The best Apple AirPods alternatives that’ll save you a ton of cash

Because who wants to spend over £100 on wireless earbuds? Not us.

best-apple-airpod-alternatives-to-shop

by Ryan Houghton |
Published on

Apple AirPods are chic, compact and have top-quality sound. But spending over £100 on some tiny wireless earbuds - that have the potential to one day be lost in the back of your washing machine - is just not the vibe. Therefore, in 2023, we're looking at Apple AirPods alternatives instead. Headphones that give that same audio punch as the OG's, just without punching a hole in your wallet.

Although the appearance of headphones wasn't so important in the past (remember us all walking around with half-tangled, pink neon wire earphones in the noughties?), now your earbuds are just as much a fashion accessory as anything. Just look at anyone who walked down the street at Paris Fashion Week 2023/24. There wasn't a person not wearing the Apple AirPods.

Paris Fashion Week 2023/24 (Getty Images)

heat's best Apple AirPod alternatives at a glance:

(Editor's Choice) Best Apple AirPods alternative under £25: Jesebang Wireless Earbuds, £21.99 on Amazon

Best Apple AirPods alternative under £20: TOZO A1 Mini Wireless Earbuds, £19.99 on Amazon

Best Apple AirPods alternative under £40: soundcore by Anker P2 Mini True Wireless Earbuds, £35.99 on Amazon

Wireless earbuds like the AirPods indeed give that aura of sophistication, but you don't have to spend a ton on a good-looking pair. As long as you get earbuds that perform well playing music and taking calls, and look sleek - that's all one could ever want. You just have to look in the right places. We've done just that, and come up with the ultimate guide to finding the best alternatives to the AirPods to shop online, from the (holy shopping grail) Amazon. From the best under £20 to the best with strong bass - we've got it all. Shop the best AirPod alternatives below.

SHOP: The best Apple AirPod alternatives to shop in 2023

Editor's Choice

Jesebang Wireless Earbuds, 2023 Bluetooth 5.3 Headphonesamazon
Price: $79.99

If you’re looking for the best Apple AirPods alternatives for the best price, these ultra-affordable Jesebang Wireless Earbuds are perfect for you. Looking identical to Apple’s AirPods and with good sound quality for the price – these earbuds are pretty much everything you’ll need for your daily supply of Spotify. 

These earbuds are less than £25, have touch controls, a 30-hour battery life, are waterproof, and have so much bass, you’ll wish you’d bought them sooner. 

Amazon customer review: "The buds are light and fit nicely into my ears. They don't fall out unless you move too vigorously. They certainly remain in place if going on gentle walks and carrying out normal chores.

The sound is brilliant, unlike some reviews I've read. The trick is to have a decent equalizer installed such as Dolby Atmos and it will unlock its potential. I've had expensive earbuds and I've had to use similar methods in order to unleash their potential. Once I managed to tweak it to my liking, the lows sounded beautiful and the highs crisp and clear. Overall, I'm very happy with my purchase and I believe these are well worth the price of £20 considering there is not much you can get these days for that price."

Pros

  • Bluetooth connection has three times faster transfer speed than normal pairing
  • A single earbud weighs only 3.3 g

Cons

  • No noise-cancelling for phone calls
  • Amazon rating
    4.6
Batteryover 6 hours from a single charge and a total of 30 hours with the charging case
ColoursBlack, white, rose gold or grey
  • Sweatproof
  • IP7 Waterproof
  • HD Mic
  • Hi-Fi Stereo Deep Bass
  • Microphone Included
  • Touch Control
  • Stylish Control Panel
  • Fast Charging
  • Individual LED Power Display
  • Upgraded Bluetooth 5.3
  • One-Step Auto Pairing

Best Apple AirPods alternative under £20

TOZO A1 Mini Wireless Earbuds Bluetooth 5.3 Earphonesamazon

Rrp: $29.99

Price: $19.99
Alternative retailers
Newegg$19.99View offer
Walmart$20.99View offer

While they don’t look much like Apple AirPods, these TOZO A1 Mini Wireless Earbuds are flat-out a great deal, so we had to talk about them. These comfy earbuds have a slick magnetic case which comfortably fits in most pockets thanks to its tiny design, which brings up the listening time to an impressive 22 hours, giving you plenty of time to kick back and turn up the volume throughout the day. 

The TOZO A1 earbuds have great sound for their size, as well as their price – they’re easily one of the best deals on Amazon right now, there’s no doubt about it. 

Amazon customer review: "Omg these are just amazing! I was so worried as I was looking for the cheapest headphones. I knew the sound might be bad but I needed something urgently as I lost my previous pair. And OMG such a surprise!

The sound is very very good and they stick in your ear properly. There are another 4silicon ends attached so you can choose whatever fits your ears the best. I love the fact they are in a really small box so they can fit my small crossbody bag. AND THE PRICE!? really if you’re not sure if you buy them… just do it!!"

Pros

  • Earbuds 6mm diameter speaker presents a powerful and wide sound range
  • A single earbud weighs only 3.7g

Cons

  • Some unable to connect them to TOZO app to change default sound settings
  • Amazon rating
    4.3
Battery6 hours of normal use, charging case lasts 32 hours for 3 charges
Colours availableBlack, blue, green, white, khaki or pink
  • Supports dual ear touch control
  • Bluetooth 5.3 technology

Best Apple AirPods alternative under £40

soundcore by Anker P2 Mini True Wireless Earbudsamazon

Rrp: $39.99

Price: $34.99
Alternative retailers
Walmart$34.99View offer
Newegg$39.99View offer

For earbuds that look and feel just like Apple AirPods that’ll cost you a fraction of the price, the soundcore by Anker P2 Mini True Wireless Earbuds are an absolute steal of a deal. Compact, modern, and comfortable, these bassy earphones are perfect for great sound on the go, and with 40 hours of battery life, you’ll never be short on bangers. 

These ultra-affordable earbuds are below £36 right now, and with their clean sound and massive bass – these AirPod lookalikes are the perfect affordable pair for your day-to-day commute. 

Amazon customer review: "The standout feature of the Life P2 Mini is undoubtedly their exceptional battery life. Even after two years of usage, they continue to hold a strong charge, allowing me to enjoy extended music sessions or take on lengthy commutes without any worry of them running out of juice.

In terms of sound quality, while they may not be perfect audiophile-grade earbuds, the Life P2 Mini does deliver more than satisfactory audio performance. The bass is punchy, the mids are clear, and the highs are crisp enough to provide an enjoyable listening experience. I've used them for various genres of music, podcasts, and even audiobooks, and they have consistently delivered a pleasant sound signature."

Pros

  • 3 EQ Modes for music and podcasts
  • Built-in microphones equipped with an AI algorithm to enhance voice pick up
  • 8 hours of battery alone

Cons

  • Bass sound is a little high
  • Amazon rating
    4.4
Battery8 hours of normal use, 32 hours with charging case
ColoursBlack, mint green, navy blue, oat white or rose pink
  • 3 EQ Modes:
  • Soundcore Signature, the default EQ, delivers a well-balanced sound
  • Bass Booster enhances bass-heavy music
  • Podcast makes voices stand out clearly

Best Apple AirPods alternative with punchy bass

You probably know them from their speakers, but JBL has some fantastic earbuds too. The JBL Wave 300 TWS True Wireless In-Ear Bluetooth Headphones look and feel like Apple’s AirPods. They’re quick to connect and great-looking with an all-white modern design, and a similarly chic charging case that’s small enough to pop into your pocket.

With 26 hours of total battery life – a quick charge-up before heading out in the morning has never been easier. JBL’s great sound and punchy bass shine with the Wave 300 earbuds, delivering sound that can easily match the AirPods, and then some. 

Amazon customer review: "Really pleased with these earphones. They fit so comfortably and look great too. JBL is a great make and these are no exception. An amazing alternative to Apple at a fraction of the price. You can also make and receive calls through them. Good sound quality. Very pleased."

Pros

  • 26 hours of playback time plus an additional 20 hours with case
  • 12 mm drivers deliver deep bass and powerful sound

Cons

  • Microphone not great for taking calls
  • Amazon rating
    4.1
Battery26 hours of playback time plus an additional 20 hours with charging case
ColoursBlack, blue, pink or white
  • Ergonomic shape
  • Dual Connect
  • Voice assistant

Best Apple AirPods alternative under £50

HUAWEI FreeBuds SE Bluetooth Earbudsamazon
Price: $44.90

The HUAWEI FreeBuds SE Bluetooth Earbuds are the perfect solution for your music needs – and they look just like Apple AirPods. Easy on the ears and with 24 hours of battery life, you’ll be rocking out all day long without needing a recharge, and they’re as light as a feather – so you’ll stay comfortable when you really need to. 

Walk, run, relax – HUAWEI’s FreeBuds look and feel fresh, and at less than half the price of AirPods, they’re a bargain. 

Amazon customer review: "I am very satisfied with this purchase, I had tried several headphones but they made me uncomfortable or they sounded bad, but these are excellent, they sound perfect and they have good volume, the calls are very clear and the battery lasts quite well, I usually charge them every two or three days so that's super good. They feel very good quality.

Something that I love is that they detect when you put them on and take them off, and the music plays and stops automatically. It's very easy and practical. To configure the actions (which is only one for each headset so they are not that varied) you have to do it from the app, which you have to download from a strange place (not the play store), which I didn't like so much, but they were all cool. They bring several gummies depending on the size that fits you and I haven't struggled to them fall off."

Pros

  • Design crafted to fit the contours of the outer ear and reduce pressure
  • HUAWEI AI Life app (for IOS and Android) to customise touch settings
  • Noise cancellation with dual-mic technology

Cons

  • Limited range of colours to choose from
  • Amazon rating
    4.6
Battery24 hours of battery life with charging case
ColoursWhite or blue
  • 24-Hour Audio Playback
  • Noise Cancellation
  • Dual-Mic Call
  • Crystal Clear Sound

Best Apple AirPods alternative under £60

OPPO’s spot-on Official Enco Air W32 True Wireless Earbuds are a fantastic AirPods alternative for their price, and they sound almost the same. With clean aesthetics, powerful sound and a battery that lasts all day long, these top-tier earbuds cannot be beaten for their price.  

Keep the world out and your head in the game, the OPPO Enco Air earbuds have double noise-cancelling, so you’re safe from all distractions with whatever you’re doing – getting home, jogging, working, you’re covered. 

Amazon customer review: "I'm quite picky and crap when it comes to audio, I like to listen to metal like classical music and if the audio quality is not good quality I can't stand listening to it. But that is not the case here. The listening is clear and the loud volume isolates you from the rest of the world. I love them, they are very light, comfortable and for playing sports they don't slip out of my ears, which is fundamental for me who practice acrobatic yoga. I am very satisfied."

Pros

  • Flash charging in 10 minutes, charges for 8 hours of power
  • High Definition Audio system for music detail
  • Double noise cancellation during calls

Cons

  • Only colour available is white
  • Amazon rating
    4.4
Battery8 hours with flash charge, 4 hours with normal charge
ColoursWhite
  • Speaker Sensitivity -38 dBV/Pa
  • Noise reduction in call
  • 12mm Dynamic Driver
  • Battery life 25mAh (earphones) 450mAh (charging case)
  • Water and dust resistance IPX4
  • Response Frequency 20Hz - 20kHz
  • Bluetooth 5.2

Best Apple AirPods alternative under £100

Sony WF-C500 True Wireless Headphonesamazon
Price: $69.99

If you’re all about bass, Sony’s WF-C500 True Wireless Headphones are the perfect earbuds for you. While they don’t have that classic Apple AirPod design, they more than make up for it with huge sound. 

Almost completely noise-cancelling, take these earbuds to the gym and get stuck in – their light and comfortable design makes cardio an absolute breeze, they’re just that good. Never miss out on your favourite walking tunes with the Sony WF-C500’s 20-hour battery life, fantastic for electrifying your daily commute. 

Tried & tested by our tech writer Kyle Purves: "The Sony WF-C500 may not be my personal favourite pair of earbuds, but I still think they're a quality item that's worth your consideration. Its comfort and audio quality aren't exactly 10/10, but I want to clarify that they excel in just about every other department. If you value convenience and ease of use when it comes to choosing your earbuds, then the Sony WF-C500 is absolutely a top contender. These are the perfect pair of earbuds for someone who is busy and sociable, letting them make plenty of calls a day without having to stress about battery life."

Pros

  • Designed small and light in an edge-less rounded shape
  • Fast charging (a quick 10-minute charge = 60 minutes of playback)

Cons

  • Doesn't work for certain ear shapes, can be uncomfortable
  • Amazon rating
    4.3
Battery10 hours from headphones, 10 hours from the case, plus fast charging
ColoursBlack, green, white or orange
  • IPX4 splash resistance rating
  • Bluetooth
  • Microphone Included
  • Fast Charging

Best luxury Apple AirPods alternative

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds IIamazon

Rrp: $279.00

Price: $219.00
Alternative retailers
Adorama$94.00View offer
Walmart$279.00View offer
Target$279.99View offer
B&H Photo Video$299.00View offer

Ok, so you may not be saving money here with this over £200 alternative to the AirPods. But, they are so much more luxurious than the standard Apple pair. When you’re trying to keep the world out and get lost in the music, you’re going to need great noise-cancelling – enter the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II, the best noise-cancelling earbuds in the world. 

While on the pricier side of earbuds, these earbuds are more than worth their bigger price tag. Bass, bass, bass – Bose is the master of massive sound, and the Earbuds II don't disappoint. Music lovers into their house, EDM and dance have found the best earbuds on the market with the Earbuds II, the Bose Earbuds II deliver life-changing sound. 

Amazon customer review: "After being an Apple headphone user for years I decided to update my AirPods. A mistake on my part, as the new design did not fit my ears at all. After a few days they were returned and I decided to give this new Bose Earbuds a try, and what a revelation they are!

These are without doubt the best quality, sounding and noise-cancelling in-ear headphones I’ve ever worn. Lush bass, excellent treble and noise cancelling that is a game changer. I’m flying to the USA soon and these will be a godsend on the plane. They fit amazingly well, and as someone who struggles with earache when wearing headphones these are the best for comfort I’ve ever owned. If you can afford them give them a go, you won’t be disappointed."

Pros

  • Comes with three pairs of ear tips and three pairs of custom stability bands
  • Keeps track of the last seven paired devices
  • Quick-charge option - 2 hours of battery life from a 20-minute charge

Cons

  • Touch features very sensitive
  • Amazon rating
    4.1
Battery6 hours (24 with the charging case)
ColoursTriple black or soapstone
  • Bluetooth 5.3 capability
  • Customisable noise cancelling features
  • Connect with Bose Music app

What are the benefits of wireless earbuds?

Convenience

No wires, no problems. Say goodbye to tangled wires and being frustrated that your phone doesn't have a headphone jack.

Powered up

Some wireless headphones come with a charging case that can double up as a power bank, which is great for charging your phone while on the go.

Battery life

Wired headphones have endless power, whereas wireless earbuds don't. However, taking the charging case into account, you'll have more than plenty of juice to last you 24 hours with most wireless brands.

Ryan Houghton is a commercial content writer for What’s The Best, specialising in gaming, PCs, and televisions. As an English Literature and Film graduate, with an unhealthy obsession with PC gaming – when Ryan isn’t engrossed in writing about an enthralling new technological marvel, he’s probably sauntering about inside a decade-old, largely decrepit open-world RPG.

Ruby Barry is a Product Writer for heat, specialising in fashion and beauty. The team has nicknamed her “dupe queen”, as there’s not a product in the world she can’t find a cheaper alternative for.

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