The best AirPods alternatives in 2025, tested by editors

The best AirPods alternatives we tested
Best AirPods Pro alternative: Sony WF-1000XM5
Best AirPods Max alternative: Beats Studio Pro
Best budget AirPods alternative: EarFun Air 2
Best AirPods alternative for working out: Beats Fit Pro We love our Apple headphones and earbuds, but there are plenty of reasons to check out one of the best AirPods alternatives instead. Maybe you have an Android phone, or maybe you don't feel like paying Apple prices. Heck, maybe you just want to stand out from the hordes of AirPods loyalists cramming your subway car every morning. Either way, we've got some great substitutes to recommend at every level, all pulled from countless hours jamming out in the name of testing.
Ready to try something different? From excellent budget buds and workout headphones to over-ear headphones that are a fraction of the price of AirPods Max, here are the AirPods alternatives that are actually worth buying.
Sony WF-1000XM5 ANC Earbuds
The Sony WF-1000XM5 beat out the AirPods Pro 2 on nearly every level, while working equally well on iOS and Android devices.Read our review
Beats Studio Pro Bluetooth Wireless Headphones
The Beats Studio Pro look great, sound great and get you nearly all the AirPods Max's key features for a fraction of the price. Read our review
EarFun Air 2 Earbuds
The best-sounding earbuds under $50 that we've tested, the EarFun Air 2 offer a ton of functionality for a low price.Read our review
Beats Fit Pro True Wireless Earbuds
The Beats Fit Pro pack many of the same features as the AirPods Pro, but within an even more comfortable, secure and stylish design that's tailor-made for the gym. Read our review If budget isn't a concern and you simply want something better than the AirPods Pro 2 in nearly every way, the decision is easy: just get the latest Sony earbuds. Our pick for the best true wireless earbuds overall are a predictably great replacement for Apple's noise-canceling buds, with superior sound, style and features no matter what platform you're on.
Sony's sound quality has kept the brand's earbuds and headphones at the top of our rankings for years, and that remained true with the WF-1000XM5. They sound phenomenal out of the box and come loaded with tech that can upscale older tracks to make them sound fresh while giving you tons of tools for making things sound exactly how you want them to. We especially love the Find Your Equalizer setting, which uses a listening test to create a custom sound profile based on your preferences.
The buds' active noise cancellation is likewise excellent, silencing crowded grocery stores and whirring trains at a level we found to be on par with the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2. While it's a little clunky, the Sony Connect app gets both iOS and Android users a boatload of features, including Speak-to-Chat that'll automatically pause your music when you talk and Adaptive Sound Control that can switch between ANC and Ambient Sound based on your surroundings.
Sony's flagship earbuds have only gotten sleeker over the years, to the point where the WF-1000XM5 make a great understated alternative to the AirPods Pro 2 and their somewhat conspicuous stems. Their ovular design enables a comfortable experience, even for hours at a time, and unlike the AirPods Pro 2, these buds come in three attractive, luxurious shades: black, silver and Smoky Pink.
These best-in-class buds don't come cheap at $300, though they often hit the same $200 sale price the AirPods Pro 2 often hover around these days. Whether you want something that stands out from the Apple crowd or are simply willing to invest in a pair of buds that beat the AirPods on sound, style and cross-platform compatibility, the XM5 are absolutely worth it.
You'll notice a recurring theme throughout this guide: Beats headphones give you almost all the key features of their AirPods counterparts but at a much lower price and with more style and versatility. And there's no better example of that than the Beats Studio Pro, which make a superb fill-in for the AirPods Max for what's oftentimes less than half the cost.
The Studio Pro are the latest refinement of Beats' beloved and popular noise-canceling headphones, sporting that familiar design with the big ear cups and the small 'b' logo that you've probably seen on everyone from celebrities to your fellow commuters. The Studio Pro are the best-looking and best-feeling iteration yet, with an understated design available in several slick hues (including a special Kim Kardashian edition) and supple memory foam padding that I was happy to have on my head for hours on end.
In my testing, Beats' latest on-ear headphones provided superb active noise cancellation, reliably drowning out chatty subway riders and construction noise nearly as well as the AirPods Max. They also sounded great for every genre of music I threw at them, offering a healthy blend of head-thumping bass and clear guitars and vocals. They also offer legit all-day battery life, with a rating of 40 hours with ANC and Transparency off, and 24 hours with ANC on — two figures that were more or less accurate in our day-to-day testing.
But what makes the Studio Pro the best AirPods Max replacement is that they do nearly everything that Apple's high-end headphones do. Instant pairing with your iPhone? Check. Immersive personalized spatial audio? Yep. Hands-free Siri controls? You bet. Even better, these headphones remain excellent for folks on team Android, with a Beats companion app that offers the same robust list of features you'd find within your iOS settings on an iPhone. And that's not the only thing that makes the Beats Studio Pro more versatile than the AirPods Max. You can also use them as good ole' wired headphones via the 3.5mm headphone jack (which AirPods Max doesn't have) or the USB-C port, with the latter unlocking high-resolution audio, adjustable EQ modes and the ability to charge while you listen.
The Studio Pro's one big flaw is the lack of automatic wearing detection, which means they won't pause on their own when you take them off like the AirPods Max and Sony WH-1000XM6 do. Sony's latest flagship headphones are the best out there right now, thanks to their best-in-class sound quality and superb ANC, but they're also expensive at $450 — and lack the Studio Pro's Apple-exclusive perks. Considering that the Studio Pro often drop to as low as $169 and pack many of the AirPods Max's marquee features, they're a no-brainer substitute.
AirPods don't come cheap; the most affordable pair you can get right now are the AirPods 4, and those hover between $100 and $120 most of the time. But what if I told you there was a great alternative for less than $50? The EarFun Air 2 check every box you could want from a pair of cheap earbuds, all while doing some things that Apple's more expensive buds can't.
The EarFun Air 2 have a familiar, AirPods-like design, except they come in slick black and sport swappable silicon tips for an extra-secure fit (something you won't find on the AirPods 4). Their sleek case also supports wireless charging — a huge convenience missing from the $119 AirPods 4 — and their IPX7 waterproof rating makes them more ready for rain and sweat than the water-resistant AirPods.
We were shocked by how good the EarFun Air 2 sound for their price, with balanced audio that kept our heads bumping while keeping our favorite vocals clear and present. For music nerds, the Air 2 support Sony's LDAC audio codec, which allows you to enjoy high-resolution audio on supported Android phones. This is the kind of feature you typically only find on premium-priced earbuds, and we found it to make a notable difference in testing. And unlike the AirPods, the EarFun Air 2 have a dedicated companion app on both iOS and Android that lets you customize the sound via an equalizer and utilize special features like a low-latency Game mode.
The Air 2 can get you up to nine hours of nonstop listening, improving on the AirPods 4 by four hours. Using LDAC mode drops that run time down to 5.5 hours, but that's still more than what you'll get on the AirPods by default. You also get a total of 40 hours with the charging case, which was more than enough to get us through a full week of on-and-off use.
There's not much to complain about for the price here, though we found the EarFun Air 2's touch controls to be frustratingly finicky at times. If you're willing to spend around $20 more, the EarFun Air Pro 4 are a legit AirPods Pro alternative with some pretty impressive noise cancellation. But if you're on a strict sub-$50 budget and want a good pair of buds that work like AirPods (and do more), the EarFun Air 2 handily earn their title as the best budget earbuds available now.
AirPods Pro work fine in the gym for lots of people — myself included — but maybe you want something more secure and built specifically for a sweaty day of exercise. Enter the Beats Fit Pro. These excellent workout headphones have near-complete feature parity with the AirPods Pro but within an ultra-comfortable design that has lots of unique perks over Apple's ubiquitous flagship.
The Beats Fit Pro's distinct wingtip design nestles comfortably in your ear, creating a snug seal that's more secure than that of the AirPods while still being relatively discreet and unobtrusive. I've used them for everything from casual commuting to sweaty basketball sessions over the years and never once had to worry about them falling out. I've always found the Powerbeats Pro's ear-hook design (which clips around your entire ear) to be too bulky and annoying to put on, so being able to enjoy some extra security within something so compact is a huge plus.
Beats' fitness buds also just look great. Their color selection has expanded to seven different shades since they first launched, with options ranging from simple black and gray to an attractive Stone Purple and eye-popping Volt Yellow. That's a lot more variety than you'll find on the AirPods Pro 2, which are stuck in boring ol' white.
More importantly, the Beats Fit Pro work like a pair of AirPods Pro in all the ways that matter — on top of having a few distinct advantages. If you're an iPhone owner, you'll enjoy the same effortless pairing, hands-free Siri controls, Find My support and immersive spatial audio you'll find on Apple's buds. Their sound quality and active noise cancellation are pretty comparable to that of the original AirPods Pro, even if you do lose out on the AirPods Pro 2's neat Adaptive Audio feature that can adjust between ANC and Transparency.
And like Beats' other headphones, Fit Pro have the advantage of working just as well on Android as they do on iOS, with a dedicated Beats app that lets you customize controls, switch sound modes and perform an Ear Tip Fit Test just like you would on an iPhone. It helps that the Beats Fit Pro have even better battery life than their Apple counterpart: up to seven hours on a single charge versus six on the AirPods Pro 2.
The Fit Pro does have its drawbacks, namely in the form of a bulkier case that lacks wireless charging. But those are small trade-offs to make for a pair of earbuds that get you nearly everything great about the AirPods Pro — all while being a better, more stylish fit both in and out of the gym.
Price
There are a few things to consider when kicking AirPods to the curb, starting with how much you're willing to pay. If budget isn't a concern, premium options like the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones and Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Earbuds offer a lot of advantages over AirPods for similar (if not slightly lower) prices. For those looking to save, EarFun is an excellent budget brand that has options at every level, including the EarFun Air Pro 4 that are surprisingly comparable to the AirPods Pro 2 for a fraction of the price.
Compatibility
If you're an iPhone user who doesn't want to go the AirPods route, you should strongly consider Apple's own Beats brand. Beats headphones and earbuds pretty much work just like a pair of AirPods on your Apple devices, meaning they'll pair instantly and get you access to extras like spatial audio and hands-free Siri commands. Better yet, they're usually cheaper than their AirPods equivalents, come in a wider range of colors and have their own exclusive perks. At the same time, they're also a great AirPods alternative for Android folks, thanks to the robust Beats app that gets you most of the same features you'd enjoy on an iPhone.
If you want that same Apple-like integration on the Android side of things, consider what phone you have. As you might expect, Google's Pixel Buds work best on Pixel phones, while Samsung's Galaxy Buds line is optimized for the company's own handsets. Regardless of what Android phone you have, we recommend keeping an eye out for buds that support Google Fast Pair and Find My Device, as this will give you a similar level of smooth connectivity and easy tracking that iPhone owners enjoy with their AirPods.
How you use them
Finally, think about your use case. Want something more gym-friendly than the AirPods Pro? Go with the Beats Fit Pro or Powerbeats Pro 2 for a more secure fit. If you're after a pair of sleep headphones you can wear to bed, we love the Soundcore by Anker Sleep A20 and Ozlo Sleepbuds. For travelers looking to drown out noise above all else, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds deliver our favorite noise cancellation. And for a great all-arounder, there's of course our top pick in the Sony WF-1000XM5.
Design
Comfort: We wore each of these headphones for at least a week's worth of regular use, noting how comfortable and secure they were as well as how easy they were to adjust to your liking (via swappable ear tips or cups, for example).
Controls: User-friendliness played a major part in our rankings, so we tested each headphones' on-ear controls and took note of how intuitive and customizable they were.
Aesthetics: While comfort and sound are king, your headphones and earbuds should look good. Models with great overall design won some extra points in our testing, particularly if they offered multiple color options.
Performance
Sound quality: We ran each pair of headphones through our usual mix of rock, hip-hop and electronic music, while trying out any custom EQ modes and spatial audio settings that were available.
Battery life: We took note of how long each pair of headphones lasted us, and how that run time compared to each manufacturer's estimate. Earbuds that support wireless charging, or any model that supports fast charging, got bonus points.
Features: We tried out every key feature available on each pair of headphones. We took note of how useful they were and, of particular relevance to this guide, how close each pair was to Apple's AirPods in terms of feature parity.
Sony WH-1000XM6 Over-Ear Headphones
Sony's new flagship headphones feature a refined, folding design; a streamlined carrying case; and up to 40 hours of battery life.Read our review If you're looking for the best over-ear headphones rather than something that works just like the AirPods Max, the Sony WH-1000XM6 are worth the splurge. They offer the best sound quality and ANC we've tested in a pair of premium headphones, and unlike Apple's line, offer a full suite of features on both iOS and Android.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Earbuds
These premium ANC buds combine highly adjustable sound and ANC within a distinct, luxurious design.Read our review A close runner-up for the title of best AirPods Pro alternative, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are the way to go if you value active noise cancellation above all else. Unlike many competitors, the QC Ultra earbuds let you set a custom ANC level, and the earbuds' Immersive Audio feature is a nice 360-degree substitute for Apple's Spatial Audio.
EarFun Air Pro 4 Earbuds
These affordable noise-canceling earbuds offer up to 11 hours of battery life and loads of features for both iOS and Android users.Read our review The EarFun Air Pro 4 don't just make a good case for the best budget AirPods alternative; they're also a legit substitute for the pricier AirPods Pro. We found the Air Pro 4 to sound even better than Apple's highest-end buds, complete with longer battery life and impressive ANC for the price. If you can pay a little more than the EarFun Air 2's sub-$50 price tag, these are a no-brainer.
Beats Solo Buds Bluetooth Earbuds
Beats' most affordable wireless earbuds sport a stylish, compact and colorful design that holds up to 18 hours of continuous battery life. Read our review A stylish and affordable alternative to the AirPods 4, the Solo Buds sound better than anything we've tested in the sub-$80 range. They're also super attractive and compact, with a unique pill-shaped case that'll fit in even the tightest pockets. You won't get ANC or many of the other high-end Apple features on other Beats buds, but these are great basic earbuds for the money.
Beats Studio Buds+ Sweat-Resistant Bluetooth Earbuds
These popular buds come in black, silver or off-white as well as a striking transparent design. They offer up to 36 hours of battery life and many of the AirPods Pro's key features.Read our review The direct Beats equivalent to the AirPods Pro 2, the Beats Studio Buds+ offer strong audio quality, good ANC and that smooth, effortless integration with all your Apple stuff (they make a damn fine set of Android earbuds too). They're also some of the best-looking AirPods alternatives we've tested; particularly that gorgeous transparent model. They're missing some key AirPods features like wireless charging and an Ear Tip Fit Test, but they make a worthy substitute at their relatively low and oft-discounted price.
Apple AirPods 4 With ANC
The higher-end version of the AirPods 4 feature impressive noise cancellation, excellent sound and all the usual perks of the Apple ecosystem.Read our review I know what you're thinking: What are AirPods doing on an AirPods alternative list? Well, the ANC-enabled version of the latest AirPods 4 are actually a pretty good alternative to the AirPods Pro 2. Their noise cancellation is strikingly good for a pair of open earbuds, and they're some of Apple's best-sounding buds yet. They're also technically cheaper than the Pro 2 at $179 versus $249, though the sheer frequency of big AirPods Pro 2 discounts makes that kind of moot. Still, if you're set on getting a pair of AirPods and want to pay a little less (or just prefer a more open design that doesn't dig deep into your ears), these are a worthy consideration.
How can I make cheap earbuds sound better?
How can I make cheap earbuds sound better?
There are a couple ways to potentially spruce up a cheap pair of earbuds. Many affordable earbuds (such as those from EarFun) work with companion apps, which often feature multiple sound profiles that you can play around with until you find one you like. Also, cleaning your earbuds regularly will ensure that they sound their best.
Do in-ear monitors (IEMs) sound better than AirPods?
Do in-ear monitors (IEMs) sound better than AirPods?
In-ear monitors, or IEMs, are designed primarily for musicians and focus on accurate sound reproduction above all else. While sound is somewhat subjective, folks with a discerning ear might find IEMs sound better and clearer than a pair of AirPods. However, these specific types of earbuds tend to trade convenience and affordability for sheer sound quality. For example, our best wired earbuds pick, the Sennheiser IE 600, retails for a whopping $900; you could get several sets of AirPods 2 for that money. They also tend to be wired-only and lack many of the hassle-free integrations that Apple users will enjoy on their AirPods, making them best suited for music pros and audiophiles with budget to burn.
What are the best earbuds for talking on the phone?
What are the best earbuds for talking on the phone?
We've found the Sony WF-1000XM5 to offer the best call quality of any model we've tested recently, though the AirPods Pro 2 aren't far behind.
CNN Underscored editors thoroughly test the products in our testing guides and provide full transparency about how we test them. We have a skilled team of writers and editors who have many years of testing experience and ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when relevant to make certain we are testing each product accurately and speaking about the pros and cons of each item. Senior tech editor Mike Andronico has been testing headphones for more than a decade, and is regularly swapping out between his trusty AirPods Pro 2 and the latest competitors to see which ones are worth ditching Apple for.

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T-Mobile's cheapest Essential Savers plan costs $50/month and goes up to a staggering $100/month for the Experience Beyond plan. T-Mobile's Experience plans have extra streaming perks you won't find with Google Fi, but if you don't care about those things and just want fast, reliable T-Mobile coverage, Google Fi is the better (and cheaper) way to go. Google Fi's Unlimited Premium plan is much better than any of T-Mobile's plans if international data is important to you, and it's also unique in that it comes with free data connectivity for tablets and laptops. Plus, no matter what Google Fi plan you choose, you also get free smartwatch data. Visible ultimately worked out better for my needs and budget, but if you prefer T-Mobile to Verizon's network — and you don't want your data throttled when cell towers are busy — Google Fi is an easy recommendation. US Mobile Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority If you're unable to decide if you should get a carrier with T-Mobile or Verizon coverage — or maybe one with AT&T's network — it might be worth joining US Mobile. Rather than relying on cell towers from one of these companies, US Mobile provides service from all three of them. All US Mobile plans can switch between the three networks (with some restrictions), while US Mobile's two more expensive plans also allow you to use two of the three networks simultaneously, with automatic switching to whichever one has better coverage at any given time. While that's easily US Mobile's most unique feature, it's not the only reason to consider it instead of T-Mobile. You can pay for US Mobile plans monthly or annually, and all of them include taxes and fees in the listed price. Joe Maring / Android Authority US Mobile also supports multi-line family accounts (something Visible doesn't have), lets you choose unlimited or by-the-GB data plans, and even includes free subscriptions to services like Spotify and Netflix, depending on the plan you choose. Sorting through all of the plan and add-on options from US Mobile can make it a little overwhelming at first, but it's by far one of the most robust options on this list — and the only one with coverage from T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T. Mint Mobile Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority If you want to keep things as simple (and cheap) as possible, Mint Mobile may be a great fit for you. Like Google Fi, Mint Mobile relies on T-Mobile towers for its cell service. You'll be subject to throttling during high network congestion more often than if you have Google Fi, but that may be a perfectly fine compromise for you, considering how affordable Mint Mobile is. Unlike all of the other carriers mentioned here, Mint Mobile exclusively sells its plans in bulk. Instead of paying a phone bill every month, you buy 3, 6, or 12 months of service at a time. That means a higher upfront cost, but the effective monthly rates are among the cheapest you'll find. Joe Maring / Android Authority For example, you can currently pay $45 to get 3 months of unlimited talk, text, and 5G data, working out to just $15 per month. Alternatively, you can pay $240 upfront to get 12 months of unlimited everything, equalling $20 per month. Are there any downsides? Mint Mobile says you 'may experience' slower data speeds if you have the unlimited plan and go over 35GB of data in a single month, and video streaming is restricted to 480p on all plans. Still, for plans that cost this little, Mint Mobile is worth checking out. Mint Mobile - plans starting at $15/mo Mint Mobile - plans starting at $15/mo Get the Deal Mint Mobile plans - starting at $15/mo per line Metro by T-Mobile Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority Last but not least, if you like some of the features of T-Mobile but want them for cheaper, Metro by T-Mobile could be for you. It's on the more expensive side of things, but it also mimics the traditional T-Mobile experience better than anything else on this list. How so? All Metro plans include the same access to T-Mobile Tuesdays that you get with regular T-Mobile plans, giving you perks like gas discounts, free and more. Metro plans also come with T-Mobile's Scam Shield technology to help prevent spam calls. Unlike all the other carriers I've discussed, Metro has physical stores where you can walk in to sign up for service, buy a phone, or get help with your account. Joe Maring / Android Authority Metro's prices range from $40 to $60 per month for its unlimited plans, with the $60 option offering perks such as 25GB of hotspot data, 100GB of cloud storage via Google One, and a complimentary Amazon Prime membership. Better yet, taxes and fees are included in all of the prices. Your monthly bill with Metro won't be as low as going with another carrier like Visible or Mint, but if those T-Mobile perks are important to you, Metro might make the most sense. What's the best T-Mobile alternative? Joe Maring / Android Authority As happy as I've been with Visible in my post-T-Mobile life, there's a good argument to make for every carrier mentioned above. And there are even more T-Mobile alternatives I didn't include, such as Helium Mobile and Klarna's new cell plan. As such, I don't think it's fair to say that one is objectively best compared to everything else. I like the straightforward pricing and features of Visible's plans, but you may prefer the data prioritization that comes with Google Fi, or maybe getting T-Mobile Tuesdays with Metro. There's ultimately no wrong choice here. So long as you pick the plan/carrier that fits your needs the best, that's all that really matters.