Best AirPods alternatives

While the AirPods is the default for most iPhone users, the fact of the matter is that the true wireless market has matured to a point where you have your pick of the litter. There is a vast market of viable AirPods alternatives to match your needs. If you’re intrigued by Apple’s true wireless solution but want better sound quality, we’ve compiled this list of the best AirPods alternatives.

Editor’s note: this list of the best AirPods alternatives was updated on June 26, 2023, to address the release of the Beats Studio Buds Plus.

Why is the Bose Sport Earbuds the best AirPods alternative?

The Bose Sport Earbuds is designed very differently from the AirPods and doesn’t take a one-size-fits-most approach. Rather, it prioritizes a good and comfortable fit with Bose’s StayHear Max ear tips which creates a gentle, pain-free seal. The ear tips have a little ear wing that stabilizes the bud against your outer ear and the tips are a conical shape, which is responsible for that comfy fit.

Like the AirPods (3rd generation) the Bose Sport Earbuds has an IPX4 rating that can resist water and sweat, just be sure to air dry the earbuds before you replace them in the USB-C charging case. The case can fast charge the earbuds in just 15 minutes and provide 120 minutes of playback. Meanwhile, the actual earbuds have a 5-hour, 17-minute battery life. Unfortunately, the case doesn’t support wireless charging, for that you’ll need to upgrade to the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II.

Bose’s earphones have very good sound quality, though the sub-bass response is a bit quieter than most wireless workout earbuds. Still, it’s great for all genres of music and you’ll have no trouble hearing vocals and treble frequencies. You can adjust the EQ within your streaming service but the Bose Music app doesn’t let you EQ the Sport Earbuds. Instead, you get Bose Active EQ which auto-adjusts the frequency response based on your music’s volume level.

If you want touch controls with near-perfect sensitivity and great sound quality right out of the box, go with these sporty buds from Bose.

Ignore chatty neighbors with the Sony WF-1000XM4

Sony regularly flexes its noise canceling technology demonstrated by the Sony WH-1000XM5 over-ear headphones. The company’s wireless noise canceling option is a nice, more portable option though.

The Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds have an IPX4 rating and voice assistant support. You can also access more features such as an ear tip fit test, remapping the touch controls, and EQ-ing the sound signature via the Sony Headphones Connect app. The WF-1000XM4 has excellent noise canceling (for wireless earbuds, anyway). The sound quality is very good, though the default sound signature is a little unusual. The WF-1000XM4 uses Bluetooth 5.2, and may support all the mandatory codecs in the 5.2 stack, including LE audio.

Battery life is pretty solid, clocking in at 7 hours, 43 minutes of listening time with the ANC turned on, but you’re bound to get some more juice out of it if you don’t use the ANC. The charging case brings the total battery life to about 24 hours. You definitely get what you’re paying for with the Sony WF-1000XM4.

The Beats Powerbeats Pro is the best workout earphone

If you want a pair of true wireless that will last you the longest, go with the Beats Powerbeats Pro which in our testing passed 10 hours of constant playback on both Android and iOS. That’s enough for a cross-country flight from New York to California including the ride to the airport. That said, you still might not want to use this on the airplane as the isolation isn’t that great.

Instead, the Powerbeats Pro is the headset to bring on a run or to the gym. The hook design secures the buds to your ear, and the IPX4 rating makes the buds water-resistant much like the popular Bose Sport Earbuds too. Then there’s all the extra stuff that you get thanks to the H1 chip. Pairing is a breeze on iOS and isn’t half bad on Android either. The connection strength is top-notch, so you’re unlikely to experience any hiccups. The Powerbeats Pro sounds pretty good, at least when compared to other Beats headphones. While it still has that consumer-friendly bump to the lows, it’s not overpowering at all.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro 2 is feature-packed

The updated version of the Galaxy Buds Pro, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro 2 is pretty similar to the Apple AirPods (3rd generation) when it comes to sound. Both sets of earbuds have consumer-friendly frequency responses that highlight bass. However, Samsung’s earbuds seal to the ear, which is key to its effective active noise canceling performance.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro 2 uses Bluetooth 5.3. If you have a Samsung phone, you’ll benefit from the Buds Pro 2 over the AirPods due to the Samsung Scalable Codec. It also has the AAC codec for iPhone users. Non-Samsung Android phones can stream over AAC, but we know how unpredictable that can be. The buds support automatic device switching among Samsung Galaxy sources that are all connected to the same Samsung account.

This is the most durable set of Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 to date as proven by the IPX7 rating. The earbuds last nearly 5 hours on a single charge. However, if you don’t need noise canceling, consider the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus — it has much better battery life.

The Google Pixel Buds A-Series is a smart value

The Google Pixel Buds A-Series caused some headaches at first, but Google quickly resolved this with a firmware update (version 233 or later). With this volume fix, the Pixel Buds A-Series is a strong contender among the sea of AirPods alternatives. It has an IPX4 rating, a comfortable and secure fit, and excellent touch controls. A lot of earbuds that we test have touch panels that are either too sensitive or not sensitive enough, and Google balances the sensitivity just right.

Although the Pixel Buds A-Series has ear tips and wings that secure to your concha, you still hear a lot of background noise. This can be a good or bad thing depending on your needs. If you like the idea of AirPods because the buds don’t seal to your ear, you may find the Pixel Buds A-Series gives you the best of both worlds: a good fit with limited sound isolation. You don’t get any painful ear suction feeling because Google uses pressure relief vents in both earbuds.

Like the AirPods (3rd generation), the Pixel Buds A-Series has an IPX4 rating and supports fast charging. Just 15 minutes in the case yields 180 minutes of playtime, and you get 4 hours, 44 minutes of battery on a single charge. The case charges via USB-C and doesn’t support wireless charging.

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) vs Sony LinkBuds WF-L900: Which open-fit earbuds are the best?

The Sony LinkBuds WF-L900 takes a unique approach to unsealed earbuds with its donut-shaped ear pieces that rest on top of the ear canals. You get a much more secure and comfortable fit from the LinkBuds than you do from the AirPods, though the bass is a lot quieter from the LinkBuds than AirPods. Like the Google Pixel Buds A-Series, the LinkBuds automatically adjusts the volume of your music based on your environment, which is cool in theory but distracting in practice.

Each of the Sony LinkBuds weighs just 4g, slightly less than the AirPods (3rd generation), and supports touch controls. You also get a unique feature called “Wide Area Tap” that lets you tap the space just in front of your ear (cheekbone) to control playback. This feels as strange to do as it is strange to watch, but we suppose some people may like it.

Environmental isolation is awful from the LinkBuds, but that’s the point. While the Sony WF-L900 serves a niche audience it does what it’s supposed to do well: keep you linked to your surroundings and your media simultaneously. If you want to hear what’s going on around you when you listen to music, the LinkBuds will be more comfortable than the AirPods.

Nothing Ear (stick) is AirPods for an alternate reality

For better and for worse, the Nothing Ear (stick) boasts some of the same features as the Apple AirPods, but for less dough. Like the Apple AirPods, the Nothing Ear (stick) sports an unsealed fit, lacking ear tips to dial in your fit. This leads to environmental noise reaching your ears, but that might be desirable for some users.

On the plus side, the buds weigh merely 4.4 grams each, and the IP54 rating is an improvement over the IPX4 on current AirPods. Where the Nothing Ear (stick) shines is in its mobile app which can offset the mediocre default frequency response, and you can reassign controls on the squeezable stems. In all, it’s not bad if it’s your sort of earbuds.

Is the Beats Studio Buds better than the AirPods?

The Beats Studio Buds has a lot of positives compared to the AirPods Pro, and it fares that much better against the unsealed AirPods. The Studio Buds stands out from other Apple-produced headsets because it works well on Android and iOS. Anyone can use the Beats app to control the ANC, customize the controls, and more. This headset has good sound quality, multiple listening modes, and is much more compatible with Android products than any Beats product before it.

You may also want to check out the Beats Studio Buds Plus, though that comes at a much higher price tag than the original Studio Buds. The upgraded model has a few upgrades worthy of note, but some may find that the added cost puts them a bit past the realm of a smart buy.

The best Apple AirPods alternatives: Notable mentions

• Amazon Echo Buds (2nd gen): Amazon provides silicone ear tips and ear stays and includes an ear tip fit test in the Alexa app. The app includes a host of other features such as an equalizer, active noise canceling adjustment, workout data, enabling wake words, and more. The earbuds also have all the Alexa functionality you could ask for, which is really what makes the product special. Pick it up for $69.99 at Amazon.
• Anker Soundcore Space A40: For $99.99 at Amazon you get a pleasant sound and really impressive noise canceling, which is nice if you’re not willing to spend AirPods Pro amounts of money, but want to retain a lot of the functionality, except for surround sound.
• Beats Fit Pro: Athletes who are drawn to the Beats Powerbeats Pro but want something a bit more compact will enjoy the Fit Pro ($159.95 at Walmart). Like the premium AirPods, the Fit Pro supports spatial audio and has an IPX4 rating. The best thing about the Fit Pro is that it works as well on Android as it does on iOS, save for spatial audio that is.
• Jabra Elite 3: The Elite 3 includes IP55-rated earbuds and a compact USB-C case for $79.99 at Amazon. Listeners can stream over aptX or SBC, though there’s no AAC support to accommodate iPhone owners who want high-quality playback (see the next option for that.)
• Jabra Elite 5: Gain an IP55 rating with support for AAC, aptX, and SBC codecs to cover all devices. There’s some noise cancellation, albeit it’s not the best, but it’s okay for the price ($119.99 at Amazon) and feature set.
• JBL Reflect Flow Pro: If you want a pair of earbuds that can withstand sweat and rain with lots of ear tip size options, the JBL Reflect Flow Pro is a good choice. It has IP68 water and dust resistance, an app that lets you adjust EQ and test the fit of the ear buds. Onboard noise canceling is mediocre, however. It also supports AAC and SBC Bluetooth codecs. You can nab a set for $119.99 at Amazon.
• Microsoft Surface Earbuds: This open-fit pair of earbuds doesn’t seal to the ear but reproduces sound more accurately than the Apple AirPods (for $129.99 at Amazon). The proprietary ear tips are very comfortable and keep the earbuds stable whether you walk around or go for a run. If you want a minimalist design with better battery life and Bluetooth multipoint, upgrade to the Microsoft Surface Headphones 2.
• Mobvoi TicPods 2 Pro: Both aptX and AAC are supported, and the coolest feature is AI technology, which enables head gestures and hands-free access to Google Assistant or Siri. That’s right: you no longer have to pay a premium for H1 chip or Google Assistant integration, thanks to Mobvoi’s clever workaround for $59.99 at Amazon.
• Nothing Ear 2: This set of true wireless earbuds boasts active noise canceling and a pleasant, consumer-friendly frequency response. The mobile app has limited features, but if you want a transparent pair of AirPods Pro or AirPods, it doesn’t get much more aesthetically pleasing than this for $149 at Nothing.
• Sony WF-C500: This is a great pair of earphones if you just want the buds to work reliably. Sound quality is quite good and the earbuds have an IPX4 rating. The price is nice as well ($58 at Amazon).

What’s new with the Apple AirPods (3rd generation)?

The Apple AirPods (3rd generation) marries some of the best features from the AirPods Pro like Dolby Atmos-powered spatial audio, onboard force sensor stem controls, and an IPX4 build. With the new AirPods, you also get a MagSafe-compatible charging case and a 6-hour battery life.

Unfortunately, you still get the worst feature of the standard AirPods — an unsealed fit. Just like the first and second-generation AirPods, the AirPods (3rd generation) earbuds keep the ear canal open and allow you to hear what’s going on around you. This has its safety perks though, and listeners who want better sound quality and isolation can save for the AirPods Pro.

Should you get the AirPods Pro or AirPods Max instead of the AirPods?

Despite the fact that it’s the obvious step-up in the AirPods family, we chose not to highlight the AirPods Pro. It doesn’t offer the same sound quality or battery life upgrades as some of the other picks here; though, it does outperform the AirPods (3rd generation). Additionally, it’s one of those products that has much more to offer Apple users than Android users. To be sure, the Pro is an excellent set of true wireless earphones. We figure that if you want AirPods, you’ll get AirPods — this list is for alternatives, not confirming a predetermined outcome. There’s a separate one for AirPods Pro alternatives.

The Apple AirPods Max is a niche product, solely based on its cost-prohibitive price. After taxes, these headphones cost $549 USD and the features are limited to Apple devices. That said, Apple packed in plenty of advanced hardware into its debut headphones, including Spatial Audio and a convenient H1 chip. These cans also scored the highest in raw noise canceling performance we’ve ever seen, and they also have incredible sound quality.

What you should know about AirPods alternatives

If you want to get the abridged version of everything you need to know about the best Apple earbuds alternatives, then read through our quick sections below. For those who have more time and want to learn more, be sure to click through our more comprehensive features linked throughout the following sections!

What is frequency response?

A frequency response just indicates how well a pair of earbuds reproduces all tones within a given range (usually 20Hz-20kHz). When you view a frequency response chart, it’s just a visual depiction of how that product sounds. It’s not the whole story, but it is illuminating information. There is no “perfect” frequency response because that depends on what you like. We have, however, created our own in-house target curves for consumer and studio headphones to best match what we believe fits that particular use case and target demographic.

How do you wear true wireless earbuds?

Wireless earbuds can be difficult to fit, though few are more difficult than the unsealed design of the AirPods (2nd generation) and AirPods (3rd generation). Each pair of earbuds wears a little differently than the next, but all you really need to do is make sure you find the proper ear tips for your ear canals.

Companies usually provide something within the range of small, medium, and large, and then some extras if you bought fancy earphones. Even with this standard three-size selection, most listeners should find something comfortable that seals to their ear canals. While all of our best AirPods alternatives picks have distinguished nozzles that truly insert into the ear, sometimes the included ear tips just don’t jive well. If that’s the case, there are plenty of third-party ear tips you can choose from. Memory foam options tend to yield the best results by improving bass response and clarity.

Why is a good seal important? Well, it blocks out background noise which may otherwise make it hard for you to hear your music. Background noise masks your music’s detail, which can cause you to increase the volume to dangerous levels. Don’t do that. Prolonged periods of exposure to loud volume outputs could irreversibly damage your hearing.

What is a Bluetooth codec?

A Bluetooth codec determines how your source device transmits data to your headset with the most popular codecs being SBC, AAC, and aptX. If you want the best audio quality, you need to kick it old school and connect via a TRRS plug. We have a handful of Bluetooth codec-related articles for you to take in on your own time, but for now, know this: If you’re an iPhone user looking for AirPods alternatives, you’ll want to look at ‘buds that support AAC. If, on the other hand, you’re an Android user who’s drawn to the AirPods but don’t actually want it, go for picks with aptX support.

How long do wireless earbuds last?

This question has a few answers. Generally speaking, true wireless earbuds last anywhere from four to six hours on a single charge, with the case providing an extra one to four charge cycles. These numbers vary widely across the spectrum of earbuds.

If you want to know how many years wireless earbuds last, well that’s a more complicated question that depends on your use habits and how you store the buds when not in use. Those who use their true wireless earbuds every single day will likely get two years, maybe three, out of them before the batteries kaput.

Wireless earbuds have a limited lifespan because they house lithium-ion batteries that degrade over time. When talking about true wireless earbuds, it’s important to realize that these buds’ batteries are constantly subjected to a charge/deplete cycle that only hastens the degradation process.

To mitigate this, companies like Apple use battery optimization software that stops the case from charging the earbuds beyond 80% until you’re about to learn them. This requires you to have an iPhone or iPad and use your earbuds on a semi-regular schedule.

Why won’t your true wireless earbuds connect?

True wireless earbuds often rely on one earbud as the primary recipient which then passes information to the other earbud. This process can lead to audio-visual lag, connection hiccups, or complete dropouts. It’s the sacrifice we make for freedom of movement and portability. Even though companies are making strides, namely Apple with its H1 chip, when it comes to stable connectivity, there remains a long way to go. If you need a guaranteed stable, wireless connection, standard wireless earbuds are likely a better choice. Either that or the AirPods for iPhone users.

How we choose the best AirPods alternatives

We strive to provide our readers with practical and reliable picks for our best lists and understand that audio is both an objective and subjective experience. The former is why we champion our in-house testing which we subject as many products to as possible, and the latter explains why we cover as much as possible about a particular product for its respective review. You can also read about the scoring philosophy that we apply to every review.

Why you should trust SoundGuys

We work relentlessly to better understand the world of audio. Individually, each of us has multiple years tracking the audio industry, affording us as a team diversified skill set that we use to make the research side of consumer audio less intimidating for our readers.

Regardless of what you end up purchasing, if you end up purchasing anything at all, none of our writers may benefit from picking one product over another. In fact, none of the writers will ever know if a link was clicked. At the end of the day, our goal is for you to be happy and walk away more informed.

Frequently asked questions about true wireless earbuds