The AirPods are great, but they aren’t the only game in town. There are tons of other options out there for people who don’t feel like spending $200 on a set of wireless earbuds. These 7 alternative earbuds are all much cheaper and offer similar (or better) functionality than the AirPods do. They also have some key advantages over Apple’s flagship wireless earbuds, from better sound quality to more useful features. Here are the top 7 earbuds better than AirPod Pros.
1. Sony WF-1000XM4
The WF-1000XM4s produced one of the most dynamic, detailed, and balanced performances we’ve heard from Bluetooth headphones. The bass sounds tight and textured, while the vocals sound refined and sophisticated. You enjoy listening to them so much that you are thankful for the eight-hour battery life, which is the best in this category. This makes you want to hear more.
Sony has taken the headphone business up a notch with the new-look earpieces, which include touch-sensitive controls and a new ear tip design to help with noise isolation. Add in Sony’s Integrated Processor V1 noise cancellation and you have a pair of headphones that effectively blocks out the hustle and bustle.
2. Panasonic RZ-S500W
Panasonic’s RZ-S500W earbuds may be a good brand to think about when purchasing earbuds. Although it might be a good choice, this company’s first venture into the market has impressed consumers. This model is fantastic for the money. The ambient mode and twin mics for voice calls are just a few of the features of this device.
The RZ-S500W also has a 19.5-hour battery life (6.5 hours from the earbuds and 13 hours from the charging case). You can control your music and switch between noise-canceling modes with simply a touch thanks to the responsive and intuitive touch controls on each bud. The 15-minute USB-C quick-charge delivers up to 70 minutes of playtime.
3. Sony WF-C500
While the WF-1000XM4 is higher up on this page, the Sony WF-C500 wireless earphones are a budget-friendly alternative. They offer a lot of what makes those wireless earbuds a success without sacrificing too much. They’re perfect for running and sports due to their IPX4 rating, in addition to ‘fast pair’ connectivity with Android devices and ‘swift pair’ with Windows 10 PCs.
The sound is well-balanced and features plenty of mid-range detail presented in a cohesive and musical fashion. You can get a total of 10 hours of battery life from the earphones themselves, as well as another ten hours from the case. If you’re looking for the best Bluetooth earphones and don’t want to spend much money, the Sony WF-C500s should be near the top of your list.
4. Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3
The Momentum True Wireless earbuds have been outstanding in recent years, and this 3rd generation is the best yet. The wireless, noise-canceling earbuds from Sennheiser are among the finest in this lineup, offering excellent performance. Sony’s WF-1000XM4 and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are also featured on this list.
This spec sheet is competitive and includes excellent battery life (28 hours) and Bluetooth codec support (aptX Adaptive), in addition to extra personalization features. They’re even cheaper than the last generation. The Sennheisers are comfortable, provide one of the most mature, spacious, and refined sounds in the market, and are equipped with noise cancellation as well.
5. JBL Reflect Flow
When it comes to wireless sports earphones, JBL is a heavyweight. The JBL Reflect Flow is a budget-friendly option. These are excellent, particularly if you want a bass-heavy sound for the gym without resorting to on-ear or over-ear headphones. You get 10 hours of battery life in the buds plus 20 hours in the case, and JBL guarantees a 10-minute charge for an hour’s listening.
JBL guarantees a quick charge for an hour’s listening. You can hold a conversation without removing the earphones by pressing the left bud. They are excellent for sporty activities, and the extra helping of deep but accurate bass should see you across the line. In terms of fit and sound, we believe the JBL Reflect Flows have the edge.
6. Shure Aonic Free
The Shure Aonic Free is a really intriguing pair of wireless earbuds. Despite the slightly bulky design and the absence of noise cancellation, there’s a lot to like here. To assist the earphones to fit securely, three different kinds of premium comply memory foam tips (which come with the earpieces) are available. The buttons on the top edge of both earbuds are easy to locate and control.
They are simple to operate, and you can use them in a variety of ways. The Shure Aonic Free is straightforward, reliable, and offers more performance tweaks at this price point than we’re used to seeing, in addition to being intuitive. The Shure Aonic Free is accurate and substantial in its overview of the frequencies.
7. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
You shouldn’t overlook these Bose headphones if you’re looking for a rival to the excellent Sony WF-1000XM4 on this list. They’re light enough for regular commutes or workouts (the QuietComfort are both weather- and sweat-resistant) and are simple to live with. They have a six-hour battery life with two additional charges from the charging case for a total of 18 hours, which is pretty good but not top-notch. You can customize some settings and controls, as well as adjust the excellent noise-cancellation, with Bose’s helpful companion app.
Bose’s enthusiastic and electrifying buds are highly contagious. There’s lots of power, poise, and great dynamism. The bass notes are full-bodied and deep, and the QuietComfort Earbuds pick up a lot of detail. All in all, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are excellent all-around with superb sound and noise canceling. In addition to excellent music quality, these wireless earphones offer outstanding noise canceling.