Apple’s AirPods are great earbuds, but there are some reasons to go for something else anyway. Then these are your best options.
For Apple’s fine earbuds, of course, you pay a hefty price. And if you don’t have an iPhone, there are plenty of other options that better suit your device.
We’ve listed the best options you can get right now. It looks like the AirPods have a lot of competitors this year.
The 5 biggest AirPods competitors right now
Good earbuds have several important qualities. For example, they are not too heavy and are comfortable to wear. But they should also produce a clear sound, and filter out unwanted noise effortlessly. If it’s up to us, the models below are your best options. At least, if you’re not waiting for AirPods.
#1 Sony WF-1000XM5
With the WF-1000XM5, Sony makes its already great mix of sound, convenient features and good noise cancellation even better. These earphones are the best and most comfortable ones Sony has made to date. And thus a great competitor to Apple’s AirPods.
They also have delightful features like adaptive sound and Speak-to-Chat. The latter is extra handy because it means the earbuds automatically switch to ambient mode when you’re in conversation.
The WF-1000XM5 (Image: Sony)
Order your copy here
#2 Bose QuietComfort Ultra
It’s common knowledge that Bose is the king of noise cancellation. Not even AirPods can beat Bose. The QC Ultra is certainly no exception. The earbuds filter noise almost perfectly, and come with some interesting additions.
For example, they have a cool new feature called Immersive Audio. The feature makes you feel like the sound is all around you. Like you’re at a concert. You don’t need special music or podcasts to enjoy it.
The QuietComfort Ultra (Image: Bose)
Order your copy here
#3 Anker Soundcore Space A40: better sound than the AirPods?
These earbuds actually offer everything you need as a user. For example, you have convenient features like noise cancellation, wireless charging and water resistance. You can also connect them to multiple devices, and the earbuds have a battery life of eight to 10 hours. You can easily adjust the sound quality with Anker’s app.
The Soundcore Space A40 (Image: Anchor)
Order your copy here
#4 Google Pixel Buds Pro
With the Pixel Buds Pro, you can not only listen to great music. You can also enjoy all sorts of conveniences from Google. For example, Android and Pixel devices can turn on a Google Translate conversation mode through the earbuds. This makes it easy to talk to someone from another country. Something you don’t see on AirPods yet.
Furthermore, the buds feature hefty bass, can block out ambient noise, and you can charge them wirelessly. They are also waterproof, so you don’t have to worry if it rains.
The Google Pixel Buds Pro (Image: Google)
Order your copy here
#5 Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3
The Momentum True Wireless 3 are the earbuds with the best sound quality on this list. They offer a premium listening experience, arguably better than Apple’s AirPods.
You don’t get a huge list of useful features. But fundamentally, the True Wireless 3 is a fine option. And thanks to enhanced noise cancellation, unwanted sounds stay in the background.
The Momentum True Wireless 3 (Image: Sennheiser)
Order your copy here
