Best AirPods Alternatives 2025: Are AirPods Worth it?
Are AirPods worth it? It's a big question with more than one answer, but we'll help you get to the bottom with some great alternative recommendations, as well as the latest AirPod buying tips.
Since most smartphones have abandoned the headphone jack, wireless earbuds have become a must-have technical accessory, and the Apple AirPods have been among the most popular. If you're not keen to spend a lot on earbuds, or if you're not a big Apple fan, there are some great AirPods alternatives on the market today. Here's our full rundown of the best.
First, it is worth noting why Apple's AirPods are so popular. This is partly because iPhones have been very popular here in United Kingdom. For iPhone users, AirPods provide an almost unparalleled user experience. It's easy to pair and comes with a plethora of features that make it intuitive and easy to use. This experience comes at a price – starting from £119 from AirPods (second generation), to the latest £169 AirPods (third generation), £239 from AirPods Pro and £549 from AirPods Max.
While the AirPods range delivers really good sound, it is a market leader in terms of ease of use and user experience, rather than being a market leader in absolute sound quality. So, if you are a fan of audio using an Android phone, it may be worth looking elsewhere.
So, if you're looking for some non-Apple earbuds, take a look at the suggestions below. The RadioTimes.com team has reviewed and researched a wide range of alternatives to help you find the perfect earbuds.
Are AirPods worth it?
It's a common question, thanks in large part to the huge price tags that some AirPods carry. Whether or not AirPods are 'worth it', and a good purchase for you depends on what earphones you need and how much you've already invested in Apple's ecosystem.
If you already use a lot of Apple technologies, AirPods will connect to them seamlessly and offer a host of small-quality life features that they don't always offer when paired with Android phones. Or, sometimes these features can be used, but it takes a lot of manipulation of settings to enable them. Instead, pairing AirPods with Apple products is easy, but this comes out of your pocket when you buy them.
If you use an Android phone, in many cases there are AirPod alternatives that may suit you better, as we have already mentioned. Read on for information on some of the best AirPod alternatives and the use cases that work for each.
Best AirPod Alternatives at a Glance
- Best AirPod Alternatives: Sony WF-1000XM4
- Best Low-Cost AirPod Alternatives: Skullcandy Dime
- Best Affordable AirPod Alternatives: EarFun Free Pro 2
- Best Premium AirPod Alternatives: Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2
- Best for battery life: Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus
- Best in terms of sound quality: Grado GT220
- Best for Sports: Beats Powerbeats Pro