Wireless earbuds have been around for years, and they’ve been improving in quality and design over time. The AirPods by Apple really took the idea of wireless earbuds to a new level, but they’ve had their share of problems. Although AirPods do come in black, there are other options that have many advantages over them.
When it comes to sound quality, AirPods are great, but they don’t have the best sound quality out there, and they lack a lot of popular features. The good news is that there are plenty of other options that are just as good or better. The best wireless earbuds for you depend on your budget, your needs, and what you’re looking for in a pair of headphones.
Why Do People Like Apple AirPods Wireless Earbuds?
AirPods Pro and AirPods Max both have Active Noise Cancellation, which is a technology that uses an internal microphone to add a phase-flipped version of the surrounding noise in order to cancel it out. This means you can listen to music or watch a video while blocking out distracting sounds like people talking, traffic, or whatever noise is happening around you.
Noise cancellation is a feature that’s been available for a while on some headphones and earbuds. However, the way Apple has implemented this on the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max is exemplary. They’re also true wireless and come with a case that has a built-in charger. The case has a Lightning port that lets you charge the earbuds when they’re out of battery life.
What Are Some Issues People Have With Apple AirPods Wireless Earbuds?
Common problems with Apple AirPods include the fact that they’re not waterproof, the battery life isn’t great, they’re not compatible with all phones and devices, and they’re not cheap. The biggest problem is arguably that the battery life on these headphones is not great. You can expect around 5-6 hours of battery life from the AirPods, which is not bad but definitely not the best when it comes to wireless earbuds.
Battery life is also a problem with many other headphones. However, many on this list have exceptional battery life, especially for the price. If you’re looking for black AirPods alternatives or just the best wireless earbuds for your money, then you should check out our list below to see what’s available in your price range and what features you can expect.
How To Choose Between Apple AirPods and Other Wireless Earbuds
The choice between Apple Airpods and other wireless earbuds depends on your needs. If you want a pair of wireless earbuds that are as good as Apple’s AirPods but don’t cost as much, then you actually have a lot of options. We won’t go into too much detail on what we think are the best or worst wireless earbud alternatives to Apple AirPods, since a lot of that is relative to every different user. But we do have a comprehensive list of black AirPods alternatives and what they have to offer that may or may not be beneficial to you.
Sound Quality for Black AirPods Alternative Wireless Earbuds
Great bass is something many people look for in headphones, and it’s something you can expect from most wireless earbuds these days. However, if you want to get the best sound quality out of your headphones, then you should consider going for headphones with balanced armature drivers. These are drivers that use a balanced armature design that’s used in many high-end headphones and home audio systems. These drivers use a unique design to create better sound quality and more accurate bass than traditional dynamic drivers.
The best headphones with balanced armature drivers have more than just better sound quality. They’re often more comfortable than other headphones and they’re also more durable than most other headphones on the market. This is because despite their arguably superior sound quality, balanced armature hardware is actually smaller and more compact than dynamic armature. Balanced armature drivers are also typically more expensive than dynamic ones.
Noise Cancellation for Black AirPods Alternative Wireless Earbuds
If you want the best noise cancellation out of your headphones or earbuds, you’ll want to check out the Sony WF 1000XM3 or Sony WF 1000XM4 noise-canceling wireless headphones, which come in both in-ear and over-ear forms. Compared with the wireless earbuds we’ll be covering later in this article, however, these wireless headphones can get expensive.
Noise cancellation is a great feature that doesn’t necessarily need to come with a heavy price tag. If you’re looking for a pair of headphones with noise cancellation that’s as good as or better than AirPods but don’t cost as much as they do, then we have some great suggestions for you.
Wireless Charging for Black AirPods Alternative Wireless Earbuds
If you want to charge your wireless earbuds without plugging them into your computer, then you’ll want to consider buying a pair of wireless charging headphones or earphones. The good news is that there are many options when it comes to wireless headphones and earphones with wireless charging built in. The bad news is that there are also many options and it’s not always easy to find the best one.
Battery Life for Black AirPods Alternative Wireless Earbuds
The battery life of your wireless earbuds is important if you don’t want to have to keep plugging your headphones in every time your phone runs out of battery. If you want to know how long your battery life will last on a pair of wireless earbuds, then we recommend checking out our list below where we have detailed some top picks when it comes to battery life.
The battery life for Apple’s AirPods Pro and AirPods Max is around 5 hours, which is decent, but not great if you want your wireless earbuds to last all day without charging them every couple of hours.
Waterproof Black AirPods Alternative Wireless Earbuds
An increasingly popular feature for true wireless earbuds (especially in the summertime) is waterproofing, which is great if you plan on taking them swimming, sweating a lot with them on, or running in rainy weather. If you’re looking for waterproof wireless earbuds, then we have a few options for you.
Waterproof earbuds are typically rated according to the IP (ingress protection) standard. There are several different pairs of wireless earbuds in this article that have an IPX7 rating, which is pretty high. Although not necessarily recommended, IPX7 is typically regarded as able to handle immersion of up to 1 meter (or 3 feet) in water for up to 30 minutes.
by Lasuney
Black AirPods Alternatives – Wireless Earbuds Reviewed In Detail
Lasuney IPX7 Waterproof Bluetooth Earbuds, True Wireless Earbuds, 35h Cyclic Playtime Headphones With Charging Case And Mic For Iphone Android, In-Ear Stereo Earphones Headset For Sport – Black
Although they aren’t noted for their comfort, these Lasuney black waterproof wireless earbuds are a great budget alternative to black AirPods for well under 50 bucks (USD). They’re compatible with iPhone and Android, they come with a charging case and built-in mic, and they’re designed for all kinds of sporting activities.
Pros: Waterproof for up to 30 minutes under a maximum of 3 feet of water (IPX7 rating), true wireless Bluetooth 5.0 connection, fast charging case for single or binaural mode, and very reasonably priced.
Cons: Buds come up a little lacking in comfort and sound quality, no noise cancellation, and the battery life is a little bit lower (roughly 4 or 5 hours, typically) than the battery life of Apple AirPods Pro or AirPods Max.
Final verdict: The Lasuney IPX7 Waterproof True Wireless Earbuds are great budget-friendly earbuds, even if they may not live up to AirPods’ comfort or sound quality. Use them for running, cycling, and possibly even some light swimming pool use, without having to worry about destroying a costly item.
by TOZO
TOZO T9 True Wireless Earbuds, Environmental Noise Cancellation, Deep Bass, Bluetooth 5.3, Lightweight Wireless Charging Case, IPX7 Waterproof, Black Earbuds
The TOZO T9 True Wireless Earbuds are great wireless earbuds for an active and mobile lifestyle. They have a very comfortable design, IPX7 waterproof rating (which means that they can be submerged underwater one meter or less for up to 30 minutes), and an 8-hour battery life. They’re compatible with both Android and iOS devices, and come with a charging case that supports wireless charging.
Pros Comfortable fit, IPX7 waterproof rating (up to one meter for 30 minutes), 8-hour battery life, and very reasonably priced.
Cons: Not as comfortable as the AirPods Pro or AirPods Max, there have been complaints about durability and sound quality (including questions over the noise cancellation feature).
Final verdict: The TOZO T9 True Wireless Earbuds offer an incredible amount of value for the money, and they’re great for making calls.
by JBL
JBL Tune 225TWS True Wireless Earbud Headphones – JBL Pure Bass Sound, Bluetooth, 25-Hour Battery, Dual Connect, Native Voice Assistant (Black)
The JBL Tune 225TWS offer great sound quality for the money, and they’re a good alternative to Apple AirPods Pro and AirPods Max. They have a very comfortable and stable design that doesn’t feel like it’s going to fall out of your ears. They’re also very easy to use with their simple controls and easy-to-read LED lights. They’re compatible with both Android and iOS, and have a decent battery life.
Pros: Good battery life, comfortable fit, easy-to-use controls, and reasonable sound quality for the price.
Cons: A little on the pricey side, and there have been some functionality and durability complaints.
Final verdict: The JBL Tune 225TWS True Wireless earbuds are a great budget alternative to the Apple AirPods Pro and AirPods Max, with the added bonus of a very long battery life with the charging case.
by Anker Life
Soundcore by Anker Life P2 Mini True Wireless Earbuds, 10mm Drivers with Big Bass, Custom EQ, Bluetooth 5.2, 32H Playtime, USB-C for Fast Charging, Tiny Size for Commute, Work (Black)
The Soundcore by Anker Life P2 Mini True Wireless Earbuds are noted for their portability, excellent battery life, and great sound quality for the price. They have a unique design, 3 different EQ modes, and they’re compatible with both Android and iOS devices.
Pros: Lightweight, 10mm drivers with big bass, custom EQ, 8-hour battery life, and very reasonably priced.
Cons: Not totally comfortable for all ears, some complaints about overall usability and ergonomic design.
Final verdict: The Soundcore by Anker Life P2 Mini True Wireless Earbuds feature exceptional EQ options but can be fatally flawed ergonomically, depending on the user’s own physical features and preferences.
Other Wireless Earbuds Worth Mentioning
The Lasuney, TOZO, JBL, and Soundcore wireless earbuds detailed above are some of the best black AirPods alternatives you can find, but they aren’t the only wireless earbuds on the market. Here are some similar products that may not be right for everyone seeking black AirPods alternatives (especially in the much lower price range of the buds listed above), but are worth mentioning nonetheless.
Jaybird Vista True Wireless Earbuds
If you’re looking for a pair of truly wireless earbuds, you may want to consider the Jaybird Vista series. They’re more expensive than the previously mentioned black AirPods alternatives, and their IPX7 waterproof rating is questionable, but their sound quality and battery life are better than most. And their multi-function button is arguably superior to touch control — at least if you like to actually feel the pressing of a button, which can be less confusing than touch control. They’re also not the most comfortable but if you put them in your ear correctly they’re likely to stay in.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
If you want comfortable wireless earbuds with superb sound quality and don’t mind spending extra money, then the Bose QuietComfort earbuds might be for you. They have well-respected noise cancellation, a waterproof rating of IPX4 (not waterproof but slightly resistant to light rain and the occasional splash), and are comfortable to wear for extended periods of time.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro
If you want a pair of wireless earbuds with a great battery life that are also comfortable to wear for extended periods of time, then the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro are a solid option. They’re IPX7 waterproof and have noise cancellation that’s on par or better than the AirPods, but the sound quality of AirPods is considered to be superior to the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro.
Anker Soundcore Liberty Air
Thinking about getting a pair of truly wireless earbuds for under a hundred bucks? Then you may want to consider the Anker Soundcore Liberty Air, as they’re one of the most affordable true wireless earbuds with a decent battery life. They also have a waterproof rating of IPX5, which isn’t totally waterproof but can get you through the occasional jog in light rain.
Beats Studio Buds
Beats Studio Buds are another great pair of wireless earbuds that are a bit more expensive than some of the other options, but they’re also some of the best-sounding earbud sets available. The price is around the price of some AirPods, if not a little cheaper. They also have a waterproof rating of IPX4 (okay for sweat but full submersion will destroy these buds).
Powerbeats Pro
If you’re looking for a pair of wireless Beats earbuds that can exceed Airpods in both sound quality and battery life, then the Powerbeats Pro are worth checking out. They’re only IPX4 waterproof so you have to be careful about things like water damage and hard rain, but they’re also noted for their comfort.
OnePlus Buds Pro
The OnePlus Buds Pro are also worth considering as a pair of wireless earbuds. They have a decent battery life and are comfortable to wear, and their sound quality has been praised and positively compared with the AirPods. They’re also a bit more expensive than some of the other options on this list but they’re worth considering if sound quality is a high priority.
Jabra Elite True Wireless Earbuds
The last wireless earbuds on this list are the Jabra Elite True Wireless Earbuds. They’re IP67, which is a high water resistance specification but mainly indicates resistance from heavy dust and airborne particle ingress (so they could be especially good if you need earbuds on a dusty job site or just live with a lot of dust storms). They have a decent battery life but not much better than that of the AirPods.
Conclusion
The Apple AirPods have a lot of great qualities. That said, not only are there plenty of great alternatives, but there are plenty of them that are much less expensive. And if you’re partial to black earbuds, then you’ll have no trouble finding black AirPods alternatives. Strangely, the better the waterproof rating, the lower the price often turns out to be. When it comes to earbuds, a lot of your decision should be about how well they meet your individual needs. You never know, cheaper earbuds might actually have the exact set of features that you really need.