These 10 Headphones Will Make You Forget All About Your Apple AirPods

By David Beren Updated Feb 10, 12:29PM EST · Published Feb 10, 11:18AM EST

Key Points

Apple AirPods may be the most popular headphones but are not the only option.
Headphones from brands like Sony and Beats are very good alternatives.
Many AirPods alternatives have better battery life and noise cancelation.

Follow 24/7 Wall St. on Google

This post may contain links from our sponsors and affiliates, and Flywheel Publishing may receive compensation for actions taken through them.

These 10 Headphones Will Make You Forget All About Your Apple AirPods — © Ivan_Shenets / Shutterstock.com

Quick Take:

Apple Airpods are generally considered the best of the best when it comes to headphones
Today, many options on the market are just as good if not better than Apple
Relevant options exceed Apple in performance, design, or longevity

Apple AirPods have become the default choice for millions of listeners thanks to their sleek design, famous branding, effortless pairing, and integration with popular Apple devices. But marketing and basic convenience aren’t everything, especially for people who care about sound quality, battery life, comfort, or getting more value for their money. Beyond Apple products, there’s a wide world of headphones that deliver better audio, excellent noise cancellation, and features AirPods simply don’t offer.

In this list, we highlight 10 standout headphones that can make you forget all about AirPods. These options are great contenders, whether you’re commuting, working out, traveling, or listening at home. The alternatives listed here prove that great headphones don’t have to come with that iconic Apple logo.

This article was updated on February 10, 2026.

Why This Matters

Music, headphones and black woman with phone at airport for audio, streaming and immigration. International, travel and person with tech on floor for network, connection and online flight information

Headphones aren’t just sometimes-helpful accessories. These devices now greatly influence how we experience music, podcasts, work calls, chats with friends, and everyday life. Choosing the right pair can improve comfort, protect your hearing, and dramatically enhance sound quality, while also saving money or offering features better suited to your habits. Essentially, the right pair of headphones can drastically alter your day to day life. By looking beyond the most popular option, listeners can find headphones that fit their unique needs instead of settling for what’s most familiar.

10. SHOKZ OpenRun Pro

Price: $179 (before sale pricing)
Noise-cancelation: No
Battery life headphones: 10 hours
Battery life case: N/A
IP rating: IP55

The Workout Headphones

A very different take on headphones compared to Apple AirPods, the SHOKZ OpenRun Pro is unique. Using bone conduction technology to “hear” your music and the outside world, these headphones are a runner or fitness fanatic’s dream. While they lack noise cancelation, they are lightweight and offer excellent sound, all while being water resistant no matter how much you sweat.

9. Soundcore by Anker Space A40

A sleek black wireless earbud case with two earbuds inside is displayed on a white background. The case is slightly open, revealing the earbuds securely nestled in their slots. The minimalist design e

Price: $79 (before sale pricing)
Noise-cancelation: Yes
Battery life headphones: 10 hours (ANC on)
Battery life case: 50 hours
IP rating: IPX4

The Best Budget Alternative

A pair of white wireless earbuds with indicator ring lights on. And a blurry charging case in the background. Closeup.

Anyone who wants to save money over Apple’s AirPod lineup can’t go wrong with the Soundcore by Anker Space A40. Regularly on sale for under $50, you get 50 hours of battery life on a single charge with the case, which is long enough to watch 25 movies. And add noise reduction by up to 98% with ANC, and the Anker value shows without stretching your wallet.

8. Sony WH-1000XM5 Over-the-Ear Excellence

Wireless headphones on a gray background

Price: $350 (before sale pricing)
Noise-cancelation: Yes
Battery life headphones: 30 hours (ANC on)
Battery life case: N/A
IP rating: N/A
Great AirPods Max Replacements

Over-the-Ear Excellence

white headphones, wireless headphones, black background, headphones isolated, sound,

If you prefer over-the-ear headphones instead of earbuds, the Sony WH-1000XM5 models are hard to go wrong with over the AirPods Max. Touch controls, 30 hours of battery life, and 3 hours of playback with just 3 minutes of charging are ideal for long road trips or travel. Better yet, Sony offers a lightweight design and soft leather, so they feel comfortable on your head for long listening sessions.

7. Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4

Closeup white TWS (true wireless stereo) earbuds in case isolated on white background

Price: $299 (before sale pricing)
Noise-cancelation: Yes
Battery life headphones: 8 hours (ANC on)
Battery life case: 30
IP rating: IP54

The Best Sound

Blue bluetooth Wireless earphone or earbud or headphone with charge case isolated on white background.

While the AirPod lineup certainly sounds good enough for most users, those who value an iconic sound should look to the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 earbuds. Lengthy name aside, Sennheiser has a reputation for producing a best-in-class audio experience. Best of all, you can customize the sound using various sound profiles.

6. Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

Google Launches New Products At "Made By Google" Event

Price: $229 (before sale pricing)
Noise-cancelation: Yes
Battery life headphones: 8 hours (ANC on)
Battery life case: 30
IP rating: IP54

Excellent AI Features

Unsurprisingly, the best headphones made by Google are also the best AirPod alternatives for fans of AI work. With hands-free support for talking directly with Google Gemini, the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are far better for hands-free work than Apple and Siri. One big benefit of the Pixel Buds is their incredible fit, emphasizing a design that works well with every ear size.

5. Bose QuietComfort Ultra

Price: $299 (before sale pricing)
Noise-cancelation: Yes
Battery life headphones: 6 hours (ANC on), 8.5 hours hours (ANC off)
Battery life case: 24 hours
IP rating: IPX4

Great Commuter Options

With some of the best noise cancellation in the headphone space, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds are a fantastic choice for most people. Battery life is relatively similar to that of most AirPod models. Still, Bose has done such incredible work with noise cancellation that it’s hard to ignore just how good these headphones are while commuting on public transportation.

4. Earfun Air Pro 3

TWS or true wireless earbuds with basic black color on wooden background

Price: $99 (before sale pricing)
Noise-cancelation: Yes
Battery life headphones: 7 hours (ANC on), 9 hours (ANC off)
Battery life case: 36 hours
IP rating: IPX5

Value-Friendly Alternative

A blue wireless earbuds on the case isolated on white background

Anyone who wants a value-friendly alternative to the AirPods should look for a good deal on the EarFun Air Pro 3 headphones. You have a best-in-class battery with a combined 45 hours of battery life with the earbuds plus the case. You also receive noise cancellation, Bluetooth 5.3, and the ability to use the EarFun app to customize the sound.

3. Beats Fit Pro

Purple Bluetooth earphone on the table, selective focus and isolated

Price: $199 (before sale pricing)
Noise-cancelation: Yes
Battery life headphones: 6 hours (ANC on)
Battery life case: 24 hours
IP rating: IPX4

Best Apple Alternative

White wireless earbuds with charging case on a wooden table.

If you like the seamless connectivity of AirPods but want something a little different, Beats Fit Pro can’t be ignored. It is both sweat- and water-resistant, making it a great alternative for those who want to listen to music while working out. While you still receive active noise cancellation, the Beats Fit Pro stays in place better with its secure-fit wingtips.

2. OnePlus Buds Pro 2

TWS True Wireless Earbuds Anker Soundcore R50i in black with a white background

Price: $125 (before sale pricing)
Noise-cancelation: Yes
Battery life headphones: 6 hours (ANC on), 9 hours (ANC off)
Battery life case: 39 hours
IP rating: IP55

Long Battery Life

Close-up of modern wireless earphones lying near opened charging case on white background with copy space.

The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 immediately stands out as an AirPod competitor thanks to their lengthy battery life. With 39 hours available using the battery case, this beats the best AirPod battery life, which tops off at 30 hours. You also get terrific AI-powered noise cancelation, outstanding bass, spatial audio, and 10 hours of battery life with just 10 minutes on a charger.

1. Sony WF-1000XM5

Wireless earbuds that are connected via bluetooth and do not have a wire

Price: $299 (before sale pricing)
Noise-cancelation: AI-driven
Battery life headphones: 6 hours (ANC on), 7 hours (ANC off)
Battery life case: 24 hours
IP rating: IPX4

The Very Best AirPod Alternative

Wireless earbuds with a sleek, modern design and a comfortable fit. Enjoy clear, high-quality sound with noise cancellation technology. Perfect for workouts, commuting, or relaxing at home.

When finding a standout AirPod alternative, the Sony WF-1000XM5 headphones are hard to beat. Between AI-driven active noise canceling and customer EQ settings, there is very little to dislike about anything Sony makes. The only downside is that the Sonys don’t connect as seamlessly as AirPods, but given the boost in sound quality, this can be easily overlooked.

About the Author David Beren →

David Beren has been a Flywheel Publishing contributor since 2022. Writing for 24/7 Wall St. since 2023, David loves to write about topics of all shapes and sizes. As a technology expert, David focuses heavily on consumer electronics brands, automobiles, and general technology. He has previously written for LifeWire, formerly About.com. As a part-time freelance writer, David’s “day job” has been working on and leading social media for multiple Fortune 100 brands. David loves the flexibility of this field and its ability to reach customers exactly where they like to spend their time. Additionally, David previously published his own blog, TmoNews.com, which reached 3 million readers in its first year. In addition to freelance and social media work, David loves to spend time with his family and children and relive the glory days of video game consoles by playing any retro game console he can get his hands on.