Short answer: the best AirPods Pro 3 alternative is the Sony WF-1000XM6: noise cancelling that rivals Apple’s, better passive isolation, and LDAC and multipoint on Android. On a Samsung phone, get the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro; on a Pixel, the Pixel Buds Pro 2. Instead of the $129 AirPods 5, the Beats Solo Buds ($79.99) work with one-tap pairing on both iPhone and Android, and the CMF Buds 2 Plus add strong noise cancelling for about $60–80.
Check the Sony WF-1000XM6 on Amazon →
How we put this together: this guide is based on manufacturers’ specifications and published reviews from SoundGuys, What Hi-Fi? and others (linked below). It is not based on hands-on testing by iTech Level. Prices are list prices at the time of writing. See how we choose products.
Best AirPods alternatives compared
| Earbuds | Instead of | Best for | Battery (ANC on) | List price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony WF-1000XM6 | AirPods Pro 3 | Best overall alternative, Android | 8 hr (24 with case) | $329.99 | Check price |
| Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro | AirPods Pro 3 | Samsung Galaxy phones | About 6 hr (SoundGuys test) | Check current price | Check price |
| Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 | AirPods Pro 3 | Pixel phones | 8 hr (30 with case) | $229 | Check price |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) | AirPods Pro 3 | Noise cancelling and comfort | 6 hr | $299 | Check price |
| Beats Solo Buds | AirPods 5 | One-tap pairing on iPhone and Android | 18 hr (no ANC) | $79.99 | Check price |
| CMF Buds 2 Plus | AirPods 5 | Best cheap noise cancelling | About 9 hr | $79 (often about $59) | Check price |
| EarFun Air Pro 4 | AirPods 5 | Most features for the money | 7.5 hr (52 with case) | $89.99 | Check price |
What you gain and lose by skipping AirPods
For reference, the AirPods Pro 3 cost $249, last up to 8 hours with noise cancelling, add a heart-rate sensor and Live Translation on an iPhone, and are rated IP57 (Apple). The AirPods 5 (September 2026) cost $129, or $149 with a wireless case, and keep an open fit with no ear tips, now with noise cancelling on both models (Apple Newsroom).
- On Android, AirPods lose most of their smarts: no automatic device switching, no easy battery checks or settings in the phone, and features like heart-rate tracking and Live Translation are tied to the iPhone. Earbuds from Sony, Samsung or Google work properly on Android, often with hi-res codecs like LDAC.
- On an iPhone, alternatives still work well over Bluetooth (AAC), but you manage them in the maker’s app rather than in iOS Settings, and you lose Apple’s automatic switching between your iPhone, iPad and Mac.
- Fit is the other reason to switch: the AirPods 5 have no ear tips, so they can’t seal out noise like tip-based earbuds. If AirPods fall out of your ears, see our best earbuds for small ears.
Best alternatives to the AirPods Pro 3
1. Sony WF-1000XM6: best AirPods Pro alternative
Sony’s WF-1000XM6 (February 2026) are the closest rival to the AirPods Pro 3. SoundGuys measured an 88 percent average noise reduction and found their passive isolation, the noise blocked by the fit alone, is better than Apple’s. It also praises their sound and “outstanding” call microphones. They support LDAC and multipoint on Android, are rated IPX4, and last up to 8 hours per charge (24 with the case).
Good to know: at $329.99 they cost more than the AirPods Pro 3, and SoundGuys notes the larger buds may not suit smaller ears.
Check the WF-1000XM6 on Amazon →
2. Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: best for Samsung phones
What AirPods are to an iPhone, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are to a Galaxy phone. Launched with the Galaxy S26 in February 2026, they stream at up to 24-bit/96kHz over Samsung’s Seamless Codec, add 360 Audio with head tracking, head gestures and Gemini or Bixby by voice, and are rated IP57 (SamMobile). SoundGuys rates them 8/10 and measured about 84 percent average noise reduction.
Good to know: SoundGuys got just over 6 hours per charge with noise cancelling on, and most extras disappear on non-Samsung phones. More options in our best earbuds for Samsung.
Check the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro on Amazon →
3. Google Pixel Buds Pro 2: best for Pixel phones
On a Pixel, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 get Google’s new features first: Fast Pair, Find My Device and hands-free Gemini work out of the box, and Google’s Tensor A1 chip powers adaptive noise cancelling. Google skipped a Pixel Buds Pro 3 at the Pixel 11 launch and instead gave the Pro 2 a free update with more consistent noise cancelling, Gemini EQ controls and sleep detection. They last up to 8 hours with noise cancelling (30 with the case), have multipoint, and are rated IP54. Our best earbuds for Pixel guide covers them in detail.
Good to know: the Gemini and Pixel extras matter much less on other Android phones. If you want to spend less, the Pixel Buds 2a ($129) use the same Tensor A1 chip.
Check the Pixel Buds Pro 2 on Amazon →
4. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): best for noise cancelling and comfort
If noise cancelling is your priority, the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) are the main rival to the AirPods Pro 3 on any phone. What Hi-Fi? praises their outstanding noise cancelling, design and punchy sound. Bose rates them at up to 6 hours per charge (4 with Immersive Audio), with three more charges in a wireless-charging case, plus multipoint and IPX4 (Bose).
Good to know: they list at $299 and have the shortest battery of the premium picks, but they’ve often been on sale for less.
Check the QC Ultra Earbuds on Amazon →
Best cheaper alternatives to the AirPods 5
5. Beats Solo Buds: best budget pick for iPhone and Android
The Beats Solo Buds come from Apple-owned Beats and cost $79.99, $49 less than the cheapest AirPods. They pair with one tap on both iPhone and Android, work with Find My (or Find My Device on Android), and come with four ear-tip sizes from XS to L. Each bud weighs 5.7 g, and Beats rates them at up to 18 hours of playback (Beats).
Good to know: there’s no noise cancelling, and the small case has no battery, so you charge the buds over USB-C. TechRadar found the bass lighter than you’d expect from Beats.
Check the Beats Solo Buds on Amazon →
6. CMF Buds 2 Plus: best cheap noise cancelling
For noise cancelling on a budget, the CMF Buds 2 Plus from Nothing’s budget brand cut outside noise by 83 percent on average in SoundGuys’ testing, “comparable to earbuds that cost twice as much”. They add LDAC on Android, a custom EQ in the Nothing X app, about 9 hours per charge and an IP55 rating.
Good to know: the list price is $79, but they often sell for about $59. On an iPhone you manage them in the Nothing X app.
Check the CMF Buds 2 Plus on Amazon →
7. EarFun Air Pro 4: most features for the money
The EarFun Air Pro 4 pack features you usually pay much more for: adaptive hybrid noise cancelling, LDAC and aptX Lossless, multipoint, a low-latency game mode and six microphones for calls. They last up to 7.5 hours per charge with noise cancelling (52 hours with the case) and are rated IPX5. SoundGuys liked the sound, noise cancelling, comfort and app at $89.99.
Good to know: the sound changes when noise cancelling is on, and the newer Air Pro 4+ ($99.99) means the Air Pro 4 is often discounted.
Check the EarFun Air Pro 4 on Amazon →
What about an AirPods Max alternative?
For over-ear headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM6 are the main alternative to the AirPods Max: Sony’s QN3 processor drives 12 microphones for noise cancelling, they last up to 30 hours with it on (against 20 for the AirPods Max), they fold into a compact case, and they have typically cost about $450 to $500. See our best noise-cancelling headphones for more.
Our verdict
The Sony WF-1000XM6 are the best AirPods Pro alternative for most people, especially on Android. Choose the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro for a Samsung phone, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 for a Pixel, and the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds for the strongest noise cancelling. Instead of the AirPods 5, the Beats Solo Buds are an inexpensive option with one-tap pairing on both iPhone and Android, the CMF Buds 2 Plus add strong noise cancelling for less, and the EarFun Air Pro 4 pack the most features.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to AirPods Pro?
The Sony WF-1000XM6. SoundGuys measured 88 percent average noise reduction and better passive isolation than the AirPods Pro 3, and they add LDAC and multipoint on Android. On a Samsung or Pixel phone, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro or Pixel Buds Pro 2 integrate best.
Are AirPods worth it on Android?
Usually not. AirPods work over Bluetooth on Android, but you lose automatic switching, easy battery and settings controls, and features like heart-rate tracking and Live Translation. Earbuds from Sony, Samsung or Google do more on Android for the same money.
What are the best cheap AirPods alternatives?
The Beats Solo Buds ($79.99) for one-tap pairing on iPhone and Android, the CMF Buds 2 Plus (about $59 on sale) for strong noise cancelling, and the EarFun Air Pro 4 ($89.99) for the most features.
Do non-Apple earbuds work with an iPhone?
Yes. Any Bluetooth earbuds work with an iPhone, usually over the AAC codec. You manage them in the maker’s app instead of iOS Settings, and you lose Apple’s automatic switching between your iPhone, iPad and Mac.
Is there an AirPods Max alternative?
The Sony WH-1000XM6: strong noise cancelling with 12 microphones, up to 30 hours of battery with it on, a folding design, and a typical price of about $450 to $500.
