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The #1 Best AirPods Alternatives RIGHT NOW (Budget & Premium Options)

Looking to get in on the wireless earbuds trend, but don’t want to pay Apple AirPods prices? Check out these awesome AirPods alternatives then…


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If you’re looking for decent Apple AirPods alternatives, you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll show you EXACTLY what the best AirPods alternatives you can buy right now are. AirPods are expensive, but as Xiaomi has proven with its brilliant RedMi AirDots, you can get amazing results for as little as $25.

Nokia joined the fray too in 2020 with its impressive Nokia Power EarBuds – and they’re significantly cheaper than the competition too.

We also have a guide to the best Apple AirPods Max Alternatives too, if you’re after over-ear headphones.

In order to cater to ALL needs, we’ve broken this article up into two sections: 1) Best Cheap AirPods Alternatives; and 2) Best AirPods Alternatives (Premium Options). You can see these options below. But right now our #1 favorite pair of AirPods alternatives have to be Samsung’s Galaxy Buds Plusthey’re cheaper than AirPods ($149), more comfortable, and they sound a lot better.

Why The Galaxy Buds Plus Get The Top Spot 

Samsung’s Galaxy Buds+ have crazy-good battery life (11 hours of non-stop listening), they’re super comfortable to wear for long periods of time, and they feature Samsung’s nifty Ambient Sound Awareness which lets you more clearly hear what’s going on around you – this makes them safer to use when running or cycling on roads.

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But the main area where Samsung’s Galaxy Buds Plus destroy Apple’s AirPods is sound quality. Engineered in conjunction with AKG, the Galaxy Buds Plus possesses an amazing dynamic range, thanks to dedicated woofers and tweeters inside each bud, which makes them an ideal choice for all kinds of music lovers – from metal to electro.

On top of this, the Galaxy Buds Plus is great for making and taking calls too. Featuring two dedicated internal microphones and one external microphone on each bud, call quality is exceptional and perfectly isolated from outside noises. And it is this aspect, combined with the awesome sound quality and battery life, which make the Galaxy Buds Plus our #1 pick for the best AirPods alternative in 2020.

Best Price | Walmart | $149.00


Best AirPods Alternatives (Premium Options For iOS & Android)

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#1) Sony WF-1000X – The #1 AirPods Alternative Right Now

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If you’re looking for the #1 alternative to Apple’s AirPods that are actually better than Apple’s wireless earbuds, then the Sony WF-1000X should be the ONLY thing you’re looking at…

With 9 hours of battery life, immense sound quality, and true noise-canceling technology built into them, Sony’s WF-1000X earbuds are the hottest true-wireless earbuds on the market right now.

The sound quality on the Sony WF-1000X is immense, some of the best we’ve ever heard from this style of headphones. Chuck in support for Siri and Google Assistant and you’re looking at the hottest pair of wireless earbuds on the market right now.

Why You’d Get These?

  • Best In Class Sound Quality
  • 9 Hour Batter Life
  • Siri & Google Assistant Support
  • Full Noise-Cancelling
  • Super-Lightweight
  • Check Prices @Amazon

#2) Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8 2.0 Truly Wireless

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When it comes to design and sound quality, few audio brands can match B&O for performance. The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8 2.0 Truly Wireless are exceptional in almost every regard with brilliant-sounding audio and exceptional battery life.

The fit and finish of the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8 2.0 is some of the best I have ever experienced. They’re more comfortable than Apple’s AirPods and the sound quality difference is like night and day – B&O’s technical prowess surpasses Apple’s in every way.

These B&O earbuds are powered by an electro-dynamic 5.7 mm driver which delivers balanced, detailed sound regardless of what style of music you’re listening too. The ONLY thing missing is ANC, which is a disappointment. But it’s not enough to be a deal-breaker, not when the sound and fit is as good as this.

Why You’d Get These?

  • Incredible Design & Finish
  • Perfectly Balanced Sound
  • Exceptional Battery Life
  • Fast Wireless Charging
  • Check Prices @Amazon

#3) Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 

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Cambridge Audio’s Melomania 1 are relatively new, but they’re also some of the best premium true-wireless earbuds on the planet right now. Packing in 9 hours of battery life, Bluetooth 5, and graphene-enhanced 5.8 drivers, these headphones deliver KILLER sounds.

The build quality of the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 is exceptional too. They’re super-lightweight and they fit beautifully inside your ear canal. And thanks to the inclusion of aptX, AAC, and SBC Codecs, you get 100% uninterrupted streaming.

For me, these are some of the best sounding true wireless earbuds on this list. You have full support for Siri and Google Assistant and they also double as an excellent way to take calls hands-free.

Audio on calls is crystal clear too, so if you do a lot of hands-free calling and you want the best possible sound for your music, the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 should be high on your list!

Why You’d Get These?

  • Beautiful Design & Build Quality
  • Exceptional Sound Quality
  • 9 Hour Battery Life
  • HD, Crystal-Clear Hands-Free Call Quality
  • Siri & Google Assistant Support
  • Near-Perfect Sound-Quality
  • Check Prices @Amazon

Best Cheap AirPods Alternatives – Our #1 Picks RIGHT NOW

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#1) BT EarBuds (Noise Cancelling)

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Small, light-weight AND noise canceling – and for less than $50. Yep, these mightily cool earbuds are a must-have for anyone that is shopping on a budget. The sound quality is immense, they’re fully waterproof and will work with iPhone and Android phones.

This style of wireless earbuds are perfect for activity too. You can wear them while you’re running or pumping iron and they’ll remain snuggly secured inside your ear canals.

But for me, the real star of the show here is the sound quality, which is augmented massively by some seriously impressive noise-canceling technology.

I used the BT EarBuds on a recent flight and they blocked out everything – screaming babies, the drone of the engines, even the person sat next to me.

Why You’d Get These?

  • Comfortable To Wear
  • They Do Noise-Cancelling For Better Listening Experiences
  • Comes With Charge-On-The-Go Case
  • Awesome Battery Life (15+ Hours)
  • Fits Any Type of Ear (You Get Three Ear Tips Included)
  • Ridiculous Value For Money – Check Price @Amazon

#2) Juckbo Wireless Earbuds

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For the price – less than $45 – the sound quality produced by the Juckbo Wireless Earbuds is staggering. I wasn’t expecting sound quality this good from a sub-$60 pair of wireless earbuds, but I can happily say that these bad boys REALLY deliver the goods.

Compatible with iOS and Android, as well as all computer platforms, the Juckbo Wireless Earbuds are simple to pair and set-up and really comfortable in the ear, making them an ideal choice for runners or those seeking earbuds that can be worn for long periods of time.

Why You’d Get These?

  • They’re Super Comfy In Your Ears
  • Excellent Sound Quality – Bass Response is Incredible
  • Lightweight Design, Premium Build Materials
  • Great Call-Quality For Hands-Free Chats & Conferencing
  • 180 Day Warranty
  • Comes With Three Sizes of Ear Tips
  • Excellent Value For Money – Check Price @Amazon

#3) SoundPEATS True Wireless Earbuds

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These are the cheapest AirPod alternatives on this list, but do not let that put you off – the SoundPEATS True Wireless Earbuds produce outstanding, high-quality sound and the battery life is immense. I’m talking days of heavy-usage before a re-charge is required.

Closing mimicking the design of Apple’s AirPods, the SoundPEATS True Wireless Earbuds are designed for active users; they’ll stay glued to your ears regardless of what you’re doing. And the sound quality? It’s very good. For the price, I think everyone will be blown away by these wireless earbuds.

Why You’d Buy These?

  • Amazing Battery Life
  • Crystal Clear Sound w/ Excellent Bass & Mid
  • Snug Fit; Ideal For Wearing During Work Outs
  • Works With iOS, Android, Mac & Windows
  • Noise Isolation Tech via RealTek Chipset
  • Brilliant Hands-Free Calling Performance
  • Amazing Performance, Great Price – Check Price @Amazon

#4) Tribit X1 Wireless Earbuds

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The Tribit X1 Wireless Earbuds feature dual 6mm dynamic speakers inside each pod. This, combined with their lightweight comfy design, provides some of the best audio experiences around. Chuck in the fact that they’re 100% water-proof and you’re in a very good place indeed.
The Tribit X1 Wireless Earbuds will work with Android and iOS and they have excellent battery life – up to 18+ hours of listening time in between charges. Bluetooth 5.0 ensures constant connection to your phone and extended range, making these earbuds a must-have in the AirPod alternatives for under $50 niche!

Why You’d Get These?

  • Perfectly Designed & Super-Lightweight
  • Excellent Sound Quality Inc. Sharp Highs & Decent Bass
  • On-The-Go Charging Case
  • Works With iPhone, Android, iOS & Windows
  • Bluetooth 5.0 Means Flawless Connections
  • 100% Splash-Proof
  • My #1 Favorite AirPod Alternatives – Check Price @Amazon

How Do These Compare To Actual AirPods? 

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Everybody knows that Apple charges a premium for its products. Proper AirPods are awesome, especially if you use an iPhone – they can do loads of neat things. But this doesn’t mean that they’re essential. If you just want good-quality sound and a comfortable fit, you can save a TON of money going with one of the above options.

Me personally? I’d rather pay 40 odd bucks for a pair of wireless earbuds simply because I use them to go running in – and this means they get really sweaty and rained on. All I need from them is to cancel out background noise, which all of the above options do, and produce decent sound.

I’ve road-tested all of the above AirPods alternatives, and they all performed brilliantly. They aren’t listed in order either, so don’t go thinking the #1 option is the best because they’re all more or less equal with respect to battery life and overall sound quality. If I did have to pick a favorite for a budget alternative, however, I’d probably go for the Tribit X1 wireless earbuds.

For the #1 premium alternative to Apple’s AirPods, I’d 100% go with the Sony WF-1000X. Why? Same as above: they’re excellent earbuds that feature outstanding sound quality and full noise-canceling. They’re pricey, but they support Siri and Google Assistant and they have great battery life – 9+ hours. And I really like how lightweight they are too. But you could pretty much say the same thing about ALL the wireless earbuds listed above.

Bottom line: whichever pair you go for, you’re going to be in good hands. All the models come with warranties and they all possess excellent specs and features, just for a fraction of the cost of Apple’s AirPods. I like value for money, and if you do too, you’ll go with one of the above AirPod alternative options instead of paying three figures for pair from Apple.

>>>Click Here To View Best Premium AirPods Alternatives Again

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Be sure to check out Do AirPods Affect Your Hearing?

Richard Goodwin

Richard Goodwin is a leading UK technology journalist with a focus on consumer tech trends and data security. Renowned for his insightful analysis, Richard has contributed to Sky News, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 2, and CNBC, making complex tech issues accessible to a broad audience.

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