AirPods are on their way to dominating the world of earphones and headphones. Their popularity crosses ages and genders and into the cultural zeitgeist, appearing in countless TV shows and movies. Instantly recognizable, their lightweight construction and easy syncing with Apple devices have made them the talk of the town. However, AirPods aren't the only headphones in town. The competition is plentiful and quite good. Let's take a look at some of the best AirPods alternatives on the market that you can buy today.
SummaryBest Cheap Wireless HeadphonesBest Cheap True Wireless HeadphonesBest Headphones for ExerciseBest Noise CancelingBest for AndroidBest UpgradeBest Battery LifeBest Voice AssistantBest MadnessBest for Multiple DevicesClosing ThoughtsIf you're looking for cheap, wireless products that offer some of the same benefits as AirPods, the Beats Flex is the answer. The best thing about the Beats is the inclusion of the W1 chip, which offers the same seamless connectivity to your iPhone, iPad or Mac as any pair of AirPods. With up to 12 hours of listening time, these headphones more than double the battery life of even AirPods Pro (without the case).
If you really want to save battery, opt for the single earbud option which offers slightly longer battery life or lets you focus on two things at once. Bluetooth 5.0 ensures a solid connection to your smartphone or tablet, and with four different silicone tips included, it's the perfect fit for you.
When it comes to working out, look no further than the Bose Sports Headphones. When you're ready to exercise, pop them in your ear and with an IPX4 rating, you can run, jog, walk, lift, and climb without worrying about sweating or splashing water.
Bluetooth ensures a close connection with your smartphone and a battery life of up to five hours per charge. Want two more hours of battery life? It only takes 15 minutes in the case, and you're good to go. The charging case gives you up to 15 hours of total battery life, which is more than enough to last you through a full day.
When noise cancellation is the most important factor in your AirPods alternative search, the Sony WF-1000XM3 are the industry leaders. They're not priced too far off the AirPods Pro, which is fine considering the QN1e processor, but nearly cancels out external noise. Pair active noise cancellation with up to 24 hours of battery life, and that's one more reason these are worth a close look.
When you need more battery life, ten minutes in the case will give you up to 90 minutes of extra playtime. And if Active Noise Cancellation doesn't already sell you, Sony's hands-free calling quality certainly will.
For iPhone owners, the AirPods are arguably the best in class. Android owners have the Google Pixel Buds A-series. These true wireless earbuds are a great deal for Android users as they deliver great sound for calls and music. With three sizes of tips included, you can be sure the Buds will stay in your ear. When you want to answer calls or play, pause and skip tracks while listening to music, touch controls are literally at your fingertips.
The water and sweat resistance will make them useful on a day-to-day basis, whether it's working out or listening to podcasts all day. As a Google product, you have all the hands-free help you need with "Hey Google". Owners will receive up to five hours of listening time or 2.5 hours of talk time with an additional 24 hours of charge through the charging case.
When you want to upgrade from the AirPods Pro, Apple's best true wireless headphones, check out the Sony WF-1000XM4. Like its cousin above, Sony leads the pack when it comes to sound, noise cancellation and, in the case of the XM4, water resistance. Everything great about the 1000XM3 is there, but the XM4 takes it a step further (and price-wise). An IPX42 water resistance rating means you can wear them on the go or when running outside.
Alexa guarantees you voice assistance with news, music and additional information. Want to reduce the volume? Just talk to chat and the XM4 takes care of the rest. With noise cancellation turned on, you can still get up to eight hours of battery life, more than the current AirPods Pro can offer. The 6mm driver produces fantastic, dynamic sound that makes you wonder how Sony did it all in such a small size.
If you value battery life, check out the Lypertek PurePlay Z3 true wireless earbuds for the answer. The PurePlay Z3 headphones alone offer up to 10 hours of playtime on a single charge, nearly double that of AirPods. On top of that, they can be recharged an additional seven times using the case, extending the total battery life to 80 hours before recharging.
When you need to recharge, USB-C and Fast Charge will get you back to business in no time. Don't forget that the case is also compatible with wireless charging. Add Bluetooth 5.2, and with the strong battery life, an equally strong connection to all your devices. Graphene drivers ensure sound is dynamic, and with the downloadable app you can adjust the equalizer to your perfect settings.
The "best" voice assistant is certainly a subjective argument, but when it comes to headphones, Amazon's Echo Buds (second generation) are an excellent first choice. As an Amazon product, it's no surprise to find primary support for Alexa, but these headphones also work for Siri and Google Assistant. Go completely hands-free with Alexa for podcasts, music and audiobooks and say "Alexa, play 'Shadow and Bone' on Audible." » When you need to make a call, you can ask Alexa.
Want to remember to scoop milk? Just say "Alexa, remind me to get some milk". Amazon marks a commitment to privacy, including the ability to mute Alexa microphones and delete all your voice recordings at any time.
When you really want something flashy that still delivers great sound, the Bang &Olufsen Beoplay E8 sport true wireless headphones are the answer. Thankfully, the steep price tag comes with great battery life with 28 hours of playtime with the case in addition to seven hours straight from the headphones. Bluetooth 5.1 ensures you always have a solid connection, and with aptX Adaptive technology inside, iPhone and Android users will have one of the clearest wireless sounds available.
For phone calls, four built-in microphones add exceptional call quality and effectively filter out background noise. On top of all that, the IP57 waterproof rating makes them ideal for the boardroom and gym.
As good as all of these headphones are, few offer a multi-device experience similar to the Jabra Elite 85t true wireless headphones. These popular headphones add multipoint technology, so you can switch seamlessly between multiple devices without re-syncing each time. Built-in Alexa adds voice assistant support and is surprisingly one of the less notable features.
What stands out are the 6 mics that provide wind protection to make phone calls as easy as possible. 12mm speakers add powerful sound, while 5.5 hours of battery life and 25 hours of battery life with the case keep you going all day. When you really want the best sound, download the Jabra Sound+ app, tweak the equalizer and find your own favorite profile that's right for you.
If there's one definitive truth, it's that the headphone market is crowded and you'll have no problem finding a great AirPods alternative. AirPods might be popular, but they might not be the best when it comes to battery life, noise cancellation, and more. Apple certainly has its work cut out to maintain its position as the headphone leader. Now we just need Apple to make them work with lossless music.
