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Many people like to listen to their phone while working out, cooking, while at work or when relaxing at home. Headphone cords often get tangled or caught on something causing the earbuds to either pop out of your ear or phone. Over time, these disconnections can damage either your phone or headphones.
Apple released the AirPods as a solution to this problem. The wireless Bluetooth earbuds do not require a direct connection to your phone and allow for freedom of movement. However, Apple AirPods are not the only game in town, and with their high price tag, some consumers are thankful for that.
Luckily there are several companies that have taken the idea and run with it. Wireless Bluetooth headphones are becoming more popular, and consumers now have several options to choose from. What follows are 8 AirPod alternatives that won’t hurt your wallet.
1MORE Stylish True Wireless Earbuds
The 1MORE Stylish earbuds live up to their name in design and metal carrying case. At about half the price of the Airpods, these earbuds surpass the originator in sound quality and clarity. It comes with 6 hours of battery life, and with charging carry case, the buds can last 24-hours before needing to be charged. These earbuds also come with 3 extra ear tips in different sizes to fit you perfectly.
The 7mm titanium drivers give these earbuds a unique sound quality that puts them ahead of some of their competitors. Uses can also skip tracks, among other features with the multi-function button, which makes it forgivable that the earbuds do not have a dedicated volume button.
EarFun Free Wireless Earbuds
For those that want great earbuds without having to spend a lot of money, the EarFun Free earbuds have you covered. At only $45, you get a lot for the low cost. While it does not provide the elite sound quality than some of the more expensive earbuds on this list have, you will still be impressed with the clarity of music and phone calls with their noise-cancelling feature.
The earbuds have a 6-hour battery life, and the case comes with four charging stations to charge on the go. The buds boost USB-C as well as wireless charging. Another bonus, these earbuds are fully waterproof! While these earbuds to not have a high price tag, you will definitely get your money’s worth.
Related: How to Build a Smart Home with Alexa in 2020
Google Pixel Buds
The Google Pixel Buds gives you easy access to your Google Assistant feature. These earphones are also more durable than AirPods, which is great for the athletic user. While the one-size-fits-all concha wingtip design is a bit flawed (some users may not find these comfortable), the features are the real selling point for these earbuds.
One of the best selling points for these earbuds is the range of connectivity. With Bluetooth 5.0 firmware and Goggle wireless tech, users can stay connected as far as a football field from their device. This can be great for those that are outdoor athletes or like to work outside while their device is charging.
Soundcore Liberty Air True Wireless Earphones
The Anker Soundcore Liberty Air is another cheaper earbud. At half the price of the leading brands, they have equal sound quality for under $100. These earbuds have easy, simple touch controls and are water-resistant as well. They also fit snuggly in the ear canal, providing a level of active noise cancellation.
These earbuds also have some great features for taking phone calls. For instance, you can double-tap the earbuds to put a call on hold to answer an incoming call. The earbuds also provide controls between each earbud, so that you can have more features spread out between each earbud.
Stewart McGrenary from iPad Recycle shares his thoughts on the Anker Soundcore Liberty Air headphones. McGrenary says, “not only does it cost half of the Airpods but it also sounds way better. And it comes with a cool charging case that gives you that extra battery life you need. Plus they’re water-resistant to withstand any weather you’re in.”
Samsung Galaxy Buds
Samsung Galaxy offers a great pair of earbuds for Android users. They have comfort as well as a great “find my earbud” feature. The earbuds also have an ambient audio mode, waterproof features and come with a wireless charging case.
The earbuds will list 6 hours without a charge. If you have a Samsung Galaxy 10, you can also use your phone’s battery to keep the buds going before needing to charge them fully. The AKG drivers provide great sound quality and performance, making these great earbuds, especially for Samsung users.
Pete Reynolds from the Discerning Cyclist adds some first-hand feedback, “I use the Samsung Galaxy Buds+, rather than Apple’s AirPods for several reasons. In terms of form, they are much more discreet and I find them more comfortable to wear. As well as that, the latest Buds+ have significantly improved the microphone and I found this superior to not only the original Buds, but now also the AirPods.
Reynolds continues, “also, despite all of this and a better battery life, the Buds+ are about half the price of the AirPods Pro, meaning they are much better value for money.”
Related: The 9 Best Portable Speakers For Your Summer Adventures
Mpow X3 In-Ear Bluetooth Earphone
For under $60 these are the best budget noise-canceling earbuds on the market. The Mpow X3 earbuds pack a lot of power and sound to help you to tune out the world. With a comfortable fit and great sound quality for music and phone calls, these are some of the best earbuds on the market.
These earbuds are fully waterproof and have a 7-hour battery life. With all of these great features and their low price, they are often sold out on sites like Amazon.
Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earphone
Beats pride themselves at being a leader in headphone and earbud technology, and the Powerbeats Pro is no exception. These earbuds will stand up to your hardest workout. The wraparound design will keep the earbuds in place. They connect to both Andriod and iOS easily and are very user friendly.
With a 10-hour battery life, these are great for longtime use. While they could be great for long-distance flights, they do not have the noise-canceling strength to filter out the sound of the engines. So if you have a seat near the wings, these earbuds won’t perform as well as you would hope. They still have great sound quality and performance.
Skullcandy Push True Wireless Earbud Headphones
Our final entry comes from Skullcandy. While they are bulkier than the Airpods, these earbuds have a lot of power and fit snuggly in most users’ ears. The Skullcandy Push comes in a variety of colors, typical of the Skullcandy brand. With 12-hour battery life, it is also one of the longest-lasting of our earbud choices. Its versatile design also makes it perfect for active users and for the gym.
Conclusion
With cellphone technology constantly advancing, tech companies are constantly devising great ways for consumers to enjoy their gadgets. Having quality truly wireless earbuds is necessary for active people, and as you have seen, you have many options to choose from. The Airpod alternatives on the market have great features like noise cancellation, water resistance, touch controls and top-notch audio quality that will pair with a variety of smartphones for your everyday needs.
And just because you are rocking the latest iPhone doesn’t mean you need a pair of Airpods to go with it.
You might also be interested in: The 9 Best Smartphones of 2020 [For Every Type of Person]
The 8 best Airpod alternatives:
- 1MORE Stylish True Wireless Earbuds
- EarFun Free Wireless Earbuds
- Google Pixel Buds
- Soundcore Liberty Air True Wireless Earphones
- Samsung Galaxy Buds
- Mpow X3 In-Ear Bluetooth Earphone
- Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earphone
- Skullcandy Push True Wireless Earbud Headphones
Brady Smith
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Brady is a writer, voice artist, podcaster and website designer. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and specializes in crafting effective messaging designed to get results. Brady makes his home on the edge of society - close enough for good WiFi, but far enough out to not have to worry about traffic.
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