Top Alternatives to AirPods in 2025: Best Wireless Models

Looking for a solid AirPods alternative without paying a premium for the Apple brand? Check out our top picks for the best wireless models that offer fantastic sound, noise cancellation, comfort, and battery life.

🔍 How We Chose AirPods Alternatives

We put each model through rigorous testing based on key criteria:

• ✅ Sound Quality – Balance of lows, mids, and highs
• ✅ Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) – Isolation from external sounds
• ✅ Comfort – Ease of wear, weight, and ergonomics
• ✅ Battery Life – Duration of use and charging time
• ✅ Features – Touch controls, voice assistants, water resistance
• ✅ Price – Best cost-to-quality ratio

So what does it take to make our list of the best AirPods alternatives? We're on the lookout for wireless earbuds that share similar characteristics and functionalities as Apple’s AirPods lineup. Our focus is on competing brands that can rival the current models like AirPods 4 earbuds, AirPods 4 with ANC, and AirPods Pro 2 earbuds, all at reasonable prices.

All the products on this list have been thoroughly vetted by our team of reviewers, ensuring high-quality sound and considering a wide array of factors, from comfort to battery life and feature sets to call quality.

We evaluate and deliver verdicts, assigning ratings based on cost-to-quality ratios, so you can rest assured you're getting the best bang for your buck from our recommendations. More about our evaluation process can be found in the “How We Test” section below.

In addition to AirPods-focused alternatives currently on the market, we also offer budget options for entry-level and flagship alternatives that exceed the price range of Apple’s offerings. There’s truly something for everyone in this list.

Best Alternatives to AirPods: Quick Summary

Best Overall AirPods Alternative

Sony WF-1000XM5

These headphones are an outstanding alternative to the AirPods Pro 2, significantly surpassing them in quality. With best-in-class detail, excellent clarity, remarkable synchronization, and a sleek design, they offer a fantastic option for music lovers.

Best AirPods Alternative for Battery Life

Sony WF-C510

These budget-friendly headphones can compete with standard AirPods. While they lack extensive features, they provide impressive battery life of 11 hours. They're easy to use and very comfortable, making them a great choice for anyone on the go.

Best Budget AirPods Alternative

Earfun Air

For a low price, you get a lot, including quality sound, water resistance, and wireless charging. If you’re on a tight budget and looking for an affordable entry-level AirPods alternative, you won’t go wrong.

Best Value for Money AirPods Alternative

Sony WF-C700N

For the money, it’s impressive what Sony has packed into the WF-C700N. With fantastic sound and effective noise cancellation, they’re a great buy, and we believe they’re much more appealing than AirPods 3.

Best AirPods Alternative for Noise Cancellation

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

These exceptional noise-canceling headphones are the best in Bose’s lineup today, providing even more effective noise cancellation than AirPods Pro 2. They’re also very comfortable and deliver surprisingly pleasant audio.

Best AirPods Alternative for Running

JBL Live Pro 2 TWS

While AirPods are great for sports, the JBL Live Pro 2 TWS offers a full-featured design, comfortable fit, and quality sound, making them an excellent choice for workouts.

Best Audiophile AirPods Alternative

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8

These premier headphones are a costlier option than the AirPods Pro 2, but their quality more than justifies the price. They boast exceptional comfort, active noise cancellation, and an impressively clear sound.

In-Depth Look at the Best AirPods Alternatives

Best Overall AirPods Alternative

The Sony WF-1000XM5 stands out as the top AirPods alternative available today.

Specifications:

• Noise Cancellation: Yes
• Bluetooth: SBC, AAC, LDAC
• Battery Life: 8 hours (24 hours with charging case)
• Wireless Charging: Yes
• Water Resistance: Yes
• Finish: Black, Silver

Pros:

• Class-leading detail and clarity
• Top-notch musicality and timing
• Comfortable, understated design

Cons:

• Some competitors deliver more bass
• Could feel a bit less secure

The Sony WF-1000XM5 is a sensational pair of headphones, a worthy alternative to AirPods Pro 2, and arguably the best wireless headphones on the market at this time. They build on the immense success of the award-winning WF-1000XM4 with a range of enhancements.

They weigh 20% less and are 25% smaller than their predecessor, with sleeker lines and refined curves. The new 8.4mm dynamic driver X offers a high level of clarity and detail without being overly heavy on low frequencies.

With eight hours of battery life (plus another 16 hours in the case), they surpass the Apple AirPods Pro 2 in longevity, and the noise cancellation has seen noticeable improvements. They've also got seamless compatibility with both iOS and Android devices.

Add to that enhanced touch controls and a wide array of features, such as multipoint Bluetooth, adaptive sound control, and the "Speak to Chat" function, and you’ll see why the WF-1000XM5 is so hard to fault.

Best AirPods Alternative for Battery Life

The Sony WF-C510 is a no-frills pair that makes for a solid budget purchase with impressive battery life.

Specifications:

• Noise Cancellation: No
• Bluetooth: AAC, SBC
• Battery Life: 11 hours (+10 hours with charging case)
• Wireless Charging: No
• Water Resistance: IPX4
• Color Options: Blue, Yellow, Black, White

Pros:

• Compact and comfortable design
• Solid, musical sound
• 11-hour battery life

Cons:

• Build feels and looks cheap
• Ambient sound mode is basic

If you’re looking for a new pair of earbuds, you can trust Sony to have something for you. If you need long battery life at an affordable price, the WF-C510 is the one you want.

The C510 replaces the WF-C500, which previously held this spot in our rankings, continuing its predecessor's legacy by offering just over 11 hours of playback in the earbuds and another 11 hours in the case. If you turn off all sound enhancement features, you might get less time, but it’s still enough for the longest listening sessions.

Being Sony's most affordable true wireless earbuds, they come without any extras, and the finish of both the earbuds and case feels more basic than the WF-C500, but this doesn’t mean a return to basics regarding functionality. You get IPX4 water resistance, multipoint Bluetooth, and even though they lack noise cancellation, the ambient sound mode lets you hear what's happening around you.

At this price point, they will never be the best-sounding headphones, but the WF-C510 sounds fuller and richer than the C500. What they lack in detail and refinement, they make up for with excitement and enthusiasm, making them engaging enough to enjoy considering the cost.

Our reviewer also noted they are comfortable and easy to use, with responsive controls and compact size, making the WF-C510 a worthwhile purchase.

Best Budget AirPods Alternative

The Earfun Air offers excellent value for money as an alternative to AirPods 4.

Specifications:

• Noise Cancellation: No
• Bluetooth: AAC, SBC
• Battery Life: 7 hours (+28 hours with charging case)
• Wireless Charging: Yes
• Water Resistance: Yes
• Color Options: Black, White, Red

Pros:

• Crisp, expansive sound
• Great feature set
• Stylish build and finish

Cons:

• High frequencies could use more refinement

While Earfun may not be the first brand that comes to mind when searching for AirPods alternatives, the Earfun Air can change that. These headphones are surprisingly inexpensive and offer delightfully pleasant sound.

The passive noise isolation is excellent (if you need noise cancellation, you'll need the Pro version), and these attractive earbuds are also very comfortable. They feature an IPX7 rating (meaning they are water-resistant), support virtual assistants, and offer Qi wireless charging if you have a compatible charging pad.

With a seven-hour battery life and an additional 28 hours with the charging case, the overall package feels quite premium for the price. Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity is solid and reliable, and for their price, the earbuds deliver clean sound.

If you need something that sounds good and offers a budget-friendly alternative to AirPods, the Earfun Air is what you need.

Best Value AirPods Alternative

The Sony WF-C700N is an excellent choice for those looking to replace standard AirPods 2 and 3.

Specifications:

• Noise Cancelling Function: Yes
• Bluetooth: AAC, SBC
• Battery Life: 7.5 hours (+7.5 hours with charging case)
• Wireless Charging: No
• Water Resistance: Yes
• Color Options: White, Black, Sage Green, Lavender

Pros:

• Very comfortable fit
• Impressive presentation for the price
• Detailed, dynamic, and musical sound

Cons:

• Charging case doesn’t significantly extend battery life
• No aptX or LDAC support

These affordable Sony wireless earbuds are positioned between the budget WF-C510 and the premium WF-1000XM5. Both models have received awards, so the C700N has high expectations to meet. But we're happy to report they live up to the family name, winning Product of the Year in the wireless headphones category for 2024.

We think these are excellent earbuds that more than justify their price. They’re very compact, and their lightweight design makes them even more comfortable than the Sony XM4. Battery life clocks in at seven and a half hours.

They lack aptX HD and LDAC support, but they do offer noise-canceling technology that’s absent in the WF-C510. The Adaptive Sound Control feature automatically switches listening modes based on your location, and Sony’s DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) enhances the quality of low-resolution audio files. The multipoint Bluetooth feature is also now available after a recent software update.

We find Sony’s sound quality to be exceptionally well-balanced: deep, detailed bass, expressive mids, and engaging highs. For the price, they are very musical headphones that clearly outperform the cheaper WF-C510.

What about the downsides? The lack of aptX HD and LDAC support is disappointing, and the charging case only provides one extra charge, which feels a bit skimpy. But with superb sound and a great feature set, these headphones are easy to recommend over standard AirPods.

Best Noise-Canceling AirPods Alternative

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra is the best alternative for those who prioritize noise cancellation.

Specifications:

• Noise Cancellation: Yes
• Bluetooth: AAC, SBC
• Battery Life: 6 hours (+18 hours with charging case)
• Wireless Charging: No
• Water Resistance: Yes
• Color Options: Black, Smoky White

Pros:

• Punchy, musical sound
• Solid, weighty bass
• Excellent ANC
• Comfortable

Cons:

• Powerful sound reduces battery life
• No multipoint Bluetooth
• No wireless charging

We all know Bose makes great wireless headphones, and the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds can be considered some of the best on the market today.

The Ultra earbuds provide a comfortable fit and come with lots of features. Bluetooth 5.3 is a big plus, as are the first Bose earbuds to include their own Immersive Audio spatial sound technology.

The Bose app allows you to adjust noise cancellation with several customizable presets. When it comes to noise cancellation, the new Bose earbuds remain top-notch. They can automatically adjust the noise cancellation level so your music is not drowned out by particularly loud sounds. The effect is impressive, and the noise cancellation is even better than that of AirPods Pro 2. As for the sound, it’s balanced, neutral, and rich in detail. Call quality is also good for the price.

It’s a pity there’s no support for high-quality wireless audio codecs such as LDAC or aptX HD, nor wireless charging or multipoint Bluetooth connectivity (which are available on Sony WF-1000XM5). But we don't think this is a deal-breaker considering how stylish these earbuds look.

Best AirPods Alternative for Running

The JBL Live Pro 2 TWS make a great pick if you need a pair for workouts.

Specifications:

• Operating System Support: Android / iOS
• Bluetooth Version: 5.2
• Noise Cancellation: Yes
• Battery Life: 8 hours (30 hours with charging case)
• Water Resistance Rating: IPX5
• Weight: 4.8 g per bud

Pros:

• Punchy, lively sound
• Firm, meaty bass
• User-friendly app and setup

Cons:

• No aptX HD or LDAC
• Control customization could be better
• Only three ear tip options

We think the best AirPods for workouts are the AirPods Pro 2, which provide a more stable and comfortable fit than standard AirPods and come with noise cancellation to help you tune out the noise in a crowded gym.

But they are pricier, which is why we've included the JBL Live Pro 2 TWS in this list. They’re more affordable than AirPods Pro 2 but offer five-star sound quality, comfort, and a wide range of useful features.

Their durable design and attractive look for the price make them stand out. Added features like wireless charging, IPX5 water resistance (most pairs are IPX4), and multipoint Bluetooth (which allows easy switching between two connected devices) make them better than many competitors in the same price range. With 30 hours of battery life (including eight hours on a single charge), JBL becomes a very attractive option.

The noise cancellation is good enough to block out external distractions, and the transparency mode comes in handy during your runs. And the sound quality is top-notch. What more can you ask for at this price?

Best Audiophile AirPods Alternative

The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 are more expensive than AirPods Pro 2 but more than justify their price.

Specifications:

• Noise Cancellation: Yes
• Bluetooth: 5.4
• Battery Life: 6.5 hours (earbuds), 20 hours (case)
• Wireless Charging: Yes
• Water Resistance: IP54
• Finish Options: 4 (Anthracite Black, Soft White, Midnight Blue, Jade Green)

Pros:

• Sensational level of detail
• Natural, refined sound
• User-friendly
• Competitive ANC

Cons:

• Call quality could be improved
• There’s a test for ear tip fit
• Some signal dropouts

Bowers & Wilkins isn’t new to the world of wireless headphones, but their past attempts have been hit or miss. However, everything has changed with their latest flagship pair.

If you want wireless headphones that transmit every detail and nuance, the Pi8 needs to be heard to be believed. During testing, our expert team found their ability to convey subtleties in recordings to be remarkably impressive. You won’t find a more detailed pair on this list. They’re also dynamic and rhythmic, entertaining you regardless of the musical genre you throw at them.

These headphones use a carbon diaphragm driver, which is also found in the five-star wireless PX8 headphones and works excellently in the Pi8.

As expected from a premium wireless headphone, the build quality and comfort are top-notch. High-quality plastics are used, whether it's the wireless charging case or the earbuds themselves. The case also serves as a wireless audio transmitter, meaning you can use it in an airplane where you want to stream audio from the in-flight entertainment system to your headphones, but the plane's system doesn’t support Bluetooth.

Their active noise cancellation effectively blocks low-frequency noise and disturbances, even though it’s not as effective as the Bose QC Ultra headphones found on this list. We find that Bose excels in suppressing high frequencies. Battery life is decent but not outstanding—6.5 hours on a single charge, and call quality at this level is good enough to compete with the key rivals.

Also Consider

Looking for something different? Here are other AirPods alternatives you might consider. Some of these are five-star products that just didn’t make the main list. Others may be four-star products that excel over AirPods in certain areas and might be worth your attention.

• Technics EAH-AZ100: If you can’t quite afford the B&W Pi8, the Technics EAH-AZ100 costs around $180 less but still delivers remarkably clear and open sound with superb detail. Their noise cancellation is on par with what you’d get from Bose, the connection is flawless, and there are plenty of premium features that justify the price.
• Cambridge Audio Melomania M100: They aren’t perfect, but the M100 offer a range of features comparable to AirPods Pro 2 and longer battery life. We’re talking an impressive 10 hours of use without recharge and 16 hours if you turn off noise cancellation. They sound spacious and balanced, with more than adequate noise cancellation for the price. We’d like them to sound more dynamic and engaging, and their transparency mode could be much better.
• Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4: If you're looking for another alternative to the Bose QC Ultra and Sony WF-1000XM5 featured in this list, Sennheiser also offers a premium pair that meets the requirements and is a step up from AirPods Pro 2. They sound rich and immersive, are comfortable and nice to use, and offer an array of customization options. The noise cancellation is also solid, although Bose might edge them out in that regard.
• Google Pixel Buds A-Series: If you own an Android or Google Pixel phone, chances are AirPods aren’t on your wish list. If you need a similar pair designed with the Google ecosystem in mind, the Pixel Buds A-Series are an excellent choice. They’re comfortable, user-friendly, sound detailed and musical, and easily pair with Android devices.
• Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: These are Samsung's latest premium earbuds that do an admirable job, even though they didn’t make the top list. Nevertheless, they’re a great fit for Samsung Galaxy smartphone users and come with features like noise cancellation, spatial audio, and seven hours of battery life. They produce bright and lively sound, although some may find them a bit harsh.

How to Choose the Best AirPods Alternatives?

First off, you need to determine which AirPods you want to replace. Are they the entry-level AirPods (2019), AirPods 3, or the latest AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation? Or maybe you need a pair of AirPods Pro 2 with ANC?

Are you already entrenched in the Apple ecosystem but don’t want to be tied down to it when choosing headphones? Or perhaps you use Android and just like the idea of having wireless earbuds with features that compete with AirPods?

Clearly, you’ll want to be mindful of your budget when considering AirPods alternatives. The good news here is that there are several excellent budget options in the budget segment of the market, as well as more premium alternatives if your budget allows.

You should also compare battery life to ensure the earbuds you’re considering will suit your commute and long listening sessions.

Now you can get maximum value for your money when it comes to the best budget wireless earbuds, and considering Apple products tend to be a bit pricier, you can find excellent deals.

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Frequently Asked Questions:

• Which headphones work best with iPhone? It really depends on your budget and requirements. If you need versatile headphones, we recommend the Sony WF-1000XM5. For the best noise-canceling technology, look at the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. However, don’t overlook Apple’s AirPods Pro 2, as they meet many needs and work excellently with iPhones.
• Do noise-canceling headphones really work? Yes, noise-canceling headphones effectively reduce ambient noise. Active noise cancellation uses microphones to detect external sounds and create sound waves that cancel them out.
• How long do wireless headphones usually last? Most wireless headphones offer anywhere from 5 to 12 hours of battery life on a single charge, with additional charges available from the case.
• Are cheaper alternatives worth it? Often, yes! Many budget-friendly options provide remarkable sound quality and features that rival high-end models, making them a great value.
• What should I consider when buying wireless headphones? Look for sound quality, comfort, battery life, and features like noise cancellation and water resistance.