Apple’s AirPods are cool. With hands-free “Hey Siri”, easy set up and integration with the Apple ecosystem, it’s not hard to see why they are so popular. Sometimes though, these awesome earphones just don’t cut it. If you want a long-lasting battery, superior sound quality or just something that looks different, the AirPods are probably not the best idea.
if you’re seeking the best AirPod alternatives that offer diverse features, from long-lasting batteries to superior sound quality, our curated list at FinalBoss is here to guide you. We’ve compiled a selection of five outstanding Bluetooth earphones, ranging from budget-friendly options to premium models, ensuring you find the perfect match for your audio experience.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II represent a significant leap in wireless earphone technology. They stand out for their personalized comfort and stability, offering three sizes of tips and stability bands to ensure a perfect fit. These earbuds intelligently adapt noise cancellation and sound performance to your environment, ensuring an immersive listening experience. Their compact charging case is easy to carry and offers rapid recharging, with a 20-minute charge providing up to 2 hours of playtime. Advanced Bluetooth 5.3 ensures a stable connection up to 9 meters away.
Despite not featuring location tracking, 360-degree sound, or Hi-Fi codec, we appreciate their improved sound depth, lighter weight, and greater comfort.
The earbuds are also sweat and water-resistant (IPX4), making them versatile for all conditions.
The Bose Music app enhances the experience by allowing customization of noise cancellation levels and other settings.
While we can criticize the opening mechanism of the case and the lack of certain advanced features, the overall experience is highly positive, emphasizing the earbuds’ incredible battery life and the outstanding quality of both call and music sound.
Beats Studio Buds+
The Beats Studio Buds+ offer rich sound and versatile listening with personalized ANC and Transparency modes. They boast up to 36 hours of battery life and enhanced compatibility across Apple and Android devices. The buds come with four sizes of silicone tips to ensure a comfortable, noise-isolating fit.
They feature superior call clarity with noise-filtering mics and reliable Class 1 Bluetooth connectivity. These IPX4-rated earbuds support spatial audio for an immersive experience.
However, while the battery life and the cool design are great, some inconsistent microphone performance and connectivity issues can be seen.
Nothing Ear 2
The Nothing Ear 2 earbuds deliver an advanced sound experience with their custom drivers and smart bass tuning. They feature up to 40db of personalized active noise cancellation and are equipped with a three-mic system for enhanced call clarity.
The earbuds boast a lengthy 36-hour battery life, quick charging capabilities, and are IP54-rated for durability.
They also support Bluetooth 5.3 for stable connectivity and are easily manageable through the Nothing X app.
I found the design and comfort of these earbuds impressive.
However, during my evaluation, I had some concerns regarding their battery life, fit, and sound quality that potential users should consider.
Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
The Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro offers Intelligent Active Noise Cancellation, enhanced 360-degree audio, and studio-quality sound. These earbuds provide a comfortable, secure fit and feature HD Voice Technology for clear calls.
They are IPX7 water-resistant and seamlessly connect with multiple devices. Users appreciate the impressive sound quality, including 360 surround sound and effective noise cancellation.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro excel in delivering exceptional sound quality and effective noise cancellation. Their ergonomic design ensures a comfortable fit, making them ideal for extended use. These earbuds also stand out for supporting the latest Bluetooth LE Audio standard, adding to their versatility and appeal for tech-savvy users.
OnePlus Buds Pro 2
The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 offers hybrid active noise cancellation for clear audio and calls. They feature AI-powered noise reduction, 11mm dynamic drivers for powerful bass, and personalized audio profiles.
They offer exceptional audio quality, customizable EQ settings, and high-resolution audio capabilities.
While noise cancellation is decent, it’s not top-tier. The buds are comfortable for long-term use and offer impressive battery life, even with active features enabled. Controls are customizable, but lack volume adjustment.
Additional features include a camera shutter control, dual connection, and a ‘find my earbuds’ option.
Sony WF1000XM5
The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds offer noise-cancelling technology and AI-enhanced sound for clarity in music and calls. They feature an 8-hour battery life with rapid charging, intuitive touch and voice controls, and adapt to different environments with IPX4-rated water resistance. In my experience with the product, I found the sound quality, fit, and features to be commendable. However, the necessity to pay extra for the 360 sound feature on these premium-priced earbuds was a letdown. Despite this, the overall performance and quality of the earbuds garnered high praise in my assessment.
Sony Linkbuds S
The Sony earbuds feature smart sound adjustment, excellent noise cancelling, and immersive sound quality with an Integrated Processor V1. They are ultra-light and offer great call quality. With a multipoint connection and up to 20 hours of battery life, they are practical for everyday use.
Jabra Elite 85T
The Jabra Elite 10 earbuds offer all-day comfort with a semi-open design and EarGel technology. They feature spatial sound with Dolby Head Tracking, 10mm speakers, and twice stronger active noise cancellation. The earbuds ensure clear calls with 6-Mic technology and have up to 27 hours of battery life with a wireless charging case. They also provide universal connectivity with Bluetooth Multipoint. We appreciate the fit, sound clarity, connectivity, and battery life.
Huawei Freebuds Pro 2
The HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 2 offers dual speakers for rich sound, featuring deep bass and clear treble. They have advanced noise cancellation with a bone-conduction microphone and three additional microphones. The intelligent ANC 2.0 adapts to the environment, and the Triple Adaptive EQ ensures optimal sound quality. We appreciate their high-quality build, ease of use with intuitive controls, and versatile functionality. However, sometimes the gesture controls are challenging but adapted over time.
Conclusion
In our quest to find the best alternatives to Apple’s AirPods, we’ve explored a diverse array of options, each with its unique strengths. From the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II’s personalized comfort and advanced noise cancellation to the budget-friendly and feature-rich offerings like the Nothing Ear 2, the market is brimming with choices catering to varied preferences and needs.
The Beats Studio Buds+ and Galaxy Buds 2 Pro stand out for their exceptional battery life and sound quality, while the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 and Sony WF1000XM5 offer innovative features like AI-enhanced sound and hybrid noise cancellation. For those valuing lightweight design and smart adjustments, the Sony Linkbuds S and Jabra Elite 85T provide excellent options. Lastly, the Huawei Freebuds Pro 2 impresses with its dual speaker system and advanced noise cancellation capabilities.
Our comprehensive analysis underscores that while AirPods set a high benchmark, the alternatives available in the market today offer a plethora of features that can satisfy even the most discerning audiophiles and tech enthusiasts. Whether you prioritize sound quality, comfort, battery life, or value for money, there’s a product out there that meets your specific requirements.
Remember, the best earbud is the one that fits your personal needs and lifestyle. We encourage you to consider these detailed insights while making your choice, ensuring that your investment brings you the optimal balance of quality, comfort, and functionality.