Should I Get AirPods or other Wireless Headphones?

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 vs pirpods pro

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

FeatureAirPods 2nd GenerationAirPods 3rd GenerationAirpods Pro 2nd Generation
Design and ComfortGoodGoodExcellent
Sound QualityOKGoodExcellent
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)NoNoYes
Transparency modeNoNoYes
Battery Life (with charging case)24 hoursUp to 30 hoursUp to 30 hours
Battery life (earbuds)Up to 5 hoursUp to 6 hours6 hours
Audio technology___Adaptive EQ, custom high-excursion Apple driver, custom high dynamic range amplifierAdaptive EQ, custom high-excursion Apple driver, custom high dynamic range amplifier, vent system for pressure equalization
Voice Recognition (Siri)YesYesYes
Water and Sweat ResistantNoYes (IPX4)Yes (IPX4)
Multi EartipsNoNoYes
Charging TypesLightning Charging CaseMagSafe or Lightning (extra $10 for MagSafe case)MagSafe or Lightning
Automatic Pause/PlayYesYesYes
Spatial AudioNoYesYes
ChipH1 chipH1 chipH2 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.

Airpods Estimated Slae

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 2

Sony WF-1000XM4 VS AirPods Pro 2nd Generation

FeatureAirpods Pro 2nd GenerationSony WF-1000XM4
Active noise cancellationYesYes
Transparency modeYesYes
Customizable fitYes (3 sizes of silicone tips)Yes (3 sizes but NO silicone tips)
Sweat and water resistantIPX4 Water resistanceIPX4 Water resistance
Adaptive EQYesThe equalizer in the Headphones Connect app
Battery life (with ANC)6 hours8 hours
Multipoint connectionNoYes (available via firmware update)
Wireless chargingYesQi technology
App compatibilityNo Dedicated AppAndroid/iOS
Alexa integrationCompatible with Alexa via AppYes (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
Sony WF-1000XM4
  • Budsera’s Recommended

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.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II vs airpods pro 2

AirPods Pro VS Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II

FeatureAirpods Pro 2nd GenerationBose QC Earbuds II
Active noise cancellationYesYes
Transparency modeYesYes
Customizable fitYes (3 sizes of silicone tips)Yes (silicone ear tips and stability bands)
Sweat and water resistantIPX4 Water resistanceIPX4 Water resistance
Adaptive EQYesYes
Battery life (with ANC)6 hours6 hours
Multipoint connectionNoNo
Wireless chargingYesUSB-C only
App compatibilityNo Dedicated AppAndroid/iOS
Alexa integrationCompatible with Alexa via AppYes (Built-in)
NEW Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
  • Best Apple AirPods Alternative

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.

Google Pixel Buds Pro vs airpods pro 2

AirPods Pro VS Google Pixel Buds Pro

FeatureAirpods Pro 2nd GenerationGoogle Pixel Buds Pro
Active noise cancellationYesYes
Transparency modeYesYes
Customizable fitYes (3 sizes of silicone tips)Yes (silicone ear tips)
Sweat and water resistantIPX4 Water resistanceIPX4 Water resistance
Case (IPX2)
Adaptive EQYesYes
Battery life (with ANC)6 hours7 hours
Multipoint connectionNoYes
Wireless chargingYesYes
App compatibilityNo Dedicated AppAndroid
Alexa integrationCompatible with Alexa via AppYes (Built-in)
Google Pixel buds pro
Google Pixel Buds Pro
  • Best For Android Users

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.

Powerbeats Pro vs airpods pro 2

AirPods Pro VS Powerbeats Pro

FeatureAirpods Pro 2nd GenerationPowerbeats Pro
Active noise cancellationYesNO
Transparency modeYesYes
Customizable fitYes (3 sizes of silicone tips)Yes (4 sets of silicone ear tips)
Sweat and water resistantIPX4 Water resistanceWater resistance (no IPX rating)
Adaptive EQYesYes
Battery life (with ANC)6 hours9 hours (NO ANC)
Multipoint connectionNoNO
Wireless chargingYesNO (Lightning Cable)
App compatibilityNo Dedicated AppAndroid
Alexa integrationCompatible with Alexa via AppYes
Powerbeats Pro
Powerbeats Pro
  • Adjustable and Secure-fit

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.

It depends on personal preference and specific features desired. AirPods offer a sleek design and seamless integration with Apple devices, but other brands may have better sound quality or noise cancellation.

It depends on individual preferences and needs. AirPods offer unique features but may not be worth the extra cost for some.

Author at Budsera
Bilal Naeem is the Tech Gadgets Reviewer and Author of Budsera.com, He was born in Pakistan and has lived most of his life in Lahore. He loves to write about Technology and Gadgets. You can visit his site https://budsera.com. (Get the earbuds Habit!)
Bilal Naeem

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