Top Alternatives to AirPods for 2025: Best Wireless Earbuds

Explore the best alternatives to AirPods in 2025. We cover top wireless earbuds that blend style and performance.

The Rise of AirPods Alternatives

The iconic design of Apple AirPods has sparked a wave of imitation over the past few years. However, the majority of these imitation earbuds fall short of quality. Instead of choosing subpar alternatives, it’s wiser to select earbuds from reputable brands that mirror the AirPods design while providing excellent performance. While these alternatives may not look exactly like AirPods, they deliver solid performance, and many feature the familiar "stem" design. In fact, some of these options can rival premium Apple earbuds, often at a more affordable price.

It's essential to highlight that models like the Apple AirPods 4 retain the classic earbud shape, while others, such as the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation), offer silicone tips that make them in-ear headphones. The latter type provides superior noise isolation, helping to block out noise, but some users find the first type to be less intrusive and more comfortable. Meanwhile, Apple AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation strike a unique balance between adequate sound suppression and a loose fit, a feat that no other noise-canceling earbuds we've tested have achieved so far.

Top AirPods Alternatives Detailed

Best Overall AirPods Alternative

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Truly Wireless

• Sport & Fitness: 8.1
• Travel: 8.0
• Office Use: 7.2
• Wireless Gaming (in development): 5.6
• Wired Gaming (in development): 5.5
• Sound Accuracy: 7.2
• Noise Isolation: 8.5
• Microphone (in development): 5.3
• Frequency Response Consistency: 9.0
• Bass Levels: Increased (4 dB)
• Treble Levels: Balanced (0 dB)
• Sound Signature: Warm
• Type: Earbuds
• Body: Closed-back
• Wireless: Truly Wireless
• Transducer: Dynamic
• Noise Cancellation: Yes
• Microphone: Yes

Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds are our top pick for the best AirPods alternative we've tested. These high-quality earbuds rival the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) and come packed with features that help you get the most out of them. Like the AirPods Pro, they support spatial audio, available through the companion app, creating a more immersive sound experience. Their active noise cancellation (ANC), while not as effective as that of the AirPods Pro, is quite adept at cutting out various sounds, from bus engine noise to nearby conversations.

These well-constructed earbuds deliver rich bass and striking sound quality. If you want a different audio experience, their app includes a graphic equalizer and presets to customize the sound to your liking. With noise cancellation engaged, they provide seven hours of continuous use, with an additional three charges available in the case. Their comfortable fit allows for hours of wear without fatigue. However, the built-in microphone struggles to distinguish speech from background noise, so it's better to make important calls in a quieter environment.

Best Upper Mid-Range AirPods Alternative

Technics EAH-AZ80

• Neutral Sound: 7.3
• Commuting / Traveling: 8.0
• Sport/Fitness: 8.3
• Office: 7.6
• Wireless Gaming: 5.7
• Wired Gaming: 5.6
• Phone Calls: 6.8
• Type: In-ear
• Body: Closed-back
• Wireless: Truly Wireless
• Transducer: Dynamic
• Noise Cancellation: Yes
• Microphone: Yes

Technics EAH-AZ80 earbuds are the best alternative to the AirPods Pro if you seek premium features without overspending. These earbuds have impressive noise cancellation capabilities. While not as powerful as Bose, the adjustable ANC effectively shields your ears from noise, such as bus engines and café clattering. Like Bose, these earbuds are well-made, featuring quality finishes and an IPX4 rating for water protection.

If you want to customize sound further, the convenient app provides a five-band equalizer along with presets. The default sound profile is rich and warm, with a slight dip in high frequencies, delivering deep bass and clear vocals without harshness. Although the battery life is slightly longer at 7.3 hours compared to Bose, the case offers fewer recharges, necessitating more frequent plugging in. Technics also features a unique triple Bluetooth pairing, allowing easy transitions between your phone, laptop, and tablet, unlike Apple's H1/H2 chip. These earbuds use the LDAC codec for high-resolution audio playback, but you cannot use it when connecting multiple pairs simultaneously.

Best Mid-Range AirPods Alternative

Nothing Ear

• Sport & Fitness: 8.0
• Travel: 7.6
• Office Use: 7.4
• Wireless Gaming (in development): 5.7
• Wired Gaming (in development): 5.6
• Sound Accuracy: 7.6
• Noise Isolation: 7.5
• Microphone (in development): 7.0
• Frequency Response Consistency: 7.8
• Bass Levels: Slightly emphasized (2 dB)
• Treble Levels: Slightly reduced (-2 dB)
• Sound Signature: Warm
• Type: In-ear
• Body: Closed-back
• Wireless: Truly Wireless
• Transducer: Dynamic
• Noise Cancellation: Yes
• Microphone: Yes

The Nothing Ear earbuds are the best mid-range alternative to AirPods Pro, featuring a stem design akin to the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) and equipped with touch-sensitive controls. Their well-balanced sound profile delivers rich bass and volume to your music, while instruments and vocals sound clear and vibrant. Unlike AirPods, they come with an extensive equalizer and presets for sound customization. With a battery life of 7.5 hours, they also outlast AirPods Pro.

Nothing Ear earbuds feature noise cancellation, though not as effective as Technics or AirPods. Still, they filter out background noise well, isolating you from low-frequency sounds like construction noise. Along with the case, they boast an IP55 rating (IP54 for the earbuds), protecting against dust, which Technics lacks. Moreover, they stay securely in place during workouts. Unlike the previous model, these earbuds do not have a battery-saving mode or triple pairing capabilities.

If you don’t need extensive sound customization, considering the simpler Nothing Ear (a) can save you a few bucks, as they perform similarly to their fully featured counterparts. However, if you often make calls or need extended battery life, the Nothing Ear is the way to go.

Best Lower Mid-Range AirPods Alternative

Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Truly Wireless

• Sport & Fitness: 7.8
• Travel: 7.9
• Office Use: 7.4
• Wireless Gaming (in development): 5.8
• Wired Gaming (in development): 5.7
• Sound Accuracy: 7.6
• Noise Isolation: 8.1
• Microphone (in development): 6.3
• Frequency Response Consistency: 9.2
• Bass Levels: Very strong (7 dB)
• Treble Levels: Balanced (0 dB)
• Sound Signature: Enhanced Bass
• Type: In-ear
• Body: Closed-back
• Wireless: Truly Wireless
• Transducer: Dynamic
• Noise Cancellation: Yes
• Microphone: Yes

If you're seeking the best AirPods Pro clone in the lower price range, consider the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Truly Wireless. These comfortable, well-built earbuds come in various colors, including white. They’re ideal for on-the-go use thanks to their portable design and adaptive noise cancellation feature, which delivers surprisingly good performance for the price. You can also switch to transparency mode to stay aware of your surroundings, like when walking down a busy street. They hold an IPX4 rating for splash resistance.

By default, these earbuds produce richer bass than Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation). This is fantastic if you love the thumping beats in your favorite EDM and hip-hop tracks, but fans of a more balanced sound may prefer the AirPods Pro's more controlled bass. Nevertheless, the Anker package includes a graphic equalizer and presets for sound modification, a welcome addition, especially since Apple doesn’t offer such customization with their AirPods. Additionally, you can listen to music for up to nine hours continuously, and the charging case provides four extra charges when you’re on the go.

If you're willing to forgo the stemmed design, the Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless offers a flatter frequency response by default and slightly better noise cancellation. However, their casing feels cheaper, and the battery life is about an hour shorter.

Best Budget AirPods Alternative

CMF Buds Pro 2

• Neutral Sound: 6.4
• Commuting / Traveling: 7.9
• Sport/Fitness: 8.1
• Office: 7.0
• Wireless Gaming: 5.3
• Wired Gaming: 5.2
• Phone Calls: 6.8
• Type: In-ear
• Body: Closed-back
• Wireless: Truly Wireless
• Transducer: Dynamic
• Noise Cancellation: Yes
• Microphone: Yes

The CMF Buds Pro 2 are a genuine wireless find if you want to avoid overspending on AirPods. These budget earbuds share the same aesthetic as Apple Buds but come in brighter colors, from subdued gray to eye-catching orange. They deliver punchy bass like the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC, but the high frequencies are relatively subdued by default. For sound customization, you can use the simplified companion app with a minimalist three-band equalizer. Instead of seamless switching between Apple devices with the H1/H2 chip in a single iCloud account, enjoy the ability to pair two non-Apple devices simultaneously.

Unlike AirPods, these earbuds use touch controls instead of pressure-sensitive sensors, and their case has a new dial for assigning additional controls. Despite their six and a half hours of battery life (with three charge cycles in the case), they lack the longer usage time and four charge cycles offered by Anker. If you have small ears, they may not be as comfortable as Anker Soundcore P25i. However, their noise cancellation system is quite impressive, especially for the price, and the microphone and noise cancellation work well for calls, making them a compelling alternative to Apple.

Best Unsealed AirPods Alternative

Nothing Ear (stick)

• Neutral Sound: 7.3
• Commuting / Traveling: 6.2
• Sport/Fitness: 8.1
• Office: 6.2
• Wireless Gaming: 5.9
• Wired Gaming: 5.8
• Phone Calls: 6.2
• Type: Earbuds
• Body: Closed-back
• Wireless: Truly Wireless
• Transducer: Dynamic
• Noise Cancellation: Yes
• Microphone: Yes

If you prefer traditional AirPods without ear tips, the Nothing Ear (stick) is your best alternative. Their open design allows you to hear the environment around you while providing minimal sound isolation, ensuring great awareness. Although Nothing added noise cancellation in a later update, for those needing isolation, it’s wise to stick with previous noise-canceling models listed here. Like AirPods, the Nothing earbuds utilize touch-sensitive controls, although they’re a bit simpler without volume adjustments.

They're also quite affordable compared to Apple. Despite being in different price ranges, Nothing still provides a multifunctional app that allows you to adjust the equalizer to boost weak bass. Additionally, these earbuds have an IP54 rating, while the case boasts an IP55 rating for dust and splash resistance. Battery life is about the same as Apple AirPods 4.

However, like other earbuds on this list, Nothing Ear (stick) lacks Apple-oriented features, such as the H1/H2 chip for seamless switching between devices within the same iCloud account or Apple Spatialize functionality. While the cylindrical design of Nothing Ear impresses visually, it may not always be practical as it rolls on inclined surfaces. Still, if you’re seeking earbuds mimicking the AirPods shape, these outperform them in aspects like calling due to their enhanced microphone system.

Other Considerations

• OnePlus Buds 3: These earbuds feature a neckband design similar to Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) and offer improved microphone performance compared to Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC, but they struggle with noise isolation, and battery life is shorter.
• Anker Soundcore P40i: These budget earbuds offer noise cancellation but typically cost more than CMF Buds Pro 2. Their sound is sharper by default than CMF, with less stable bass. However, longer battery life and additional ear tips justify the higher price.
• Devialet Gemini II True Wireless: If you equate AirPods with quality, check out these premium earbuds featuring top-tier noise cancellation and balanced sound quality, alongside a reliable microphone system. However, their battery life is shorter than Bose QuietComfort Ultra wireless earbuds.
• Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless: These flagship earbuds from Sony boast fantastic active noise cancellation, but they fit more snugly in the ear due to foam tips compared to Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation). If you seek the best-in-class active noise cancellation and spatial sound from AirPods Pro, these won’t disappoint.

Explore our detailed review of the best wireless earbuds for 2025.

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