We've had a great time with the AirPods Pro 3 since their very recent release, giving them 4.5 stars in their glowing review. We like the sound, the ANC, and the new features in the form of the heart rate sensor and Live Translation. But, as always, there are some key alternatives for those looking at buds from other places.
I've been lucky enough to test out some of the best wireless earbuds around, and I know what buds you should be looking at if you don't want a pair of AirPods. There are some budget options, and a very cool red pair that outdo the AirPods in both design and sound.
So let's get going — here are three alternative earbud options that offer a different experience to the AirPods Pro 3
Under $200: Cambridge Melomania A100
Cambridge's Melomania A100 earbuds are perhaps one of the most impressive things that I've tested all year. They're not a particularly expensive pair of buds, but they somehow manage to outperform options that cost nearly twice the price. I adore them.
Their sound is the focus here, and it is excellent. There's an alarming amount of detail, revealing the finest points of your favorite tunes. The soundstage is very wide, too, allowing for greater immersion. Bass is well-formed and dynamic — there's really very little extra you could ask for.
ANC is good, and their fit is very comfortable. They don't have any of the AirPods' standout features, like heart rate monitor and Live Translation, but I'm still not sure how entirely useful those features actually are. If you're looking for some excellent buds at a good price, the A100 are the way to go.
Under $300: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2
If it's noise canceling you're looking for, then the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2 are a real winner. They're our pick for the best noise-canceling earbuds, with some of the most impressive ANC you'll find in, like, anything. They're unreasonably good at blocking noise.
From the moment you slip them in your ears and the orchestral sound checks noise levels inside and outside, you're coccooned in a world of your own. Every single noise that might want to get in the way of you enjoying your music is eliminated, be that the annoying baby at the back of the bus or the sound of your office neighbours' noisy keyboard.
As you might hope from something that costs $50 more than the AirPods, the rest of the features are great too. Sound quality is good out of the box, they're supremely comfortable, and the case now has wireless charging to make them more convenient to use. Battery life isn't quite as good as the AirPods' refreshed staying power, but it's still enough to get you through the workday if you charge at lunchtime.
Under $400: Noble Fokus Amadeus
I can't think of a pair of buds for the price that sound better than the Noble Fokus Amadeus. They've got this wonderful sound signature that edges out the Apple, Sony, and even the Sennheiser-flavored equivalents, all while bringing a slick-looking design that looks totally unlike anything else.
Part of their sound is down to the Audiodo sound personalization. It uses the familiar series of beeps and boops to check your ears and how well they can hear, and then makes a personal profile for each ear so that they always sound their best. It's saved in the earbuds as well, so it carries over when you listen on other devices. It makes already excellent sound even better.
Battery life is good, ANC is solid, and their red colorway (modeled after Mozart's coat, their namesake) makes them look like a pair of rubies that live in your ears. They're not cheap — they're around $70 more than the AirPods — but they're easily worth the extra.
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