds all expectations and we highly recommend them to anyone looking for a cheaper model than the current Apple AirPods Pro.
In this version of Sony’s bluetooth headphones, new materials and a new design have been implemented, to keep the in-ear headphones more stable inside the ear. There are three anchor points to avoid accidental falls, and it is very easy to put them on and take them off when needed.
The chip is the same that we find in the Sony WH-1000XM3 over-ear headphones, for an actually higher quality noise canceling . And while it’s a technology that constantly requires power, the battery still has a good life with 6 hours of continuous playback and an additional 18 hours via the charging case.
For controlling the functions from a smartphonethere is the Sony Headphones Connect application, from which you can activate your favorite voice assistant (Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant), change the equalization, activate noise canceling and reverse touch operations on the headphones for right and left-handed people.
Speaking of the touch controls, Sony has done a great job of implementing the touch functionality . We don’t like having physical buttons on true wireless headphones, because pressing on the headset will inevitably push the headset in, which can cause discomfort or pain. The touch system of Sony headphones is therefore more than welcome.
3. HUAWEI FreeBuds 3
The best Airpods alternative for Android
Pros:
- Great for Android
- Design open-air con noise cancelling
Cons:
- ANC functions absent for iPhone
Among the non-original Airpods the FreeBuds 3 are the best . They have features that will be of great interest to those looking for an open-air (NOT in-ear canal) earphone model with noise cancellation capability, compatible with Apple smartphones, and particularly recommended for Android.
If it bothers you to wear in-ear headphones that block the ear canal (in-ear canal) and you prefer a less invasive headset (oper-air), you will have noticed that the latter type of earphones are ineffective in eliminating noise. external, forcing us to have to turn the volume up to the maximum when there is a lot of noise around us. This typically happens with Apple Airpods.
Well, the HUAWEI FreeBuds 3 are the first open-ear headphones that implement active noise cancellation technology .
Just touch the left earphone with a double tap to activate the ANC (active noise canceling) function, and you can then adjust the intensity of the reduction from the Android smartphone app.
If you are reading this, this will seem impossible to you. How can you have good sound insulation without blocking the ear canal?
Seeing is believing, the FreeBuds 3 provide little invasiveness together with the ability to isolate external noise quite effectively, and are the first to adopt this combination. The positive reviews we find on the web are a confirmation of what has been said, and we are delighted to see that Huawei has invented such an innovative pair of headphones.
Audio quality is very good , with a slight lack in low frequencies, but in general we like to listen to both music and podcasts through these Airpods-like earphones.
The charging case is well done , and also offers wireless charging technology as well as USB-C. The earbuds last 4 hours of continuous listening without ANC, less if you turn on noise cancellation.
For calling, the HUAWEI FreeBuds 3 are as good as the Airpods. When we are in a very noisy environment they find it a bit difficult to isolate our voice, but in conclusion we are more than satisfied with the performance for everyday use.
4. Jabra Elite 65t
The wireless noise canceling earphones with an exceptional value for money
Pros:
- Active Noise Cancelling
- Excellent wearability
- Very effective smartphone app
Cons:
- Less autonomy of the charging case
The Jabra Elite are another high-end alternative to Apple Airpods and even here, there is no question about the sound quality . The Jabra (despite being inferior to the Bose) beat the AirPods for precision, detail, presence of crystal clear bass and mid-highs.
Tucked to the ear, these true wireless headphones are also much more comfortable than AirPods, and allow us to play sports without running the risk of losing them . In addition, they are noise canceling headphones with active noise cancellation, which means that via the smartphone application you can decide the amount of sound insulation.
From the same app, you can also control equalization with a truly impressive level of detail and customization.
They are compatible with Amazon Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant , to have the voice assistant directly controllable from the headset microphone. Again, this option is very simple to set up through the Jabra Sound + app.
From the point of view of build quality and design, they offer a more discreet line than the Bose Soundsports and sit practically flush with the ear, are not protuberant and very light to wear. They are water resistant, resistant to dust particles and offer an autonomy of 5 hours equal to Airpods.
The only complaint compared to Apple AirPods is the lower capacity of the charging case, which offers 10 additional hours against the 24 of the Apple case. For the rest, they are a real bargain, easily comparable to even the more expensive AirPods Pro.
5. Samsung Galaxy Buds+
The best Airpods alternative for Samsung Galaxy
Pros:
- Discreet and refined design
- Good level of sound insulation
- Exceptional autonomy
Cons:
- Multipoint assente
- ANC not great
The Galaxy Buds + are a great alternative to the Airpods to spend less . They offer a lot of smart features, and are also compatible with iPhones, but of course they are particularly suitable for those who already have an Android and Samsung phone.
The wearability is subjective, but in this department we have to confirm that the Samsung earphones are very good, and sit inside the ear in a stable way , with a rather discreet design. In fact, we will not have the classic “stem” of the AirPods to go down towards the jaw.
The audio quality was much appreciated , much improved compared to the previous model (the Samsung Galaxy Buds, without the PLUS). Here we find a good sound definition, and excellent reception of the built-in microphone that allows us to make voice calls without problems.
The smartphone application allows you to control the equalization and activate the “ambient sound” function, which lets in external noises. The quality of the active sound cancellation is not top of the range, however better than the AirPods 2 (which instead have no type of isolation).
For battery life, the Galaxy Buds offer 12 hours of continuous playback on a single charge, while Apple’s only offer 5. The case is less roomy, with only 10 hours of additional charging, compared to the Apple case’s 24 hours.
6. Anker Soundcore Liberty Air
The best headphones like Airpods for those who want to spend less
Pros:
- Inear headphones with external noise reduction
- Cheaper price than Apple AirPods
- IPX5 certification
Cons:
- Lower sound quality
- Lower microphone quality
Among the best budget Airpods alternatives the Soundcore Anker Liberty Air true wireless headphones have received public approval for their great value for money and their design, proving to be one of the best options among the Bluetooth headsets to buy this year.
The Liberty Air are a good imitation of the Apple headphones , offer Bluetooth 5.0 technology, 5 hours of battery life and a good range, as well as a convenient charging case that offers an additional 20 hours and tactile controls to control the earphones.
We will not have the ability to immediately respond to the voice command “hey siri” but we do gain IPX5 resistance, and the ability to use different sizes of ear plugs.
The use of the rubber pads allows you to block the ear from external noise for the benefit of good sound insulation. It’s not the active noise canceling feature of more expensive bluetooth headphones, but for those who need to eliminate outside noise it can help. They are also suitable as in-ear sports earphones for stability and wearability.
The sound quality, both for us listening on headphones, and for the people on the other side of the phone, is better with the AirPods, however, the Soundcore Liberty Air come a lot closer.
It is also important to remember that thanks to the in-ear design with these earphones we will not be forced to raise the volume to the maximum levels, while with the AirPods, being an open design, we will have to raise it to the maximum when we are in a noisy environment.
7. JLab JBuds Air
Cheap Airpods alternative for sports
Pros:
- Good autonomy
- Stable Bluetooth technology
- IP55 certification
Cons:
- For phone calls, only the right earphone is active
- Lower audio quality
Among the best budget wireless earphones currently on the market, the JLab JBuds Air stand out for their build quality and design.
Similar to the Samsung Galaxy Buds, these inear earphones offer different rubber inserts and fins to better fit the ear , ensuring a more secure grip than AirPods. They are therefore excellent as an economical alternative to Airpods for running and playing sports.
The JBuds Air come with a dedicated charging case, which is very small and fits comfortably in the pocket. The headphones themselves have a battery life of 3-4 hours, plus 10 hours with the case.
We will not have Bluetooth 5.0 or Apple’s W1 chip, but Bluetooth 4.2. The connectivity is quite good and unless you have high demands, these earbuds are confidently able to satisfy the vast majority of users.
With the Auto Connect function, just remove the earphones from the case to automatically pair with the smartphone and as for the sound quality, we are happily surprised to find that the JLab JBuds Air are truly amazing.
For a pair of budget-priced true wireless earphones, we expected a much lower sound performance than Apple’s, but they are very similar, ideal for listening to music while running or wandering around the city.
Too bad that when calls come in from the phone, the incoming sound is only from the right earphone, which could be a problem for situations where external noise is loud.
8. Anker Soundcore Liberty Neo
The inexpensive bluetooth earphones for listening to music and podcasts
Pros:
- Cheap true wireless headphones
- Amazing sound quality for music and podcasts
- Not suitable as sports wireless earphones
Cons:
- Autonomy limited to 3.5 hours
- Microphone quality not excellent
The Anker Soundcore Liberty Neo are a good solution for those looking for a pair of wireless earphones for non-intensive use.
They offer a listening level that is comparable to the most common wired headphones , but have the advantage of being true wireless, which in this price range is an advantage not to be underestimated.
You will then have a pair of earphones that are good for listening to music from a smartphone, or a radio show / podcast, without having the disadvantage and inconvenience of the wire.
For phone calls, it is better to stay in a closed room or where there are not many background noises, because the Liberty Neo’s microphone cannot eliminate external noise, and your interlocutor will not be able to hear your voice well.
Good presence of Bluetooth 5.0 technology, to ensure stable and secure connectivity . The headphones are also resistant to water and dust, for greater durability, and for those looking for a sweat-resistant headphone model.
To play sports, however, we find them a bit uncomfortable, you can use the different rubber fins to fit them inside the auricle, but we are still not convinced of their stability, and after an hour we feel the need to remove them. For this reason, we recommend them more to a casual audience of listeners, to go for a walk or for normal daily activities.
9. Aukey EP-T21
The best cheap Airpods for talking on the phone
Pros:
- Design and price
- Good call quality
Cons:
- Not great sound for music
The Aukey T21 are headphones similar to Airpods that are inexpensive , and that offer the convenience of a pair of true wireless headphones for the smartphone.
For a model that costs very little, we are amazed by the good quality of the audio especially for voice calls. The headphones wake up immediately and perform bluetooth pairing as soon as we remove them from the charging case. It is also possible to hold only one of the two earphones to the ear to make a telephone call.
The quality of the music is not great, these bluetooth earphones are not recommended for those who love low frequencies. They sound a little thin, but for unpretentious listening they are just fine, and are phenomenal for listening to podcasts and radio shows, because they have a good output volume.
The shape is precisely that of the Apple Airpods, perhaps a little less refined, but they do their duty and remain in the ear without too many problems. They are also resistant to sweat , should we eventually want to use them for a sport run or for the gym.
For continuous use, they last from 4.5 to 5 hours, and the charging case offers another 4 additional refills. The buttons on the touch-type headset are convenient for controlling music playback or for answering calls with a touch touch. At this price we are truly amazed by all these premium features, and for this we recommend the Aukey EP-T21 among the best alternatives to budget Airpods.
10. TaoTronics SoundLiberty 95
The affordable alternative to Apple Airpods
Pros:
- Very attractive price
- High autonomy
- Appreciable design
Cons:
- Not suitable for voice calls in noisy places
The TaoTronics SoundLiberty 95 are among the best Bluetooth headphones similar to AirPods , and although they cost a near negligible amount, they offer technical specifications that even surpass Apple’s AirPods in durability and performance.
These are in fact true wireless bluetooth headphones that last 7 hours of continuous playback (plus another 21 hours with the case), and are also splash-proof therefore sweat-proof and rain-resistant.
The wearability is appreciable, they have an open air design to not block the ear canal , just like the Airpods 2. The sound is neutral, fairly balanced, but the possibility of equalizing the headphones at will through a dedicated app is lacking.
Thanks to the shape similar to Apple’s earphones, with the stem positioned downwards, voice calls are quite good. The microphone is able to pick up our voice well and the interlocutor will be able to hear what we say just as well, however it is recommended to position yourself in an uncrowded and noisy place, since the ability to distinguish between the voice and the background noise does not it is exceptional.
Among the budget Airpods type headphones, the SoundLiberty 95 are the ones that offer the best solution for spending very little , very suitable for everyday use and also for some light sport sessions, such as a jogging run or for exercise on the treadmill. treadmill.
Photo: amazon.com
