Let’s talk about earbuds. Specifically the ones that aren’t made by Cupertino. If you are looking to leave the Apple ecosystem, or just want better sound without the markup, you have options. Not many do this well, though. Here is the truth about the best alternatives.
Sony WF-1000 XM6: The Audiophile’s Dream
These are the heavy hitters. Sony’s latest flagship isn’t just an earbud; it’s a statement.
Who is this for?
– People who miss the Apple magic but need custom EQ settings
– Audiophiles tired of compressed, bland wireless sound
– Anyone wanting class-leading noise cancellation that actually works
Why they won our vote
Most similar to: AirPods Pro 3
We tested everything at Mashable. The Sony XM6s sit at the top for a reason. Eight microphones. That’s a lot of mics. It puts them in the same league as Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra 2. The noise cancellation? Stellar. The AirPods Pro 3 do a good job sure, but the Sonym win the soundscape battle here. They win because you can control the audio.
The XM6s offer a 10-band equalizer that actually makes sense, something Apple users dream of but rarely get.
Out of the box, they sound fine. Balanced. Safe. But open the app. That’s where the fun begins. Apple doesn’t let you tweak their sound. Sony gives you a playground. There is a feature to auto-balance settings for novices, which is nice, but the power user in you will love the manual control.
A warning though. Price. They usually cost around $348. Look for sales. We’ve seen them drop to $298. The AirPods Pro 3 launch at $249 and get marked down frequently. Sony is premium pricing for a reason.
What you lose
You trade convenience for quality. Opening the AirPods case connects instantly. The Sonyms require a tap or two. Not a big deal. You also lose live translation and heart-rate monitoring. If those matter to you, look elsewhere. But if sound is god? You stay here.
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2: Stay In, Stay Lit
Some ears reject AirPods. Even with the extra tips on the Pros. This reviewer is one of them. Workout after workout, the stem design fails. Gravity takes over. It’s frustrating because when they stay put, the sound is actually decent.
Who is this for?
– Runners who hate chasing their headphones
– Apple fans who need a heart-rate monitor built in
– People who find standard in-ear fits unstable
Why we picked them
Most similar to: AirPods Pro 3
Beats are owned by Apple. This matters. You get that same instant handshake with your iPhone, iPad, and MacBook. The integration is seamless enough. No friction there. But the hardware is different. The earhook holds them. Hard. They stay put while you sweat, sprint, and jump.
Inside the ear? You get Active Noise Cancellation. Not the best, but it’s there. The killer feature is the heart rate monitor. It feeds directly into Apple Health, Nike Run Club, and Pelot. Our tests showed it wasn’t quite as precise as a watch, but it’s “viable” when you forgot your smart device. Fair point.
Colors matter too. Apple gives you white. Boring. The Beats come in Orange, Purple, Black, and Sand. A little life in a sterile ecosystem.
Price point
Full price is $249. Same as AirPods Pro 3. But they drop. We saw them for $199 recently. Record low? $159. That’s a steal if you run.
What you lose
For the same cost as Apple’s best, the ANC here is weaker. Less versatility in usage cases too. This is a gym buddy, not a silent commuter tool for the subway.
EarFun Air Pro 4: The Budget King
Let’s get real. You might not want to spend $250 on plastic buds. Good. The EarFun Air Pro 4 costs a fraction of that and punches above its weight.
Who is this for?
– Budget-conscious shoppers under $100
– Fans of the stem design but with better fit security
– Commuters who need battery life to last
Why we picked them
Most similar to: AirPods 4 with ANC
Mashable loves these under $100. They are the favorite for a reason. The sound performance tracks closer to the basic AirPods 4. The fit? More like the Pro 3 with silicone tips. That is a huge advantage. The stem-only AirPods 4 slip around. Hit or miss depending on your anatomy. These EarFun buds seal the canal. They stay put.
Six internal microphones handle the ANC. It is adjustable. Does changing levels change much? Surprisingly no, but having the control feels right. Just like Sony, EarFun includes a custom EQ. This shames Apple. At this price, you expect presets, not true customization.
Sound? Clear. Dynamic. Not quite on par with Apple’s engineering, but close. Very close. Battery life is where they really shine. 8 hours in the bud. 27 more in the case. Total: 35.5 hours. For people who charge once a week? Yes, please.
Affordability
Listed at $79.99? Sure. Real world price is $62.99. Occasionally dips to $53.99 that is almost unfair competition.
What you lose
Controls are tricky. Touch sensitive, but inconsistent. Our tester turned them off. Why struggle? Just use your phone. Also the case is bulky. It doesn’t vanish in a pocket like AirPods. But for $54? You let it slide.
