Stop wasting money on AirPods, buy these alternatives instead

AirPods have become the wireless earbuds everyone owns, and those who don't often wish they did. However, just because iPhone users default to AirPods without considering other options on the market, that doesn't automatically make them the best option. Plenty of alternatives can offer more for a lot less money.

AirPods have little to offer beyond Apple integration and great ANC

Apple users love to boast about how well-integrated their AirPods are in the ecosystem—and there's a hint of truth in that.

Seamless pairing with Apple devices is just the start—switching from a video on your iPad to a call on your iPhone without even touching a menu is the "magic" that keeps many people firmly in the Apple ecosystem. Finding a lost AirPod with the Find My app is another essential feature for people who frequently misplace their wireless earbuds.

Sharing audio across multiple pairs of AirPods instead of having to share a single pair is a must-have if you like to watch movies on the plane with your significant other. Siri integration is another useful feature for a true hands-free experience when doing the dishes or at the gym.

There are numerous other little features like this that make AirPods great. While other brands have some or even most of these features, Apple generally has the most polished integration.

But do you actually even use any of these features? And, more importantly, are you willing to pay a hefty premium just to have them?

For example, in the near-decade that AirPods have existed, I have never seen a single person talk to Siri using their AirPods. Not a single time, not even in private settings.

Realistically, most people just use their AirPods to play music, movies, and podcasts from their iPhone or MacBook.

All the other ecosystem perks are nice to have but are hardly ever used—and that's perfectly okay. At the end of the day, AirPods are just earbuds, and they do what they say on the tin.

The other big factor that often gets brought up, particularly with the more premium AirPods Pro, is their best-in-class ANC.

There's no denying it: the AirPods Pro 3 have some of the best ANC of any earbuds, at least according to tests by SoundGuys and RTINGS .

However, as essential as ANC is , can you really notice the difference in its quality between AirPods and a cheaper pair with decent ANC, like the Soundcore by Anker Space A40 , once the music starts playing? Chances are you won't, or the difference will be so small that it simply won't matter.

Beyond that, AirPods just don't have that much to offer , especially given how much they cost.

Comfort is a mixed bag; they either fit you or they don't. Controls are limited, the design is as vanilla as it gets, the battery life is meh, and the sound and microphone quality are good enough but won't impress any audiophile. Materials and finish are okay, but far from premium-feeling.

With so many alternatives that excel at some or even all of these things, it's hard to understand why people keep buying them.

Alternatives offer better sound and more features than AirPods

If you're not much of an audiophile and just want to save money, I'm happy to report that even the cheapest Bluetooth earbuds can do a fantastic job of providing reliable, crystal-clear wireless audio at a fraction of the cost.

The QCY T13 are the quintessential AirPods clone: they won't impress you with much except their price. You could buy five pairs of these instead of a single pair of AirPods 4, and when they break or get lost, you probably won't even care.

If you're on team Android with a Samsung phone and are looking for a true alternative to the AirPods that costs significantly less while offering many of the same features and integrations , the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE are all you'll ever need, with the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro serving as a solid premium option.

If you're after sound quality, the traditional audiophile-focused brands generally do a much better job than AirPods, while often still delivering very solid ANC. Some of the best-sounding earbuds that outperform both AirPods and AirPods Pro include the Bose QuietComfort , Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 , Sony WF-1000XM5 , and Technics EAH-AZ80-K .

Another big factor is comfort. AirPods either fit you or they don't.

I personally don't find their design comfortable, and I gravitate toward rounder earbuds with a traditional in-ear design, which never fall out of my ears. If you feel the same, you'll likely find these other options much more comfortable.

But what if you're after something that offers some additional, perhaps slightly unusual perks?

For instance, gamers might find the integration of low-latency 2.4GHz wireless connectivity in the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds a phenomenal feature when gaming on their phones, PCs, or consoles.

Plus, they offer 10 hours of playback time (twice that of the AirPods), with three additional charges for a total of 40 hours of use. I actually own a pair, and I frankly can't remember the last time I charged them.

Some wireless earbuds provide completely alternative ways to listen to music. Of course, I'm talking about bone conduction . They're perfect if you have trouble with traditional earbuds, as they allow you to stay fully aware while doing outdoor activities.

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I'm only scratching the surface here. I haven't even mentioned features like water resistance (fully waterproof IPX7 earbuds let you swim with them), better tactile controls, companion apps with equalizer customization, fast charging, and more.

There are so many great earbuds out there, many of which beat Apple on price, features, or both. Expand your horizons and start exploring the other options on the market!