AirPods are great. They have that magical connection to Apple devices, great build quality, and (quite unlike Apple) relatively affordable price points. Not looking at you, AirPods Max.
But what if you're looking for some of the best earbuds to pair with your shiny new iPhone that don't come in white plastic, or what if you've got an Android phone and don't want something from the Apple ecosystem?
Well, you're in luck — as much as I love AirPods, I've tried out enough other earbuds to tell you that there is great sound, comfort and build beyond something designed in Cupertino. So let me talk you through the best earbuds around that aren't made by Apple.
On a budget: CMF Buds Pro 2
This pair of buds is currently on the Tom's Guide's reviews team test bench, but things are going very well indeed for the inexpensive orange wonders. They're very comfortable and pack in some excellent ANC and good sound. All for much less than just about any pair of AirPods you can buy today — even the AirPods 4.
The 5 hours of battery life you'll get out of Apple's buds is handily beaten here as well, with 11 hours of ANC off time. They're IP55 for fitness fanatics, and even feature dual drivers for the audiophile on a budget.
And they're orange. Or blue, or black, or white. But why wouldn't you go for that wonderful sunshine hue? It's a lot more interesting than white.
A step up: Cambridge Audio Melomania A100
Cambridge Audio's Melomania A100 are some of my favorite buds of 2025. They're very comfortable thanks to loads of different fitting options and are lightweight. The case is nice and small so that it more easily fits into your pocket, or a section in your backpack. Add that all to the 39-hour battery life and you've a pair of buds that takes the AirPods 4 ANC to school.
The best bit, though, is the sound and the customization options in Cambridge Audio's app. There's buckets of detail on offer, so you can really dive deep into the music you're listening to. The bass is deep and well-formed, and the mids are wide. They're great-sounding buds, made even better with the addition of the EQ options. Not a fan of the sound? Dial it in yourself with the EQ.
I'd say they match up better with the AirPods Pro 3 — only they cost $100 less.
The flagship: Sony WF-1000XM5
The WF-1000XM5 are a well-known pair of earbuds that secured Sony's spot at the top of everyone's list by offering comfortable, great-sounding buds that block out loads of noise with great ANC. There's little more you could want, to be honest — apart from like, a free million dollars in the box.
They're a worthy competitor to the AirPods Pro 3, that's for sure. Een iPhone users will want to check them out thanks to more extensive EQ options and better sound.
They might not have the magic Apple connection, but they do pretty much everything else better.
Money no object: Noble Fokus Rex5
If you've got around $500 burning a hole in your pocket and you want some shiny new earbuds to slot into your earholes, I've got just the thing. These are the Noble Fokus Rex5, and they are currently my favorite pair of wireless earbuds — bar none. And yes, before you ask, they're worth every penny of that high asking price.
They're comfortable thanks to perfectly shaped buds made of resin. They're premium, thanks to a range of lovely materials that go into their construction. They've got battery life aplenty, with 50 hours of juice in the case. They're green.
But, best of all, they sound mind-blowing. There's little that comes close to the sonic characteristics of the Rex5 before you start looking at wired options. They're crystal clear, but not fatiguing. Vocals are perfectly formed, and the sub-bass goes all the way down. They're a sight for sore ears, that's for sure.
Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
