In recent years, the design of Apple AirPods has become very popular. Many companies now try to copy their look and shape. However, most cheap knockoffs are of poor quality and not worth buying. It’s better to choose headphones from well-known brands that have a similar design but still work well. These alternatives may not look exactly like AirPods, but they offer good performance. Some even match Apple’s high standards, though they might be more expensive.
Apple shipped 229.1 million units in 2023. They are favored because they sound good, have a decent battery life, and come in a small charging case that fits in your pocket. They are also compact and fit comfortably in your ears. Our recommended alternatives offer similar benefits, making them great choices for anyone looking for quality wireless earphones.
AirPods changed the world of wireless audio, but they are not the only choice for small Bluetooth earphones. If you want something different or want to avoid paying high prices for Apple products, there are many good options. In this article, we’ve put together a list of the best AirPod alternatives you can buy right now. So, let’s have a look at them.
Top Alternatives
Here are some of the top alternatives we have found:
Sony WF-1000XM5
Weight: 0.2 ounces (per earbud)
Battery life (rated): 8 hours (ANC on), 24 hours (with charging case)
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC, and LDAC
ANC: Yes
Durability: IPX4
Pros
- Outstanding sound quality
- Strong noise cancellation
- Exceptional functionality
- Excellent level of control
Cons
- Smaller earbud size affects eartip seal and fit
- Battery life remains the same as the predecessor
- Flaky 360 Reality Audio personalization setup
The WF-1000XM5 wireless earbuds are Sony’s latest flagship model. They are smaller and lighter than previous versions but come packed with powerful features. The sound quality is dynamic and engaging, and the noise-canceling performance is on par with Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 and Apple AirPods Pro 2.
Although the battery life hasn’t improved from the previous model, it still offers 8 hours with ANC enabled. This makes them one of the best in terms of battery life among recent releases. The earbuds support LDAC for higher-quality audio, adaptive listening mode, and Google and Alexa digital assistant support. There is also full EQ customization available. The call quality has seen a significant improvement, with a new AI-powered noise reduction engine that makes voices clear even in noisy environments. Wind noise is also minimized due to the mesh on the feed-forward microphone.
Beats Fit Pro
Size: 0.75 x 1.18 x 0.94 inches
Weight: 0.2 ounces (per bud)
Battery life (rated): Up to 7 hours; 30 hours (with charging case)
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0 with SBC and AAC
ANC: Yes
Durability: IPX4
Pros
- Dynamic soundstage
- Strong ANC and Transparency modes
- AirPods Pro features at a lower price
- Comfortable, secure design
Cons
- Android app offers very few extras
- Eartip Fit Test could be better
The Beats Fit Pro outshine standard AirPods in many ways and come close to matching the AirPods Pro in terms of performance. Both models feature the H1 chip, allowing for iOS-related perks like automatic switching, audio sharing, “Hey Siri” voice activation, and FindMy for locating lost earbuds. The active noise cancellation and transparency modes are highly effective on these earbuds. Additionally, Beats has introduced spatial audio with head tracking to the Fit Pro, providing immersive 3D sound for the first time in a Beats product.
The wingtip design of the Fit Pro offers better in-ear support than the AirPods Pro. However, the AirPods Pro have a more accurate Eartip Fit Test and other unique technologies like Adaptive EQ, which adjusts frequencies in real-time for an enhanced listening experience.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
Size: 0.7 x 0.85 x 0.7 inches (per bud); 1.97 x 1.97 x 1.1 inches (charging case)
Weight: 0.19 ounces (per bud); 1.53 ounces (charging case)
Battery life (rated): 5 hours (ANC on); 8 hours (ANC off); 18 hours (charging case with ANC on); 29 hours (charging case with ANC off)
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC, and SSC
ANC: Yes
Durability: IPX7
Pros
- Wide soundstage
- Effective ANC
- Compact and practical design
- Easy-to-use features
- Excellent connectivity
Cons
- Disappointing battery life
- Bixby needs improvement
- Best features are exclusive to Galaxy devices
Samsung’s ANC technology competes well with the best in the market, blocking out nearly 90% of ambient noise. The updated design offers improved comfort and noise isolation. Each earbud has three microphones to minimize external sounds and reduce wind noise, making calls clear and uninterrupted.
While the battery life with ANC on is shorter than expected, the sound quality of the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is impressive, offering high-quality audio and precise head tracking for 3D sound. They are a solid choice for anyone seeking excellent sound and call quality in a compact design.
Google Pixel Buds Pro
Size: 0.88 x 0.87 x 0.93 inches
Weight: 0.22 ounces
Battery life (rated): 7 hours (ANC on), 11 hours (ANC off), 20 hours (charging case with ANC on), 31 hours (charging case with ANC off)
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0 with SBC and AAC
ANC: Yes
Durability: IPX4
Pros
- Powerful noise cancellation
- Full, dynamic sound
- Reliable controls
- Greater ANC playtime than AirPods Pro
- Superb Google Assistant integration
Cons
- Fit feels loose for some users
- No USB-C charging cable supplied
- Price seems high compared to more feature-laden rivals
- There is no third-party digital assistant support
The Google Pixel Buds Pro are an excellent AirPods alternative, especially for Android users who want top-notch Google Assistant control. They deliver powerful, dynamic sound and effective ANC without compromising audio quality. The battery life is impressive, with up to 7 hours of playtime with ANC on and 11 hours with ANC off, although high volume and frequent Google Assistant use can slightly reduce these numbers.
The main drawbacks are the potential for a loose fit in some ears and the lack of support for third-party digital assistants. Despite this, the Pixel Buds Pro offer versatile functionality and a smooth Google experience, making them a standout choice for Android users.
Jabra Elite 8 Active
Size: 0.8 x 0.8 x 1.1 inches (per bud)
Weight: 0.2 ounces (per bud)
Battery life (rated): 8 hours (ANC on); up to 56 hours (ANC off with charging case)
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC
ANC: Yes
Durability: IP68-rated (earbuds), IP54-rated (charging case)
Pros
- Extremely durable
- Satisfying sound and call quality
- Intuitive noise cancellation
- Long playtimes
- Impressive 3D audio performance
Cons
- Control scheme affects comfort
- Missing some upscale features
- Spatial Sound could use some work
The Jabra Elite 8 Active earbuds are built with military-standard materials, making them incredibly durable. They offer some of the longest battery life among earbuds, making them a top choice for those seeking the best Apple AirPods alternatives. These earbuds are perfect for fitness enthusiasts and casual listeners alike. The Elite 8 Active deliver powerful, bass-heavy sound that energizes workouts, thanks to their 6mm dynamic drivers. While the bass is dominant, the mids and highs are also clear and enjoyable.
The noise cancellation is excellent, effectively reducing unwanted sounds during runs or video chats, though it does tighten the bass response. Fitness buffs and Jabra fans will appreciate the versatile sound and noise cancellation, making these earbuds a strong competitor to the Beats Fit Pro and some of the best workout headphones available.
OnePlus Buds 3
Size: 1.24 x 0.79 x 0.96 inches (per bud)
Weight: 0.16 ounces (per bud)
Battery life (rated): Up to 10 hours, 44 hours total (charging case)
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC, LHDC 5.0
ANC: Yes
Durability: IP55 (earbuds); IPX4 (charging case)
Pros
- Refined audio with well-controlled bass
- Excellent feature set
- Powerfully adaptive ANC
- Responsive touch controls
- Superior call quality
Cons
- Real-world battery life is shorter than claimed
- 3D Audio isn’t as effective as rivals
The OnePlus Buds 3 raise the bar for true wireless earbuds with their advanced audio features. They come with dual dynamic drivers (6mm tweeter and 10.4mm woofer) and Bluetooth 5.3 with hi-res LHDC codec support, resulting in stellar sound quality that can be customized with various sound-enhancing options.
The adaptive ANC is highly effective, blocking out nearly 90% of unwanted noise. The earbuds also have a powerful microphone array, ensuring clear voice calls and efficient digital assistance. However, the real-world battery life is shorter than advertised, and the 3D audio performance isn’t as strong as some competitors. Despite these drawbacks, the OnePlus Buds 3 offer an impressive combination of features and sound quality.
Cambridge Audio Melomania M100
Size: Not specified
Weight: Not specified
Battery life (rated): 10 hours (ANC on); 16 hours (ANC off); 36 hours (charging case with ANC off)
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC, aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive Audio, Bluetooth LE Audio, LC3
ANC: Yes
Durability: IPX4
Pros
- Engaging audiophile sound
- Class-leading aptX Lossless audio support
- Great comfort levels
- Effective ANC
Cons
- Navigational controls have no audible feedback
- Wear detection can be flaky
The Cambridge Audio Melomania M100 earbuds are a fantastic upgrade from their predecessor, now featuring noise cancelation and longer battery life. They offer up to 10 hours of playback with ANC on, and 16 hours with ANC off, outperforming the Sony WF-1000XM5 in terms of battery life.
Equipped with custom 10mm drivers and Class AB amplification from Cambridge Audio’s CX Series Hi-Fi amplifiers, the M100s deliver outstanding sound quality. The large drivers provide deep, well-tuned bass and an expansive soundstage, making them a joy for audiophiles.
Their Hi-Fi sound signature and support for lossless audio make them an excellent choice for those seeking high-quality wireless earbuds. They are a great value alternative to the AirPods Pro.
Oppo Enco Air3 Pro
Weight: 4.3g per earbud (38.7g with charging case)
Battery life: 7 hours (up to 30 hours with the charging case)
Wireless charging: No
Noise cancellation: Yes
Pros
- AirPods Pro style
- Solid ANC
- Slim and pocket-friendly design
Cons
- Tricky controls
Apple’s AirPods don’t always play nice with Android devices. Pairing them is possible, but accessing essential settings and firmware upgrades becomes a challenge. This limitation might make you reconsider if you’re using an Android device like a Google Pixel 7a.
But what if you crave the AirPods Pro style while sticking with your Android phone? Oppo Enco Air3 Pro is a pair that mirrors Apple’s flagship design closely. They offer a sleek look, a compact charging case, a comfortable fit, reliable noise cancellation, and touch controls on the buds, though they might take some getting used to.
What sets them apart is their compatibility with Google Fast Pair, ensuring an easy pairing experience akin to connecting AirPods to an iPhone.
Of course, sound quality matters most. The Oppo Enco Air3 Pro provides detailed sound with impressive dynamic range, making it a delightful choice across various music genres. From pop to classic rock and electronic beats, they offer excellent instrumental separation and clear vocals.
JBL Live Pro 2
Weight: 4.8g per bud (58g with charging case)
Battery life: 10 hours (up to 40 hours with charging case)
Wireless charging: Yes
Noise cancellation: Yes
Pros
- Great sound quality
- Packed full of features
- Wireless charging
Cons
- Controls can’t be fully customized
The JBL Live Pro 2 buds stand out as versatile all-rounders, offering adaptive and personalized active noise cancellation, customizable sound via an in-app equalizer, in-ear detection for automatic play and pause, multipoint connectivity, an ear tip fit test, and wireless charging.
With such a comprehensive set of features at this price point, the JBL Live Pro 2 buds compete strongly, even against lower-cost alternatives like the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC and Beats Studio Buds. Despite facing competition, they impress with their dynamic sound quality.
The minimalist design, compact charging case, and comfortable fit of the buds are appealing features. Additionally, they come in a variety of colors and offer reliable touch controls, though some users may desire more customization options through the JBL app.
The standout feature is their enjoyable sound signature, which delivers fun, lively, and energetic audio without needing adjustments. The responsive equalizer in the app allows for further customization to suit individual preferences.
Conclusion
With the ever-growing popularity of Apple AirPods, the market for wireless earbuds has expanded, offering consumers a diverse range of alternatives from trusted brands. There’s something for everyone. As technology continues to advance, we anticipate further innovation and competition in the wireless earbud market, providing consumers with an even broader selection of high-quality options.
Stay tuned for even more innovations in the wireless earbud market. Ready to find your ideal pair? Start exploring today!
