Skip to content

Airpod alternatives

Airpod Alternatives

For a lot of you this might be a surprise.  Apple hates you.  You don’t have to watch too many Rossman Group repair videos to find this out.  The inability to repair their devices, even if you want to is a feature not a bug right?

Removing things like the headphone port and the SD card slot are all meant to lock you into using only their products.  So here are some alternatives to their headphones.

In ear wireless

Galaxy Buds Pro

Don’t let the name fool you these are full feature and will work with any Bluetooth connection.

Powerful, adjustable Active Noise Cancellation; Immersive sound with 2-way speakers; IPX7 water resistant; Clear, superb call quality; Long-lasting battery with quick, wireless charging; Android and iOS compatible – Bluetooth 5.0

Skullcandy Jib True 2

Bluetooth 5.2, 9 hours play time, find my earbud feature

Wire connected in ear

I prefer this type.  I can keep them around my neck and they have much longer run times on average.  They are also better for putting on under a set of over year hearing protection.  I mean… I would never limit my hearing while running equipment.  It’s always ears on, eyes up.

Beats Flex Wireless Earbuds
12 Hours of Listening Time, Built-in Microphone

Sony WI-XB400 Wireless In-Ear Extra Bass Headset
15 hours of playtime, 3 hour charge

KLOKOL Bluetooth Headphones
20Hrs Playtime

Sure they don’t sound the best, but they play forever and are the best thing, cheap.

Over ear headphones

Anker Soundcore Life Q20

40 hours of playtime, noise canceling.  60 hours in normal music mode.

JBL Tune 710BT

35 Hours of play time with noise canceling, 50 in normal mode.

YOWU RGB Cat Ear Headphone 5.0 Foldable Gaming Pink Headset with 7.1 Surround Sound, Built-in Mic

I don’t know you.  Maybe your thing

Headsets

Now if you are using your headphones for calls or video conferencing you should consider upgrading to something with a better mic.  No one cares about your video, but your sound should be on point.

Sennheiser GAME ZERO Gaming Headset

This is the type of headset that I use.  Mostly fore the big drivers in the headphones, but the mic is also amazing.

You will need an adaptor for your phone or non desktop computer.  I will have a section below on adaptors.

Sony-INZONE H9 Wireless Noise Canceling Gaming Headset, Over-ear Headphones

32 hour of playtime, noise cenceling

Razer Barracuda X Wireless Gaming & Mobile Headset
50 hours of playtime

Sennheiser MB Pro 2 – Headset – on-Ear – Wireless – Bluetooth 4.0

Adaptors

As we lose more and more ports on devices the ability to convert what we have becomes more important.  For headphones and headsets these are some of the most common adaptors needed.

USB C to 3.5mm Headphone and Charger Adapter

USE: Adapting your USB-C port (laptop or phone) to a 3.5mm TRRS headset jack.  That’s the 3 black band jack for the headsets.  Also allows power to plugged in to charge device.

USB Type C to 3.5mm Female Headphone Jack

USE: Adapting your USB-C port (laptop or phone) to a 3.5mm TRS headset jack.  That’s the 2 black band jack for the headsets. 

Available in 7 colors

Headphone 3.5mm Splitter Mic Cable

USE: Adapting your 3.5mm TRRS Headset jack to dual 3.5mm TRS Jacks.(laptop or desktop) That’s the 3 black band connector to 2 of the 2 black band jack for the computer. 

Available in 7 colors

Apple Lightning to 3.5 mm Headset Jack Adapter

USE: Adapting Lightning port phone to 3.5mm headset TRS connector

Headphone Adapter for iPhone,Apple MFi Certified Lightning to 3.5mm Jack

USE: Adapting Lightning port phone to 3.5mm headset TRRS connector.  Also has power pass through