It would not be wrong to say that Apple popularized the True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earbuds in the market with the launch of AirPods. However, it is a known fact that Apple AirPods work best with Apple devices. If you own an Android smartphone, Apple AirPods may not be the best option.
The good news is that many Android-friendly TWS earbuds make for the best AirPods alternatives with comparable, if not better, features and fit at a more affordable price. Here’s our list of the best TWS earbuds.
We have considered the battery, weight, special features like protection and microphone, and price to curate this list. Let’s get started!
1. Jabra Elite 75t: Editor’s choice
Battery time: 24 hours (ANC on)
Weight: 5.5g each bud
Protection: Water, sweat, and dust
Jabra Elite 75t is the best alternative to Apple AirPods that offer even better quality than the Apple OG. With a great fit and aesthetically pleasing design, Jabra Elite 75t offers passive noise cancellation (ANC) to block ambient noise. It is one of the features that’s not present in AirPods.
Jabra assures 5.5 hours of battery life on a single charge and 24 hours with a charging case. The sound quality is commendable, with well-balanced sound. Four microphones and wind noise protection features allow clear calls.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality
- ANC (available via a firmware upgrade)
- Extremely light in weight
Cons
- No wireless charging
- Too much bass
2. Bose QuietComfort TWS Earbuds: Most effective noise-canceling earbuds
- Battery time: 6 hours (single charge)
- Weight: 9g
- Protection: IPX4 rated
The second contender that poses a formidable challenge to Apple AirPods is Bose QuietComfort. With an ergonomic and lightweight design, you can wear these for an extended period without feeling fatigue in your ears.
Coupled with Bluetooth 5.0, IPX4 rating, and the acclaimed Bose sound, QuietComfort are just the TWS earbuds that you’d want to pick if you own an Android phone and don’t want to go for AirPods.
These also have active noise cancellation. In fact, 11 modes of ANC. Bose claims QuietComfort are the world’s most effective noise-canceling earbuds. Coming to battery juice, Bose promises 6 hours of uptime on a single charge which is better than Apple’s offerings. It is simply one of the best Apple AirPods alternatives you can choose.
Pros
- Outstanding sound quality
- 11 ANC modes
- Excellent comfort
Cons
- No volume control gestures
- Sound isn’t audible unless you push the volume to 80% or more
3. Amazon Echo Buds 2: Budget-friendly AirPods alternative
- Battery time: Up to 5 hours
- Weight: 5.7g each bud
- Protection: IPX4 rated
Amazon also plunged into the TWS earbuds market with its AirPods alternative – Echo Buds 2. Offering AirPods-like features, Echo Buds 2 are a cheaper TWS with a $100 price tag if you don’t want to opt for the wireless charging case.
Featuring dynamic audio and active noise cancellation, Amazon Echo Buds 2 offer excellent sound quality and up to 5 hours of music playback per charge.
You can pair these Apple AirPods alternatives with the Alexa app for listening to podcasts and audiobooks from Audible. Echo Buds 2 offer a firm grip in-ears making them stay in their position even when exercising.
Pros
- Hands-free Alexa
- Active noise cancellation
- Quick charge feature
Cons
- Mediocre battery life
- Poor tap control features
4. Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro: TWS with outstanding sound quality
- Battery time: Up to 7 hours (single charge)
- Weight: 68g
- Protection: No protection against water or dust
Liberty Air 2 Pro from Anker are one of the best AirPods alternatives you can pick if you want outstanding sound quality and comfort. Its features are as impressive as its name suggests.
Equipped with features like Active noise canceling, tailor-made EQ settings, 7 hours of music playback from a single charge, and 9 pairs of ear tips for choosing the perfect fit, Liberty Air 2 Pro are known for their noise-canceling abilities.
When paired with the dedicated Anker app, you can customize the equalizer and control the earbuds better. It offers one of the best battery backups amongst all the options in this list.
Pros
- Prolonged battery life
- Active noise cancellation
- Dedicated Soundcore app
Cons
- No multi-connect feature
- Isn’t water or dust-resistant
5. Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro: Best TWS earbuds for Samsung users
- Battery time: Up to 8 hours (single charge)
- Weight: 150g
- Protection: IPX7 rated
If you own a Samsung Galaxy smartphone, Galaxy Buds Pro should be your top priority for TWS earbuds. Samsung’s earbuds carry a sleek design and offer several features you’d expect to get in an AirPods alternative.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro features intelligent active noise cancellation, IPX7 rating, wireless charging, voice detection feature, ambient sound mode, and a battery backup of 8 hours on a single charge. Moreover, Galaxy Buds Pro are comfortable to wear even if you are wearing them for a long time.
You can also switch from ANC to ambient sound with your voice. These are perfect AirPods alternatives owing to their Samsung-specific features like Bixby support and more.
Pros
- Impressive battery time of 28 hours with ANC turned off
- Intelligent active noise cancellation
- Good for calling
Cons
- No option to customize EQ
- Touch controls are extra-responsive
- Bulky
6. JBL Reflect Flow: Best wireless sports earbuds under $100
- Battery time: Up to 10 hours (single charge)
- Weight: 36g
- Protection: IPX7 rated
AirPods are not known for staying in place while you are exercising. To escape that issue, you can opt for JBL Reflect Flow earbuds. JBL is known for its iconic sound quality, and Reflect Flow TWS earbuds are a testament to it.
If you want bass-heavy earbuds, these are the ones to go for. Supported with a long battery life of up to 10 hours + an additional 20 hours with the charging case. These score much better in many departments in comparison to AirPods.
With a sporty design, these do not look like your regular and boring earbuds. Vibrant colors and a unique design lend it a unique position in the TWS market.
The sound quality is absolutely amazing. Its ambient aware feature ensures you know your surroundings even when you are blasting music at full volume. IPX7 rating makes them perfect for gyming and workout sessions.
Pros
- Stylish design
- Talk through feature for engaging in conversation without taking out buds
- Snug fit
Cons
- No gesture controls
- No wireless charging
7. Beats Powerbeats Pro: Best AirPods alternative with a snug fit
- Battery time: Up to 9 hours (single charge)
- Weight: 20.3g
- Protection: IPX4 rated
Beats’s TWS are a worthy competitor to Apple AirPods due to their excellent sound quality, water-resistant feature, and ergonomic design.
In fact, they are equipped with the Apple H1 chip you get in AirPods. With 9 hours of listening time from a single charge, Powerbeats Pro by Beats come with a secure-fit ear hook, making them the best TWS for a workout as they don’t fall off easily.
Even more impressive is how you get a playback time of up to 1.5 hours in 5-minute charging!
Like AirPods, Powerbeats Pro also have an audio sharing feature allowing you to listen to songs with your friends. The dual audio controls on the earbuds are responsive and easy to use. You can activate the voice assistant by simply saying, “Hey Siri.”
They are much like AirPods, albeit a secure design and long battery life mark a difference.
Pros
- Long battery life
- Snug fit
- Dual audio controls
Cons
- Earhook makes them uncomfortable if you wear these for a long time
- Bulky charging case
So that’s it! These are the best AirPods alternative out there. The next step is choosing the best out of the lot. It depends on your preferences.
For example, if you want durable earbuds with longer battery life, we recommend using Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro. Similarly, JBL Reflect Flow or Beats Powerbeats Pro should be the ideal choice for those looking to use earbuds while exercising. If you want the cheaper AirPod alternative, Amazon Echo Buds 2 should be it.
What’s your choice from the list of AirPods alternatives given above? Share in the comments below.
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