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Last week, Apple released two new AirPods on the same day for the first time: the $180 AirPods 4 with ANC and $130 without it. Both feature an open-ear design as opposed to the in-ear tips found on the AirPods Pros. We weren’t big fans of the flagship AirPods due to their loose fit, average ANC against high-end sounds, and the absence of onboard volume controls so we compiled a small list of possible AirPods alternatives you can look into.
Of course, there aren’t many options if you want to stay within the Apple ecosystem, but the Beats Fit Pro is a decent alternative providing some H-series chip functionalities. The ancient AirPods Max are ripe for a long overdue update but received none at the event. So, we’ve also mentioned our favorite over-ear headphones for ANC you can consider instead.
Beats Fit Pro
Photo: Caitlin McGarry / Gizmodo These are the buds to go for if you’re looking for AirPods alternatives but wish to stay within the Apple ecosystem. Apple-owned brand, Beats, features in the Beats Fit Pro the H1 chip, the chip found on the AirPods Max. The recent AirPods wireless earbuds models have all upgraded to H2, but you’ll still get some H-series functionalities like easy setup with your iPhone and seamless switching between Apple devices.
These are a decent alternative to the $180 AirPods 4 because they sport a winged design offering a secure fit for workouts. Apple attempted to provide an alternative, non-mainstream fit with their recent AirPods lineup for folks whose ear canals reject in-ear tips. Unfortunately, the open-ear design was excessively loose and didn’t quite work.
Because of the loose fit on the AirPods 4, the ANC was painfully average, too, as ambient sound found multiple gaps to pass through. The tight, snug fit on the Beats Fit Pro means the ANC is excellent. Priced at $160, these are also slightly cheaper than the $180 ANC variant of the AirPods 4.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
Photo: Artem Golub / Gizmodo If you’re indifferent to design, Samsung’s flagship Galaxy Buds 3 Pro could be an excellent alternative to the ANC AirPods 4. They last 26 hours with ANC on, six hours more than the latest AirPods. The ANC on these buds is so powerful that I had to turn it off on the streets to stay safe. The ANC on the AirPods 4 let a lot of high-end sound pass through and I never had to disable cancellation to stay mindful of my surroundings.
Swiping up and down on the stems, or ‘blades’, as Samsung calls it, tweaks volume. The AirPods 4 don’t feature onboard volume controls so you have to reach for your phone every time. The IP57 dust and water resistance on the Galaxy Buds is also higher than the IP54 on the latest AirPods.
Pixel Buds Pro
Photo: Andrew Liszewski / Gizmodo An alternative to the $130 AirPods 4 for folks who are indifferent to ear-tip design would be the Pixel Buds Pro. Though priced at $140, they offer some of the premium features that only the high-end AirPods offer such as wireless Qi charging. Their battery lasts seven or 11 hours, respectively, with ANC off or on. The $130 AirPods 4 last only five hours.
Pixel Buds 4 also feature ANC at their modest price which isn’t something you’d find on the flagship AirPods’ base model. For the same price, you’re paying for a pair of buds lacking an essential function—mostly for the Apple tax.
Baseus Eli Sport 1
Photo: Dua Rashid / Gizmodo Baseus’ Eli Sport 1 buds are a decent non-ANC alternative to the $130 AirPods 4 base model. They cost just $70 making them a much cheaper option. Sporting an on-ear design with ear tips that rest just outside your ears, these will appeal to the non-in-ear-tips crowd, too.
Most hook-style earbuds like these feature a bulky design, but the Eli Sport 1’s design is as inconspicuous as it can get. The hook that goes around your ear resembles a thin wire as opposed to the thick band we see on similarly designed buds. The bulb that rests behind your ear is quite streamlined, too.
I did my Laundromat and Trader Joe’s runs on these and they didn’t even slightly budge in my ears. On the other hand, I was constantly worried about the AirPods plopping out of my ears. Their battery lasts seven hours, compared to the five hours on the AirPods 4.
Sony WH-1000XM5
Photo: Andrew Liszewski / Gizmodo We’ve declared the Sony WH-1000XM5s do ANC better than the AirPods Max. Plus, they retail for $350 compared to the eye-watering $500 price tag for Apple’s over-ear headphones. Looking at the underwhelming updates the AirPods Max received at the Apple event—just a switch to Type-C charging and new color variants—Apple doesn’t make a strong enough case to go for the Max.
It’s the same H1 chip that’s been powering the headphones for the past four years, no updates to its controls (consumers have been asking for a power button), and no mesh or design changes. They still fold weirdly to fit in the diaper-shaped carrying case they come in.
