The 5 Best AirPods Alternatives - Summer 2024

The best alternative to AirPods we've tested are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Truly Wireless. These high-end earbuds rival the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless and have a wide variety of features to help you get the most out of them. Like the AirPods Pro, they have a spatial audio feature that is accessible in their companion app and helps to create a more immersive and dimensional listening experience. They also offer better active noise cancellation (ANC), so they can reduce a wide range of sounds, like rumbly bus engines and ambient chatter, very well.

Out of the box, these well-built buds have a bass-heavy sound that delivers thump and rumble to audio. If you prefer something else, their app has a graphic EQ and presets to help you fine-tune their sound to your liking. With their ANC on, they last seven hours continuously, and their carrying case supplies an additional three charges. Their comfortable fit also ensures you can wear them for long periods without experiencing fatigue. However, their integrated mic has difficulty separating speech from background noise, so if you need to make an important call, it's best to do so from a quiet space.

The best AirPods Pro alternative we've tested in the upper mid-range price point are the Nothing Ear (2) Truly Wireless. These earbuds have a stem design like the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless and even come in white if you want to match the look of Apple earbuds as much as possible. More importantly, they have a well-balanced sound profile, so mixes have the right amount of rumble and body, while instruments and voices are clear and bright-sounding, though they can sound a little recessed in the mid-range. Unlike the AirPods, they have an in-app EQ and presets for sound customization. Their continuous battery life of 5.6 hours won't last through the whole day, but they come with a case that stores about four additional charges.

The Nothing Ear (2) Truly Wireless earbuds have an ANC feature, but they don't block out as much noise as our main pick or the AirPods. However, it's still good at blocking out background chit-chat and isolates you from some lower-pitched noise like rumbling engines. They're rated IP55 for dust and water resistance and are stable enough to stay in place for workouts.

If you'd prefer a less-recessed mid-range sound out of the box, consider their newer cousins, the Nothing Ear Truly Wireless, which have flatter mids and a slightly longer battery life of over seven hours. However, the Nothing Ear's mic has a worse recording quality. They're also prone to slightly more inconsistencies in audio delivery than the Nothing Ear (2), but it's still fairly minor, so you may have to spend a little time adjusting them to get a sound you like with each wear.

If you're looking for the best AirPods Pro clone in the mid-range, check out the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Truly Wireless. These comfortable, well-built earbuds are available in several different colors, including white. They're a great choice for on-the-go use thanks to their portable design and adaptive ANC feature, which offers a remarkably good performance for the price. You can also use their Transparency Mode to stay aware of your surroundings, like when walking down a busy city street. They're rated IPX4 for resistance against water splashes.

Out of the box, these headphones have a much more bass-heavy sound than the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless. That's great if you love to hear all the thump and rumble in your favorite EDM and hip-hop tunes, but fans of a more neutral sound might prefer the AirPods Pros' more controlled bass. Still, the Anker come with a graphic EQ and presets to help switch up their sound, which is a nice touch, especially since Apple doesn't offer EQ or sound customization with their AirPods. Plus, you can listen for up to nine hours without interruption, and their charging case gives you four extra recharges when you're out and about.

The Anker SoundCore Life P3 Truly Wireless are another great wallet-friendly pick. They're just as comfortable as the lower-end Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless and have a similar control scheme and battery performance. Their sound delivers more bass out of the box, which is sure to please EDM and hip-hop fans, and their app comes with a graphic EQ and presets to fine-tune your audio. While these lower-cost in-ears have great internals, you'll mainly feel the reduced price point in real-life experience. They feel more plasticky and less premium. The case's lid is also extremely flimsy and feels like it could break if dropped while open. Plus, its battery performance isn't as impressive as what you get with the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Truly Wireless.

The Anker don't offer as much noise cancellation, either. While their ANC is still excellent, the AirPods block out more of the rumble from bus and plane engines, making them more suitable for commuting. Naturally, they don't integrate as well as the AirPods into the Apple ecosystem, but they're still a great pick if you're looking for similar overall performance, albeit without premium features like a virtual soundstage.

Consider the Skullcandy Dime 3 True Wireless if you're on a tight budget. At this price, manufacturers tend to cut down on extra features. That said, these buds not only offer a very balanced and neutral sound out of the box, but they have a couple of EQ presets built-in, so you can still adjust their sound. Unlike the AirPods, they also support multi-device pairing, so you can connect them to your PC and smartphone simultaneously. Their continuous battery life of over eight hours will get you from point A to point B, and their charging case has two additional charges.

Beyond the features mentioned above, they have an otherwise simple design. They're well-built but aren't as comfortable as the slightly more expensive Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Truly Wireless, as their deep in-ear fit can put pressure on your ears. If comfort is a top priority, it's worth considering the Anker Soundcore P25i/P20i True Wireless instead. They rest well in the ear and are lightweight, so you can wear them for long listening sessions without becoming fatigued. However, they don't support multi-device pairing and sound less neutral out of the box.