Best AirPods alternatives in 2026

Apple's AirPods are great, but they're not the right pick for everyone. If you're using an Android phone, you'll get more out of earbuds designed for your device. And even if you're all in on iPhone, you don't have to stick with Apple to get excellent sound quality and strong active noise cancellation (ANC). After testing dozens of models hands-on, we've rounded up the best AirPods alternatives in 2026.

What stood out most is how close the competition has gotten. Many of these earbuds offer rich sound, reliable ANC, solid battery life, and broad device compatibility — often for less than Apple charges. Our top pick overall is the Beats Fit Pro. They're technically an Apple product, but offer a secure, workout-friendly fit while playing nice with both iPhones and Android phones. If you're trying to spend less, the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC are an easy recommendation, with an AirPods-like design and a surprisingly robust feature set.

Below, you'll find our full list of the best AirPods alternatives. Whether you're team iPhone, firmly Android, or bouncing between both, there's something here that should match your preferences and your budget.

Our top picks for the best AirPods alternatives

Best overall: Beats Fit Pro - See at Amazon

Best on a budget: Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC - See at Amazon

Best for working out: Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 - See at Amazon

Best noise-canceling: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) - See at Amazon

Best for a unique style: Nothing Ear - See at Amazon

Best open ear: Soundcore AeroFit 2 - See at Amazon

Best overall

The Beats Fit Pro are basically the "AirPods for everyone," which is why they make such a strong alternative. They use the same Apple H1 chip found in older AirPods, giving iPhone users familiar perks and seamless integration with Apple devices. But unlike AirPods, the Fit Pro also support a dedicated Android app, making them just as friendly to Android owners as they are to Apple fans.

Design-wise, the Fit Pro skip Apple's signature stem in favor of a flexible wing tip that keeps them securely in place. They're comfortable enough for long listening sessions, available in several colors, and offer IPX4 water resistance for workouts or rainy commutes.

iPhone users get all the expected conveniences: one-touch pairing, Automatic Switching across iCloud devices, Find My support, and hands-free Siri. Android users aren't left out, either — the Beats app adds one-touch pairing, customizable controls, and battery readouts. These are features AirPods don't offer when paired with an Android phone, giving the Fit Pro a meaningful edge for listeners outside the Apple ecosystem.

The earbuds also deliver strong active noise cancellation and a natural transparency mode, as well as support for Apple's spatial audio with dynamic head tracking. Even without spatial audio, their sound profile is clear and balanced, offering more detail and restraint than the bass-heavy tuning of old-school Beats headphones.

You also get convenient features like automatic ear-detection sensors that pause playback when you remove a bud, along with simple one-button controls. Battery life holds up well, too, at around six hours with noise canceling on, plus an additional 18 hours from the charging case. The case is the Fit Pro's weakest point: it's bulkier than many modern alternatives and doesn't offer wireless charging.

Still, those drawbacks are minor compared to everything the Fit Pro get right. If you're looking for the best AirPods alternative that works seamlessly with both iOS and Android devices, these earbuds remain our top pick.

Best on a budget

Anker's Soundcore Liberty 4 NC are supercharged buds at an extremely low price. We honestly can't believe just how much these AirPods-esque earbuds offer for the money, redefining our expectations of how good budget buds can be. They're also notable for their stem-like design, which resembles Apple's classic AirPods.

The Liberty 4 NC have noise-canceling quality that nearly mops the floor with similarly priced competitors. Only Anker's own Space A40 earbuds can compete in this price range, with the Liberty 4 NC offering a slight edge. This is quality canceling, especially with low frequencies. The adjustable transparency mode isn't quite as impressive, but it does the trick, letting you choose between vocal and full transparency depending on your situation.

Sound quality is also impressive. We experienced a clean, spritely midrange and treble response, with full, musical bass. The sound signature is a little snappy by default, but you can tame it with the multi-band EQ in Anker's loaded app.

When it comes to features, the Liberty 4 NC have a version of nearly everything there's a name for, from sound personalization and wind-buffering to high-resolution playback with Sony's LDAC audio protocol. You'll also get an earbuds finder, low-latency gaming mode, multi-point audio for quickly switching between source devices, and more. Battery life is also among the best in class, offering up to 10 hours of playback per charge. However, we achieved closer to seven hours with noise canceling engaged in our tests.

Like any pair of budget buds, not everything is top-flight. The touch controls are easy to customize, but they're not always as responsive as pricier buds. Additionally, some features, such as auto-pause, take longer than expected to activate. Still, it's hard to complain, considering all the Liberty 4 NC offer. If you want high-roller features on a budget, these are your earbuds.

Check out our guide to all the best budget headphones.

Best for working out

Great workout earbuds need to fit securely while being adaptable to different environments, blocking out noise during intense gym sessions while staying open to the world during outdoor runs. The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 nail that balance, making them an excellent fitness-focused alternative to Apple's AirPods.

This is especially true since the Powerbeats Pro 2 actually use the same H2 chip that powers the latest AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 4. This means the earbuds support many Apple-friendly features, including Find My Tracking, Audio Sharing, Ultra-Low Latency, and iCloud Pairing.

Like the latest AirPods Pro 3, the Powerbeats Pro 2 also feature built-in heart rate tracking, which records health data and syncs with the Apple Fitness app on an iPhone. This also works with third-party apps on Android phones.

Although not as powerful as the AirPods Pro 3, these in-ear buds deliver effective active noise cancellation (ANC) to mute clanging weights and gym chatter. Their transparency mode does a great job of letting in ambient sounds, allowing you to stay alert to traffic while running.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds also offer punchy sound quality without muddying vocals or instruments. Whether you're pushing through heavy lifts or a long cardio grind, the Powerbeats Pro 2 make your playlists sound bold and motivating.

Comfort and durability are solid, too. The earbuds fit securely and stay in place even during sweaty workouts. They also feature IPX4 water resistance. The physical volume and playback buttons are a small but appreciated touch, especially when you're on the move.

Battery life is another notable advantage, offering up to 45 hours of use with the charging case. The chase now supports wireless charging and is more compact than the previous-generation model.

If you're looking for a workout-focused pair of earbuds with many of the features you'd get with the AirPods Pro, the Powerbeats Pro 2 are an excellent fit.

Read our full Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 review.

Check out our guide to all of the best headphones for working out.

Best noise-canceling

Bose's QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are like a volume knob for the world. They block out pesky distractions better than any of Apple's earbuds, making these the best AirPods alternatives for people who want powerful ANC. Simply put, you won't find better noise-canceling earbuds anywhere on the market.

The new second-generation model was launched in September 2025, and the revised earbuds offer a few small but welcome tweaks over their predecessors. Most notably, they now come with a wireless charging case and deliver improved call quality — all while coming in at the same suggested retail price.

ANC performance remains the standout. Although the second-gen earbuds' performance is similar to that of the first-gen model, they still offer the most impressive noise cancellation we've tested in a pair of earbuds. The QC Ultra Earbuds also feature a clear and natural-sounding transparency mode that rivals the AirPods Pro 3. Like the AirPods Pro, their microphones are designed to keep your ears safe by limiting sudden loud noises with adaptive tech. They also deliver excellent AI-based background noise suppression for phone calls.

The Ultra's audio processing extends to their sound performance, which is detailed and dynamic. Though the second-gen model uses the same audio drivers as the first-gen earbuds, Bose has adjusted the tuning. The differences are subtle, but we did notice a warmer, better-balanced sound with the new model. Bass, in particular, is a step above what we've heard on the AirPods Pro.

However, if the sound becomes too bold, a three-band EQ in Bose's Music app for Android or iPhone allows you to adjust it to your taste. The app also lets you engage Bose's spatial audio feature, which creates a 3D soundstage from stereo sound, with head tracking to anchor you in your sonic space. It's not our favorite feature for music, but it's there if you want it.

Like the Beats Fit Pro, the QC Ultra's case is rather bulky. However, the second-gen model supports wireless charging, which was notably missing from the first-gen earbuds. The earbuds offer other convenient features, like a sonic test that adjusts the sound each time you put them in. The buds' design features ear tips and wings for a secure fit, and they come with new in-ear wax guards. That said, the buds' size makes them less suitable for smaller ears.

Read our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) review.

Check out our guide to all the best noise-canceling headphones.

Best for a unique style

The Nothing Ear are some of the coolest-looking earbuds on the market. Their transparent design, complete with a stylish rectangular case, makes them look like something out of a James Bond film. You can also see Apple-esque design touches everywhere, particularly in their bulbous white housings, but they also chart their own course, offering a lighter design than Apple's AirPods Pro 2, alongside robust dust and water resistance.

We previously included the Nothing Ear (2) as our pick in this category, but that model has been replaced by an updated option simply called the Nothing Ear. The newer model features a similar external design but utilizes a new ceramic diaphragm to deliver enhanced audio performance, along with 1.8 times improved noise cancellation and longer battery life. Since they cost the same as the older model, we now recommend the new option.

The buds support third-party conveniences you won't find on AirPods, like Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair, as well as distinctive touches like a voice that breathes in when you engage their transparency mode. Pinch commands simplify playback control, and extras such as multipoint pairing, a low-lag gaming mode, and customizable sound are also available.

We also like that Nothing has upgraded the battery life for this new model. Low battery life was one of our biggest complaints about the Nothing Ear (2), which were rated for just four hours with noise canceling and six hours without. The latest buds are rated for 5.2 hours with ANC on and 8.5 hours with noise-canceling off.

Although design remains the main selling point of the Nothing Ear, they offer an impressive overall package at a surprisingly affordable price. It all adds up to a great AirPods alternative, with style for days and plenty of features, no matter your phone preference. Nothing also makes a new pair of over-ear headphones with a similar aesthetic and performance. You can learn more in our Nothing Headphone (1) review.

Best open ear

Unlike the other earbuds on our list, the Soundcore AeroFit 2 use an open design. Instead of inserting each earbud into the ear canal, the buds rest just outside the ear and stay in place using adjustable over-ear hooks.

This makes the AeroFit 2 uniquely suited for outdoor activities like running and bike riding since their open design allows you to hear your surroundings while still enjoying your favorite music or podcasts. To accomplish a similar effect, many in-ear buds, like the AirPods Pro 3, use tiny microphones to enable transparency modes that let in outside sound, but these microphones can get overwhelmed by the wind.

The downside of the AeroFit 2's open design is that the earbuds aren't equipped to block out unwanted noises. Unlike traditional buds, which offer noise canceling or passive noise isolation, you'll hear everything around you with the AeroFit 2, for better or for worse.

Thankfully, the AeroFit 2 are still capable of solid bass performance, and they output enough volume for outdoor use. The overall sound quality is good for open-ear buds, and they surpass our previous pick in this category, the Sony Linkbuds Open. However, they still can't match the depth and clarity of in-ear models.

Our reviewer found the over-ear hooks to be comfy with a lightweight yet secure fit. You can even adjust the ear hooks to better match a variety of ear shapes and sizes. The included charging case has enough room to store the earbuds and hooks in whatever position you leave them in, so you don't have to keep adjusting them.

Though we prefer physical buttons for playback controls, the AeroFit 2 eabuds' touch controls work well enough, and you can customize functions in the mobile app.

Our other picks with in-ear designs offer superior audio performance. But the AeroFit 2 are the best AirPods alternatives for users who want an open design to use during activities like running.

Check out our guide to all the best headphones for running.

How we test AirPods alternatives

Our reviewers test earbuds using standard, reproducible methods to assess sound quality, functionality, and design. To select the best AirPods alternatives, we focused on models that deliver performance and features that match or exceed Apple's earbuds. We also tested how well the earbuds work with Apple-centric devices, Android, and PC products, with an emphasis on versatility.

When testing audio performance, we use a dedicated playlist featuring songs spanning genres such as pop, rock, jazz, hip-hop, electronic, and acoustic. We also test spatial audio and head tracking features using a mix of stereo and 3D audio tracks encoded in formats such as Dolby Atmos.

Regarding noise canceling and transparency modes, we test earbuds using studio speakers to play specific test videos and noise generators, as well as during real-world activities such as hiking, walking dogs, and exercising in crowded areas. For battery tests, we use a timer and play music and podcasts at medium volume, checking the battery level regularly. Most importantly, we live with the earbuds we test over multiple days to get a feel for how they are to use for regular buyers.

Meet the experts behind this guide:

Steven Cohen, senior tech editor: Steven oversees tech buying guides for Business Insider's Reviews team, and he's been covering headphones for more than a decade. Along with his team of writers, he tests earbuds year-round to keep this guide up to date with new recommendations that serve well as AirPods alternatives. Sure, Apple's buds have their perks, but plenty of competitors match those features and sometimes outdo them. His goal is simple: break it all down so you can feel confident you're getting a good pair of earbuds that won't have you missing Apple's headphones.

Ryan Waniata, contributing reporter: Ryan was previously a contributor to Business Insider's Reviews team but now writes for Wired. What really sets him apart is that he actually understands sound on a technical level. With a background in sound engineering and years of reporting under his belt, he's not just rattling off features from a spec sheet. He listens carefully and thinks about what actually makes a pair of earbuds worth it.

Learn more about the Reviews team at Business Insider.

What to look for in an AirPods alternative

The best AirPods alternatives are earbuds that serve as great stand-ins for Apple's offerings, delivering similar designs, features, and everyday performance.

Some picks resemble classic AirPods — such as the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC — with a stem-style design, but offer a better fit and additional features. Others, like the Beats Fit Pro, use a different design while still offering Apple-friendly integration and stronger usability for Android users.

As with any wireless earbuds, you'll want reliable Bluetooth (5.0 or higher) and solid battery life. Around five hours of playback with noise canceling or transparency mode turned on is a good baseline. Once you cross the $100 mark, features like ANC, transparency, and a companion app for firmware updates, EQ controls, and battery monitoring should be standard. Higher-end models often include perks such as multipoint pairing and wireless charging cases.

Above all, fit and sound quality are the most important factors. Extra features don't mean much if the earbuds aren't comfortable or enjoyable to listen to. To find the right match, check expert reviews (including this guide) and user feedback on sites like Reddit or Amazon. Brands like Sony, Bose, Jabra, Beats, and Soundcore consistently deliver reliable options. And if possible, try earbuds in person to ensure they feel and sound right before making a purchase.

For more top picks that suit a range of needs, check out our guides to the best earbuds and best headphones across a range of brands and designs. And if you'd rather browse Apple's earbuds, check out our guide to the best AirPods.

AirPods alternatives FAQs

What's the difference between in-ear and open-ear earbuds?

In-ear earbuds sit inside your ear canal to create a seal that helps improve sound quality, emphasize noise-canceling, and provide passive noise isolation. On the other hand, open-ear earbuds keep your ear canal open while still delivering audio to your ears via various methods.

Some earbuds, such as the Apple AirPods 4, feature a semi-open fit, which sits somewhat loosely without creating a complete seal in your ears, allowing them to feel less constricted. However, because they lack a seal, these earbuds tend to sound less deep and intimate than in-ear options.

Brands also sell fully open-ear models, like the Soundcore Aerofit 2, that don't block any ambient audio. These earbuds sit above your ear and transmit focused sound waves from specialized drivers.

Bone-conducting headphones, like those from Shokz, are another type of open-ear option. These headphones use sound pads designed to transmit audio through your jawbone. All open-ear earbuds have limited use cases but are prized by active users for their ability to let in environmental sounds naturally.

What is multipoint pairing?

Multipoint pairing enables a pair of wireless earbuds or headphones to simultaneously connect to two source devices, such as a phone and a computer. While you won't be playing audio from both devices simultaneously, multipoint pairing makes it easy to switch between them, allowing you to seamlessly transition from taking a call on your phone to joining a Zoom meeting on your computer without having to connect and disconnect your earbuds.

What's the difference between noise-canceling and transparency modes?

Noise-canceling and transparency modes are both considered "ambient sound" modes, which use exterior microphones and advanced sound processing. But they're essentially the exact opposite of one another.

Active noise canceling (ANC) uses algorithms that continuously monitor environmental frequencies and invert their polarity before they're piped into your ears. This reversal of the sine wave for each affected frequency will "cancel" the sound.

Meanwhile, transparency mode lets environmental sounds pass through so that you can stay aware of your surroundings. You can usually increase or decrease the ambient volume level, and the best versions from brands like Bose and Apple can even use audio compression to block and/or reduce sudden loud noises to protect your hearing.

What is spatial audio?

Spatial audio, as it applies specifically to earbuds and headphones, is a feature that uses virtualization to create a sense of three-dimensional space and depth from just two speakers. Multiple versions are available, though Apple's is the best we've tried so far when using Dolby Atmos mixes as a source. While many spatial audio implementations also work with stereo sources, we think this is generally less effective than using the feature in conjunction with 3D audio formats like Atmos.

Many versions of spatial audio also use head tracking, which is designed to create a sonic environment more like listening to regular speakers. With head tracking engaged, turning your head with your earbuds on keeps the soundstage centered, as though you're turning your head from a real pair of speakers.

Spatial audio is becoming increasingly common in music, with engineers focusing more on mixing songs for a 3D environment. That said, so far, we've found that spatial audio is still most effective for video content, such as movies and TV shows.

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