Take a look at the best AirPods alternatives to the original Apple AirPods & AirPods Pro. Find yourself the best alternative in all price ranges that’s: Great for calls Has good ANC Superb comfort HeadphonesAddict is user supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more. Here’s a quick comparison: Previous Next Rating Price Connection Noise cancelling Battery life Water resistance More info EarFun Air Pro 3 Best overall 4.3 Under $80 Bluetooth 5.3 checkmark 8h + 36h in case (USB-C & Qi wireless charging) IPX5 Review JBL Live Pro+ Alternative best 3.9 Under $200 Bluetooth 5.0 checkmark 7h + 21h in case (USB-C & Qi wireless charging) IPX4 Review SoundPEATS Air4 4.4 Under $90 Bluetooth 5.3 checkmark 4h + 20h in case (USB-C) IPX4 Review Skullcandy Indy ANC 4.2 Under $70 Bluetooth 5.0 checkmark 9h + 23h in case (USB-C & Qi wireless charging) IP55 Review SoundPEATS Air3 Deluxe HS Best cheap 4.3 Under $50 Bluetooth 5.2 cross 6h + 15h in case (USB-C) IPX4 Review CONTENTS (show more) Fake AirPods exist for a couple of reasons. First, as they resemble one of the most popular true wireless earbuds on the market, they draw the attention from potential buyers. Secondly, AirPods, especially the AirPods Pro model, are ergonomically designed. Copying that can actually benefit a customer since it makes the end product much more comfortable. While most fake AirPods are just plain copies without substance, some AirPods lookalike are worth checking out. Here’s a list of the best fake AirPods you can find. You can get some compelling options for a fraction of the price of the original ones. Note that all the models on this list aren’t complete AirPods and AirPods Pro clones since those are illegal to sell. What Makes Earbuds “Fake AirPods”? For earbuds to be considered fake AirPods, they have to share design similarities with the original. Some earbuds blatantly copy the AirPods design right down to every detail. On the other hand, other “fake AirPods” aren’t an intentional copy, as they only share some similarities. Generally, earbuds considered an AirPods fake have: They have an elongated stem. This design (at least in true wireless earbuds) was introduced by Apple and widely mocked at first. Later on, it has become an iconic AirPods feature. A long stem pushes the microphone closer to your mouth, making voice calls clearer. Have sideways firing speakers. Normally, earphones had front-firing speakers, but ever since Apple changed the design, many earphones followed. The design makes sense since it forces the sound more directly into the ear canal. Earbuds are true wireless. We only consider true wireless AirPods lookalikes as possible contenders for this guide. Since they’re trying to mimic TWS AirPods models from Apple, you won’t see any wired earbuds in here. Only wireless earbuds with a Bluetooth feature. They have active noise cancellation. The AirPods Pro were the first Apple earbuds with ANC. It quickly became one of the top features of the AirPods Pro. Therefore, the fake AirPods Pro alternatives also need to have ANC. Check similar articles: Best Beats headphones 5 Best Fake AirPods 1. EarFun Air Pro 3 BEST FAKE AIRPODS ON THE MARKET The new model boasts an improved version of active noise cancelling performance and all the features for under $100. EarFun Air Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds, Qualcomm® aptX™ Adaptive Sound, 6 Mics CVC… EarFun Air Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds, Qualcomm® aptX™ Adaptive Sound, 6 Mics CVC… $55.99 $82.98 in stock 2 new from $55.99 1 used from $55.43 as of September 26, 2023 5:05 am Buy now Amazon.com EarFun Air Pro 3 review Connection: Bluetooth 5.3 Driver size: 11mm wool composite dynamic Frequency range: n/a Type: True wireless | Battery life: 8h + 36h in case | Wireless range: 40 feet (12.2 meters) | Noise cancelling: Yes | Charging: 1h – quick charge – USB-C | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, LC3 | Water resistance: IPX5 | Features: App, multipoint Natural sound (after EQ) Comfortable & lightweight design Customization via companion app Bluetooth 5.3, LC3 codec, & multipoint Excellent battery life of over 8 hours per charge Effective active noise cancellation & ambient sound mode Not stable enough for sports activities Background hiss when in ANC mode Hear the EarFun Air Pro 3 A/B Sound Test: EarFun Air Pro 3 Sound Quality Test – HeadphonesAddict Packed with a good-quality dynamic driver, the Air Pro 3 can sound lively, fun, and detailed, especially after tweaking the sound quality in the EarFun Audio app (you can find our custom EQ in the full review). Apart from EQ, the app lets you customize controls on both sides, update firmware, and enable Game Mode, reducing the latency to 55 milliseconds. Earbuds also excel at ambient sound mode and active noise cancelling, beating the best performers under $100 and almost matching premium offers from Sony and Apple. Design-wise, earbuds offer a familiar shape that sits comfortably in your ears for hours. On the other hand, ear tips sit too shallow to provide a sufficiently stable fit for sports. To ensure you don’t need to worry about batteries, the Air Pro 3 last more than 8 hours on a single charge (with ANC). EarFun Air Pro 3 review Check price See the related guide: Best noise-cancelling headphones 2. JBL Live Pro+ ALTERNATIVE TO THE BEST FAKE AIRPODS Among the best fake AirPods Pro that you can lay your hand on. They’re such a gem for a lower price. JBL Tour Pro+ TWS True Wireless Bluetooth Noise-Cancelling Earbuds Hands-Free JBL Tour Pro+ TWS True Wireless Bluetooth Noise-Cancelling Earbuds Hands-Free $39.99 $49.99 in stock Buy now eBay JBL Live PRO+ TWS True Wireless in-Ear Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones, Up to 28H of… JBL Live PRO+ TWS True Wireless in-Ear Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones, Up to 28H of… $109.95 in stock 1 used from $109.95 as of September 26, 2023 9:24 pm Buy now Amazon.com JBL Live Pro 2 True Wireless In-Ear Bluetooth Headphones with Adjustable Noise Canceling – Black JBL Live Pro 2 True Wireless In-Ear Bluetooth Headphones with Adjustable Noise Canceling – Black $149.95 $180.00 in stock Buy now Walmart.com JBL Live Pro+ review Connection: Bluetooth 5.0 Driver size: 11m Frequency range: 20-20.000Hz Type: True wireless | Battery life: 7h + 21h in case | Wireless range: 33ft (10m) | Noise cancelling: Yes | Charging: 2h + quick charge – USB-C & Qi charging | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC | Water resistance: IPX4 | Features: Ambient Aware, TalkThru, custom EQ Great sound quality (after EQ) Comfortable and stable fit Feature-rich companion app Compact charging case Good battery life with fast & Qi charging Responsive touch controls App experience could be better Manually selecting custom EQ after every pairing is frustrating Hear the JBL Live Pro+ A/B Sound Test: JBL Live Pro+ TWS Sound Quality Test – HeadphonesAddict Compared to other fake AirPods lookalikes, the Live Pro+ sound the best. They have a decently faithful sound to the original audio, with only some minor bass boost and elevation in the upper midrange. Still, some might find them a bit piercing and sibilant. Thankfully, earbuds come with the JBL app, which includes a custom equalizer. Like Apple AirPods Pro, they share a similar design and ergonomic shape that nicely contours your outer ear, providing comfort for long listening sessions. Furthermore, Live Pro+ have active noise cancellation and transparency mode. While neither feature works as well as the ones from Apple, they can prove helpful if you ever need them. Earbuds have a stable Bluetooth connection, no audio lag when watching videos or playing video games, and even support multipoint. The long battery life is overall better than what Apple offers. You get around 7 hours of juice per single charge, with another 21 hours inside the charging case. The latter supports Qi wireless charging. JBL Live Pro+ review Check price 3. SoundPEATS Air4 AirPod alternatives with an excellent comfort and a unique set of features based on their design. SoundPEATS Air4 45dB Wireless Earbuds Bluetooth 5.3 with aptx Adaptive Lossless, Hybrid Active… SoundPEATS Air4 45dB Wireless Earbuds Bluetooth 5.3 with aptx Adaptive Lossless, Hybrid Active… out of stock as of September 26, 2023 5:53 pm Buy now Amazon.com SoundPEATS Air4 review Connection: Bluetooth 5.3 Driver size: 13mm dynamic Frequency range: n/a Type: True wireless | Battery life: 4h + 20h in case | Wireless range: 40 feet (12 meters) | Noise cancelling: Yes. adaptive | Charging: 1.5h (for buds) – USB-C | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX Lossless | Water resistance: IPX4 | Features: App, custom EQ, multipoint, Game mode Full sound that needs some EQ tweaking Comfortable & with decently stable fit Well-packed with features, Bluetooth multipoint included Classic earphone design makes for a subpar ANC performance Low battery life at slightly over 4 hours per charge SoundPEATS Air4 have a bass response that is the closest to the one from Apple AirPods 3, if not stronger. It makes the sound very punchy and warm, great for listening to hip-hop or electronic music. Buds even support aptX Lossless. However, we still recommend applying a custom EQ (you can find ours in the full review). It helps to make the overall sound more natural, although the treble performance is still better with the Air3 Deluxe HS model (below). Design strongly resembles the original Apple AirPods, with long stems and side-facing speakers. The only difference is a matte black color. Furthermore, earbuds have a similarly stable fit as the AirPods, making them a decent pick for sports if you’re into classic earphones. They have an IPX4, so you shouldn’t worry about sweat. The most interesting feature is the active noise cancellation, which, honestly, doesn’t do much. The semi-in-ear design lacks passive isolation, so avoid buying the Air4 because of ANC. ANC also has an impact on battery life, which lasts around 4 hours on a single charge with the feature enabled or 6 with it disabled. However, you must enable it to get the best sound performance. You get another 20 hours inside the USB-C and fast charging case. SoundPEATS Air4 review Check price Check related guides: Best classic earphones How to clean earbuds 4. Skullcandy Indy ANC Fun-sounding fake AirPods alternative with decent ANC. Skullcandy Indy ANC True Wireless Noise Cancelling In-Ear Earbud – True Black Skullcandy Indy ANC True Wireless Noise Cancelling In-Ear Earbud – True Black $74.99 $129.99 in stock 4 new from $74.98 10 used from $32.90 as of September 27, 2023 12:44 am Buy now Amazon.com Skullcandy Indy XT ANC – Active Noise Canceling True Wireless Earbud Headphones in True Black Skullcandy Indy XT ANC – Active Noise Canceling True Wireless Earbud Headphones in True Black $74.99 in stock Buy now Walmart.com Skullcandy Indy ANC review Connection: Bluetooth 5.0 Driver size: 12mm Frequency range: 20-20.000Hz Type: True wireless | Battery life: 9h + 23h in case (ANC OFF) | Wireless range: 65ft (20m) | Noise cancelling: Yes | Charging: Quick charge – USB-C & Qi wireless charging | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC | Water resistance: IP55 | Features: Companion app, EQ presets, Personal sound, Tile integration Pretty good sound quality (after some tweaks) Very comfortable and suitable for sports Decent active noise cancellation performance Great passive noise isolation Tile integration Microphone quality could be better Mediocre ambient sound mode ANC heavily impacts battery duration Hear the Skullcandy Indy ANC A/B Sound Test: Skullcandy Indy ANC Sound Quality Test – HeadphonesAddict Best true wireless earbuds from Skullcandy have a fun, loud sound with plenty of low-end and sparkle up top. Technically, there’s nothing to write home about, but with prices coming down, they’re an exciting pair to check out. Earbuds are the biggest on this list. However, they provide a very comfortable fit. And with minimal weight and comfy ear tips, you barely feel them during use. For extra stability, Skullcandy Indy ANC use ear wings, making them suitable for light workouts. Furthermore, an IP55 rating ensures they don’t get damaged by sweat and dust. On top of 5.5 hours in earbuds, there are an additional 14 hours inside the case, which can charge wirelessly. The app lets you see the battery percentage in each bud. Skullcandy Indy ANC review Check price 5. SoundPEATS Air3 Deluxe HS BEST CHEAP FAKE AIRPODS Affordable yet great fake AirPods alternative with all the relevant features. SoundPEATS Wireless Earbuds Air3 Deluxe HS with Hi-Res Audio Certification and LDAC Codec,… SoundPEATS Wireless Earbuds Air3 Deluxe HS with Hi-Res Audio Certification and LDAC Codec,… $38.95 $59.99 in stock 6 used from $37.39 as of September 26, 2023 9:13 am Buy now Amazon.com SoundPEATS Wireless Earbuds Air3 Deluxe HS with Hi-Res Audio Certification and LDAC Codec,… SoundPEATS Wireless Earbuds Air3 Deluxe HS with Hi-Res Audio Certification and LDAC Codec,… $81.02 in stock Buy now Walmart.com SoundPEATS Air3 Deluxe HS Bluetooth 5.2 Earbuds Hi-Res Audio Wireless Earphones SoundPEATS Air3 Deluxe HS Bluetooth 5.2 Earbuds Hi-Res Audio Wireless Earphones out of stock Buy now eBay SoundPEATS Air3 Deluxe HS review Connection: Bluetooth 5.2 Driver size: 14.2mm dynamic Frequency range: 20-40.000Hz Type: True wireless | Battery life: 6h + 15h in case | Wireless range: 35ft (10.6m) | Noise cancelling: No | Charging: 1.5h – USB-C | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC | Water resistance: IPX4 | Features: Custom EQ, Adaptive EQ, Game Mode Clear sound with natural midrange (after EQ tweaks) Good battery life for classic earphones, with 6 hours per charge Good call quality, especially in quieter environments Light & comfortable to wear during long listening sessions Wide selection of features & an app at a budget price Poor passive noise isolation & sound leakage Below average Bluetooth indoor range of 35 feet (at best) Hear the SoundPEATS Air3 Deluxe HS A/B Sound Test: SoundPEATS Air3 Deluxe HS Sound Quality Test – HeadphonesAddict Surprisingly full-sounding true wireless earbuds with a classic design that even comes with a fully customizable equalizer. Moreso, the sound quality is cleaner than the Apple AirPods 3. Speaking about the app, it offers a few useful features such as auto play/pause, Adaptive EQ, and Game mode. The latter is perfect for competitive mobile gamers who don’t tolerate any audio latency. Furthermore, earbuds support Bluetooth 5.2 and LDAC Bluetooth codec. The battery life of 6 hours and 8 minutes is excellent for this form factor, giving you an easy full day of use. On top of that, earbuds provide a very comfortable fit and offer an IPX4 rating, which protects them from sweat and light rain. SoundPEATS Air3 Deluxe HS review Check price Honorable Mentions TaoTronics Soundliberty P10 PRO Cheap AirPods alternatives with decent active noise cancellation and Ambient mode performance in true wireless earbuds. On top of that, you can also rely on amazing battery life (9.5 hours per charge) and high water protection (an IPX8 rating). TaoTronics Soundliberty P10 PRO review TaoTronics Soundliberty 92 Another one of the affordable alternatives with excellent durability and clear sound. Thanks to a small dip at the stem, they better grab your ears, ensuring slightly better stability than the original AirPods. TaoTronics Soundliberty 92 review Aukey EP-N5 AirPod alternative with an extremely bassy overall sound signature. Despite that, they’re suitable for different genres, from hip-hop to rock. They’re comfortable to wear for the entire day, with a decent noise cancellation that removes most of the low-end hum. Aukey EP-N5 review Learn how to keep your earbuds from falling out. What to Expect from Top Fake AirPods? If you call something “fake,” it gives it a negative connotation. In the case of the latest fake AirPods, that’s only half true. Most fake AirPods on Amazon or other stores are truly terrible. However, if you choose one of the models from above, your experience will be quite different. Lower price You can get some fake AirPods for half the price of the real ones, if not even cheaper. Ergonomic design The best thing about AirPods replicas is that they also copy a rather comfortable design of the original ones. Better cross-platform support Apple’s AirPods are known to work much better for iOS than Android users. There’re no such discrepancies with fake AirPods as they work equally well with both operating systems. Same sound quality or better Authentic Apple AirPods have good but not excellent sound quality. On the other hand, if you pick carefully, you can get fake AirPods with surprisingly high-quality sound. Lower quality build Budget knockoff AirPods are usually so cheap because they use low-quality plastic. The latter starts deteriorating much quicker. Of course, that doesn’t apply to all fake AirPods. The JBL Live Pro+ prove that the fake AirPod doesn’t have to be bad in performance or build quality. How to Tell Fake AirPods From the Real Ones? If you weren’t convinced by our list and you still want to buy the real Apple AirPods, you have to be careful about fake AirPod replicas. While most fakes look fake right off the bat (extremely low price, weird product images), some can look almost exactly the same. That’s why you have to be vigilant and check every detail before making a purchase. Especially if you aren’t buying from an official retailer. Always check the price. Apple doesn’t like dropping their products on sale. Therefore, be aware of massive sales and temptingly low prices. Check product description and images. Fake products may use broken English in their descriptions, and present the product with images that look poorly photoshopped. Check the product’s serial number. If you already have the product in possession, check your coverage on the official Apple website. There, you’ll see if your product is genuine and if it’s still in warranty. Sometimes you can spot an AirPods clone by examining the packaging. Most times it’s cheaply made, the brochure inside looks nothing like the official one, and the included charging cable isn’t as meticulously wrapped. Apple’s packaging is always tidy and clean, which isn’t true for many fakes. However, since some fake products can be so well-made (even having the H1 chip to fool your device into thinking the product is genuine), checking the serial number is the best thing to do. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Are fake AirPods any good? Not even the best AirPods Pro clone is good. It only recreates the design but cheaps out on materials, sound quality, and premium features. On the other hand, AirPods lookalikes can perform quite well and are worth checking out. Some even have a decent noise cancellation feature. Are fake AirPods better than real AirPods? Many fake AirPods can actually outperform original ones in some areas, like sound quality or even call quality. However, genuine AirPods still offer greater support for iOS and have better-performing features, such as active noise cancellation and Transparency mode. Peter SusicPeter’s childhood interest in audio has grown into a full-blown quest to find the best headphones. He’s got many years of editor experience trying out numerous audiophile and consumer headphones. His words: “After many years, I can confidently say which ones are good and which ones are terrible.” Find his honest opinion in his reviews and guides.
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