I got AirPods for Christmas from my partner and I absolutely love them. I'd wanted them for a few months, and he splashed out on Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) much to my joy (thank you David). I wear them on the bus to work, when I'm loading the dishwasher, when I'm walking to the shop - basically anywhere I can.
Shortly after Christmas though, perhaps after seeing how much I loved them, David said he fancied some wireless earbuds of his own - and he bought these soundcore Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds from Amazon. They cost £26 normally but only £21 for Prime members, so you could get them even cheaper!
I didn't try them out at first (why would I, I thought, with my fancy AirPods to hand?) but soon my curiosity got the better of me. David loves his wireless buds, and wears them at work every day so he can concentrate in a busy open plan office. So I asked to try them out - how would these little £26 buds compare to my grand, luxurious £229 AirPods?
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Well, if I'm totally honest, I feel a bit bad now. I was quick to dismiss these cheap little earbuds without giving them a fair shot at first. So I performed an equal test of both buds, listening to them in the same room, one after the other, and playing the same song - Enchanted by Taylor Swift (of course).
Here's my verdict:
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) £229
I love my pods, they are just sublime. I adore the active noise cancellation feature when I'm on the noisy bus during rush hour trying to get into Birmingham city centre. I love listening (and dancing) to Taylor Swift when I'm cleaning up the kitchen after dinner - I feel like I'm in my own little world.
The audio is crisp and clear - and the music just feels amazing, if that even makes sense. The pods pick up when I take one out of my ear so it pauses the music or TV show or whatever I am listening to. They also have up to six hours of listening time with a single charge, which is plenty, and the case also charges the Pods when you put them away - a feature I love.
They are always connected to my phone so I just pop them straight in my ears and then click play on whatever I want to listen to. One thing I was worried about too, but didn't have to be, is that they do stay in my ear. (I thought they would fall out easily). But I've not had a problem with that at all.
I know this is a tiny little detail too but I loved that David got a little engraving on the front of the case too, what a sweet little addition which is free of charge.
soundcore Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds £25.99 (or £20.99 with Amazon Prime)
The soundcore earbuds are actually pretty decent! For £26, I wasn't sure what the quality would be like but the music was clear and I couldn't hear any of Toy Story 4 or my giggling children in the room directly underneath me.
There is a clear difference in the quality of the sound between the AirPods and the soundcore buds (it would be a bit embarrassing for Apple if not, I guess) but for £26, the sound is really good.
They are easy to connect to your phone (I have a standard iPhone). You just pop the buds in your ear and then go on Bluetooth on your phone and hit connect. They remember your phone too so you don't have to do it each time, David tells me.
Like the AirPods, the wireless buds slip easily back into their magnetic case, meaning they're less likely to fall out. The buds themselves also felt very secure in my ears. They also have up to 10 hours of listening time with a single charge, but the case doesn't charge the buds when you put them away, like the Pods case does.
So which is better?
I thought the AirPods would be the clear winner - and they are, but honestly, not by a lot! The soundcore earbuds from Amazon are brilliant value for £26 and I really recommend them if you're not looking to spend a lot of money. If you want crystal clear sound and perfect noise cancellation, and something to last you years to come, then I'd opt for the AirPods.
You can get the AirPods here from the Apple store for £229. Alternatively get them from Amazon at the cheaper price of £204. Or take a look at the soundcore Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds on Amazon here for £25.99.
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FAQs
Best for Audiophiles
Sony's WF-1000XM5 earphones produce superb audio and offer excellent active noise cancellation, so they sit right at the top of our list next to the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds and the AirPods Pro.
Do AirPods damage your ears more than headphones? ›
Headphones are less of a health risk than earbuds. They should still be kept to a reasonable level of volume to avoid damaging hearing, but earbuds are more likely to lead to infections. They also bring the source of the sound much closer, increasing the relative decibel level.
Why do my AirPods hurt so much? ›
You might be placing them wrong
If your ears hurt when you use your AirPods, it might be because you're setting them too deep in.
Do AirPods sound get worse? ›
The sound quality of your AirPods might get worse over time due to factors similar to those that affect the volume. The most common cause is dust and debris inside the speaker.
What's the best alternative to AirPods? ›
Our top picks for the best AirPods alternatives
- Best overall: Beats Fit Pro - See at Amazon.
- Best on a budget: Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC - See at Amazon.
- Best noise-canceling: Bose QuietComfort Ultra - See at Amazon.
- Best open ear: Sony Linkbuds - See at Amazon.
- Best for a unique style: Nothing Ear 2 - See at Amazon.
Headphones offer better noise cancellation, fuller coverage, and a more comfortable listening experience. Earbuds are cheaper and more convenient, slipping into your pocket or bag with ease, and they aren't as conspicuous to wear. You can choose between wired or wireless earbuds or headphones in different price ranges.
Can AirPods cause headaches? ›
You're placing the AirPods too deep inside your ears
Earbud and earbud tips aren't meant to be placed inside the ear canal itself. Wearing your AirPods in this way places the vibrations from the headphones too close to the eardrum, which can cause earaches, headaches, and contribute to ear infections.
How to reset AirPods? ›
AirPods (all generations) or AirPods Pro (all generations): Put the AirPods in their case, close the lid, then wait 30 seconds. Open the lid, then press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds, until the status light flashes amber, then white.
Can AirPods cause ear problems? ›
AirPods are a common choice for personal listening but can harm your hearing if overused. They can also contribute to ear infections by closing off the ear canal, causing the buildup of sweat, moisture, and earwax.
Can AirPods cause tinnitus? ›
To summarize, no, headphones and earbuds do not cause tinnitus; however, using them inappropriately can definitely increase your chances of noise-induced hearing loss, which in turn can increase your likelihood of developing tinnitus. Think you have tinnitus? Learn how an audiologist can help you.
Bluetooth Interference: In some cases, wireless earbuds may experience connectivity issues or signal interference, leading to audio disruptions or dropouts. These disruptions could potentially cause frustration or discomfort, which may contribute to headaches.
Why are Apple earbuds so uncomfortable? ›
AirPods Fit Problems. Apple's AirPods 2 and AirPods 3 models are not adjustable and do not have removable tips, which leaves little you can do if they cause ear pain. If you had trouble with AirPods or AirPods 2, though, it's worth checking out AirPods 3.
Why do my AirPod Pros sound horrible? ›
Make sure that you have the latest software on your connected iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac. Check that your connected device is nearby, and there's no wireless interference or obstructions between you and your device. Listen to audio from a different app to see if the app causes the issue.
How to clean AirPods ear wax? ›
Clean the ear tips of your AirPods Pro
Pull off the ear tips from each AirPod and rinse the ear tips with water. Don't use soap or other household cleaners. Wipe the ear tips with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth. Make sure that the ear tips are completely dry before reattaching to each AirPod.
How bad can AirPods damage your hearing? ›
Turning the volume all the way up on your AirPods can cause hearing damage. Fortunately, AirPods also offer a way to monitor your volume and keep the volume within safe limits. The World Health Organization recommends keeping daily headphone listening to 60 minutes or less. Try to keep the volume below 70 dB.
Which earbuds are better than Apple? ›
Best AirPods Alternative
The best alternative to AirPods we've tested are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Truly Wireless. These high-end earbuds rival the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless and have a wide variety of features to help you get the most out of them.
Are AirPods still the best? ›
Best AirPods overall
Out of the four current models of AirPods, I recommend the AirPods Pro 2 the most because they fit almost every type of ear, they are comfortable to wear, and they include all of the best and latest features that Apple has to offer in headphones.
Are Raycons good earbuds? ›
They lack the ever-popular luxury of active noise cancellation (not a real surprise for $80), but they do come equipped with surprisingly good passive noise isolation. Crowded gyms with blaring music were no match for the seal that Raycon's budget buds offered, and neither were busy morning roadways.
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