We’re not surprised you’re looking for budget AirPod alternatives. Apple’s AirPods may be great peripherals, but they boast a price tag that is certainly daunting. To make matters worse, Apple has made using a wired headset for your iPhone significantly more difficult than it used to be.
That’s the bad news. The good news is that you’re not actually committed to using AirPods. It may not seem like it, but there are tremendous budget AirPod alternatives on the market. It’s just a matter of making sure you’re getting more than you pay for.
If you don’t want to invest in retail AirPods, here are some incredible alternatives that won’t make your wallet cry quite as much.
Mpow X3
Price: $59.99
Why They’re Great Budget AirPod Alternatives
It starts with the design. The familiar design of these headphones will instantly feel comfortable to all AirPod users out there. Even the charging case resembles Apple’s design.
That design also means they fit quite nicely (assuming you like the fit of AirPods). We even like the clear sound they offer and the above-average bass quality. You won’t feel like you’re using budget headphones while these are playing.
Add to that a waterproof design and some active noise cancellation features, and you’ve got an incredibly solid pair of headphones.
Why They’re Not Great Budget AirPod Alternatives
Well, there’s certainly a slight dropoff in sound (even if it’s not that noticeable). The bigger issue, though, is that the material of these headphones just feels a bit cheaper overall. They also suffer from some awkward touch controls that often feel unnatural to use.
EarFun Free
Price: $49.99
Why They’re Great Budget AirPod Alternatives
First off, we love the smaller design of these earbuds. They fit nicely, and the compact charging case is much easier to take with you. You hardly ever notice them.
It’s really the features that set these apart, though. With Bluetooth 5.0 compatibility, these earbuds benefit from a strong and fast connection. On top of that, they’re entirely waterproof and feature both above-average battery life and quick charging capabilities.
We’re honestly shocked that these are as affordable as they are considering how many high-end features you get in such a small package.
Why They’re Not Great Budget AirPod Alternatives
It honestly comes down to sound quality. Simply put, you will notice the difference.
That said, most of the sound differences come through in smaller aspects like bass and fidelity. If you’re mostly using this for podcasts and similar audio sources, you’ll be able to hear everything clearly. Just accept that they’ll never be top of the line.
TicPods Free
Price: $29.99
Why They’re Great Budget AirPod Alternatives
First off, the fact that you can get these for under $30 (most of the time) is a minor miracle. You just don’t see earbuds like this for that price.
You’ve really got to judge these earbuds on that curve. For what you pay, you get comfortable, decent sounding, and relatively sturdy earbuds. Do you miss being able to buy over-the-counter wired earbuds because you’re not that concerned with audio fidelity? These are the alternatives to those options.
If you’re looking for something affordable and good enough, this is what you’re looking for.
Why They’re Not Great Budget AirPod Alternatives
Well, there are certain things you’ll never get with earbuds this cheap.
To be more specific, these buds won’t blow you away in any category. The sound is ok, the features don’t rise above necessary, and the materials are serviceable. These are designed to perform a function, and they do just that.
Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2
Price: $79.99
Why They’re Great Budget AirPod Alternatives
What’s great about these earbuds is that they’re not really that much of a “budget” option. They’re not especially cheap, but you get most of the features and options you get with even higher-end alternatives.
These buds feel comfortable, they look great, and the noise and sound quality they offer is far, far above standard. Even the battery life is pretty impressive.
These are the kind of earbuds that show you that premium options sometimes have a premium attached to them for reasons other than their quality.
Why They’re Not Great Budget AirPod Alternatives
The biggest downfall of this model is its lack of noise-cancelling functionality.
Granted, cheap noise cancelling is almost as good as no noise cancelling, but we do wish Anker made more of an effort to incorporate some elements of that technology.
Amazon Echo Buds
Price: $129.99
Why They’re Great Budget AirPod Alternatives
Well, as you probably noticed from the price, this is another one of those times when we’re not sure the word “budget” is what we’d jump to. “Alternative,” though, is most certainly the word to use.
Simply put, this is Amazon’s cheaper (but nearly as good) answer to the AirPods’ jaw-dropping price point. They sound incredible, they last quite a long time, and they’re even fully sweat-proof. Aside from the physical design differences, we’re not sure most people would be able to tell the difference between these earbuds and AirPods.
Again, this is a fantastic reminder that you don’t always have to purchase within the Apple ecosystem in order to get results.
Why They’re Not Great Budget AirPod Alternatives
As we already noted, the biggest issue with these headphones is that they aren’t really cheap enough to be truly considered a “budget” option.
They’re cheaper than AirPods, but we understand if you’d rather spend the extra money to get Apple’s official option. Just know that you’re really paying the extra money for the look and brand of the AirPods.
