10 of the best Apple AirPod alternatives

HIGH WIRE

The Apple AirPods were not the first of their kind to cut the wires by any means, but their arrival at the end of 2016 did give the in-ear industry a nudge in the right direction. Now there are alternatives everywhere you look. That can only be a good thing for Android users. While the AirPods will work with Android phones, so much of their functionality is geared towards iOS that we’d argue your money is better spent elsewhere. Not sure where to start? Read on for a lowdown on some of the best wireless in-ears on the market right now.

TICPODS FREE (£120)

Approach someone while wearing a white pair of TicPods Free earphones and they’ll probably assume they’re AirPods, such are the similarities between Apple’s wireless buds and these Android-friendly alternatives. They even come with their own charging case, although it’s bulkier than Apple’s effort and connecting with your phone is a long way from the seamless experience you get with AirPods So how do they sound? Pretty good actually. The rubber tips offer decent sound isolation and considering the price they’re punchy and bassy. Just don’t expect them to rival your high-end over-ears.

JABRA ELITE ACTIVE 65T (£150)

Elsewhere on this list you’ll find Jabra’s Elite Sport in-ears. As the name suggests they’re aimed at fitness freaks and come with a built-in heart rate monitor. If your runs could be better described as Hungover Plod than Elite Sport, these Jabras might be the ones for you. Despite their bulbous appearance, the Jabra’s they fit well, which is important if you’re going to be pounding pavements or pumping iron with them in. Audiophiles will probably pick holes in their audio performance but we like our sports headphones to be punchy and energetic – all the better to help push you through the pain.

BOSE SOUNDSPORT FREE (£150)

You probably associate Bose with big, over-ear noise-cancellers but now you can also associate them with big, in-ear sports headphones. While there’s none of Bose’s trademark noise-cancelling here, the SoundSport Frees do manage to create a decent amount of isolation. Sound is bold but balanced with driving bass that’s suitable for gym bunnies and commuters alike. The only real issue is a lack of reliability when it comes to Bluetooth connectivity. Say what you like about Apple’s AirPods but their wireless performance is rock solid. Unfortunately we can’t say the same about these. It’s the only black mark against what is otherwise a well-performing pair of true wireless buds.

SONY WF-1000X (£134)

The WF-1000X have a smart but unfussy look, and a wonderfully comfy fit. They hang just slightly outside your ear – not so much that you look like you’re trying to close a business deal but just enough to ensure the microphone is in the best place. Pairing is quick and playback is largely stable, with the familiar Sony sound that puts timing, drive and dynamics at the top of its to-do list. Such an engaging sound is spurred on by stacks of clarity and insight through the midrange, and is supported by a bass response that’s punchy and well controlled at all times.

JABRA ELITE SPORT (£150)

As their name might suggest, Jabra is aiming the Elite Sport at the gym bunnies among you, with some fancy features up their sleeve to give you a helping hand during workouts. Their design is pretty bulky, which ensures a snug fit – not just for staying put when you’re on the treadmill, but also for reading your heart-rate. That said, the heart-rate monitor doesn’t have the accuracy of some more accomplished fitness wearables. It’ll give a good enough idea for casual gym goers, but no more. Meanwhile, the Jabra Elite Sport haven’t forgotten they need to sound good either, with a crisp, clear performance and plenty of bass kick.

BRAGI DASH PRO (£299)

The Bragi Dash Pro buds might be the priciest in-ears in our list, but they offer much more than your average headphones. Like the Jabras, they pack a heart-rate monitor and the ability to track a choice of activities, including running, cycling and – since they’re waterproof to 1m – swimming, with automatic lap counting. By the time you’ve discovered everything these buds can do, you’re wondering if how they sound even matters. The good thing is they don’t sound bad at all, offering a pretty even-handed balance, with a decent amount of space, plenty of clarity and just enough bass that you won’t feel short changed.

JAYBIRD RUN (£170)

Jaybird’s first wireless buds wear their intention on their sleeve – they’re a keen training buddy for to your runs and workouts without the worry of wires. At £170, they’re reasonably priced in the market, sitting somewhere in-between the budget buds and their pricier peers. Funnily enough, that’s about where their performance falls too. They can’t top the Sony-WF1000X for balance or subtlety – the bass is a little over enthusiastic for more neutral tastes, which has a tendency to thicken up the vocals. The treble isn’t the most refined either, and can sound a little harsh at volume. Still, listen with a less critical ear and they’re a lot of fun, with a rich bass rumble and crisp high end that’s energetic enough to power you through that last mile.

MOTOROLA VERVEONES+ MUSIC EDITION (£130)

Design-wise, the Verveones look pretty chunky compared to some other wireless earbuds, and you wouldn’t expect them to fit very well. But put those prejudices aside, because they actually fit really nicely, and they stay put too. Once you get the twisting motion correctly to get them sitting against the ridges of your ears, you’ll be surprised at how comfortable they are. Each earbud has a button for controlling playback – pause and play – plus a double click for controlling volume, while three clicks will also cycle through six EQ options; we liked Balanced or Moto Sound the best. The sound isn’t the best we’ve heard, but it’ll be fine if you’re just looking for a pair of buts to help you pass some time on the commute to work.

SOL REPUBLIC AMPS AIR (£75)

Unlike a lot of their wireless in-ear competition, the Sol Republics Amps Air have really nailed things from a design perspective. From their metal charging case to their stylish compact design, these buds have been built to look the part. What’s more, their sound tickles the popular fancy for lashings of bass. A lot of wireless in ears err on the side of caution in this respect, but the Amps Air have a low-end that’s deep and powerful, if a little overdone for more neutral tastes. Unfortunately, the solidity it demonstrates doesn’t extend further into the frequency range, and the midrange and treble can sound a little thin and exposed, particularly at volume.

JAM ULTRA (£50)

At £50, the Jam Ultras are considerably cheaper than the other wireless in-ears here, but nothing in their design would give that away. Lightweight and comfortable to wear, they have a smart fabric casing and a single button on each earbud that’ll play and pause music. Of course, the sound quality here can’t compete with that from the Sony or Jabra buds, but at less than half the price, you might expect that. Critical ears should probably look to spend a little more for that reason, as the Jam Ultras aren’t talented enough to uncover finer detail and struggle to convey much by way of dynamics. The midrange clarity is also a little clouded due to a slightly emphasised low-end, and you’ll also notice some distortion if you really push the volume.