6 Possible Apple AirPod Alternatives

Since Apple launched the AirPods, there have been a number of competitors that have come to market with similar wireless earbud versions. These products, in some instances, cost less than the Apple version while others feature similar price tags. These manufacturers all offer, or will soon be offering, their own wireless earbud products.

Samsung Gear IconX

First launched in 2016, Samsung has already revamped the Gear IconX earbuds for 2018, offering seven hours of listening as a standalone device, up to five hours with the Bluetooth-connected option, and up to four hours of total talk time.

Sony WF-SP700N

The Sony WF-SP700N earbud’s claim to fame is noise canceling. This version of the AirPods offers up to three hours of playback and includes features such as bass mode and isolating noise option. They are also operable through the Sony Connect app.

Bose SoundSport Free

The high-end Bose SoundSport Free earbuds were also introduced in 2018. These earbuds offer five hours of standalone listening, and as the name denotes, they are truly for sports enthusiasts as they feature Bose’s StayHear+ ear tips that virtually will stay in place no matter what type of activity you are engaged in.

Jabra Elite 65t

The Jabra Elite 65t earbuds offer users up to five hours of use and come with a silicone ear tip for steady placement. They also feature controllable buttons on each side of the earpiece that allows song changing and volume adjustment.

Google and Amazon

The success of the AirPods for Apple has analysts speculating that both Google and Amazon are in the works with their own version of the wireless earbuds, Mac Rumors reported. While not the first to come to market with an earbud product, the news outlet indicated that Google and Amazon could introduce their own similar products to compete directly with the market leader Apple.

The lucrative AirPods have garnered the attention of Google and Amazon with their wireless earbud version being launched in the second half of 2019, according to 9to5 Mac. Investors are making the prediction based on the influence of Google in the Android space and Amazon’s capabilities with voice assistant systems.

Google currently has the Home speaker business as well as Pixel Buds in the headphone industry, aiding its development. Amazon is not lost in the earbud space either as it owns and operates Echo speakers.