Bob Dylan is sounding better and better these days. I don’t mean that his voice itself has hit a new high in old age, but what’s reaching my ears sure has improved by leaps and bounds. We’re talking crystal clear notes with each new model of earbuds hitting the market.
Sound and convenience are a bit of a haggle. For the longest time, the going belief was that wireless earbuds call for a sacrifice in audio quality. This meant that we’d go on looking like half-finished robots ourselves with cables and bands sticking out of our collars and necklines. Not anymore! Guys, this is the best possible time to shop for quality and convenience simultaneously.
And while AirPods might have been the frontrunner for ages, it is by no means the sole winner; not the one I’m cheering for anyway. Firstly, because I think it’s unfair that one has to invest in half the products on the Apple catalogue to try a single one of them. Secondly, there is an amazing lot of more variety available at similar as well as lower prices. Some of these other buds offer better sound quality, some look sleeker and sportier, and some make a decent buy even if you only need them on your vacation because you forgot your regular pair at home.
Below is a thorough list of the best AirPods alternatives for the year stretching before us. Whether you go for AirPods or one of the swankier picks below – like the Sony WF-1000XM4 that takes noise-cancellation to another level – either way you’re going to need these ‘truly’ wireless earbuds. Know why? Because the newer models of smartphones aren’t even coming with cable jacks! Read on then, and make the wisest decision for your ears.
Why opt for an AirPod Alternative?
Money, like I said, is always a hiccup with Apple products. $199 for AirPods 2 and $249 for AirPods Pro. Now, with that kind of money I can think of dozens better ways to get closer to music. And the sound is actually genuinely better in some of the other brands. Not to forget better battery life and in certain cases better active noise cancellation. This feature list only seems to be growing if you consider the upcoming Google Pixel Buds (offering real-time language translation from what I hear!). We’ve wracked our brains (and ears) over all the AirPods alternatives that could be on this list, but finally whittled it down to a solid 10 with in-depth reviews.
And, you guessed it right, you don’t need an iPhone to play with any of these. So let’s get on with these alternative little buds worth owning in 2023.
Best AirPod Alternatives
1. Sony WF-1000XM4 – Best AirPod Alternative in 2023
I’d rate the Sony WF-1000XM4 as the top AirPods alternative. Despite the cost and regardless of which AirPods you are considering. Because without extending (or cutting back, as in the case of AirPods Pro) your budget too much, you can get superb sound quality and very unobtrusive, minimal design that fits right into the ear. Having used the same model of Sony headphones (I do have a soft spot for Japanese tech), I am sure these Sony wireless earbuds are the worth that money can truly buy.
What makes it the perfect choice?
Lets give it to Sony; they know their sound. And they also have been tinkering and improving their Active Noise Cancellation Technology longer than others. So if you’re looking for earbuds for a broader range of uses than just calls or workouts, Sony WF-1000XM4 is it. The buds also have a transparency mode when you wish to tune back into the surroundings; almost six hours of listening time, and volume control on the buds. It also auto-pauses music in case you take either of the buds out of the ear, which is plain thoughtful!
Who is this for?
The Sony WF-1000MX4 are ideal for those who like their audio quality high and don’t mind spending some moolah to cut unwanted sounds out. It is also excellent for couch potatoes since the buds aren’t rated sweat or water resistant. Sorry, no workouts!
- Great sound quality
- Efficient noise-cancellation
- Not sweat- or water-resistant
2. Bose SoundSport Free – Sweat proof AirPods Alternative
Boss should consider renaming themselves Bass. There are folks out there who swear that there are genres of music that don’t even reach us without a pair of Bose headphones. Their earbuds are equally good. Semi-open design, hence a more full-bodied sound. A bit expensive considering there’s no noise cancellation in place, but then they are good for outdoorsy folk who like to be more aware of their surroundings on the run.
What makes it the perfect choice?
If you’re one of those who find the whole in-ear thing obnoxiously invasive, then the Bose SoundSport Free are the kind of wireless earbuds that will feel like a relief inside. They got a nice, neutral sound, adjustable volume right there on the buds and five hours of battery life when charged. The whole package comes with StayHear tips that nestle up against the inside of your ears, with the option of three sizes to fit most. One drawback (at least for those who plan to use it for music) is that there is no EQ on the app to tune the sound to your personal preference.
Who is this for?
Sound-freaks and sportsters will dig it. This is a pair of rugged buds that will last you a solid workout. The design’s somewhat clunky next to the Sony buds mentioned above, but definitely a worthy alternative to AirPods.
- Excellent sound quality
- Comfy fit
- Sweat and water resistant
- No EQ for tuning
- Not much noise-cancellation
3. Jabra Elite 75t – AirPod Alternative With Long Battery Life
Jabra Elite 65t was all the rage for a while, topping the lists last year. The new Jabra Elite 75t has definitely changed some of that. It’s got better battery life, is exactly 20% smaller than its predecessor and comes with a smaller charging case (also easier to open!). The sound, as such, is the same, but there is the design improvement that does give the buds a more discreet look.
What makes it the perfect choice?
It’s a pretty decent bundle of features that you’d be paying for. As opposed to the 5 hours of battery life in the case of 65t (and AirPods), the Jabra Elite 75t comes with 7.5 hours of listening time at moderate volume. That’s one update they deserve a pat for. The audio quality is at par with other buds in the same price range, and a bonus is their reliable wireless connectivity (not found in many other wireless earbuds).
Who is this for?
The Jabra Elite 75t are ideal for those users who crave longer battery life and would really not mind paying a few dollars extra to get 2.5 extra hours on the run. It is also well-suited for outdoor lovers.
- Great battery life
- Splashproof
- EQ Settings for tuning
- Expensive
- No noise cancellation
4. Beats Powerbeats Pro – Great Battery Life & Sweat Proof
Eleven hours of playback time with a single charge – I dare you to avoid this one’s temptation. Beats Powerbeats Pro will burn a hole of about the same size in your pocket as AirPods Pro – plus they don’t match up to the same level of active noise cancellation – but then the wireless earbuds experience is driven to a large extent by the way a pair fits into your ears, and nothing quite beats Beats Powerbeats Pro on that.
What makes it the perfect choice?
I think the most painful point of 2019 for me was the day when one of my previous pair of buds fell out of my ear. Into a park, never to be found again. That, I’m sure, does not happen with Beats Powerbeats Pro. The ear-hook design is brilliant; it’d stay right on through a bungee jump. The sound isn’t as great as Bose, but then these come with the formidable-sounding ‘micro-laser barometric venting hole’, which means say goodbye to in-ear pressure!
Who is this for?
Considering that Beats Powerbeats Pro can only be charged using Lightning, Apple users are more likely to go for this than those on Android. It is by far the sportiest, most workout-friendly alternative to AirPods.
- Easy to use
- Better design for better fit
- Best battery life
- Limited noise cancellation
5. RHA TrueConnect – Bluetooth Sweat Proof Wireless Earbuds
RHA TrueConnect has made it to this list mainly because of the great sound it offers for a price range at which you’d only get an older pair of AirPods. It fares slightly lower on bass, but overall the sound is neutral enough to play most genres, and this sound comes with pretty good noise isolation and comprehensive controls on the buds possible with simple and short presses.
What makes it the perfect choice?
When compared with earbuds costing in the same range, RHA TrueConnect might well be the one with the best sound. Quick to pair and equipped with a pinhole mic at bottom which picks up your voice more clearly. What’s more, they are a comfortable fit for most ears, and the casing has magnet fits that don’t let the buds fall out if you accidentally trip the casing over.
Who is this for?
Those looking for a mid-range wireless earbuds should consider the RHA TrueConnect for the sound. They are sweat-proof but not sweat-resistant though, so it wouldn’t be a profitable investment if your destination is a gym.
- Rich, balanced sound
- Noise isolation
- Unreliable wireless
- Inconvenient casing
6. Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 – Budget Cheaper AirPods Alternative
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Climbing down the budget ladder, I feel the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1s are what is known as pure value-for-money. Not the most remarkable design, but you cannot imagine how good they sound in the ears considering how much lesser you are shelling out than AirPods. This is Cambridge Audio’s first foray into wireless buds, and they’ve totally outdone competition.
What makes it the perfect choice?
The sound you get for the price you pay. You simply wouldn’t find the same deal elsewhere. We’re talking solid, experienced sound engineering at a throwaway price. Slightly fussy controls, and there’s none of those noise isolation or cancellation promises, but Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 wouldn’t disappoint audiophiles at all (that is what Melomania means literally, ‘mad about music’). Wireless listening at its best, even if there’s no wireless charging case.
Who is this for?
If you like your music, are going on a long road trip (viruses aside!) and have about 100 bucks to spare for a pair of wireless earbuds for company, don’t think twice about it. Nine hours of battery life per charge means your only job with Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 would be to pick the playlist.
- Long-lasting battery
- Strong wireless connectivity
- Great sound at low cost
- No noise cancellation
- No wireless charging case
7. JBL Reflect Flow
Here’s another sound genius. JBL Reflect Flow is not only a cheaper alternative to AirPods, it’s also a cheaper option for someone looking at Beats Powerbeats Pro for wireless sports earbuds. At this price you can’t expect noise cancellation, but then the bass is deep and battery long; you could keep going!
What makes it the perfect choice?
For starters, you can go from zero to 100% in about two hours of charge, and then keep playing it for 10 hours straight (is this a given? I sometimes wonder if the budget buys inevitably offer longer life). Amongst its more detailed features is the capability to switch –using on-bud controls – to Ambient and TalkThru modes, both potentially useful when the boss is having a fit in office. The color of the buds too is a subtle, refreshing change from all the black and white stuff on the market. Really does look more alternative.
Who is this for?
If exercise is a priority for you in life, and budget matters, then JBL Reflect Flow make for a neat investment as far as sporty in-ears are concerned. This one’s a pleasing niche buy.
- Workout-friendly
- Long battery life
- No noise cancellation
- Bulky case
8. Samsung Galaxy Buds
Unless you care a lot about Spotify integration and Qi charging, the Samsung Galaxy Buds still stand strong as an AirPods alternative, and you needn’t spend as much as you would for a pair of Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus. These buds work well as a Galaxy S10 smartphone companion and give you six hours of battery life on a single charge. The drawback? No aptX codec for higher-quality streaming.
What makes it the perfect choice?
The fact that Samsung Galaxy Buds have gone through a number of price slashes already, should indicate that what you’d be getting is premium buds in a budget range. They’ve got decent sound quality, are of a compact enough build and can switch to Ambient south with ease. Nice and easy touch panels to manage controls are a bonus. And there’s the dual-microphone that helps transmit your voice to a much clearer degree.
Who is this for?
Although ideal for Samsung smartphone users, the Samsung Galaxy Buds work just as well with Androids and iPhones. Not for swimmers, but they perform their role well in gyms and public places. An affordable AirPods alternative for sure.
- Wireless charging
- Splash-resistant
- Easy-to-use controls
- No aptX support
9. Anker Soundcore Liberty Neo
For just-less-than 40 dollars, the Anker Soundcore Liberty Neo earbuds are a steal. Especially for those who want a cheap pair specifically for gym-time. There’s no noise cancellation you get for this price, but since these fit into the ear canal they automatically do end up blocking out the louder waves. And if you lose them it wouldn’t cost a heart attack!
What makes it the perfect choice?
It goes to say something that Anker Soundcore Liberty Neo earbuds came as a direct recommendation to me by a friend who frequents the same gym. I bought them instantly for that purpose and haven’t regretted the decision since. These are ultra lightweight earbuds as they claim, have efficient SweatGuard protection that makes them water and sweat resistant, and they fit firm on the ears so you can take them on a long run. Five hours, at least (that’s the battery life). The sound too is good as it gets, with bass that really pumps it up. Now that’s what I call a dirt-cheap AirPods alternative.
Who is this for?
Anker Soundcore Liberty Neo are a dream in a gym. They are completely workout-friendly, cost peanuts and are a thrifty bargain in the world of wireless earbuds.
- Light-weight
- Fully sweatproof
- Noise isolation
- No wireless charging
10. EarFun Free
Also at the lower end of the budget spectrum are EarFun Free earbuds. Don’t let the frivolous name mislead you, they do provide value for money if your plan is to pick up an easy pair even while you save for AirPods or a Sony WF-1000XM3. They lack the feel-good touch buttons for controls, but you’d still be getting a pair of wireless along with wireless chargers.
What makes it the perfect choice?
Like the Anker Soundcore Liberty Neo, EarFun Free too fit into ear canals, and hence provide noise isolation, but there are certain features that set it apart. They offer good wireless connectivity, bassy sound, and best of all – wireless charging (without which the entire wireless-earbud convenience sounds incomplete!). Also, 6 hours of battery life is fancy for this price.
Who is this for?
EarFun Free are a justifiable daily-wear alternative to AirPods, suitable for just about anyone who wants something for daily commute (though I wouldn’t vouch for its audio quality of calls in loud places).
- Wireless charging
- Waterproof
- Average sound quality
- No touch buttons
The Verdict: Best AirPod Alternative
This is a toughie. We’ve just listed a whole gamut of AirPods alternatives that should make the decision easier though. Different price ranges, different purposes and varied features, each of which should correspond to the kind of needs you have in mind. If your budget is closer to a 3-digit number than we’d rate Sony WF-1000XM3 as a top notch beauty for its sound quality and active noise cancellation. Bose SoundSport Free and Beats Powerbeats Pro ride close on that rating. In the lower range, Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 is a strong contender, but it still boils down to what it is you intend to do with them. Gym? Walk in the park? Office commute? Music marathon? Give it a think, that’s where the real tech solution lies.
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Last update on 2023-05-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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