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There’s a reason AirPods, particularly the Pro model, are the default choice for many iPhone users. They’re compact, comfortable, and have excellent audio and call quality. But there are plenty of reasons to seek out alternatives. Whether you want something with better battery life, prefer a less ubiquitous design, or are looking for something more workout-friendly, there are many worthwhile options to consider.
How We Picked the Best AirPods Alternatives
We’ve tested dozens of wireless earbuds, ranging from offbeat clip-on earbuds to budget-friendly models, to find the best wireless earbuds. Unsurprisingly, there’s no one-size-fits-all option.
Since any pair of earbuds can serve as AirPods alternatives, we sought options that either fill a gap not served by AirPods, whether that’s in design, battery life, or fit. Many of our options also offer customizable EQ in their apps, a feature not available on AirPods.
When picking the best AirPods alternatives, we prioritized picks with a similar stemmed design, although none of these are what you would call “dupes.”All of our picks will work well with iPhones, but if you’re looking for the best options specifically for Android users, you can check out our guide.
The Best AirPods Alternatives
Our top pick are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, which offer top-of-the-line ANC and a more secure fit than AirPods. For a more affordable option with a similar fit to AirPods, Nothing makes an excellent option, while Beats is worth considering if you’re looking for iOS-friendliness in a more workout-ready package.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
$299.00
Buy Now at bose
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Quick Summary: With top-of-the-line, customizable ANC, secure fit, and convenient controls, the QC Ultra earbuds are a worthy alternative to AirPods.
Stated Battery Life (ANC On): 6 hours earbuds/24 hours case
Water Resistant: IPX4
Bose is releasing the second-generation QuietComfort Ultra earbuds sometime this summer. Until then, the first generation is an excellent pick, and among the best noise-canceling earbuds you can buy.
If you have trouble with AirPods staying in place, the QC Ultra earbuds feature interchangeable stability bands that create a secure in-ear fit. The earbuds also feature great controls, allowing for easy volume adjustment with a simple swipe up or down. The best feature is the earbuds’ noise-canceling, which is customizable with up to 10 levels of noise reduction and up to four personalized modes.
The battery life isn’t showstopping, the price is high, and the earbuds can occasionally have connection issues with the Bose app. However, overall, the design, comfort, and audio quality make these among the best earbuds on the market and a great alternative to AirPods.
Nothing Ear (a)
Pros: Stylish; great sound
Cons: So-so battery life
$89.00
$99.00
10% off
Buy Now at nothing
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Quick Summary: Nothing’s Earbuds are affordable and eye-catching, with similar pinch controls to AirPods but a more secure fit.
Stated Battery Life: 9.5 hours with buds/42.5 hrs with case (ANC off)
Water Resistant Rating: IP54
Nothing borrowed some design cues from AirPods with the Ear and Ear (a) earbuds — these have a stemmed design and feature pinch controls for playback. But Nothing swapped the generic white look of AirPods for a statement-making design that features transparent plastic. And, unlike AirPods, the Nothing Ear (a) comes in three colors, including white, black, and yellow.
Additionally, unlike AirPods, the Nothing Ear (a) has a feature-rich app for iOS and Android, allowing users to adjust controls, EQ settings, and more. The Ear (a) is impressively comfortable, with great sound quality, although battery life with ANC on could be better. One of the best aspects of AirPods is the impressively compact case; Nothing’s case is also small and pocket-friendly for travel and commutes.
And if the high price of AirPods puts you off, Nothing’s earbuds are an exceptional value. At $100 and regularly less, the Ear (a) delivers the right blend of features for a budget-friendly price.
Amazon
Beats Fit Pro Earbuds
Pros: Secure, workout-friendly design
Cons: Bulky case, pricey
$199.00
Buy Now on Amazon
Buy Now on Target
Quick Summary: Beats Fit Pro delivers active noise canceling, battery life that’s better than AirPods, and comfortable in-ear wings that are secure.
Stated Battery Life: 7 hours continuous, 30 with the case
Water Resistant Rating: IPX4
If you’re looking for a sporty option that plays well with Apple’s ecosystem, the Beats Fit Pro earbuds are a solid pick. They’re somewhat pricey, and, having been introduced in 2021, they’re not the most up-to-date option you can buy. The case is also bulky, and there are options with better sound quality.
But, having gotten the drawbacks out of the way, these are among the best workout earbuds you can buy. They have a secure fit thanks to the in-ear wings, making them a better pick for the gym if you’re worried about losing your AirPods. They also have great physical controls, helping to reduce accidental taps that are common with many earbuds. These also feature
They also have features like noise canceling and spatial audio, as well as a transparency mode for awareness when walking or working out outside. They connect as seamlessly as AirPods for Apple users, but they also have an Android app, with most of the features you could want.
Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
Pros: Comfortable, good ANC
Cons: Bulky case
$89.99
$99.99
10% off
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$69.99
$99.99
30% off
Buy Now at walmart
Quick Summary: Anker’s Soundcore Liberty 4 NC have great battery life, decent audio quality, and solid call performance.
Stated Battery Life: Up to 10 hours with buds/50 hrs with case (ANC off)
Water Resistant Rating: IPX4
If battery life is a particular concern with AirPods, Anker’s SoundCore Liberty 4 NC earbuds are a great alternative. They have a similar stem design to AirPods, albeit bulkier, and they feature tap controls instead of Apple’s pinch controls. The sound quality isn’t as rich or detailed as AirPods Pro, but the $99 price makes them more affordable than either AirPods model at full price.
The case has a spring-loaded clasp that opens with a button, rather than the traditional magnetic design of most earbud cases. The button that opens the case can also put the earbuds into pairing mode or reset the buds. The case is also somewhat bulky, although the trade-off is better battery life. These offer up to 10 hours on a single charge, or an impressive 50 hours in the case.
Like AirPods, these have a water-resistant rating of IPX4, so they won’t be better at handling wet weather than AirPods. That said, they should be able to handle workouts and everyday use. The feature-rich app lets you customize the ANC, controls, and EQ modes. They’re also a great option for Android users, thanks to Google Fast Pair.
CMF Buds Pro 2
Pros: Good value, unique case design
Cons: ANC off hurts audio
$47.00
$69.00
32% off
Buy Now On Amazon
Buy Now at nothing
Quick Summary: CMF’s Buds Pro 2 earbuds have a unique case but a familiar stemmed design.
Stated Battery Life: 11 hours with buds/43 hrs with case (ANC off)
Water Resistant Rating: IP54
You’d be hard-pressed to find a better value for a pair of earbuds than CMF’s Buds Pro 2, which have a fun, poppy design and a remarkably unique case. They feature a similar stem design to AirPods, but they’re controlled by tapping the top of the stem, rather than pinching. The standout is the case, which has a rotating dial that can be used for playback and volume control.
CMF is Nothing’s value-oriented subbrand, and the earbuds are controlled through the Nothing app, which gives users comprehensive customization options. The earbuds are comfortable and available in a range of eye-catching colors. Despite its quirky design, the earbuds case is not overly large, although it’s not the most pocket-friendly.
At this price, there are trade-offs in some expected places. The audio quality isn’t up to the standard of AirPods or Nothing’s flagship earbuds, with somewhat thin highs and mids, and the build quality doesn’t feel particularly high-end. Still, for around $70 and sometimes less, the CMF Buds are a great pick if price is your primary constraint when shopping for AirPods alternatives.
