Let me be honest with you right from the start. I never thought I’d be the person writing about alternatives to AirPods. For years, I was that guy who’d defend Apple’s earbuds in every conversation, justifying the $250 price tag with phrases like “but the ecosystem” and “seamless connectivity.”
Then my second pair of AirPods Pro died. Just… stopped holding a charge. And I thought to myself, “Am I really about to drop another $250 on earbuds that might last me two years?”
That question sent me down a rabbit hole that changed everything. Over the past three months, I’ve tested seven different wireless earbuds, all marketed as the best alternative to Apple AirPods. Some were incredible. Some were disasters. And one pair actually made me question why I ever bought AirPods in the first place.
What is the Best Alternative to Apple AirPods?
Here’s what I found: The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC are hands-down the best alternative to Apple AirPods for most people in 2025. At around $60-100 depending on sales, they deliver shockingly good noise cancellation, impressive sound quality, and actually stay in your ears during workouts.
But that’s just the headline. The real story is way more interesting, and it depends on what you actually need from your earbuds.
Why I Started Looking for AirPods Alternatives
I wasn’t looking to save money initially. I just wanted earbuds that didn’t fail on me every 18 months. But as I started researching, I discovered something the tech companies don’t really want you to know: AirPods aren’t the best at anything anymore.
Sure, they’re good. They’re convenient if you’re deep in the Apple ecosystem. But the competition has caught up and, in many cases, surpassed them. Brands like Anker, Sony, Bose, and even newcomers like CMF are making earbuds that sound better, cancel more noise, and cost half as much.
The other thing that bothered me? My AirPods Pro 2 kept slipping out during runs. I tried all four ear tip sizes, did the fit test probably twenty times, and still ended up adjusting them every five minutes. That’s not a premium experience. That’s frustrating.
My Testing Process – What I Actually Did
I’m not an audiophile with a $10,000 testing rig. I’m just a regular person who uses earbuds every single day for music, podcasts, work calls, and gym sessions. So my testing was pretty straightforward and real-world focused.
For each pair of earbuds, I:
- Wore them for at least 2-3 hours daily for two weeks minimum
- Tested them during my morning runs (about 3 miles, so plenty of movement)
- Made work calls in my noisy home office with kids in the background
- Tested noise cancellation on the subway and at a busy coffee shop
- Compared sound quality with the same playlist across all models
- Noted every little detail: weight, fit, texture, case size, charging speed
I wasn’t looking for perfection. I was looking for earbuds that just worked without constant adjustments or compromises.
My Top Pick: Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC ($60-100)
After three months of testing, the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC became my daily drivers, and I haven’t looked back.
When I first unboxed them, I’ll admit I was skeptical. The case felt lighter than my AirPods case, and I thought “here we go, cheap plastic.” But after using them for weeks, I realized that lighter doesn’t mean worse. The build quality is actually impressive for the price.
What I loved about them:
The noise cancellation shocked me. I’m talking genuinely surprised. I tested them on a crowded subway during rush hour, and they blocked out probably 80-85% of the noise. That’s comparable to my old AirPods Pro 2, which cost three times as much. The bass hit harder than I expected, especially when I tweaked the EQ in the Soundcore app. And speaking of that app, it’s probably the best companion app I’ve used for earbuds. Twenty-two EQ presets, a custom hearing test that generates a personalized sound profile, and even a fit test to make sure you’re getting proper noise cancellation.
Battery life is another win. With ANC turned on, I got around 9-10 hours per charge. The AirPods Pro 2 tap out at about 6 hours. That extra time made a real difference on long work days.
The earbuds stayed secure during runs too. They have this slightly oblong shape that just locked into my ears better than the AirPods ever did. No constant adjusting, no paranoia about them falling out.
What could be better:
The microphone quality during calls is just okay. Your voice sounds a bit distant and lacks depth, especially in windy conditions. If you make tons of phone calls, this might bother you. Also, there’s no wireless charging for the case, which isn’t a dealbreaker but would’ve been nice.
Budget Champion: CMF Buds Pro 2 ($50-60)
If you want the best alternative to Apple AirPods on a tight budget, the CMF Buds Pro 2 are absolutely wild for the price.
I bought these for $59 on Amazon, expecting them to be “decent for the money.” They’re way better than decent. They’re legitimately good earbuds that happen to cost $60.
My experience with them:
The most surprising thing? The noise cancellation is on par with the AirPods Pro 2 according to actual testing. I used them during a flight from New York to LA, and the plane engine noise just… disappeared. At 35,000 feet, listening to a podcast, and I could hear every word clearly without cranking the volume.
The sound quality scored higher than AirPods 4 in standardized testing, which seems impossible at this price point. Bass lovers will appreciate the emphasis you get out of the box, though some might find it a bit much. Luckily, the Nothing X app (yeah, CMF is made by Nothing) has a 3-band EQ to dial it back.
But here’s my favorite feature: the Smart Dial on the case. Instead of tapping the earbuds and breaking the seal in your ear, you just rotate this little dial on the case to adjust volume, skip tracks, or pause. It sounds gimmicky until you use it for a week, then you realize how genius it is. I could control my music with the case still in my pocket.
The downsides:
Battery life is decent but not amazing, about 6.5 hours with ANC on. They also use touch controls instead of pressure sensors like AirPods, which took some getting used to. And if you have smaller ears, the fit might not be as comfortable as some other options.
Still, for $60? These are almost too good to be true.
Premium Alternative: Sony WF-1000XM5 ($180-220)
If you want something that actually beats AirPods Pro 2 in sound quality and noise cancellation, the Sony WF-1000XM5 are the ones.
These were the most expensive earbuds I tested, but also the most impressive from a pure performance standpoint.
Why they impressed me:
The noise cancellation is borderline magic. I wore them while my neighbor was doing construction next door, with power tools and all, and I could barely hear anything. They’re consistently rated as having some of the best ANC in the market, and after using them, I get why.
Sound quality is where Sony really flexes. Vocals are crisp and present, bass has proper depth without being muddy, and the soundstage is wider than you’d expect from earbuds. Listening to orchestral music, I could actually distinguish different instrument sections. That’s pretty remarkable.
They’re also 25% smaller and 20% lighter than the previous XM4 model, which makes them way more comfortable for long listening sessions. I wore them for nearly 4 hours straight during a work marathon, and I didn’t get any ear fatigue.
Battery life is excellent too, around 8 hours with ANC on, plus another 16 hours in the case.
The catch:
They’re expensive. At $180-220, they’re not far off from AirPods Pro 2 pricing. Some users also report fit issues because they’re so small and glossy that they can slip out if you don’t push them deep into your ear canal. I didn’t have this problem, but it’s worth noting.
The foam ear tips are great for noise isolation but might feel uncomfortable if you’re not used to foam.
For Fitness: Beats Fit Pro
If you work out regularly and need earbuds that actually stay put, the Beats Fit Pro are hard to beat.
These are technically made by Apple (Beats is owned by Apple), but they work perfectly with Android phones too. That cross-platform compatibility is rare and really useful.
What makes them great for workouts:
The wing tips. These little flexible wings hook into your outer ear and keep the earbuds locked in place no matter how much you move. I did burpees, sprints, and even some headstands at yoga, and they didn’t budge.
Sound quality is excellent, with a bit more bass and treble sparkle than AirPods Pro 2. Noise cancellation is good, though not quite as strong as the AirPods Pro 2.
They have the H1 chip (same as older AirPods) which means seamless pairing with Apple devices, automatic switching between your iPhone and Mac, and hands-free Siri.
What’s not ideal:
The case doesn’t support wireless charging, which feels like an odd omission. Battery life is about 6 hours with ANC, same as AirPods Pro 2. And they’re pretty close in price to AirPods Pro 2 ($180-200), so the value proposition is mainly about that secure fit.
For Android Users: Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
If you have a Pixel phone or are deep in the Google ecosystem, the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 offer the same kind of seamless integration that AirPods give iPhone users.
What Android users get:
Instant pairing across all your devices signed into your Google account. The integration feels natural and effortless, just like AirPods do with iPhones.
The fit is fantastic. These are some of the smallest and lightest earbuds I tested, but they stayed secure during workouts thanks to the soft rubber fins on the back. One reviewer who hated the fit of previous Pixel Buds said these were a total game-changer.
Noise cancellation is impressive, reducing outside noise by about 80% in testing. That’s just slightly behind AirPods Pro 2 but still excellent.
The transparency mode is exceptional. It sounds so natural that you honestly forget you’re wearing earbuds. For safety during runs or just being aware of your surroundings, this matters a lot.
The limitations:
At $229, they’re expensive. iOS users won’t get all the features either, so these really only make sense if you’re on Android. Also, battery life is about 5 hours with ANC, which is on the shorter side.
What I Learned After 3 Months of Testing
This whole experience taught me that brand loyalty in the earbud market makes no sense anymore. The technology has matured to the point where $60 earbuds from a brand you’ve never heard of can deliver 90% of the performance of $250 AirPods.
Here’s what matters most based on my real-world testing:
Fit is everything. Sound quality, noise cancellation, battery life… none of it matters if the earbuds don’t stay comfortably in your ears. I learned this the hard way. The Sony XM5s sound incredible, but if they don’t fit your ears properly, you’ll be miserable.
The app experience is underrated. Having a good companion app with EQ controls, fit tests, and customization options made a huge difference in my daily experience. The Soundcore app was better than Apple’s limited controls, honestly.
Noise cancellation varies by environment. Some earbuds are better at blocking low-frequency rumbles like airplane engines, while others excel at cutting out mid-range sounds like office chatter. Test them in your actual use cases.
You don’t need to spend $200+ for great earbuds. This was the biggest revelation. The CMF Buds Pro 2 for $60 and the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC for $80-100 deliver premium features and sound quality.
Comparison: Which AirPods Alternative is Right for You?
Who Should Buy AirPods Alternatives (and Who Shouldn’t)
You should definitely consider alternatives if:
- You don’t own multiple Apple devices. The main advantage of AirPods is the ecosystem integration. If you just have an iPhone or mainly use Android, you’re paying for features you’re not using.
- You’re on a budget. You can get 90% of AirPods performance for 40-50% of the price.
- AirPods don’t fit your ears well. So many people struggle with AirPods falling out or feeling uncomfortable. There are alternatives with better fit designs.
- You want better sound quality. Brands like Sony and Bose make earbuds that sound noticeably better than AirPods for similar or less money.
- You work out regularly. Purpose-built fitness earbuds like Beats Fit Pro stay secure better than AirPods.
You should probably stick with AirPods if:
- You own an iPhone, iPad, MacBook, and Apple Watch, and you frequently switch between them. The automatic device switching really is magical.
- You rely heavily on Siri for hands-free control. Third-party earbuds work with Siri, but not as seamlessly.
- You prefer the stem design and pressure sensors. It’s subjective, but some people really love the AirPods design.
- You want the absolute best transparency mode. AirPods Pro 2 still have one of the most natural-sounding transparency modes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are cheap AirPods alternatives any good?
Yes, surprisingly so. I tested the CMF Buds Pro 2 at $60, and they matched or exceeded AirPods Pro 2 in noise cancellation testing. Budget earbuds have gotten really good in the past couple years. The main compromises are usually battery life and call quality, not sound or ANC.
Which earbuds have better noise cancellation than AirPods Pro?
The Sony WF-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds both have measurably better noise cancellation than AirPods Pro 2. In real-world use, I found the Sony earbuds blocked more low-frequency sounds like airplane engines, while the Bose were slightly better in offices and cafes.
Do AirPods alternatives work well with iPhone?
Absolutely. Every alternative I tested worked perfectly with my iPhone. You lose some Apple-specific features like automatic device switching and Find My integration, but basic functions like pairing, playback, and Siri all work fine. Some alternatives like Beats Fit Pro even have Apple chips inside for better iOS integration.
Final Verdict: My Recommendation
After testing seven different models and spending way too much time comparing specs and reading reviews, here’s what I’d tell a friend who asked me tomorrow:
For most people: Buy the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC. They cost $60-100, sound great, have excellent noise cancellation, and the battery lasts forever. They’re the best value in wireless earbuds right now, period.
If you’re on a tight budget: The CMF Buds Pro 2 for $50-60 are shockingly good. The Smart Dial feature is genius, and the ANC rivals earbuds costing four times as much.
If you want the absolute best sound and ANC: Get the Sony WF-1000XM5. They’re expensive at $180-220, but they genuinely beat AirPods Pro 2 in audio quality and noise cancellation.
If you work out: The Beats Fit Pro won’t budge from your ears. That secure fit is worth the premium price if you’re active.
As for me? The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC became my daily drivers, and I genuinely don’t miss my AirPods Pro. I saved $150, got better battery life, and the sound quality is just as good for my ears. That’s a win in my book.
The best alternative to Apple AirPods isn’t just one model—it depends on what you need. But the good news is there are now amazing options at every price point that rival or beat AirPods in meaningful ways. You just have to be willing to look beyond the Apple logo.
Ready to save money and get great sound? Check out the current prices on these models and see which one fits your needs and budget. Your ears (and wallet) will thank you.