When it comes to wireless headphones, AirPods are a popular choice among many people due to their sleek design and seamless user experience. However, they may not offer the best sound quality or features compared to other alternative headphones on the market.
It’s important to consider your specific needs and preferences when choosing a pair of wireless headphones, and weigh the overall experience against technical specifications.
AirPods or other Wireless Headphones?
Wireless headphones have become increasingly popular in recent years, offering convenience and freedom of movement while listening to music or taking calls. With so many options on the market, it can be challenging to decide which ones to buy. One of the most popular options is AirPods, but are they the best choice for you?
In this post, I will share my personal experiences with both AirPods and other wireless headphones and provide information on factors to consider when making your decision such as sound quality, fit, and price. I will also discuss the pros and cons of each option to help you determine which headphones are best for you.
AirPods 2nd Gen VS AirPods 3rd Gen VS AirPods Pro 2nd Generation
Before diving into the details of this topic, let’s first compare different models of Apple earbuds to help you make an informed decision on which product best suits your needs. We will also discuss some top alternatives to AirPods, highlighting their pros and cons. Stay tuned for more!
Which should you buy? AirPods 2 Vs AirPods 3 vs AirPods Pro 2
| Feature | AirPods 2nd Generation | AirPods 3rd Generation | Airpods Pro 2nd Generation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design and Comfort | Good | Good | Excellent |
| Sound Quality | OK | Good | Excellent |
| Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) | No | No | Yes |
| Transparency mode | No | No | Yes |
| Battery Life (with charging case) | 24 hours | Up to 30 hours | Up to 30 hours |
| Battery life (earbuds) | Up to 5 hours | Up to 6 hours | 6 hours |
| Audio technology | ___ | Adaptive EQ, custom high-excursion Apple driver, custom high dynamic range amplifier | Adaptive EQ, custom high-excursion Apple driver, custom high dynamic range amplifier, vent system for pressure equalization |
| Voice Recognition (Siri) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Water and Sweat Resistant | No | Yes (IPX4) | Yes (IPX4) |
| Multi Eartips | No | No | Yes |
| Charging Types | Lightning Charging Case | MagSafe or Lightning (extra $10 for MagSafe case) | MagSafe or Lightning |
| Automatic Pause/Play | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial Audio | No | Yes | Yes |
| Chip | H1 chip | H1 chip | H2 chip, U1 chip in charging case |
As you can see from the comparison table above, all of these Apple earbuds offer a variety of features and benefits. The Airpods Pro 2nd Generation offers the most advanced features in terms of design and comfort, sound quality, active noise cancellation, and water resistance. They are also the most expensive among the three.
According to Statista, The Estimated WorldWide Unit Sales of AirPods in 2021 is “100-110M”
Best Apple AirPods alternatives 2023
As someone who has tried a variety of different wireless earbuds over the years, I can attest to the fact that there are many great alternatives to Apple’s AirPods available in the market.
Sony WF-1000XM4 – Best Apple AirPods Alternative
Sony WF-1000XM4 is an excellent choice for people who are looking for a pair of truly wireless earbuds with superior noise canceling capabilities, Built-in Alexa, long battery life, and water resistance. Let’s make a side-by-side comparison and see which product has worth it for you!
Sony WF-1000XM4 VS AirPods Pro 2nd Generation
| Feature | Airpods Pro 2nd Generation | Sony WF-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Active noise cancellation | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Customizable fit | Yes (3 sizes of silicone tips) | Yes (3 sizes but NO silicone tips) |
| Sweat and water resistant | IPX4 Water resistance | IPX4 Water resistance |
| Adaptive EQ | Yes | The equalizer in the Headphones Connect app |
| Battery life (with ANC) | 6 hours | 8 hours |
| Multipoint connection | No | Yes (available via firmware update) |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Qi technology |
| App compatibility | No Dedicated App | Android/iOS |
| Alexa integration | Compatible with Alexa via App | Yes (Built-in) |
Sony WF-1000XM4 offers industry-leading noise canceling capabilities, which can be especially useful for people who are frequently in loud environments and want to block out background noise.
The AirPods Pro also has active noise cancellation, but the Sony WF-1000XM4 is known for its superior noise-canceling capabilities
Second, the Sony WF-1000XM4 offers 8 hours of battery life with noise canceling on, which is longer than the AirPods Pro. This can be important for people who are frequently away from a charging source.
Sony WF-1000XM4
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
When it comes to the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II, both are excellent options for active noise-canceling wireless earbuds.
The AirPods Pro boasts a sleek, glossy design and is well-integrated with the Apple ecosystem, while the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II offer a more stable fit and are better suited for workouts thanks to the included stability bands and IPX4 water resistance rating.
In terms of design, the AirPods Pro has a more recognizable look, but the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are available in black and white. Ultimately, the choice between the two will come down to personal preferences and how you plan to use the earbuds.
AirPods Pro VS Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
| Feature | Airpods Pro 2nd Generation | Bose QC Earbuds II |
|---|---|---|
| Active noise cancellation | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Customizable fit | Yes (3 sizes of silicone tips) | Yes (silicone ear tips and stability bands) |
| Sweat and water resistant | IPX4 Water resistance | IPX4 Water resistance |
| Adaptive EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Battery life (with ANC) | 6 hours | 6 hours |
| Multipoint connection | No | No |
| Wireless charging | Yes | USB-C only |
| App compatibility | No Dedicated App | Android/iOS |
| Alexa integration | Compatible with Alexa via App | Yes (Built-in) |
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
Google Pixel Buds Pro – Best AirPods Pro Alternative For Android
When it comes to choosing between the Google Pixel Buds Pro and the Apple AirPods Pro, it’s important to consider the compatibility with your smartphone. Both headsets offer unique features that are only accessible on their respective operating systems.
However, it is important to note that the Google Pixel Buds Pro has better active noise canceling performance, while the AirPods Pro has better sound quality.
Ultimately, the choice between these two headphones depends on your personal preferences and the features that are most important to you.
AirPods Pro VS Google Pixel Buds Pro
| Feature | Airpods Pro 2nd Generation | Google Pixel Buds Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Active noise cancellation | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Customizable fit | Yes (3 sizes of silicone tips) | Yes (silicone ear tips) |
| Sweat and water resistant | IPX4 Water resistance | IPX4 Water resistance Case (IPX2) |
| Adaptive EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Battery life (with ANC) | 6 hours | 7 hours |
| Multipoint connection | No | Yes |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| App compatibility | No Dedicated App | Android |
| Alexa integration | Compatible with Alexa via App | Yes (Built-in) |
Google Pixel Buds Pro
Powerbeats Pro – Best For Fit AirPods Alternative
The Powerbeats Pro and the AirPods Pro are both high-performance, totally wireless earphones, but they have some key differences.
The Powerbeats Pro offers longer listening time with up to 9 hours of listening time and more than 24 hours with the charging case, while the AirPods Pro has up to 5 hours of listening time and up to 24 hours with the charging case.
The Powerbeats Pro also has adjustable, secure-fit ear hooks for added comfort and stability during workouts, whereas the AirPods Pro has a more traditional in-ear design. Both have sweat and water resistance, but the Powerbeats Pro have a reinforced design for added durability.
Additionally, the Powerbeats Pro is compatible with both iOS and Android and has enhanced phone call performance and call handling from either earbud. The AirPods Pro, on the other hand, has advanced features like Spatial Audio and Adaptive EQ.
AirPods Pro VS Powerbeats Pro
| Feature | Airpods Pro 2nd Generation | Powerbeats Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Active noise cancellation | Yes | NO |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Customizable fit | Yes (3 sizes of silicone tips) | Yes (4 sets of silicone ear tips) |
| Sweat and water resistant | IPX4 Water resistance | Water resistance (no IPX rating) |
| Adaptive EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Battery life (with ANC) | 6 hours | 9 hours (NO ANC) |
| Multipoint connection | No | NO |
| Wireless charging | Yes | NO (Lightning Cable) |
| App compatibility | No Dedicated App | Android |
| Alexa integration | Compatible with Alexa via App | Yes |
Powerbeats Pro
Verdict
It’s important to note that there is no clear winner when it comes to comparing these earbuds with the AirPods Pro 2. While the AirPods Pro 2 may have better sound quality, other earbuds may have better active noise canceling. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and what features are important to you. I have provided you with a side-by-side comparison of each product with the AirPods Pro 2 so that you can easily make a refined decision.
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