7 Cheap AirPod Alternatives for 2021

AirPods Pro sitting on table - Airpod Alternatives

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MAKE LIFE CLICK
Best Cheap AirPod Alternatives
2024

Wireless in-ear headphones, commonly known as earbuds, have been around for a while now. However, the arrival of Apple’s AirPods in 2016 moved the wireless earphone category from the niche to the mainstream market. Today, leading cell phone and sound companies have introduced their own versions of AirPods.

Editor’s Pick
Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Plus

The Samsung Galaxy Buds+ give you a solid and lengthy battery life in a range of very cool colours. While there are more expensive earbuds these dual dynamic driver earbuds with 3 mics are a great cheap AirPod Alternative.

Although AirPods work with any non-apple Bluetooth-enabled device, you might miss out on some of its features while using it with android smartphones. Moreover, AirPods are an expensive option for those looking for simple wireless in-ear headphones.

For whatever reason you are looking for AirPods alternatives, we have researched, shortlisted, and reviewed seven of the best AirPods alternatives available in the market now. You can pick any of them as your next year’s on-the-go wireless earphones.

Without more ado, let’s review the seven best AirPods alternatives for 2021.

But if you are in a hurry and don’t want to sift through all the reviews, here’s a glimpse of the seven best AirPods alternatives available in the market right now.

  1. TOZO T10 Bluetooth 5.0 Wireless Earbuds
  2. Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Plus
  3. AUKEY True Wireless Earbuds
  4. Bose Sport Earbuds
  5. Sony WF-XB700 EXTRA BASS True Wireless Earbuds
  6. JLab Audio JBuds Air Sport True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
  7. JBL Tune 120TWS – True Wireless in-Ear Headphone 

1: TOZO T10 Bluetooth 5.0 Wireless Earbuds

TOZO T10 Bluetooth 5.0 Wireless Earbuds

You might be surprised that not a big music and audio brand is topping the list. The reason is simple: TOZO T10 wireless earbuds are exceedingly good. It is almost impossible to find any other AirPods alternative at that price point with all its features and durability. 

To begin with, TOZO T10 features Bluetooth 5.0 that ensures you get stereo sound quality even on network calls. Moreover, its 8mm driver is almost two times bigger than standard earbuds drivers, enabling it to deliver hi-fi sound with powerful bass performance.

The other impressive bit of these wireless earbuds is their one-step pairing. You don’t have to go through an exhaustive Bluetooth connecting process with TOZO T10. When you pick both its headsets from the charging box, they automatically pair with each other. These wireless in-ear headphones are also good for workouts and outdoor use— thanks to IPX8 waterproof nano-coating that protects the headsets from sweat and other moistures.

Pros

  • The charging case also supports wireless charging
  • Gel-flexible silicone earcups— comfortable to ears
  • A great bang for the buck

Cons

  • Might not the best earbuds option for iPhones

Check TOZO T10 Bluetooth 5.0 Wireless Earbuds on Amazon

2: Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Plus

Samsung

The next AirPods alternative on the list belongs to Apple’s Smartphone rival brand. However, it is equally good for android and iOS devices. The first thing about Samsung Galaxy Bud+ that caught our eyes was its minimal yet stylish design. It looks the part with futuristic aesthetics. Besides its design and appearance, we are equally impressed by its specs.

Galaxy Buds+ features two external and one internal microphone to ensure you don’t have to shout on calls even if there is too much ambient noise. Moreover, the perfect fit of the earbuds ensures that you can listen to music and calls without distractions. 

Galaxy Bud+ users also get an option to remain attentive for oncoming traffic, flight announcements, etc with its Ambient Aware2. This feature ensures that you remain in-tune with your surroundings while tapping your feet to your playlist or listening to your favorite podcasts.

We also like these earbuds for their rich sound that doesn’t miss any highs, lows, and mids. Galaxy Buds+ is able to generate crisp and powerful sound due to its 2-way dynamic speaker system. 

Pros

  • Tap for all control functions
  • Displays battery life on the connected phone
  • 22 hours of wireless stereo experience

Cons

  • Has to be synced with an app to use all the features

Check Samsung Galaxy Buds+ Plus on Amazon

3: AUKEY True Wireless Earbuds

Cheap AirPod alternatives the AUKEY True Wireless Earbuds on colourful background
Aukey True Wireless – great AirPod alternatives

These AUKEY wireless earbuds are also a cost-effective AirPods alternative that doesn’t come with any feature compromise or quality drop. These earbuds have a slightly longer tail than most earbuds, making them a perfect fit. This construction feature also makes it easy for users to notice them on tabletops and other places, thus minimizing the chances of you losing them.

Its top-quality micro driver magnets ensure that you can enjoy your playlist with a crisp, high-fidelity sound. On the other hand, the use of MEMS microphone technology allows you to have hassle-free clear conservations through these earbuds. We also like the touch control of this pair of AUKEY earbuds that brings all the music control and call management at your fingertip. You can play and pause the songs, receive and reject calls, and activate its voice-assistance feature with the same tap function. 

Another impressive bit about AUKEY True Wireless Earbuds is its charging case. A fully-charged AUKEY charging case lets you power up your earbuds six times for 5-hour playtime in each charge. This means you can use these AirPods alternatives for 30 hours nonstop without looking for charging cables and charging sockets.

Pros 

  • Great value for money
  • Comes with three pairs of ear tips— for a perfect fit
  • Total 35 hours of wireless playback

Cons

  • Some users may find its control panel’s response time a bit slow

Check AUKEY True Wireless Earbuds on Amazon

4: Bose Sport Earbuds

Bose

Bose is the leading manufacturer of speakers and other audio devices. It has forayed into the earbuds market as well and introduced some top-quality options. Bose’s Sports Earbuds live up to its good brand reputation. They boast good audio quality and exhibit better durability than many earbuds on the block.

Bose has marketed these in-ear headphones as workout earbuds. Therefore, they feature an IPX4 waterproof rating. You can wear these buds to intense gym sessions and listen to your workout playlist for keeping yourself motivated and pushing your limits. The sweat and humidity won’t seep into the electronics of the headsets.

We also love the capacitive touch interface of these earbuds. Unlike the majority of off-the-shelf earbuds whose touch panels start wobbling just after a couple of days, Bose earbuds touch control continues to offer the same responsiveness as day one.

The Bluetooth connectivity of Bose Sports Earbuds is also worth mentioning. The hidden antennas featured inside each headset ensures that you can use them in 30 feet range without experiencing any dropouts.

Pros

  • Available in stunning blue, black, and white finishes
  • A quick on-the-go recharge for 2-hour playtime
  • Comes with three ear tips of different sizes

Cons

  • A bit heavy on the pocket

Check Bose Sport Earbuds on Amazon

5: Sony WF-XB700 EXTRA BASS True Wireless Earbuds

Sony

Sony has been a reliable name in the audio industry for a long time. If you want your earbuds to produce a bass-heavy sound similar to that of over-ear headphones, you should consider investing in Sony WF-XB700. Sony has particularly designed these earbuds and accordingly used drivers that can offer a powerful punch of bass for low-end sounds. 

We also like these wireless buds for their sturdy design and waterproof rating, making it another good wireless in-ear headphone option for workouts. It won’t malfunction or drop quality after getting exposed to water splashes and sweat. 

Moreover, a fall from the table or pocket won’t smash them into pieces. Then its ergonomic design ensures that it can securely and comfortably fit in ears when you are running or exercising. 

Pros 

  • Boasts one-charge playback of up to 9 hours
  • Features wearing detection— easy to connect
  • Effective noise-cancellation— immersive stereo experience

Cons

  • Some user may find its feature a bit underwhelming for its price tag

Check Sony WF-XB700 EXTRA BASS True Wireless Earbuds on Amazon

6: JLab Audio JBuds Air Sport True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds

JLab Audio JBuds Air Sport True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
The JLab are oozing style and a nice comfortable ear hook for a cheap airpod alternative fitness earbud

JLab Audio JBuds is one of the best AirPods alternatives for various reasons. To begin with, it boasts one of the longest wireless playbacks. With a fully-charged charging case and buds, you can use JBuds for 40 hours nonstop. These earbuds come with built-in ear hooks to ensure a secure fit during running and workouts.

JLab earbuds offer stereo sound quality on calls along with its dual microphone installation in which one microphone picks up your voice and the other cancels out the ambient noise so that the people on the other end can hear you clear and crisp.

Due to its ear hooks, water-resistant rating, and long wireless playback time, JBuds are a good choice for outdoor use. From camping to trailing and off-road to off-the-grid adventures, JBuds will come in handy.

Pros

  • Comes with Be Aware Audio feature— for attentive and safe use
  • Easy to connect
  • Available in two colors and come with three sets of gel tips

Cons

  • The Bluetooth connection could have been better

Check JLab Audio JBuds Air Sport True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds on Amazon

7: JBL Tune 120TWS – True Wireless in-Ear Headphone 

JBL

We are rounding off our list with JBL Tune’s wireless in-ear headphones. They are a stylish and affordable alternative to AirPods with many noteworthy features. For starters, they feature 5.8mm drivers that ensure you can listen to your bass-heavy playlist with its full essence. 

The design of the earbuds and the charging case is quite compact. You can easily tuck it in your pants’ pocket without overstuffing it. The fully charged case can recharge JBL earbuds three times for 4-hour playtime on each recharge. This means you can easily use carry and use it all day at work, commute, and workout without needing the charging cable.

Pros

  • A compact and lightweight earbuds and charging case combination
  • Available in six stunning finishes
  • Offers stereo sound quality on calls

Cons

  • Some users have complained about the syncing 

Check JBL Tune 120TWS – True Wireless in-Ear Headphone  on Amazon

Things to Consider While Buying AirPods Alternatives

Take these factors into account while looking for AirPods alternatives.

Call and Music Sound Quality

A worthy AirPods alternative will offer both impressive call and music sound quality. Try to get your hands on options that offer stereo sound quality for calls and provide a hi-fi music experience. 

Playback Time

Being wireless is the leading attribute of AirPods and other earbuds. Therefore, a good pair of buds should be very good with their wireless playback time. Make sure that the earbuds you will buy for 2021 can offer you more than 10 hours of playtime with its fully charged casing so that can go about your day without worrying about dying earphones.

Control

Earbuds have the smallest size among all the regular personal gadgets one uses. Its micro footprint makes it trickier for manufacturers to tie up its controls. A good AirPods alternative will have a responsive touch panel with minimalistic control (e.g. a tap for every function).

Price

You can easily get top-quality, full of specs AirPods alternatives within $100. Spending more than a hundred bucks on earbuds is justified if you are a brand fanatic and can’t settle on anything else.

FAQs

How Can I Avoid Losing My Earbuds?

Use them with the right ear gel, ear hooks, or binder clips to make sure they don’t disappear. Also, keep their charging case in your pocket to put them back in when not in use.

Can Earbuds other than AirPods Be Used with Apple Devices?

Yes, you can use any pair of earbuds with your apple devices as long as both gadgets feature Bluetooth.

How Earbuds Sync/ Pair with Each Other?

Most top-of-the-line earbuds come with an auto-sync feature where they automatically pair with each other when you pull them from their charging docks.

Conclusion

We hope that the above reviews, buying guide, and FAQs help you pick the best AirPods alternatives for 2021. If we are to make any suggestion, we would recommend you pick TOZO T10 for its impressive features and price tag. For extensive outdoor use, JLab Audio’s JBuds is a good option to consider. The rest of the earbuds are also great for users with different preferences and budgets.

Endless hours of experimentation, professional work, and personal investment in Home Theatre, Hi-Fi, Smart Home Automation and Headphones have come to this.

Former owner of Headphones Canada, a high-end headphone specialty retailer.

This post was last updated on 2024-11-03 / Some images from Amazon Product API & some links may be affiliate links which may earn us a commission from purchases.


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