AirPods are big business, but not everyone wants their headphones from Apple’s stable, especially if you’re not a part of its product ecosystem.
Even if you are, you might not get along with their fit or might prefer the sonic signature or features you get from other brands in the market, such as Sony or Bose, for example.
This is why we’ve compiled this guide to the best AirPods alternatives we’ve reviewed and rated.
All the pairs here come highly recommended by our team of expert reviewers who have experienced all that the current AirPods 4, AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation and AirPods Pro 3 have to offer, so they know exactly what should and shouldn’t make this list.
There’s been plenty of change in this category since our last update, the biggest news being the arrival of a new Sony flagship, the WF-1000XM6, which made an immediate impact as the new best alternative to the AirPods Pro 3.
- Need to save cash? Check out our list of the best budget wireless earbuds
April 24th 2026: Added Sony WF-1000XM6 as best overall option and Bose QC Ultra (Gen 2) as best noise-cancelling option. Moved Sony WF-1000XM5 and Technics EAH-AZ100 to the also consider section. We've also tested the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro and added them to the also consider section.
I've been testing wired and wireless earbuds for nearly two decades and have lost count of the number of pairs I've plugged into my ears. I'm also an iPhone user who has experienced multiple generations of AirPods, from the originals to the AirPods Pro 3, so I can guarantee all of the models on this page are viable alternatives if Apple's offerings aren't for you.
The best AirPods alternatives overall
There’s a new king of AirPods alternatives. The Sony WF-1000XM6 are excellent flagship wireless earbuds, and this new pair picks up where the WF-1000XM5 left off as our top pick on this page.
The Sonys deliver a detailed, dynamic and hugely musical sound with more natural warmth than their predecessors.
In our Sony WF-1000XM6 review, we said, “Everything that you expect to be present in a pair of flagship wireless earbuds is there: a fantastic sense of timing, an expressive midrange, weighty yet well-defined bass and crisp, nicely controlled highs. The Sonys cover all the bases and then some.”
Sonically, they’re great, but the buds also deliver excellent noise-cancelling, which beats most rivals at the money and comes very close to edging out the Bose on this list.
The XM6 do a great job of isolating you from your environment and feeling natural while they do it. Whether you’re walking by a busy road or sitting on a long-haul flight, the Sonys cope extremely well with anything thrown at them.
Add a good spread of features, impressive call quality and solid eight-hour battery life into the mix, and you have a pair of earbuds that’s tough to beat.
Our only minor grumbles are the eartip material and the number of eartip options Sony gives you. We’d like a larger option and also for the tips to feel a bit more secure in place – we found it can take a couple of attempts to get a good fit/seal.
By contrast, the AirPods Pro 3 offer more eartip options, and it's a bit easier getting them to fit the first time around.
Read the full Sony WF-1000XM6 review
The best AirPods alternatives for battery life
If you’re in the market for a new pair of in-ear headphones you can be fairly sure Sony has something for you. If it’s battery life you’re after at a wallet-friendly price, the WF-C510 is that something.
A replacement for the WF-C500 that used to inhabit this slot in our selection, the C510 pick up where their predecessors left off, promising a slightly longer 11 hours of battery life in the buds, and another 11 in the case. You’ll get less unless you turn off all the audio processing but there’s still plenty for even the longest listening sessions.
As Sony’s most affordable true wireless earbuds there are no frills here, and the finish on both the buds and the case actually feels like a downgrade from the WF-C500, but it’s not completely back to basics when it comes to features. You get IPX4 water resistance, Multipoint Bluetooth and, despite the lack of noise-cancelling, there’s also an Ambient Sound Mode, which lets you hear some of what’s going on around you.
A pair of earbuds at this price is never going to be the last word on sound quality, but the WF-C510 are richer and more full-bodied than the C500. What they lack in detail and dexterity they make up for in fun and enthusiasm, which makes them an engaging enough listen considering the cost.
Our reviewer also found them to be comfortable and easy to wear, with responsive controls and compact dimensions, making the WF-C510 a bit of a bargain.
Read our full Sony WF-C510 review
The best cheap AirPods alternatives
Earfun isn't one of the first brands that spring to mind when researching AirPods alternatives, but the Earfun Air could change that. These buds are ridiculously cheap and they sound wonderfully cheerful too.
Noise isolation is excellent (if you want noise-cancelling you will need the Pro version) and these attractive earbuds feel comfy too. They are IPX7 certified (i.e. waterproof), support virtual assistants and include Qi wireless charging if you own a suitable charger.
Battery life is seven hours from the buds and a further 28 hours from the charging case. Amazingly it all feels fairly premium too. The Bluetooth 5.0 connection is solid and stable and for the money, calls sound clear, and the earbuds offer an energetic and spacious sound.
If you’re after something fun-sounding and a cheap pair of AirPods alternatives, the Earfun Air are just the ticket.
Read our full Earfun Air review
The best mid-price AirPods alternatives
No matter how much money you have to spend on your AirPods alternatives, Sony has a pair to fit the bill – and the mid-price tier is no different. The Sony WF-C710N are brilliantly capable, entirely comfortable and eminently affordable.
The buds are noticeably chunkier than their Award-winning predecessors, as is the case, but we love the new transparent Glass Blue finish that’s available alongside the more traditional pink, white and black.
What made the C700N so brilliant was the way they combined a strong set of features with similarly impressive performance, and the C710N follow the same recipe. There’s still no aptX or LDAC support, but you do get SBC and AAC, multipoint Bluetooth, wear detection, and a Quick Attention transparency mode that’s not quite quick enough to respond. The buds are also rated IPX4.
From a performance point of view Sony has managed to squeeze even more out of the C710N. There’s a great sense of musicality, but they’re also clear, detailed and dynamic, with solid and weighty bass.
The same is true of the C710N’s noise-cancelling performance. The addition of Sony’s Dual Noise Sensor filters has upped the intensity slightly and they’re capable of removing more noise than before. It’s particularly noticeable with the lower-mid and bass frequencies.
We’d like the touch controls to be a bit more customisable, but this is still a seriously impressive pair of buds for a very affordable price.
Read the full Sony WF-C710N review
The best AirPods alternatives for noise-cancelling
The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) take over from the original model we had in this list – they take everything that we liked to a new level.
They are another pair of AirPods Pro 3 rivals that easily match their Apple counterparts for comfort and build quality, and give the Sony XM6 (above) a serious run for their money.
The plastics used feel premium to the touch, and the soft silicone eartips and stability bands (which wedge against the top part of your inner ear) help you feel locked-in at all times, even though you're limited to only three eartip sizes.
Battery life remains at six hours per charge, with the wireless charging case providing three more charges. That’s disappointing given that the Sony XM6 and AirPods Pro 3 both provide eight hours, and the Technics EAH-AZ100 (see below) go one further with ten hours per charge.
The Bluetooth 5.3 earbuds include AAC and SBC codec support, like most rivals, and there’s aptX Adaptive for those using a compatible smartphone or tablet.
As you'd expect from a brand with so much experience in the field, the noise-cancelling from the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) is a real highlight.
As we said in our review, “Noises across the sonic spectrum… simply dissolve into near-insignificance, with harsher and more intrusive sounds shut out even more effectively than before.” This makes them the perfect entry for this buying guide.
Sonically, Bose has done a great job here too, with the QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) boasting good clarity and detail, plus a fine sense of bass depth, without any harshness or unwelcome edge.
If you want more options, check out our guide to the best noise-cancelling earbuds you can buy.
Read our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) review
The best AirPods alternatives for running
The best AirPods for exercise, in our opinion, are the AirPods Pro 3, which promote a more stable and comfortable fit than the standard AirPods and also have ANC so you can mute the noise from an overcrowded gym.
But they do sit at the pricier end of the scale, which is why we have included the JBL Live Pro 2 TWS in this list. They are more affordable than the AirPods Pro 3 but still offer a five-star performance, great comfort and a highly competitive and useful range of features.
They boast a solid build and good looks for the money. Extras such as wireless charging, IPX5 water-resistance (most pairs are IPX4), and Bluetooth Multipoint (which lets you seamlessly switch between two simultaneously connected devices) are a cut above what many rivals offer at the money. Add the 30 hours of total battery life (including eight hours per charge) and the JBL suddenly appear a very tempting option.
The noise-cancelling is good enough to dampen outside interference, while the transparency mode comes in handy for running. And sound quality is entertaining to boot. What more could you wish for at the money?
Read the full JBL Live Pro 2 TWS review
Also consider
Looking for something different? Here are other AirPods alternatives you might want to consider. Some are five-star products that just missed out on the main list. Others might be four-star products that excel in some areas and could be worth shortlisting.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: Samsung's latest premium buds performed well for the money and are undoubtedly a good shout for Samsung Galaxy smartphone users. They are packed with features including ANC, spatial audio, and seven-hour battery life (30 hours if you include the charging case). They produce a clear and refined sound, although rivals sound more musical and dynamic.
Sony WF-1000XM5: These buds were our top pick until the launch of their successors, the WF-1000XM6. They sound a little leaner than the new model, but still pick up plenty of detail and sound fun, musical and dynamic with it. ANC is still competitive, as is call quality and battery life. Now available with some tempting online discounts.
Technics EAH-AZ100: Another premium alternative to the AirPods Pro 3, these Technics in-ears are beaten for noise-cancelling and sound quality when compared with the Sony WF-1000XM6, but they are still competitive and boast excellent battery life, features and comfort.
Sony WF-C700N: With their successors now on the scene, Sony’s Award-winning mid-range buds are currently available at a low-end price. Offering brilliant sound and solid noise-cancelling they were already excellent value, so the discount makes them even better if you’re on a tight budget.
Cambridge Audio Melomania M100: They're not perfect, but the M100 offer a range of AirPods Pro 3-rivalling features and superior battery life. We're talking a massive ten hours per charge and 16 if you turn noise-cancelling off. They sound spacious and balanced and their ANC is more than good enough at the money. We'd just like them to sound more dynamic and engaging and their Transparency mode could be much better.
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4: If you want another alternative to the premium Bose and Sony models on this list, Sennheiser also has a pair that fits the bill and is a little cheaper. They sound rich and engaging, are comfortable and nice to use and offer plenty of customisation options. They aren't the final word in sound quality or ANC, but you'll find them regularly discounted.
Google Pixel Buds A-Series: If you're an Android or Google Pixel phone owner, then chances are AirPods aren't on your wishlist. If you want an equivalent pair designed with Google's rival ecosystem in mind, then the Pixel Buds A-Series make a lot of sense. They're comfortable, easy to use, sound detailed and musical, and pair easily with Android devices.
How to choose the best AirPods alternatives for you
Firstly, you need to decide which AirPods you want an alternative for. Is it the affordable, entry-level AirPods (2019), the AirPods 3 or the most recent AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation? Or, perhaps you want a pair of AirPods Pro 3 alternatives that bring active noise-cancelling to the party?
Are you someone who is already immersed in the Apple ecosystem but who doesn't want to be tied down when it comes to your headphone choice? Or, perhaps you're an Android user, who simply likes the idea of having AirPods-rivalling features in their pair of wireless in-ears.
Obviously, you need to settle on a budget when considering AirPods alternatives. The good news here is that there are some great cheap options at the budget end of the market and there are also more premium alternatives should your bank account be able to stretch to that.
You will also want to compare battery life to make sure the earbuds you are considering can cope with the length of your commute as well as longer listening sessions.
You can now get plenty of bang for your buck where the best cheap wireless earbuds are concerned, and given Apple products all tend to demand a slight price premium, there are some great bargains to be had.
On this page, we have restricted our AirPods alternatives to the in-ear variety but we do also have a page dedicated to the very best AirPods Max alternatives should you want an over-ear option.
How we test AirPods alternatives
We test AirPods alternatives just like we test any pair of wireless earbuds. Before we put them in place we also experiment with any tips and check out how comfortable they are to wear.
We start with a full charge and see how accurate battery life claims are and just how it has drained during day-to-day use.
Although we have dedicated testing facilities in London and Reading, the bulk of our wireless earbuds testing happens outside those facilities, whether that's on the street or in our busy office.
It's only when nailing down the finer details of audio quality that we head for quieter environments where we compare the AirPods alternatives we are testing to price-comparable models. This gives us the chance to come to solid conclusions and peg each pair on sound quality.
As part of this testing process we will also compare them to their AirPods equivalents so we know where they sit in terms of quality and can judge whether or not we would be happy to use them and potentially add them to this list.
For ANC testing we venture outside to put those noise-cancelling algorithms through their paces and we also test the call quality of the earbuds at this stage too.
All our review verdicts are agreed upon by the team rather than an individual reviewer to eliminate any personal preference and to make sure we are being as thorough as possible, too. There is no input from PR companies or our sales team when it comes to the verdict, with What Hi-Fi? proud of having delivered honest, unbiased reviews for decades.
FAQ
What are the best earbuds for iPhone?
It really depends on your budget and your requirements. If you want the best all-rounders we suggest the Sony WF-1000XM5. If you want the pair with the best noise-cancelling tech, then it's the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. But don't completely discount Apple's own AirPods Pro 3 as these tick a lot of boxes and work brilliantly with the iPhone.
Recent updates
- April 25th 2025: The Sony WF-C710N have replaced the Sony WF-C700N as the best mid-price option and the Technics EAH-AZ100 have been added as a new premium choice.
- 11th February 2025: Replaced the Sony WF-C500 with the newer Sony WF-C510. Removed the discontinued Panasonic RZ-S500W from the 'also consider' section and added the five-star Technics EAH-AZ100.
- 3rd July 2024: Checked availability and pricing, tested Sennheiser Momentum Sport and Final ZE8000 MK2 but neither was deemed suitable for this list. Added Cambridge Audio Melomania M100 to 'also consider' section and removed Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II due to a lack of online availability.
- 23rd April 2024: Removed JBL Reflect Flow, replaced by JBL Live Pro 2 TWS.
- 13th December 2023: General copy updates.
- 24th October 2023: Added Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds.
Today's best AirPods alternatives deals
