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AirPods are everywhere. The little white buds and aluminum headphones are easy to spot, no matter where you might find yourself. If you want to stand out from the crowd (or you just don't like AirPods), you'll want some of the best AirPods alternatives — and we've tested plenty of options.
These three buds (and headphones) are the best option, with great features and sound that rivals the competing AirPods. At the moment, the Sony WF-1000XM6 counter the AirPods Pro 3, thanks to superior sound quality and similar ANC quality. They fit slightly differently and lack some of the Apple only AirPods features like translation, but they're a great alternative to Apple's top buds.
The best Apple AirPods alternatives you can buy right now
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I oversee the audio content that goes up on Tom’s Guide, and maintain the site's buying guides for headphones, wireless earbuds, Bluetooth speakers, soundbars, and more. I have spent more than 20 years testing audio equipment for my own enjoyment, and was previously the audio editor for iMore. There's nothing more I love than jamming out to my favorite tunes on audio equipment of different prices and sizes.
Best AirPods Pro 2 alternative
Why do you buy the AirPods Pro 3? It’s almost certainly because you’re an iPhone user and you want the finest accompaniment to your devices, but Sony’s top-of-the-line earbuds still present a very compelling alternative. They’re slightly more expensive, but you get much better sound, a better fit, and Sony’s customisation features. The ANC is on par, although different parts of the outside world are focused on — Apple has opted for voices and top-level noise, where Sony has gone for bus engines and more low-range sounds. Both excellent, but your mileage will depend on where you plan on using them.
The biggest difference (apart from the Sony logo and their shape) is the sound. The AirPods Pro 3 and the Sony WF-1000XM6 are both fairly contentious when it comes to their sound. Some, like Audio’s Managing Editor Nick Pino, aren’t a fan. Others, like the Tom’s Guide reviews team (and me), really like the sound of Sony’s buds. There’s a deeper focus on vocals and the mid-range, while maintaining their bassy signature. The AirPods, on the other hand, offer slightly more dynamism — and an equally contentious sonic reframing from the old model. They’re less detailed than the AirPods Pro 2, and slightly richer. Overall, I tend to prefer Sony’s sound — but your mileage may vary.
Where Sony comes out on top is the presentation of features. While Apple technically has more — translation, heart rate monitor — the Sony buds are more useful day to day. The EQ is amongst the strongest around, and lets you change the buds' sound to your liking. Sony’s DSEE Extreme makes lower-quality streams sound much better, perfect for Spotify listeners. The app is easy to use and makes life much easier for Android users.
Battery life is similar. The two buds are closer than ever when it comes to their excellence, making the Sony’s a great alternative if its the AirPods Pro 3 you’re thinking about. We’d only watch out for the case with the Sonys, which doesn’t fit quite so nicely into you pocket thanks to its larger shape and size. Still, if you’re in the market for new buds, the WF-1000XM6 are a fabulous option.
- Read the full Sony WF-1000XM6 review
Also Consider
Best AirPods 4 alternative
The AirPods Pro 3 are the cheapest of the AirPods family, and that means you have to forgo some features. The $129 option doesn’t pack in any kind of ANC, or silicon fitting tips, or all that much battery. If you’re looking for something that costs the same but has all of those features, you’re not starved of options — but my favorites are the Cambridge Audio Melomania A100, thanks to a variety of different features and a pretty impressive price.
The battery life, for one, is absolutely monstrous. There are 10 hours of staying power in the A100, double that of the AirPods 4 with ANC. Then you can turn off the A100s ANC, and you get 16 hours of battery life — more than just about anything else around. The charging case contains a further 36 hours of battery life, further enhancing the staying power of Cambridge's buds. Long-haul flights? Absolutely no problem at all; something that can’t be said of the AirPods.
The sound quality is much better than the AirPods 4. There’s more detail, more richness, and plenty more dynamism. You’ll find a more well-rounded sound profile as a result, one that makes any genre sound excellent. And, thanks to the noise canceling on board, it’s easier to enjoy that sound quality in busier environments.
The ANC might not be as good as buds twice the price, but it’s better than having nothing, and better than the ANC in the more expensive AirPods 4 ANC model. It does a good job of keeping sound at bay, so your travel is more comfortable. Transparency mode is also good.
There’s only one thing that you’ll miss from the AirPods — spatial audio. That means slightly decreased soundstage, but they sound more natural as a result. The case is a little bigger than the AirPods case, and you don’t get Find My. Still, they’re a great alternative to Apple’s buds, particularly at this price.
- Read the full Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 review
Also Consider
Best AirPods Max alternatives
The AirPods Max are a stunning-looking and feeling pair of headphones — but they're also massively expensive and extremely heavy. The Bowers & Wilkins are a similarly premium-feeling pair of headphones, but they slim everything down and introduce even better sound and a more comfortable fit. For $100 less, you get a much better pair of headphones overall, which a wider range of customers are going to appreciate.
There's more battery life, for one. The AirPods Max only last for 24 hours, whereas the Bowers & Wilkins pair lasts for a total of 30 hours. That's more than enough battery life for any application, whether you're embarking on a longer journey or visiting an area without power outlet access. You can, of course, save even more battery by turning off the ANC and listening at a lower volume if you need to eke out some more listening time.
Noise canceling between the two models is comparable. Both headphones are capable of blocking out loads of noise, with differing focuses. The AirPods are designed to block out the noise of noisy offices and aircraft ambient sounds, while the PX7 S3 are more geared towards the noises and sounds of your commute. They're both very good at what they do and excel in all areas, but there are strengths in certain environments.
Sound is better with the PX7 S3. They have a slightly warmer sound signature, while managing to extract slightly more detail from tracks than the AirPods Max. The AirPods also have a slightly wider sound, and they support Spatial Audio out of the box — a feature that will be available soon on the PX7 S3. As a stereo music experience, however, audiophiles and sound fans are going to get more out of Bowers & Wilkins headphones.
They've both got their own unique style, but I'd wager that the more subdued and classy look of the Bowers & Wilkins is going to be more popular. Both are very well made, with metal and premium materials all over the place. The PX7 S3 are a fantastic premium alternative to the AirPods Max.
- Read our full Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 review
Also Consider
Specs compared
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Battery life rated | Connectivity | Durability |
|---|---|---|---|
Sony WF-1000XM5 | 8 hours (ANC on), 24 hours (with charging case) | Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC, LDAC | IPX4 |
Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 | 10 hours (ANC on); 16 hours (ANC off); 39 hours (charging case with ANC off) | Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC, aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive Audio, Bluetooth LE Audio, LC3 | IPX4 |
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 | 30 hours | Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC, aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive Audio | IPX4 |
How to choose the best Apple AirPods alternatives
If you’re looking for a pair of AirPods alternatives, it’s probably because you like something about Apple’s buds but are being put off by other factors. Think about what those desirable qualities are — is it sound quality? The design? Features like Spatial Audio?
Design: Once you’ve focused on what exactly it is you want from an AirPods alternative, you can start looking at the options above with more clarity. The Samsung Galaxy Buds, for instance, essentially copy Apple’s spatial audio feature but for Galaxy phones. If it’s simply styling you want, the white model of the Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro are a pretty close match.
Battery life: Some qualities are universal across all wireless earbuds, like battery life. Consider how long and how often you’ll want to wear your headphones for; if you’re a regular traveler it can definitely be worth picking a pair with longer battery life, either per charge or in terms of how much the bundled charging case provides.
Wireless earbuds can last about 5 to 10 hours and offer extended playtime with their bundled charging cases — always make sure one is included.
Comfort: All wireless earbuds need to be comfortable as well; all of the pairs on this list are fine to wear for a couple of hours at least, though some cope better with extended use than others. You may also want waterproofing or sweat resistance, which comes in very handy if you’re looking for earbuds to wear while exercising.
Pricing considerations: Obviously, price is a big consideration when looking for the best headphones. Although there are always exceptions, big-name brands will typically command a bit extra, but generally speaking, the less you spend on a pair of headphones the greater the chance that sound and features will be compromised. Going for a budget option isn't always the best choice, as any money you save on your purchase won't do you much good if you're constantly needing to recharge your audio gear, or the sound quality is poor.
As the saying goes: timing is everything; and right now many of our favorite models will be discounted at online retailers, meaning you can bag a bargain for even less. Bookmark our best headphone deals page to keep track of all the latest deals.
How we test the best Apple AirPods alternatives
We literally test hundreds of earbuds a year. This gives us heaps of knowledge about the market, and huge experience in assessing sound quality and weighing up the most important features for buyers, so you can rest assured that the models covered in this list deliver on sound quality despite their affordable price tag.
As with any set of headphones, we put the best AirPods alternatives through their paces with a variety of tests. To judge sound quality, for example, our reviewers listen to a mix of musical genres. These aren’t brief, isolated tests either, with each reviewer wearing every pair for a few hours to see how comfortable they are over long periods.
Find out what we listen for during our testing process and how to get the best headphone sound for you.
Our extended usage approach also lets us see how close each pair of earbuds stands up to the manufacturer’s battery life claims. Often they fall short, so we’ll also let you know our experiences in each full review.
Similarly, we’ll test voice call quality and any waterproofing claims using real-life conditions and report our experiences.
Once testing is complete, we rate headphones based on our five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = best). If a product is truly exemplary, it's awarded an Editor's Choice.
Find out how we test for more information on our reviewing procedures.
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